To start with we had a discussion about graphic design in general and where i am studying etc, along with the sort of design that i am interested in. We then spoke about the studio and what the sort of the design work they did.
From the website i was interested in the work they were doing - they are a brand agency, i initially thought they would only do branding work, but they have a large portfolio of print and digital work. The way they work is by creating a brand for a project and use this throughout the project and the outcomes. They do obviously rebrand companies etc and do campaigns too. They had examples of work within the studio which i was able to look through, a lot of this was print based work, which was really interesting to me, i loved the design of these and the sort of style they took throughout these. We spoke briefly on the printers they use, which was impression and some local ones. I was able to talke about impression as they came and did a talk with us, i also asked them about team as they had done a talk with us too.
After all this i was shown around the studio, which wasnt overly large but a nice environment to work within, its a converted flat, so is over two floors, the bottom floor has a main working area with a kitchen and a meeting room, upstairs there another working space which is the same size as the one on the bottom floor. There are 4 designers that work in the studio, with two creative directors and a copy writer. The four designers work downstairs, with the other three working upstairs. They all seem really interesting and easy to get along with. The main area downstairs is centered around a large working area, which is a oval desk split down into four working areas. With the designers being close to each other there is always the connection of working in a studio and being able to show work around everyone, so this seems to work well for the studio.
After a chat with the creative director more about the design aspect of the studio and how they work on their project and with the clients. He did seem really interested in talking to me and discussing design. I then decided to ask about placements, which i didnt know if they did that, but he said that they have done it in the past, with Huddersfield Uni, but they were finding the students were getting worse over the years and not that good at actually doing the design work. So they said they had become more selective on the placements, but he said the way i spoke about design and about the work they have been doing, he could tell i was genuinely interested in design and showed that had a desire for it and wanted to do it.
After speaking some more about it, we agreed on a two week placement in summer, this was only an initial starting point, as he said if i wanted to extend this i could do and just to let them know. I was over the moon, the studio seemed really good and i liked the design work they were producing. The close net studio was something i liked and definitely what i would want to look for when i was going out to work in industry. I would much rather work in smaller studio with less members as theres more of a group feel to it and the fact the work can be discussed throughout the day and shown between everyone. I did really like the feel of the environment the studio worked in and cant wait to go do the placement there now.
They asked me send over some work, so they could see the sort of design work that i do and the standard that i am working at. I emailed over the portfolio on the previous post and asked them for some feedback. What i received back was:
Hi Nathan,
We really like your work - some nice touches and a good eye for typography.
Let me know when you're available. We'd usually do this in 2 week stints but its up to you if you want to make it a little longer.
Speak soon.
Darren
I was really pleased with the feedback, not only did they like me when i met them in person but they all like my work, so now i am really looking forward to the placement. We have agreed i will do this placement in June, i just need to specify dates, which i will do when we start back at Uni and find out specific dates for the next term. Hopefully the beginning of June will be okay to do this.
The Studio is called: The Engine Room
http://www.engineroomdesign.com
Some examples of work from the studio:
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