Task 1 - Who Am I - Who Are They

"With modern graphic design concepts and methodologies always changing, graphic designers need to continually advance their knowledge of different graphic design techniques, innovations and graphic design software packages. At present, the basic instructions in graphic designing cannot guarantee for a competitive product anymore without the use of high technology, so that the demand for highly skilled graphic designers is higher than ever." (Jan; S, 2007)

Lecture 1 provided an insight into the creative industries as a whole, why certain businesses fail and a few reasons why we should be confident enough to be self-employed.

What skills do you have and who needs them?

I believe we underestimate our skills in the creative industries, designers of our generation are far more competent with changing technologies and computer literacy in the UK is one of the world's highest:

"Commissioned by Olivetti Personal Computers the report states that Britain has the highest computer to student ratio anywhere. A third of British homes have a computer, equal with Belgium and besting the US where 28 per cent of homes give house space to a computer." (Veitch; M)

My competency with computers in itself is therefore not uncommon, however the ways I can use software in the creation of my work not only as an output (I am confident with my skills with all the industry standard software in the Adobe Creative Suite, and am developing my skills with scripting programs and Processing), but I am also confident in creating work outside of a Mac, I have built work such as lightboxes and created small installations. My Product is therefore not only my finished work for clients, but the principle I work with when delivering it - innovative, forward thinking art and design.

Feature: Fresh and innovative young designer. Benefit: Relevant and exciting work / Feature: Website created on Dreamweaver with Web Safe fonts. Benefit: Website will look the same on all different Web browsers.

I would deliver my product in various online forms - the easiest, safest and cheapest way to promote yourself and sell your product - but also in more tangible forms (utilising my skills with 3D work) at events and exhibitions.

Feature: Self-run promotional event. Benefit: Create your own atmosphere/feel to the event and speak to possible clients first-hand.

It would also be important for me to be aware of clients abroad, considering the high levels of computer literacy in this country compared with others. My pricing would need to be enough to cover the costs of any materials used in 3D work, as well as something for the time I have taken to do it. Software based work would therefore be available at a lesser-cost, due to the lack of materials/travel etc. needed to produce such work. Again, the internet would provide a fair-sized part of my promotion, with thought for more innovative forms of self-promotion through my 3D/installation work.

Jan; S (2007) Graphic Design Training - Enhancing your Computer Graphic Design Skills http://www.articlesbase.com/internet-articles/graphic-design-training-enhancing-your-computer-graphic-design-skills-229026.html. Date accessed: 15/12/09.

Veitch;M, Britain is World's Leader in Computer Literacy

,http://news.zdnet.co.uk/internet/0,1000000097,2066579,00.htm. Date accessed: 15/12/09.