Homework: Design and Ethics - what does "ethics" mean to you? Read the following "AGDA code of Ethics," "Starving for ethics - Ethics for Graphic Designers" and "Protect your Creative" and respond to the following questions on your blog:
What is "free pitching" and how does it effect the industry as a whole?
Free pitching is where the designer pitches their idea to the client without any confirmation that the ideas within the pitch will stay confidential, or the designer was not paid for the pitch itself. Both can lead to the "unfair manipulation of designers with the aim of garnering unpaid work" ("AGDA - Code of Ethics", 2016), as the client can then take the ideas and give them to another designer without acknowledging the original designer's work through money or confidentiality contract.
The effect of free pitching destroys the trust between the client and the designer. This slows down the work of the designer as they have to go through a confidentiality contract to confirm they will not be manipulated into working for free. As the commissioner's acceptance of the work should decide whether the designer is paid or not.
Why is it important to have a code of ethics in the Graphic Design industry?
The importance of a code of ethics is to confirm fair treatment for graphic designers and their clients. The code of ethics allows graphic designers and their clients to work together without the fear of unethical business practices.
What is the difference between a copyright and trademark or patent?
Copyright provides protection for the work of a designer, however the concept or the idea in the work is not protected, only the expression.
A trademark is used to indicate that a word, logo, phrase or aspect of packaging is under not allowed to be replicated. Trademarks are important as they help protect the reputation of the company through protecting their signature elements.
A patent protects how the product functions, works or the material. An example being the way a particular medicine works, protecting it from others to keep it exclusive to one producer.
Copyright protects the expression of the work, trademarks protect the unique aspect of the work and patents protect the functionality or feel of the work.
What measures do you need to take as a freelance designer to protect your creative output?
It is important to first copyright your work as it is free and will protect the visual aspect of your work, and then to copyright your ideas, which is done through helping a client understand the ideas are confidential or must be paid for, and further confirmation through a confidentiality contract if needed.
Next is to register a trademark for the unique element of your design, to allow your reputation of good and services to be distinguishable from other designers. Depending on the work, a patent may be needed to help safeguard the unique functionality or feel of your work.
To further ensure protection of your creative output, a thorough understanding on the code of ethics for graphic designers, as unethical business practices may be more subtle and harder to notice when first entering the industry.
Bibliography:
AGDA - Code of Ethics. (2016). Agda.com.au. