Paul Woodward - The Stable Room

http://www.thestableroom.co.uk/

The Stable room is the online portfolio of Paul Woodward. Paul is a freelance designer working within a variety of design areas including, General digital media, online, broadcast, entertainment and advertising.

One piece of Paul’s work which I was really interested in was a piece for the creative agency ‘onfire creative’ where Paul created a motion graphics piece. Paul explains on his online portfolio that the brief was to “bring to life a 2D logo, give it life.” he moves on to explain that in this piece “the logo was re-created in after effects ad a 3D shape and animated to audio” I really enjoyed the pieces simplicity and concept. As you can see from the stills the piece has a good use of 3D and lighting which enhances the aesthetics of the work. Overall a really simple and effective piece.

After discovering Paul Woodward's online portfolio I decided to contact Paul via email. Still waiting for a reply.

Bubble

http://thebubblesite.co.uk/siteNorm/index.php

Based in Manchester, Bubble believe that “creative ideas and Design make the world go round” and they think of them selfs as a “creative group with passion that love challenges”. They work in four main disciplines, Interactive, Print/Brand, Broadcast and Sound.

I really liked the unique feel that Bubble has and the range of mediums and disciplines that they cover. One piece that I enjoyed was their moving image work for JD sports. They produced moving image work for JD’s in store screens. The screens displayed their work which involved relevant imagery and related to modern day youth culture. I personally have seen these in-store screens and graphics, and at the time was intrigued by the style and effects. So it was a pleasant surprise to find that Bubble had produced this work. I also enjoyed watching there moving image piece for Playstation where they were asked to “bring to life through animation and sound design the existing brand imagery for Playstation”. The piece shows the creative workings of bubble and how they visualized their ideas into a final piece. The use of colour and the flow of images is really effective. As Bubble is based in Manchester I contacted them to try and arrange a visit and portfolio critique. (Still waiting for reply).

Seismik

Seismik are a creative design studio that can work within a range of design disciplines. The services include graphic design, motion graphics, video production, animation, web design. I found some of their work really interesting especially their music video for Gary Numan. The piece is a live action shot and has some distinctive visual effects and edits. As the company was only based in Nottingham I decided to contact them via email (still waiting for response)

Pixel DNA

In December last year I contacted “Pixel DNA” to try n organize a portfolio critique and ultimately result in having a contact within the industry.

Pixel DNA are a company working within Design, illustration, and motion. They work within these area using 2d and 3d design/animation and motion graphics to provide print and screen based media both still and moving image. Some of their clients include channel 4, Lloyds tsp, Royal Academy of Music, and many more.

















I contacted Pixel DNA on the 11th of December saying:


(No Subject) From: philip o'connor (philoc7@hotmail.com) Sent: 11 December 2008 20:58:44 To: info@pixel-dna.com Hello Pixel DNA, I'm Philip O’Connor and I am currently studying a Multimedia Degree at Stockport College. At the moment I am creating a self-directed moving image project and also producing a live competition brief for YCN. I was wondering if possible, if there is a chance to show you my work in progress to get gain some feedback. This would be a great help to improve my work and gain some advice. Thank you for your time, Phil O’Connor

From this email Marc Tingle from Pixel DNA replied saying:

Re:
From: Marc Tingle | Pixel DNA (marc@pixel-dna.com)
Sent: 12 December 2008 12:50:10
To: philip o'connor (philoc7@hotmail.com)

Hi Philip,

Thanks for getting in touch. I'd be happy to take a look at the projects you mention and offer any feedback. Are you able to provide a link for me to view online?

Kind Regards
Marc

Design | Illustration | Motion

Pixel DNA Limited
32 Wellcarr Road
Woodseats
Sheffield
S8 8QQ

Tel: 0114 22 02 337


From this email I then replied trying to push a meet, I felt I was being to brazen and maybe come across bold trying to push for a meeting but that is what I was aiming for.


RE:
From: philip o'connor (philoc7@hotmail.com)
Sent: 13 December 2008 11:50:51
To: marc@pixel-dna.com

Hi Marc,

Thanks for your reply. I'm sorry to say that my online portfolio is still under construction at the moment. Would it be possible to come into Pixel DNA some time after the new year. I would greatly appreciate any of your time, feedback and advice.

