Enterprise Task 4, Who else is out there- how good are they.

SWAT, Analysis...
Below I am going to apply a swat analysis on three Design companies all very different. I believe this will be a very useful process when it comes to our enterprise presentations.

Elmwood.

Strengths- Elmwood main strength is there effective branding solutions, across a massive renowned client list. They are a global company with a rich history, this knowledge, experience and passion for there work puts them miles ahead.

Weaknesses- They work with massive budgets a more innovative design company could properly underscore them. They are also very type driven this limits the number of perspective clients. They also limit there workload by solely concentrating on branding, this could however be considered a strength.
They look expensive and global this can put off small up and coming business.

Opportunities- Branding is the main focus of any company so with there reputation and experience alone they could attract new custom. There sheer amount of contacts could help further propel the sales of a perspective client.

Threats- Smaller print studios that can do the job for less, these studios can also pick up the smaller more local clients that Elmwood as forgotten.

Generation Press.


Strengths- Very high quality print, if a client is hoping to impress then they are number one. Also offer something different due to there experimental approach to design and print. They also promote sustainable and ethical practices this opens them up to a whole range of green washing clients.

Weaknesses- There main weakness is what it costs them to maintain their high print standards. They also have no digital design this limits them somewhat. There focus on sustainability this is not important to many clients, and even to the green washers it is all about appearances.

Opportunities- By offering a special service this makes them stand out against the rest. Clients will pay extra for something that will make them stand out in turn within their own competitive environments. As well as this a lot more people are jumping on the sustainable bandwagon.

Threats- They sit in a growing Digital age and more than this Digital is cheap. Other studios could prise cut them for similar work completed using cheaper methods. Also the rising cost of material.


Analogue.


Strengths- Use of digital media, also brand identity and web development. Another interesting strength they had was photography skills not something that pops up readily on design webpages. This is very evident in their work.

Weaknesses- For me they are very typographical not enough pure image work. There work I find is also very cluttered this could be something to do with their involvement in the music industry. The later also could limit their client group and make potential clients viewing there webpage to be very sceptical. Also for me their is not enough print work particularly packaging.

Opportunities- In the music industry this will never die and forever expanding there is also a lot of promotion at local level there trendy style also leaves them open to publication in music magazines.

Threats- They seem very one dimensional their are a lot of businesses doing very similar work this means they could be prised out or beaten which is possible in such a competitive market. Companies offering a broader range of skill sets might be able to offer more.

Enterprise Task 3, How will I promote Myself.

Not all of the points within the marketing communication mix are relevant in promoting myself, I have picked out what I feel are most appropriate in my own self promotion. There are a whole range of methods when it comes to advertising myself as a creative. The best ways to do this are very often Ads in various creative magazines or issues, however as a student starting out I do not have the client base finance and connections to make this possible. I would say there are more cost effective and simple methods available one being business cards. These are a great visual reminder to any perspective client, they also link with a whole range of other communicating methods i'e they contain contact information and website etc.
         Websites for me are the most useful and are a cheap and effective method for self promotion for graduates. On a webpage work can be exhibited for potential clients to mull over as well as the individuals ever growing client list. A webpage can also be accompanied by a blog, or separate. A blog can be a great advert for a designer giving a more personal and evaluated look at the designers work. Digital mail outs are another great form of self advertisement as they can be easily transferable to potential clients or employers. These can be accompanied by mail outs, some sort of paper based book or fold or perhaps something that shows imagination and insight some sort of object can effectively capture a client or employer. As well as blogger other social network sites can be useful for clients to contact you and follow your work. Entering competitions is a hugely effective method to get your name out there i'e Ycn or D and ad. All the above I would regard as successful sales promotion solutions.
           As well as these basic sales promotion I believe simple self promotion is even more essential. This can be done via a range of communication methods email or phone calls these are both direct marketing methods. But to me face to face communication is the most important as this makes a lasting impression on the client this dialog is essential as you must be able to communicate to collaborate within the creative industries. More than anything this gives your client confidence in your ability.

Enterprise Task 2, Where are they- how will they find me.

For my pest analysis I have chosen certain retail outlets that sell t shirts perhaps not solely but as part of their greater stock.

Local level- Upstaged, clothes shop in leeds.
National- Republic.
European- Littlewoods europe.com.
Transnational- Topman.

Political- Local businesses can distribute easily due to their smaller scale, unlike transitional businesses that rely on larger distribution networks. Such businesses have to be a lot more conscious of there carbon footprint and consider such things as green initiatives, sustainability and ethical. Branding also effect businesses as well as designers that need to reflect their clients values.

Economical- This is all dictated by resources, transnational companies have greater resource than local companies. Local businesses will therefor rely on local trade meaning they can charge at a lower cost in store. However their distribution charge is more significant, due to a smaller amount of stock required.
       Larger companies on the other hand will order more meaning the price per item when distributed is lower. Transnational and national companies will spend greater sums on advertising and publicity compared to local.

Social- T shirt style is forever changing and it is important to keep up with the trend the trouble is a good idea can be copied so much it falls out of favour. A good example of this changing trend is the amount of animal themed t shirts particularly wolfs. T shirts also are seasonal this can effect local business as you can almost definitely predict it will be cold. Many aspect of the design can change and become less favourable i'e the very fit of the t shirt, the shape of the neck or material etc. Trends can also change in the design in my case I aim to produce illustrative patterned design, people might prefer plane or t shirts with a collar.
           As a company goes larger the more it strives to please the masses, t shirts can be made in bulk and sold cheap therefor they can effectively undercut local business and offer similar designs at more affordable prices with the label.

Enterprise Meeting.

We met to discuss our skill sets in order to get a grasp of how we might approach the brief.

How not to fail.

Enterprise Lecture 8

Enterprise Lecture 7

Enterprise Lecture 6

Enterprise Lecture 5

Enterprise Lecture 4

Industrial Experience....

What are my concerns about Industrial Experience?

• Primarily will I be good enough.
• Will my portfolio be up to scratch.
• Have I acquired enough skills and knowledge to converse with these people.
• Actually knowing how to go about getting the experience.
• Getting the ball rolling contacting people saying the right thing.

What areas of Industry are you interested in?

My personal interests lie in interactive graphic design thing that people can engage in on a range of levels.

        So i guess something that involves this, not entirely sure yet. I would Ideally like to set up my own business that involves making interactive graphical products. To me this interaction is important people don't notice things that are flat any more.

What form/format could industrial experience take?

• Work experience.
• Talking to people within the industry.
• An internship.
• Any insight into a career path.

What can I learn from Industrial Experience?

• Skills and attributes.
• Networking skills.
• How to transfer subject skills into real life situations.
• Greater commercial awareness.

What is Industrial experience?

• Gaining knowledge of a work environment.
• How the job runs day to day as well as the industry from within.
• Perhaps enhanced software skills, crafting, research skills etc. Could be an educational experience
• The design process actually witnessing this from a start to finish.
• How far I need to push myself to ensure the position becomes official.

Enterprise Lecture 3........

What are you worth.
This got me thinking and looking at things differently what do people need and can I give it to them.

Enterprise Lecture 2........

Ideas and Opportunities:
A good lecture about how to give a good idea value.

Cost of Living Seminar.......

For this seminar with bridget we had to calculate our cost of living. Taking into account our all our overall needs, we were left with a rough estimate of the sort of wage we might need in the future, in ordre to live comfortably.

Enterprise Lecture 1......

How to get yourself out there.
The first enterprise lecture of the year. I found this Lecture very useful a real eye opener regarding the business side of design. Within the lecture we were introduced to marketing and business principles that will inform our future practice.
Below are my lecture notes.