Study Task 7 - Samples of Work

Based on the exercises, feedback and discussion in the module so far:

Part 1 - Identify, document and evaluate a minimum of 10 examples of professional designer's and/or design studios who have used a range of media and formats to distribute samples of their work. You should aim to select a range of examples using a rage of media.
  
Part 2 - Produce a short (50 word) SWOT analysis of each example in order to analysis its relative merits and effectiveness as a promotional tool or strategy. 

MIK MIK Studio use badges as a way of advertising their work.  The small badges give you an insight into what kind of designers they are.  The strengths of these badges are that they are small and people love to pick them up and have a look at them, and a lot of people collect badges, even if they don't wear them so this is a more interesting way of getting known than perhaps a sticker or a business card.  A weakness of the badges is these particular ones don't have a name on, so if they get separated from the packet they are no longer a great advertising device.

 

 

 This student from Southampton has designed this self-promotional poster for themself in an alternative format of cut out cardboard.  The strengths of the design is that it is creative and well carried out and gives us an insight to the designer's thoughts and interests.  This design however does not necessarily show all of the designers skills.

 This designer, Charlotte Olsen has applied her contact details to a bar of chocolate, which will make people she gives them out to remember her more than just handing out normal business cards.  An opportunity for this particular concept is that the designer could do a similar thing but apply the concept to different objects depending on who the person was they were giving it to and their interests/aims etc. 

Self Promotion by Chiaraceccaioni includes an infographic CV, stickers and business cards.  This design shows layout and illustration skills while also good production skills and good example of different processes used.  

This design which look like beer mats have a lot more to offer, the cards all fit into the box on the top left corner.  Available is a USB stick - to document work, QR code - to transport the viewer to the designer's website, and a CV.  We can see good production skills used here and clean crisp design.  The only weakness is the design isn't that engaging, however the format is.

The 3D lunch box is more memorable than a piece of A4 paper and is much more creative, this person has actually came up with a concept for a way of getting his work/CV out there.  Even though there is not much information given away on the outside we already get a feel for who the designer is and what they design like.  It also makes you actually want to open it up and see what's inside.  The only thing that I'd be worried about would be if it got damaged in the post.

The pun used here is definitely a positive aspect, it almost works as an ice-breaker.  Another strength of the design is the use of foiling, which proves the designer can carry out different processes.

This design does not really give away anything about the designer, there is a range of products there, business cards, stickers and perhaps a booklet on the right but we don't get a feel for who the designer is or what they are about.

This design, by Alex Hines also has a good concept, especially when being handed to a graphic designer.  The design is clean and crisp and not too much information is thrown at you at once.  There is also a USB stick which will hold samples of work of the designer.

This design proves good layout, infographic, type and illustration skills which is positive.