CONCLUSION

So have I achieved the aims of the question I have raised for my Independent Study?

How can I as a graphic designer best fulfil the requirements of the brief given by my chosen client?

I believe I did:
I have exercised my creative flair, and have the ability to visualise the end result. I have been critical about my work in order to establish best possible outcome. I have used variety of research, to vast extend however never lost a track and kept detailed eye on the brief. I have utilised my technical and practical skills, worked with Adobe Creative suite, and variety of other media to achieve best outcome. 
I am sure that all work is completed within the timescale given, hence my time management skills as well as prioritising workload is of importance to me.
My determination, desire to succeed, confidence and endless passion for design also played huge role in fulfilment of this project.

Now my client has got and established brand identity she desired for a long time, and is very pleased with it all;which was my requirement of it all - client's satisfaction. 

..Kathryn comments on Photo Book:

I am thrilled with my work! 

I have gained a kit-bag full of experience that will equip me for my future pathway as a graphic designer.
 

STATIONERY

Here it is: the stationery.

Kathryn is very pleased with the printing outcome. I have achieved clients satisfaction, which is important to me as a graphic designer. I am driven by success and I hope that my hard work, time given to my client together with my graphic design skills will be appreciated in the future, securing new projects.

PHOTO BOOK

..HERE IT IS...

It looks really good. What a great tool and addition for Kathryn brand! I wanted to portray Kathryn's passion through these images contained in this book and I believe I have achieved that.This book is perfect to be placed in galleries or even book stores to promote even more Kathryn's work and strengthen her identity.

..what is more I have created an additional feature, a little thank you card for the purchase.  Inside this little card you will find information about how to contact Kathryn's with regard to her work. This card  could be used as a book mark at the same time:

PRINTING PROCESS

The printing process has been a learning curve for me; visit to the Premiere Press printers was very helpful. I was advised on how the artwork needed to be set up for them, taking into considerations the way they litho print , adjusting bleed and margins) so there is no problems in the future....gained information! 

Kathryn agreed to the final designs costs, the printers approved the way of the art work being set up and its all looking great! ..and that what I have send them:

LETTERHEAD:

BUSINESS CARD:

 COMPLIMENT SLIP:

 Kathryn and myself had a chance to see the process of printing and she really likes the look of the print proof and agreed that no further changes to be made. Complete satisfaction!  I am really happy, and that what makes me "tick" - meaning, success.

This is the e-mail I have received from Kathryn following our meeting with printers: 

...so I think that's it. All is going in the right direction, next thing is to polish my essay! 

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TIMES AHEAD...

I have been talking to Kathryn about times ahead, regarding her brand identity. As it is now beautifully developed and works well, she could benefit even more from having her own website with her art work to be placed, or even a blog for a start. It is a great marketing and branding tool, where she places her work and and it can be updated easily. It will also inform galleries about her work, as perhaps in the further she might include more themes.

apart from that she could join variety of online galleries to build her clientele

METAL HAND STAMP

IT has arrived. The hand stamp has been delivered to Kathryn and she uses it on her work! 
It looks really great, the below samples are the stamped examples of what it will look like on the wood!

 

 

other images  that I have taken:

 

 

 

RESEARCH - PHOTO BOOK

As time permitted I have decided to take step further and create a Photo book about Kathryn and her nature of work.
From the photos that I have been taking of Kathryn at work I decided to tell her story.
I want to portray her passion without words but through imagery.  I believe that people who will possess this book will be able to engage with Kathryn's work through imagery.

In my opinion this photo book will not only enhance her professional practice but also will serve as an additional marketing tool to help straighten her art visage. This book can be easily sold from galleries, museums, or even she could distribute it across her loyal customers as a thank you gesture.
I have looked at variety of companies that could print it;
http://photo.jessops.com/photo-books.html
I have ordered a book from this company, however the quality of it was poor - have a look at it in my ADDITIONAL RESEARCH FILE.

