Creative Presence: p e s t

as well as using SWOT to analyse a business we looked at PEST or PESTLE to break down the success of a company. swot is used to define what a company does and pest is used to define where the business sits in the context of the world.  

POLITICAL ANALYSIS:

This can be in reference to laws and legislations that may effect the business. for example; brexit, local council laws, a change in government, international trade, health and safety regulations, workplace regulations etc. 

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS:

This is in reference to how economic changes may impact a company. for example; shift in minimum wage laws, prices of resources, rent, inflation, business tax, death of the high-street, economic stability, etc. 

SOCIAL ANALYSIS:

Things that may impact whether or not a business is successful. for example; lifestyle choices, appropriation of location, religion and multiculturalism within a community, population growth, public image and stigma, urbanisation, gentrification, etc. 

TECHNOLOGICAL ANALYSIS: 

This is in reference to the use of technology within businesses. for example; e-commerce, self service machines, machines in production of products, advertising and branding, delivery services, cost of technological updates, etc.   

Legal & Environmental sub-genres can be added to these analytical sections too making up the L & E in PESTLE.  

Creative Presence: s w o t

what are my strengths?

• traditional print methods such as mono and screen printing
• use of shape, colour and texture in an ambiguous tone
• use of documentation and self evaluation to aid decision making 
• developing ideas through drawing, media experimentation, and risk taking which allows chance to dictate process and outcomes
• time management and being proactive

What are my weaknesses?

• Use of narrative & character
• focusing too much time on certain projects which seem more important 
• developing roughs. I like to draw and get concepts, media trials on the page first which can waste time especially when considering editorial work
• certain digital tools such as illustrator and indesign. I have to recap my knowledge before doing and can waste time/ not provide the best outcome

What are my opportunities?

• live briefs and competitions for students/ young creatives such as Young Blood, YCN, Secret 7 & Penguin
• selling prints, zines & products online and at fairs
• setting up exhibitions and collectives
• working freelance in a studio
• working as an in-house illustrator for a company 
• working as a designer for textiles and product design
• art direction/ visual merchandise roles

What are my threats?

• not having as many connections to the industry as other young creatives
• not having as much knowledge in digital techniques as other illustrators, for example animation or graphic design
• new technology that could be introduced after graduating 
• not having expensive equipment such as print rooms, computers, scanners and cheap resources that the college provides
• not living in London?

Creative Presence: study task 2- creative industries

Where does my current work sit within these creative industries?

publishing & book design

My work is very shape based and ambiguous at times so I feel my work isn't too focused towards book cover design, I definitely don't define any of my practice as linked to graphic design therefore I'm not great with typography. However I am very interested in creating my own published books and zines of collective image making and find the works of Palefroi and Nous Vous really interesting. I also feel I am quite successful when it comes to bookbinding and thinking outside of the box in terms of printed formatting. 

editorial & reportage

A fair few briefs I've encountered since being at LCA have been to create work in the context of editorial work. I really struggle with thinking wth roughs and know this is a big part of the editorial illustration process. However I think I am successful in coming up with a variety of metaphorical and thought provoking ideas to illustrate an article. So if asked to create editorial work I will give it my best try but this isn't an area of practice that particularly excites me. 

product & packaging

I feel I am more interested in the creation of applied illustration to products rather than packaging however understand they both fit hand in hand, especially in regards to presenting my work professionally. Again my work is very pattern, shape and colour based and feel these could be applied really well to textiles products, stationery, prints for home and fashion etc. I am very interested in creating work for companies such as Ikea, Goodhood, and LazyOaf. Charlotte Mei & Atelier Bingo are a great example of this. 

character & narrative

I feel my character and narrative skills are improving as my drawing and image making style is developing in to my own. However my work doesn't scream storytelling, but I can communicate a tone or theme well. This is something I hope to tackle when looking at the Roald Dahl YCN brief. I also feel this is something I need to improve on if I hope to make zines with my work in the future. 

retail & merchandise

In first year I really enjoyed creating 3D images and props which could be part of visual merchandising displays for shops. I think I have a keen eye for colour palettes, trends, and 3D pieces of art and would like to at some point in the future work not only as an illustrator but an art director too. I made some woodwork pieces for a project last year and really enjoyed making something hands on. 

advertising & promotion

This is something I haven't really been in contact with so far in my practice and feel in someways I'm not the best suited too as I don't have a lot of experience with typography and layout. However I am successful in making bold shapes and imagery and as the 504 project goes on I am definitely identifying myself as a print maker more and more. I feel my work could be put to good use when thinking about poster designs for events and type is something that I will only learn through trial and error. I also understand that low-fi quality can be really successful like Jake Hollings' posters for Mr Bongo Sound System.