Many Thanks Philip


Re:
From: Marc Tingle | Pixel DNA (marc@pixel-dna.com)
Sent: 13 December 2008 12:23:28
To: philip o'connor (philoc7@hotmail.com)

Hi Philip, We do have rather a busy diary for December/January, so for the moment I'd rather avoid a meeting. We do get regular enquiries of this nature and so I'm sure you can understand that it isn't always convenient to spend time meeting with people. As I said, I'm more than happy to look at your work and offer any relevant feedback if you can get a copy over to me for me to see? May I recommend the FTP transfer facility called 'yousendit.com' - this would allow you to send larger files such as videos etc... Just a thought.
Kind Regards

Marc Design | Illustration | Motion Pixel DNA Limited 32 Wellcarr Road Woodseats Sheffield S8 8QQ

Tel: 0114 22 02 337 www.pixel-dna.com

I found Marc very pleasant and I could understand the situation and how busy him and his colleges would be. I think my approach to Pixel DNA worked well in this case and I probably was also quite lucky to contact and get a response from Marc who was helpful. From this contact I will be arranging to get an on line portfolio (website) or some of my work online via a website like Vimeo.

'Surdevan Creative' Visit and Portfolio Critique

I contacted Surdevan Creative via email:


(No Subject)
From: philip o'connor (philoc7@hotmail.com)
Sent: 06 April 2009 14:21:56
To: info@surdevancreative.com
Hello Surdevan Creative,


I'm Phil O’Connor and I am currently a 3rd year studying a Multimedia Degree at Stockport College.


At the moment I am currently working on my Major Project which is a live action piece and also reworking a self directed brief (music video concept). After looking at your portfolio and noticing the wide range of skills within your work, I was wondering if possible, if there is a chance to show you my work in progress to get some feedback. This would be a great help to improve my work and gain some advice.



Thank you for your time,


Phil O’Connor

After sending this email, John Surdevan Director/producer replied saying:



From: john@surdevancreative.com
To: philoc7@hotmail.com
Subject: Re:
Date: Mon, 6 Apr 2009 16:55:12 +0100

Hi Phil,

Might have some time wednesday afternoon if you want to pop in then. Will you be bringing DVDs or a laptop?

J

From this I replied:

On 6 Apr 2009, at 19:26, philip o'connor wrote:

Hi John,

Yeh Wednesday afternoon (8/4/09) would be great, was planning on bringing my laptop?

What time would be best for you? (I'm free anytime)

Thanks again

Phil


John then replied and confirmed saying:


Re: RE:
From: John Surdevan (john@surdevancreative.com)
Sent: 07 April 2009 12:54:15
To: philip o'connor (philoc7@hotmail.com)
4ish I think - give me a ring about 2 to confirm we can both do it.

Laptop is fine.

Look forward to meeting you

Cheers

J
John Surdevan
Director/Producer | 07960 126 569 | john@surdevancreative.com | www.surdevancreative.com
Surdevan Creative | Randolph House | 37 - 41 Longshut Lane West | Stockport | SK2 6RX

'Surdevan Creative' Visit and Portfolio Critique

After speaking to John on the phone and confirming the times I then went to meet him. I had my portfolio critique on the 8th of April 2009. For me this was a very informal and casual meeting. John reviewed my work and gave some some great feed back. It was interesting to visit a small studio after visiting such companies as double negative and studio aka.

The visits to the larger companies raised conversations about creative freedom and how studios handle briefs and clients. John described how the majority of his work comes from reputation and word of mouth, saying that working in the area he does people and other agencies would pass his information.

He explained that he is still taking on pop promo briefs for unsigned and emerging bands but recently over the past year or so he has been directing a team of people shooting live concerts and gigs. He moved on to explain that through his company he recruits and directs a range of free lance works who specialize in certain areas, such as cinema photography or experienced camera men. He described some of the creative boundaries he has come across working on certain briefs. Saying that sometime a client will have full input in to the concepts and know what they want and other times your left to do something you want. He then explained that even working to a strict brief he tries to give the best advise for the piece resulting in him sometimes to put his own creative spin on things.

