issue 13, february 2011£3.80 | €4.20

· DEBATE · REVIEW · TRENDS · REPORTS ·

how to succeed as a design graduateconversation: future of IT in education

returning to higher educationlatest student successes in wolverhampton

ISSUE 13 JANUARY 2011

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Whenever European culture is discussed today, its diversity is evoked with near euphoria. The true challenge is to take diversity seriously and make room for new perspectives - whether in word or thought. Only a rich and freewheeling dialogue has the potential to forge a common identity and put it to the test.

Cultural journals are the sector of the media that most closely approximates a definition of the European public space. These journals, including Liaison, are part of a genuinely international debate, spreading political, philosophical, aesthetic, and cultural thought between languages. In bringing the

panorama of European cultural journals to an international public, Liaison stimulates a common cultural discourse among an international readership.

Translation is the key to creating a European public space that respects diversity. By translating texts into one of the widely spoken European languages, Liaison creates the possibility for texts to be understood and valued outside of their original context.

This issue of Liaison focuses on the theme of education, from a European perspective. Within ‘The Word’, our guest journalist, Samantha Hibbert talks to UK design graduate Rob James about life after university. ‘Wait a Minute’ by Jean Paul Gossart, imaginatively focuses on returning to education after a lengthy gap and within ‘Pages from my notebook’ this issues guest art director Raymond Chan discusses their own design education and how his early experiences have influenced their approach to professional commissions. Enjoy Liaison January 2011 and we hope you will return to us in February when our next issue focuses on family life.

Marcus Amstrug

Editor at Large

Liaison, the philosophy: translation of cultures

SUPPORT

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EDITORIAL BUSINESS AND RIGHTS EXECUTIVEDebbie Morgan

INTERNATIONAL PERMISSIONS MANAGERJohn Naughton

SYNDICATION MANAGERAdrian Deevoy

SYNDICATIONDylan Jones

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©2011 First State Publications Ltd

EDITORIAL

DEPUTY EDITORAlex Bilmes

CREATIVE DIRECTORDana Sawdaye

MANAGING DIRECTORCharlotte Black

BRITISH ISLES EDITORAlex Bilmes

HISPANIC PENINSULA EDITORMirianna Velispici

CENTRAL EUROPE EDITORFrancois Benoir

EASTERN EUROPE DIRECTORDavid Michon

BALKANS, GREECE AND TURKEY EDITORCarina Nagrone

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DISCUSSION16_ Pages from my notebook

This issue’s guest art director Raymond Chan shares his experiences

24_ ConversationClive Johnson, Karl Glispessen and Belinda Gimetti discuss IT in Education

26_ Tricks of the TradeAcademia culture isn’t as impenetrable as it may seem

DIARY21_ ALEI Conference

Head for Berlin as the latest innovations in education at the prestigious event

POLICY28_ The Insider by Bernard Paulonisto

Bernard keeps you in the loop with the government’s changing education policy

NEWS36_ Cyberspace warning from

graduateKidscape’s Poster competition brings out the best in student design

36_ Students lend their expertise to the National Memorial ArboretumThe NMA unveils student’s latest efforts to promote the site

36_ Selly Manor success for the second year runningHeritage and tourism is the focus for students latest project

37_ Vintage Bradley’sCottage industry is alive and well

37_ Phoenix Cutting Services LtdThe company refreshes it’s image with a rebrand

37_ International Poster competition showcases student’s workSuccess for student designers from University of Wolverhampton

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INTERVIEW22_ The Learning Company

Serena Paloma the director shares the secret to the latest results of her classes

30_The Word by Samantha HibbertThe student graduate experience through the eyes of Rob James

36_The GossEach month we look at the latest fashion worn on the streets

REPORT18_ Wait a Minute by Jean Paul Gossart

Going back to the student life - what’s the worst that can happen?

19_ French ClassFind out why France’s Universities are now the first choice for Dutch students

20_ Community EngagementLook at Manchester’s new approach to enhancing the experience for students

CONTENTS

... the main difference between studying and work; the amount of time you get to produce and present to clients is vey short and you have to learn to produce what they want ...

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THE WORD

_What were your career aspirations this time last year when you were approaching graduation?

My career aspirations approaching graduation revolved completely around getting a job within the graphic design industry. To achieve this I was very pro-active in sending out my CV to local companies, and in promoting myself at the D&AD New Blood Exhibition in London.

Throughout the final year of my degree I put in maximu m effort, which was rewarded with a first class honours degree, I felt this would give me an advantage over other designers who were seeking the same positions.

_The transition between completing your studies and starting work was almost seamless, did you try hard to find work or were you just lucky?

At the end of year Degree Show I made sure my best work was visible to impress any potential employers. I spent hours greeting people as they walked around our exhibition, taking them through my portfolio and answering any questions they had. This proved beneficial as several companies showed interest in me as a designer and I accepted an offer of employment at a local company. I feel my hard work and enthusiastic approach made

me stand out from the crowd, helping me to secure that job.

_Was design in the world of work what you expected it to be, and did you find that you still had a lot to learn?

One of the best parts of working in a design environment is that you are constantly learning new skills. I was lucky to work alongside another Wolverhampton graduate who has been working as a senior graphic designer for several years.

The techniques and skills that I learnt during this time made me a better designer and gave me confidence to produce work to tight deadlines. This is the main difference between studying and work; the amount of time you get to produce and present to clients is vey short and you have to learn to produce what they want, so lots of amendments and re-working to keep clients happy.

_You now have a new job working in the education sector – how did this come about and what exactly do you do?

Due to the economic downturn I was made redundant but left with a glowing reference allowing me to pick up a good supply of freelance work. I really enjoyed the varied work that I was receiving but still wanted a full-time design position.

I made contact with the School of Art & Design’s Jeff Leak and Julia Chidley, my University lecturers and Hilary Price at the Creative Employability Studio, to see if they had any leads. Hilary contacted me with details of a job that I might be interested in applying for at Heath Park and I got the job to re-design and build the school’s online learning portal called FROG.

I am enjoying this challenge and have had fantastic feedback from the work I have done. I have had to liaise with all of the departments within the school and have also attended a conference in Manchester. I am very grateful to the University for helping find this opportunity.

_What are your plans for the future?

My plans for the future are to create the best FROG platform available for Heath Park Business & Enterprise College so that the students, teachers and parents get as much from the site as possible. I would like to continue to find new and exciting challenges within the design world as I gain more experience and hope to one day own my own graphic design company.

by Samantha Hibbert

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graduated from the School of Art & Design in June 2009 with a First Class Honours Degree in Graphic Communication, quickly securing a job working for a graphics and web design company in Wolverhampton.

In January this year Rob became unemployed when the company were forced to make him redundant due to the economic downturn. He is now working for Heath Park Business & Enterprise College in Wolverhampton designing the user interface of their student learning platform called FROG.

Graphic Communication students have been working with the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas Staffordshire. The Arboretum is the United Kingdom’s living and lasting memorial to commemorate and celebrate all those who have given their lives in the service of their country, as well those who have served or have suffered as a result of conflict.

The Arboretum is a unique haven of peace, contemplation and hope for the future. It consists of 150 acres of wooded parkland within the National Forest, where visitors can both enjoy and learn about the trees and their surroundings, and reflect upon their special symbolism.

After attending a comprehensive on-site briefing, second year graphics students have been working alongside the education and marketing departments at the Arboretum to create designs for a new legacy leaflet. The final designs, presented at the beginning of March, have been extremely well received.

“This has been a very challenging project” said Jessica Glaser, senior lecturer in graphic communication. “Students have responded extremely well to this sensitive, demanding brief. Our clients at the Arboretum have been so thrilled with the students’ dedication and innovation, that they are intent of working with us again.

Students lend their expertise to the National Memorial Arboretum

Based in rural Shropshire, Bradley’s the Tannery is an independent tannery and manufacturer that produces goods for the lifestyle market. Having developed their Union Jack textile range a couple of years ago, Director Brad Burn decided it was time for an update, and two final year Fashion students were employed to create a new Vintage Collection.

Lynsey Burford and Rebecca Forster’s designs have defined new products, refined existing ones and changed the look and feel of the materials used. Incorporating elements heavily influenced by traditional Venetian and Italian design, Lynsey said: “We looked at the exisiting collection and felt that it it needed to be more contemporary yet we chose traditional design with a twist to bring it up to date.”

All of the new designs are currently being sampled and the collection will be ready for sale at the Chelsea Flower Show in June.

You can visit their website at: www.bradleysthetannery.co.uk

Vintage Bradley’s

A national competition to design a poster warning children about the potential dangers of cyberspace saw fierce competition. Matthew Preston of Penkridge, Staffordshire, is one of three winners of the contest organised by the children’s charity Kidscape.

Two of his posters were chosen to be published for national Anti-Bullying Week. The posters will be part of Kidscape’s publications list, a much-used resource for schools and other organisations.

Matthew, 23, who completed a BA (Hons) Graphic Communication degree said: “I am astounded at the amount of publicity the posters are getting and the discussion raised. They have been featured on Sky News, as well as selling in vast quantities. It couldn’t go to a more deserving charity. I wish them all the best.”

Claude Knights, director of Kidscape, said: “We were struck by the appealing graphics and clarity of the message. We knew young designers would know what to do with the challenge of warning against cyber-bullying. Though his poster includes the image of a noose, it has been extremely effective in provoking discussion of internet safety.”

The posters can be seen, and ordered, at www.kidscape.org.uk, or www.saynotobullying.org.uk

Cyberspace warning from graduate

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Kirsty Appleby, 25 Desktop Support Worker, London

_How would you describe your style?“A little eccentric, but mostly chic vintage.”

_How much do you spend a month on clothes?

“Too much! Probably the best part of £150 a month, though I just spent £70 today.”

_Where do like to shop?“I normally go to All Saints or Urban Outfit-ters, as I like the style there. Urban Outfit-ters have clothes that are just a little bit more unique than other shops.”

_How do you think shopping in the Mid-lands could be improved?

“I don’t think it needs to be as everything is in one place with the Bullring.”

_What are you wearing today?“Coat Urban Outfitters £60, shirt Gap £20, necklace Topshop £24, pants Zara £18.”

Sam Pritchard, 20 Sports studies student, Manchester

_How would you describe your style?“I don’t really model myself on anyone. I tend to wear whatever I like. I would say modern casual.”

_How much do you spend a month on clothes?

“I tend to go shopping once every three months, so I’d say about £100 a month.”

_Where do you like to shop?“Bank, FCUK, Topman and River Island.”

_How do you think shopping in the Mid-lands could be improved?

“I don’t really do much shopping so I don’t really know. I suppose it’s pretty good already.”

_What are you wearing today?“Hat Cult £12, cardigan River Island £25, top Red Herring £10, jeans Levis £75.”

In the wake of redundancy, five former colleagues set up Phoenix Cutting Services Ltd to manufacture flatbed cutting tools for the food packaging industry. New to the business sector, Scott Hilton and his partners were grateful for the opportunity to work with Level 2 Graphic Communication students to design their company’s visual identity.

The students brief was comprehensive; to design the company logo and a symbol that could be scribed by laser into the cutting tools. The formation of the brand included a colour scheme, its application into business cards, company stationary and a conceptual three dimensional promotional piece.

Julia Chidley, Senior Lecturer in Graphic Communication said “the Phoenix brief allowed our students the space to utilise thorough design development processes, including specific client-targeted research. We are always keen to work with and support local companies, particularly emerging businesses in these difficult economic times.”

The winner of the brief was Rachel Bendall, whose refreshing colour scheme and clever use of the letter x as part of the logo and the symbol, was praised by the partners. Scott Hilton commented “the volume of work that the students had put into this brief made us realise how important visual identity is to a business Rachel won because her design was striking, functional and clearly set us apart from our competitors. We would definitely work with the School of Art & Design again, and we will assist in any way we can to help Rachel become a successful designer”.

Phoenix Cutting Services Ltd

Selly Manor success for the second year running

Graphic Communication students have had great success for the second year running, working on a project with Selly Manor, one of Birmingham’s oldest buildings. Previous issues of Fresh have articles about student collaboration with the historic visitor attraction and the success of Dmitry Osipchuk, who’s designs for Selly Manor’s popular children’s activities ‘Wicked Workshops’ have been used throughout the Birmingham area.

This year Selly Manor will be staging another range of activities, entitled ‘Summer Fun’. Second year graphic communication students have again been invited to design promotional material.

“After lots of discussion and following extensive consultation with the hundreds of children that visited the Manor over half term, we have decided on a design for the Summer Fun leaflet, said Daniel Callicott, Education and Events Officer. “The standard was high but we whittled it down to a shortlist of designs by Amrit Panesar, Magarit Catalin, Amy Jones and Lisa Barrett. The winning design chosen is Lisa Barrett’s leaflet. Once again I would like to say a big thank you to the students for all their work,” Daniel concluded.

Lisa’s winning designs will be seen and enjoyed, this summer throughout the Midlands - well done Lisa!

Third year students worked on large (24x36 inch) format posters around a central theme designed to raise awareness of current social issues including world economics, human rights and war.

Students from the University of Wolverhampton in the UK worked alongside two international partners from Purdue University in the US and Central South University in China.

Jeff Leak, Graphic Communication Course Leader, who co-ordinated the project here said, “This has been a wonderful opportunity. The international exhibition of the students’ work and the resulting catalogue is testimony to the way our students can liaise, communicate and compete with students at the highest level internationally”. Fellow co-ordinators included: Professor David L Sigman from Purdue University and Professor Xianming Sun from Central South University.

You can see some of the student work in progress on a blog set up by Jeff. This e-Learning methodology proved very successful in creating discussion around both the issues and the design as each student who posted had to comment on at least one piece by another student.

Their blog can be accessed at: www.ad3400.blogspot.com

Student winners included:

• Ingrid Velure (Joint second place)• Paul Power (Joint third place)• Aneesa Iqbal• Jahmela Anderson• Lotte Andresen• Masomeh Zandi• Matt Hollies• Selina Pal

THE NEWSInternational poster competition showcases student’s work 37

THE GOSSMy Style