Graphic Design Personal Statement

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

I would like to study Graphic Communication Design at university as I would like to pursue a career in graphic arts. Graphic design is becoming ever more important as more and more people engage with companies via digital media as well as print media. I have enjoyed designing for a long time often without realising it myself. I have always had a keen interest in interior design and branding products often helping my dad make design decisions within his company. During college I have focused my work to focus on ethical, moral and social issues often those affecting the LGBT community. I want my work to challenge peoples preconceptions through art and educate them on issues.

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

As part of my A Level coursework I am creating the Art & Design department publication 'The Collective' for 2017/18. The publication will showcase a range of content created by students, it will not only refer to art but it will also present pieces which explore topical, social and moral issues from diverse viewpoints. We plan on releasing The Collective in December and June and distributing copies around college as well as in the local area to highlight, and better understand the work that art & design students are doing. Myself and the other contributors will not only be involved in the creation of the content but we will participate in the design of the magazine, events managing, fundraising and marketing. It is a chance to work with a range of students on a group project. It will also give me a chance to cross over into contrasting disciplines and diversify my interests and skill set.

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

Outside of my college course I have developed my skills by completing design work for a number of different bodies. I am working alongside the NHS CCG in Bolton to design the branding and layout of a Mental Health and Wellbeing app. I led this project with a local charity, BAND. I was approached by the CCG at a public event that was seeking the opinion of young people. As the project developed over 12 months the opportunity for funding to build the app that I had imagined came up from the NHS and BAND asked me to remain onboard with the project and to see it through to its fruition. This experience has taught me the importance of sticking to a formal deadline in order to satisfy the client. I also run an LGBT community group, Bolton LGBT+. We were set up at the request of the Department of Health in 2014. I was tasked with the design of the logo and the whole communication guideline. The aim of the branding was to create something inviting and easy to understand that members of the community could quickly identify and connect with. I now design all of our leaflets, posters, business cards and website (boltonlgbt.org.uk). These posters are displayed across Greater Manchester. On the back of this the Bolton LGBT Partnership asked me to work with their chair to create their brand and communication guideline. Work on this has allowed me the opportunity to increase my confidence as well as my communication skills which allows me to understand a brief better and feel comfortable to question and explore things I do not understand. In my graphics work I particularly enjoy the work of Paul Rand. The simplicity of his design appeals to me particularly as he is able to effectively communicate a message with a striking yet legible design structure. He also uses symbolism in addition to typography to create sometimes obscure yet legible communication, for example his work on the IBM poster. I have a particular interest in typography as a form of communication.