Ultimately the portfolio critique was successful for me as I got some critical feedback which overall helped. It was interesting to here his views, how he works and handles clients when compared to other studios I have bin to. Obviously as his work seemed to be from reputation and reoccurring clients he didn't talk about pitching and suggested he has a meeting with clients and waits to see how it develops. Overall it was an interesting meet, and I gain further knowledge of different working environments, from this meeting John told me to keep in touch n said that if I am interested there possibly could be an opportunity for work experience.

After having a portfolio critique with John he told me to keep in touch so i sent a follow up email to keep the contact ongoing. here is the email:


hello Again
From: philip o'connor (philoc7@hotmail.com)
Sent: 23 April 2009 16:14:05
To: John Surdevan (john@surdevancreative.com)
Hi John,

Sorry for the delayed message.
Ive bin back in to uni after Easter and you were right, Rick and Christina was happily surprised when i told them i had a portfolio crit with you. They said its good to hear your doing well and got your own company going, and to get in touch.

At the moment I'm starting to finish some final edits of my advert for the British Heart Foundation, its starting come along now!

Thanks for the portfolio crit, it was good meeting you and the feedback was really helpful.

The end of year show is in June, not sure what the start and end dates are just yet but if your interested in coming along i can let you know?

(Each 3rd year will exhibit their major project and other material such as showreels etc. So should be really interesting and have some nice stuff on show.)

Thanks Again, keep in touch

Phil

Daylight Moving Image

Based in Manchester, Daylight Moving Image specialises in everything ‘moving image’ from motion graphics, film to animation. Looking at their work you can see the broad range of design areas they work within. Their piece sponsored by red bull I found very engaging. Even though I don’t have a huge interest in skateboarding I found the clip interesting, not because of the skill or the actions of the skateboarders but from the video piece its self. The piece consists of several skaters which travel around the Northwest of England. The clip shown is from the dvd “under wraps” and involves slow motion clips which seemed to draw me into the piece and also consisted of well thought compositional shots which really capture the feeling of the piece and also show all the action. Again, like most of the companies within the north west area I decided to contact them to try and arrange a portfolio critique. (I am still waiting for a reply.)

Surdevan Creative

Surdevan Creative is a small Manchester based collective who specialise in music video and pop promos. They describe them self's as a ‘small set up’ which they say ‘allows them to produce effective work to the tightest budgets.’

Their website explains how they can work to an agreed budget and take the piece from initial concepts through to storyboard level then in to final production, including visual effects, video editing through to the final product.

Even though they are a small company producing low budget productions I felt that the company and their work related to my ‘self directed brief’, in which I created a music video concept for the streets. After creating my self directed piece I felt that the final edit wasn’t strong enough or at a final stage I was happy with. So after discovering this company I thought I would contact them to arrange a portfolio critique to get feedback and advice. I contacted them via email and I am waiting for a reply.

Creative in Motion

Creative in motion is a design, animation and motion graphics company based in Manchester. Their website shows a range of professionally produced work which have interesting aesthetics and effects. One piece that I really enjoyed was their branding for shiver productions. In which they created a very short ident/logo reveal which shows shiver productions logo. Even though this piece is probably one of creative in motions small budget pieces I was interested in the simplicity of the piece. The piece uses 3d layers which gives a real feel and vision of depth. The use of neutral colours and lighting gives a beautiful finish which is effective.

I decided to contact creative in motion via email:

(No Subject)
From: philip o'connor (philoc7@hotmail.com)
Sent: 06 April 2009 14:14:11
To: hello@creativeinmotion.co.uk
Hello Creative in Motion,


I'm Phil O’Connor and I am currently a 3rd year studying a Multimedia Degree at Stockport College.


At the moment I am currently working on my Major Project which is a live action piece mixed with 3D elements. After looking at your portfolio and noticing the wide range of skill and aesthetics within your work, I was wondering if possible, if there is a chance to show you my work in progress to get some feedback. This would be a great help to improve my work and gain some advice.



Thank you for your time,


Phil O’Connor


Re:
From: creative@creativeinmotion.co.uk
Sent: 08 April 2009 16:49:13
To: philip o'connor (philoc7@hotmail.com)

Hi Phil,

Yeah no worries, i'll do what i can but i'm quite busy at the mo.

How about you put it up on youtube and send me a link and i'll try to
give you some constructive crit.

Cheers

Alan

my reply:

From: philip o'connor (philoc7@hotmail.com)
Sent: 23 April 2009 15:52:36
To: hello@creativeinmotion.co.uk
Hi Alan,

Thanks for your reply and sorry for my late response.

Yeh ill be putting some of my work online, just in the process of getting it all together to create a Vimeo page/channel.

would it be ok to send you a link when its up and running? again it would be great to get some feedback.

Thanks for your time

Phil


I will be uploading my work to the site Vimeo so that I will be able to provide links to my work.

Doodledo Motion

Based in Manchester Doodledo motion are specialists in a wide range of creative design. Including Pre and post production, animation, and motion graphics and also have partners who specifically work with audio and music design making Doodledo motion an overall creative design company.

I came across this company while browsing the web and felt that their portfolio of work related to some of the work I have created previously and areas of design and moving image which i would like to work within.











One piece that I really enjoyed was their motion graphics promo for Lancashire County Cricket Show. the piece consists of a graphical style and bright colour scheme which I think relates to cricket as it is played through the summer months. The piece involves the viewer following a 3d line past cricket players in familiar classic poses as text begins to be revealed. Overall the piece is simple but effective relating to the subject area and the target audience.











As this company is locally based in Manchester I decide to contact them today regarding a portfolio critique. I am now waiting for a reply from Doodledo Motion.

De-Construct Studio Visit & Portfolio Crit

De-Construct
10-18 Vestry Street
London, N1 7RW
info@de-construct.com
tel: 020 7684 8444

During a recent trip to London myself and another pre-graduate arranged a meeting and portfolio critique with the company De-construct. De-construct is a digital creative agency, that combine effective thinking and award winning creativity. They offer creative and media solutions and aim to build long term relationships with clients. They offer a range of services, including:

– website design and technical development
– branded content creation
– digital marketing strategy
– online brand development
– interactive installations
– wireless marketing
– email marketing
– audience research and usability
– search engine optimisation and data tracking

Our portfolio critique was with Leigh Hibell a designer at de construct. Leigh introduced him self explaining his 3 year history with deconstruct, mentioning that he first had a work experience/placement there, later resulting in him being offered a full time job. He explained how the company mainly produces interactive design such as websites etc. The meeting was very much an informal conversation in which we discussed the industry and his views and opinions on various areas.

After introducing himself he talked us through a recent brief for Adidas. He explained how they created the website and problems they encountered. One problem was that the site had to function in 10+ languages which he said made an impact on the design as the interface changed dramatical when a large written language was selected. He explained buttons and vital text/information became larger effecting the interface design. He then explained that they solved this problem by creating areas of the website which would expand and increase to accommodate each language which didn't effect the design. At this time I asked “did you have to pitch this idea to adidas?” he answered, “No, we’ve done a lot of work for adidas and they’re an ongoing client. We actually have someone here that is in constant contact with adidas and manages our work for them”.


Look at site HERE


He then answered a question on the creative process and pitching. He explained that when a brief is given out each person goes away and develops an idea or answer to the brief. Then everyone comes together and discusses there idea until answer is developed. He then explain that one of the creative directors or other members of staff will pitch the idea. He also discussed the number of people working on briefs saying that, the number of designers working on a brief depends on the size of the project.

After Leigh discussed de-constructs work he moved on to look at some of our work. I shown leigh my self directed project, in which I created a music video for the streets. After watching the piece leigh stated how he doesn't work within moving image but said he liked the concept of the music video n how I have synced image with sound. He did suggest that I try n produce another shorter version so it can be viewed in a shorter time. He also suggested that the use of a different music track with various tempos might create a different feeling and would be interesting to see. Overall the visit to de-construct gave me more of an insight into how some design agencies work and handle briefs and clients. Leigh gave me helpful and constructive criticism in regards to my own work, which I will use.