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http://www.blurb.co.uk/


http://www.photobox.co.uk/shop/photo-books

...and I have created one with Blurb. Awaiting delivery.

HAND STAMP FOLLOW UP

I have contacted John Baxter and update on the production of the stamp. All is in the process but may take some time to produce the work. I hope it will be right on time for hand in my final work.

PRINT

There has been a slight delay with regards to printing process, as my client is still in a process of establishing if it is possible to make final decision on the cost given by John Price printers.
The Cairn Straw White paper although my client and myself like it, is very expensive and requires minimum order for the printers to be bought, hence the cost increase.

My communication skills developed through this process, we have been trying to find best possible solution, perhaps finding an alternative paper or supply paper myself from a paper company would reduce the cost.

So I have spoken to Paperback on the phone ( as the time was limited, and they tend to delay the replies) and asked about ordering the paper, it is possible and with no minimum order...sounds great. I have been given the details on cost....its quite expensive. 
I informed my client and went back to John Price asking for the amount of paper  needed for them to print the artwork...still no reply only a new quote has been sent out to my client, unfortunately it's still too high. 

In the meantime I have contacted other printers, Premiere Press. http://www.premierepress.co.uk/

It is a family run company and environmentally friendly. To my surprise they can offer sustainable paper with some amount of particles in it. Also what's more the cost is much lower:

I have received the samples, shown my client and she is happy with "go ahead" action.

I managed to communicate  and appropriately with both parties to ensure that the brief is completed with success.

KATRHRYN AT WORK - PART 2

I have been taking some images of Kathryn being at work possibly for creating a photo book ...as time permits, and as stated in my agreed proposal with my client.
 ...and here are few:

 

 

 

COMPLIMENT SLIP

The compliment slip will compliment the business card and the letterhead, hence I have created compliment slip accordingly and relating to final design and its consistent flow:

I have shown this compliment to Kathryn, she really likes it and she said that it fits with the rest of the stationery. 

FINALIZED BUSINESS CARD AND LETTERHEAD

I had a meeting with Kathryn and discussed additional fonts and layouts.  

I have always pushed boundaries to achieve great results hence while craeting the above I pursued to play on the notion of a contrast; the logo in contrast to two different fonts. 

I did bear in mind that those fonts needed to coexist rather than distract the onlooker; nonetheless they needed to look fresh and synchronize with the entire concept :

The fonts I have used and feelt are appropriatate are:

Aubrey Regular - for the contact details. It is modern font, with hint of stability in composition. Legible and pleasant to read. I had to adjust kerning slightly for greater legibility.

 http://www.dafont.com/aubrey.font

Steward Sans Normal - sleek , elegant, modern and simple yet with its delicate sharpness compliments the whole concept fittingly.Very legible and clean font. 

http://www.dafont.com/stewart-sans.font

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BUSINESS CARD:

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LETTERHEAD:

I have shown these to my client, and she is happy with 
the fonts, the sizes as well as layout.

I believe that the outcome of my final work has achieved great success. Working in close relationship with client allowed me to gain such results, expand on my network with variety of people as well as to gain trust in my client and secure future projects.

FINALIZED LOGO

And here it is, my work of art! created with passion, understanding my client nature of work and attention to detail. Approved by Kathryn

THE LOGO:

 

JOHN PRICE PRINTERS and EYRE & BAXTER

I HAVE CONTACTED JOHN PRICE PRINTERS WITH REGARDS TO PRINTING THE WHOLE SET: BUSS. CARD, LETTERHEAD AND COMPLIMENT SLIP. APPOINTMENT MADE FOR MONDAY MORNING.

ALSO I HAVE SENT AND E-MAIL TO JOHN BAXTER REGARDING THE ORDER FOR THE HAND STAMP.
below is my correspondence between John Baxter :

And this is the pattern:

It is a long process with regards to stamp production; not knowing the process as it was out of my reach, yet I have allowed enough time for its production, hence my time management was very good. I have sent the template to Eyre&Baxter, it has been approved and awaiting the payment from my client to go through before production commences.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''Monday: I have visited John Price, met up with Franc Andrews and discussed the printing of the whole set, stock and price. My client came with me also. It was great experience. Awaiting for the quote now.

