Alvaro Torrents

Alvaro Torrents is a graphic designer from Barcelona currently based in Brighton. I met him in a cafe in north London for some advice on my portfolio and how he managed to break into the British design industry coming from Spain.

Michael Chapman

I had been referred to freelancer Michael Chapman by Sean Freeman so I decided to email him and pay him a visit. He was a big help in understanding how agencies work and how he manages to pick up freelance work. We discussed the financial side of design and how important it is to keep track on all the payments you are owed by clients. He told me to get an accountant because some agencies don't help you sort out tax etc... - eye opening and worth while visit!

Bivouac Interview

Bivouac are a design studio based in York. I went up to York for an interview for an internship at Bivouac. Although I didn't get the job I was content with the feedback I got and the experience of talking and presenting to professionals. I came away with the view of focusing my work more and ideas on how to design and bind my portfolio.

Mind Design

I visited Mind Design in Hackney, London. It was a strange experience to begin with because the studio is based in a warehouse building off the main roads. It seems like a good place to set up a studio, for one thing rent must be low. I spent around 2 hours chatting to Holger (creative director), he gave me a lot of advice on my portfolio on how to position and crop images. He told me to focus on my final major project and design whatever I wanted instead of becoming bogged down in what briefs ask you to do.

Sean Freeman

I managed to go for a beer with freelancer Sean Freeman to show him my portfolio. He was a real help, he has recently graduated so he understood how hard it is for students to get work / advice on their portfolio. He directed me to a couple of young designers and gave me links to agencies who would be looking for recent graduates.

Nick Bell Design

I visited design studio Nick Bell Design in London. I wanted to go and see them because the studio mainly outputs editorial and exhibition design. It was a good experience visiting what I would call a large studio (something I'm not keen on working in). I perhaps could have been more direct in selling myself for possible internship / employment opportunities because I felt that I didn't get much feedback in employment or my portfolio.

Jonathan Gray (Studio Visit)

I met up with freelancer Jonathan Gray while I was down in London. We had a coffee in the Star-bucks in Boarders on Charing Cross Road and had a chat everything design related.

I gained a lot from talking to Jonathan because it broadened my understanding on design for publishing which is something I'm keen on pursuing. He gave me some good advice on my portfolio and told me to keep in touch which is something I intend to do.

Jonathan Gray's website. Soon to be updated.

Tomorrow Studio (Not Really A Studio Visit)

Tomorrow Studio are a design studio part of The Russian Club Studios. I saw where they were working and I picked up this leaflet (below) at the entrance to the building so I thought I would get them on my blog...

Tomorrow Studio website ^

The Russian Club Gallery (Studio Visit)

The Russian Club Gallery is an exhibition space at the back of The Russian Club Studios in Hackney, London. I was shown around the gallery space when I visited Oscar and Ewan (design studio).

Flyer for Phyllida Barlow and Jess Flood Paddock's work showing at the gallery from 1st-7th November 2009.

The Russian Club Gallery website ^

Post card advertising the gallery.

O&E (Studio Visit)

Oscar&Ewan are two guys who have set up their own design studio called O&E based in Hackney, London. I managed to show Oscar my portfolio during an hour and a half of drinking coffee and having a natter about graphic design.

I found the meeting really really useful. I managed to discover The Russian Club Studios (a collective they are apart of), which was cool. I found out things such as how to start up your own design studio (which is something I want to do... eventually) and how much it costs to live and work down in London. I want to go back again and visit.

The Russian Club Studios (Studio Visit)

During Reading week (26th - 31st October 2009) I went to visit a small studio called O&E who are based in Hackney, London. They work in a building called The Russian Club Studios which is a collective of independent artists, designers and photographers who all work in the one building.

The Russian Club Studio collective website ^

It was really interesting to see how people from different creative backgrounds are all working separately yet together at the same time. It made me realise I wanted to be part of a small community of creatives in a similar way. I think working a variety of people will me get the best out of my work.

O&E (Oscar and Ewan)'s section of the The Russian Club Studio collective website.