Striped Dog

http://www.stripeddog.co.uk/
Striped Dog is a Graphic and Web Design Company based in the north west. They specialize in Print and web design. I was fascinated by there work and the professionalism they show in there online port folio. Even thought the two current briefs I have been working on revolve around motion graphics I decided to contact Striped Dog to see if they would be interested in taking a look at my work.
















I contacted them via email:

From:
philip o'connor (philoc7@hotmail.com)
Sent:
11 December 2008 20:30:29
To:
hello@stripeddog.co.uk
Hello Striped Dog,

I'm Philip O’Connor and I am currently studying a Multimedia Degree at Stockport College.

At the moment I am creating a self-directed moving image project and also producing a live competition brief for YCN. I was wondering if possible, if there is a chance to show you my work in progress to get gain some feedback. This would be a great help to improve my work and gain some advice.

I can see from your website that you specialize in Print and Web design. Most of my current work is moving image/motion graphics but I would still greatly appreciate any feed back.

Thank you for your time,

Phil O’Connor


I received an email from Ant of Striped Dog:

From:
hello@stripeddog.co.uk
Sent:
13 December 2008 18:34:40
To:
philip oconnor (philoc7@hotmail.com)
Hi Phil

Thanks for getting in touch with us. It would be great to have a look at your work, Always good to see new talent thats out there. And always happy to give feedback.

Look forward to seeing more.

Cheers

Ant


At the moment I am waiting for confirmation of a portfolio crit in the new year.

Rogue Robot

http://www.roguerobot.co.uk/index.html

Rogue Robot is a creative multimedia design company based in cheshire. There services cover Video production, motion graphics, graphic design and general multimedia services. After looking through there online portfolio I discovered they had done work for clients such as Fifa, EASports, Playstation, Harlem Globetrotters. Etc.
I really was fascinated by there range of work and really liked the individual style of each piece in there portfolio.

There short film entitled ‘Qualm’ really stood out from the rest of there work. The piece is a motion graphics piece and one of the main things I noticed about this piece was its use of composition, line and shape. The sound design within the piece is fantastic and really compliments the work. After discovering this company I contacted Rogue Robot via email. Here is the email I sent:

From: philoc7@hotmail.com
To: contact@roguerobot.co.uk
Subject:
Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 20:53:43 +0000

Hello Rogue Robot,

I'm Philip O’Connor and I am currently studying a Multimedia Degree at Stockport College.

At the moment I am creating a self-directed moving image project and also producing a live competition brief for YCN. I was wondering if possible, if there is a chance to show you my work in progress to get gain some feedback. This would be a great help to improve my work and gain some advice.

Thank you for your time,

Phil O’Connor

I received a reply from Rogue Robot on the 11th of December. Here is the reply:

RE: ‏
From:
Rogue Robot (roguerobot@hotmail.com)
Sent:
11 December 2008 21:02:52
To:
philoc7@hotmail.com
Hello

It would be a pleasure.
Give me a call on 0161 428 6627 tomorrow afternoon.

Chris
ROGUE ROBOT
www.roguerobot.co.uk

After receiving this email I contacted Chris via phone. I discovered from the conversation that Chris is a Freelance designer who work under the name Rogue Robot.
Chris said he would happily take a look at my work and asked how I would go about showing him my work. I suggested us meeting in person so I could show him some work in progress. He agreed with the meet up but was busy before christmas but happy to meet after new year. He asked me to contact him again in the new year to arrange a portfolio crit.

Death to the Pixels

Death to the pixels is a company working within Moving image producing work for ad agencies, entertainment production companies and corporate clients.They specialize in a range of areas from commercials to music promos working with FX shots, 2D and 3D animation and more. Their clients include BBC, itv, Sky, Granada, Discovery, Five etc.

One piece from their portfolio I really enjoyed was a piece they created for ‘Bench/Revolution’ the piece consists of live action shots and visual effects and edits. The piece is short but effective. I felt that their work was in a similar field to what I would like to work in so I decided to contact them. (still waiting for reply)