MY THOUGHTS...LETTERHEAD AND BUSINESS CARD

It is so true that when you working on the project you need to leave it for a while and then come back to it and see how all looks WITH FRESH EYE:
-is it coherent?
-is it fitting?
-does it serves its purpose?
-how creative is it?
-what about the style?
-have I given enough examples for my client to decide?

I have had a look at the layouts and fonts used and somehow I feel that I am able to produce more ideas for my client. I feel I have this flow of fresh ideas that needed to be shown! Looking at variety of many other fonts I have came to the conclusion that using much more contemporary font, rather than Lucida will further enhance the logo.  I have experimented with variety of fonts like Stewart Sans, Aubrey and few others.(http://www.dafont.com/search.php?q=aubrey , http://www.dafont.com/stewart-sans.font)

 The logo I believe is strong in its creation; mixture of thoughts that went into it, and characteristics should have more appropriate font to create unified outcome. I wanted to go beyond what's known, and playing around with the part of the logo - the curve, allowed me to generate ideas and beautiful compositions.

The same with the layout...it is too overpowering and takes perhaps too much space, or even it creates unnecessary usage of colour. And myself and Kathryn both want sustainable approach whenever possible.

PAPER BACK COMPANY

I have contacted Paper Back Company to see how much would it be to order paper for the printers....but that's where all gets complicated as printers do not want pre cut paper the want the full size sheets for the work ..which is understandable. I have also asked Paper Pack Company about the cost for the printing and print proof on the work. Costs per sheet, etc - still too expensive for my client.
 Below are details of my e-mail conversation with Paper Back Company:

RESEARCH SUMARRY

SUMMARY:

FROM ALL MY RESEARCH AND WORK I HAVE CONDUCTED I HAVE TAKEN ON BOARD:

1.  RESEARCH IN ITSELF IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF ANY PROJECT
2.  SIMPLICITY WHEN IT COMES TO DESIGN IS A POWERFUL THING IN ANY DESIGN
3.  CLARITY OF INFORMATION HAS TO BE EXPRESSED NOT ONLY WHEN IT COMES TO LAYOUTS BUT ALSO AMOUNT OF TEXT AND FONT USED
4.  CLIENT'S BRIEF HAS TO BE DIGESTED IN DETAIL IN ORDER TO FULFIL THE CRITERIA AND ACHIEVE BEST RESULTS, CONSEQUENTLY ACHIEVING CLIENT'S FULL SATISFACTION
5.  COLOURS HAVE MEANING 
6.  IMPORTANT PART OF WORKING AS A FREELANCE GRAPHIC DESIGNER OR IN-HOUSE IS TO HAVE AGREED CONTRACT BETWEEN GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND THE CLIENT TO AVOID ANY PROBLEMS
7.  BEING ON TOP OF THINGS IS CRUCIAL: GOOD TIME MANAGEMENT AND PRIORITISING WORKLOAD ARE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE
8.  KEEPING A POSITIVE AND GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH CLIENT MIGHT BROADEN MY NETWORK AND KEEP THE CLIENT HERSELF/HIMSELF

INTERIM REVIEW

I am really pleased with the review. All went well with very good feedback from Helen.
Regarding the logo, to increase the 3D effect I was advised to thicken the curve.

From this:


to slightly thicker but not proportionate :

 into the final outlook:

Without darkening the curve the 3D effect has been achieved by thickening it.
 

FEEDBACK FROM KATHRYN

I HAVE RECEIVED FEEDBACK FROM KATHRYN:

QUOTES - SEACOURT AND PRINTING.COM

I have received few quotes from Seacourt and Printing.com with regards to pricing on the stationary: