TASK 1 - Revised

Write a LIST OF POSSIBLE CLIENT GROUPS that use graphic design in the development, production, distribution, promotion and/or communication of their products or services. Identify one client group that reflects your current ambitions within the graphic design area (music industry, retail, publishing, education etc.) and focus on identifying:-

• Product packaging & Promotion
• Music Industry
• Publishing
• Editorial
• Advertising
• Brandin & Identity
• Retail
• Food
• Event Promotion
• Health & Beauty Product Design

PRODUCT PACKAGING & PROMOTION;

After completing module OUGD201 I wanted to re visit this task as I really enjoyed exploring, researching and designing the packaging for products and promoting it. This is a very large sector of graphic design, there are many opportunities within this sector and that also include the branding and identify of the product. Product packaging is something I have always taken an interest in even before I thought about embarking on a Graphic Design Degree; in particular I have always noticed products in  health and beauty stores such as Boots. Due to this being a very crowded sector, I always look to see which products stand out for me; generally I will chose a product because of the design rather than price, or content of the product. One brand that has always jumped out at me is the Original Source Shower gel collection - a simple but bold design that allows the contrast between the bright colours of the product to attract the attention along with the label. I am also very drawn to typography and layout - this is a very important skill to learn for packaging and promotion; knowing what to include and how to depict the information and how you want it to be read. After I leave Leeds, my aim is to be able to live in London as I feel it will have the largest range of design opportunities and connections. 

WHAT ARE THE SKILLS / INTERESTS THAT YOU HAVE AND HOW DO THEY RELATE TO THE NEEDS OF YOUR CLIENT GROUPS

• Type - Interest in in Type and I have chosen the type module for the sprint term - I think this will help me have a better insight to designing labels and packaging. 
• Colour - I am very interesting in Colour theory, last year we had an introduction into the basics of colour theory - this is something I want to read up more on and learn to apply it more effectively. 
• Eye - I have always taken an interest in how a product is designed (labels), packaged and promoted - I can see what will stand out on a shelf as it is a method I have used when buying product e.g. hair care, moisturiser, make up. I have an idea of what products are out there at the moment and how they catch the eye of the target audience.
• Group work - learnt to brainstorm well and bounce off other people ideas / concepts and develop them further - I work well both alone and in a group. 

WHAT SKILLS ARE NEEDED AND WHAT SKILLS DO YOU NEED TO DEVELOP

• Networking - I can easily talk to people but I need to develop an appropriate book of contacts / clients within this sector of design
• Communicating - I need to learn precisely what and how to communicate to my target audience and what they respond to e.g. language, design, colour, place, promotion. 
• The Industry - I need to learn more about this sector of the industry and how a graphic design business works, design and gets their design seen. There is a lot I need to learn about the business side of the industry and how to be a successful designer in both the design and the enterprise world. 

TASK 2 - Where are they, How will they find me?

WHERE ARE MY POTENTIAL CLIENTS / EMPLOYERS LOCATED

To begin with, I want to work in a smaller graphic design agency / studio - I think that the workplace will be more personal, better communication and easier to understand the needs and demands of the workplace as well as the clients needs. I would eventually like to work in a larger graphic design company and work with major clients, in which case these would be located in the major cities in the UK, the US and Europe. I am not bi-lingual and speak basic French so this will limit where I would live. Ideally I would like to work for an agency in London.
I am interested in working in a few areas of graphic design; Packaging & Promotion, Branding, Marketing, Publishing & Editorial. I understand that these areas of design spread across both the printed and screen design. Many of the studios and companies that I have been looking at are based in North and Central London, as well as Birmingham, Buckinghamshire. Other companies abroad are placed in other major cities such as New York. These stuidos and design companies are based in the CBDs of the cities. This is where consumerism is at its highest and its the most accessible part of the city and a high population of people leading to a wider audience. The technology we use today (Computers, Internet, Adobe Programs) alows the location of studios to be flexible. There should also be a printers near by for print based design. 

WHAT MATERIAL DO MY POTENTIAL CLIENTS / EMPLOYERS USE?

For packaging / promotion / marketing - a wide range of materials could be used, this would depends on the brief and the product. It could range from paper, card, plastic, acetate, cotton, cloth glass. For marketing that is not print based - the advertising could range from TV commercials, internet popups, websites, email advertising, videos etc. Screen based design is increasingly more popular - it is also more. When receiving a brief from the client you would have to talk through all the possible range of materials the brief could exploit in order to make the most out of it. When choosing the material, one should be aware of the economical costs, the shipping costs and the most environmentally friendly method of creating the designs. 

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO COMMUNICATE AND HOW DOES IT MATCH WHAT YOUR CLIENTS / EMPLOYER NEEDS?

For marketing / advertising I need to be able to clearly communicate a message / the subject that is being advertised in a innovative and creative manner to the accurate target audience. In any format, the design needs to be clear and inviting to read. A client needs their services to be shown and made available to the target audience in an economical and environmentally friendly way.
EDIT ---------------

Enterprise Session - Plan Sheet