Personal Statement

Personal Statement


Throughout my life I have always been fascinated by the media and aim to pursue a career in this field. The creative aspects of the subject are what attracted me too it and mixed media is something I have enjoyed studying since an early age. I was able to accomplish GCSE's and A Levels in Art and Design, Media Studies and also iMedia. This equipped me with the skills in Adobe and other software I have been required to use. 
I am currently in my second year at The Manchester College and thoroughly enjoying my work. I have been able to develop my skills and techniques within Adobe software and also broaden my knowledge of design and advertising theories. As well as this, I have gained an insight into client handling as I have been taking part in live briefs for companies such as Mercedes/SMART, Penguin and The High Growth Foundation. Whilst working on these briefs I had to consider things such as layout, research, colour theory and making the final design presentable and professional. Upon completion of these briefs, I realised I enjoyed working with clients and this has given me the motivation to pursue a work placement at a design agency or studio. I have also contacted the Liverpool Echo to see if it would be possible for me to experience how they work, and gain an insight in how they manage their own briefs. As well as this, I have been able to contact people within the industry such as freelance workers based across the northwest, and design agencies such as Purpose who are based in London. Whilst communicating with them, I was able to gather information on the different stages they go through when dealing with a brief. I believe that this has helped me in my own work as they gave me good advice on how to simplify a brief, and understand what it is asking from me. From this experience I have gained the confidence to work on briefs externally as I have done for a Liverpool based band. I was asked to supply them with a logo, business cards and a banner to be placed behind them during performances. Within this brief I had to take their own ideas of how they wanted the band represented and then combine it into a design they'd appreciate. Other external design work I have been a part of was assisting my uncle who works freelance in Monaco, France. He lays out and designs brochures for companies and during my short visit, I accompanied him in designing a catalogue for a yachting company. This experience was very beneficial to me as I was able to see how other designers work and then interpret their style into my own work. To keep me up to date within the design industry, I am regularly looking at blogs for ideas, and buying magazines such as Creative Review to use as inspiration for my own work. From this whole experience I believe I am ready to join onto a BA Honours course as I am now equipped with both the skills and motivation to work more independently. 
Aside from this my interests are playing sports. I play Sunday league Football and have done so since the age of six. As well as playing I also achieved numerous coaching awards such as Community Sports Leaders Award and Junior Football Association Award. These required me to travel around schools and coach after school lessons to the pupils. I was also able to coach Everton MiniKickers a range of simple skills and technique, leading onto more complex tasks. Within these roles I have to be patient, imaginative and quick thinking. I am required to put across an instruction in many different ways so the individual can understand but also make the learning fun, all of which helps develop my inter-personal skills and communication.