Graphic Design Personal Statement 4
Graphic design is everywhere. Advertisements to websites, concert tickets to magazines. They've all been through a graphic design department at some point. I became interested in Graphic Design when I gained skills using a computer as it enabled me to combine two things I excelled at. For as long as I can remember I have been encouraged to be creative whether it be completing colouring books or experimenting with different media to create my own pictures. I feel this is why I have always achieved well and enjoyed creative subjects.
I am currently in my second year of a BTEC National Diploma in Art and Design. I have experienced and enjoyed all aspects of this course and the diversity of the subject areas delivered in the first year. For my second year I have chosen options in graphic design and photography as I feel this is where my strengths lie. I have been exploring different types of visual recording within photography, looking at light and movement and developing my own textures from the geographic surroundings and applying surface manipulations. I have also been experimenting with the different features available with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. Sabrina Ward Harrison has been an influence on the final piece I'm currently developing as I really like the ways she combines layers of imagery and text. I also like the black and white photographs of Paris by Andre Ketesz and the work of typographer David Carson.
With my life skills, I have had the opportunity complete a work placement as a trainee at the design company: Razamataz, experiencing the day to day running of the company, within all aspects of the design process through to the production of the final product. On a separate occasion, I had the chance to experience the day to day running of a graphic design agency: Txx Hxxxx, where I experienced life in Manchester city centre office and how all the different jobs within the company are linked. These periods introduced me to the Apple Mac platform within the industry. I have later used these skills in an educational environment.
It's outside of my education where my passion for photography arose. I'm really interested in stockcar racing. The landscapes that I passed whilst stuck in a car for many miles travelling to meetings, provided the subjects for some of my first photographs. I also used this for a project within my current course, where I created a website for a couple of the drivers: Txxx Fxxxxxxxx. I've always had a interest in web design and I am very confident in using Adobe Dreamweaver. I gained very high grades for this coursework and the design is still being used live on the internet. Last year I had the opportunity to have a couple of my images included in an exhibition held at Dxxxxx Rxxx and Nxxxxxx Sxxxxxxxx, Bxxxxxx in partnership with the college and was invited along to one of the initial meetings in the organisation of the event.
As part of the enrichment programme at college I have recently joined the college choir. We're still in the early stages of developing ourselves and there are plans in place for performances next year. Performing is something I have always enjoyed. I was a member of the school wind band playing the Cornet right through primary and secondary school, playing at local venues and at the Royal Festival Hall in London.
The ever evolving graphic design industry continues to provided exciting and unique designs which is something I want to be part of. I believe studying graphic design at degree level can help me achieve this
Universities Applied to:
- Norwich University College of the Arts (Graphic Design) - Offer- Conditional (Pass, Merit, Merit) Firm
- University of Chester (Graphic Design with Multimedia Technologies) - Offer (Merit, Merit, Merit) Insurance
- Kingston University (Graphic Design) - Rejection (Due to poor portfolio)
- Sheffield Hallam University - Rejection
- Leeds Metropolitan University (Graphic Art and Design) - Rejection (They offered me Contemporary Art Practices but I turned it down)
Grades Achieved:
BTEC National Dipolma in Art and Design - Distinction, Distinction, Distinction
