Task 4

In this task - i am going to be reviewing and assessing the strength and weaknesses of two design companies of my choice. The first being Fatfish of Melbourne, Australia. And the second Allgood.tv - a local Leeds based design agency.

This way i can compare where i am now (Leeds) to where i wish to live in several years (Australia). This way i can see the positive and negatives of each area.

FatFish - Australia

Strengths

• Modern and fun website (using sound)
• An array of design services (including - web services, flash animation, concept development etc)
• Clear contact details

Weaknesses

• News - not updated since March 08
• Limited information about the actual company
• Studies only in Sydney and Melbourne

Althought the news has not been updated in nearly 24 months, the site offers an online portfolio which gives an idea to the type of work they produce and the work they are hired for.

The welcome to the website is fun, light hearted and straight forward.

"Since ancient times, the fish has been depicted as a symbol of creativity. There's big fish in small ponds. Small fish in big ponds. But the really creative fish are the fatfish."

The design house - as i mentioned is straight to the point and has very high opinion on itself which i find great.

"Whatever our clients requirements, we answer them with energy, attitude and originality. We love design and every job reminds us why we chose this profession in the first place. "

As i noted before on my negatives list - the 'news' area on the website has not been updated for a long period, this could give a potential client the wrong impression. They could ask if the company is still operating or if they are just too slack to update the news on a regular basis.

Allgood Branding - Leeds

Strengths

• Professional website
• Easy to operate
• High experience designers
• Services are very broad

Weaknesses

• Technical website (easy to understand after a while)

This company seems to deliver everything possible in a very professional and brilliant manor.

"About - At allgood, we apply deep understanding and generate inventive ideas that bring our clients results."

Although this agency had only been open for 6/7 years. They have done work for big clients and use a large amount of different media to suite each brief they are given.

"Behind all good are 6 years, 600 projects and many happy clients. Clients who continue to enjoy the benefits of design and ideas, that, for the right reasons, stand out."

The website is brilliant, the portfolio of previous work is a piece of art in itself - well put together and presented. Large known clients and many work using different media - including work for Branding, Digital and Marketing.

Task 3

How will I promote myself – what do they want to hear?

In the initial stages of applying my design too practice. Promoting myself is essential and would normally be done using the promotion side of the 4 Ps - Price, Promotion, Product, Placement.

Product:

I feel i would be seen as a Graphic design package. My 'product' would include such creative aspects as research, problem solving, advertising, branding, realization, conceptualization.

Price:

In one of our Enterprise & Innovation lectures i gained the knowledge too find out my annual outgoings are at a staggering amount of £19,600 a year. Upon graduation, I will be living and working in the areas of London, Leeds or Edinburgh. However reading a forum (forums.freelanceuk.com) about freelance work in Edinburgh i found that a starting rate of £10 an hour was good, but some more established designers were getting around £20-30.

If i wish too persue a lot of my dreams of travel and experiencing the world. Free lance design would be a big factor too my career. With this taken into account, and annual salary of around £23,000 would make me comfortable.

Promotion:

Promotion is essential for any designer too get recognition and work. An obvious way of communication and promotion would be too design and produce business cards and have them printed for handouts. Along side your business card a well presented portfolio (hard copy and digital - which could be shown through a website.) Advertising myself through design magazines and publications with good design background would also be a useful tool.

If i was too work through an already established agency, my guess would be that they have already prepared and set up a promotional area however freelance work could still be done using the business cards and online portfolio.

Placement:

Since starting second year i have been looking into many places too do my placement for the summer of 2010. The usual places, London, Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh have all been considered along with New York and L.A - however i decided i would love too gain experience in Australia. On a previous visit too this wonderful country, i knew that was where i wanted too make my life. And getting some sort of experience before i leave college would not only be essential but also amazing! The flights are booked - its a matter of finding a placement now.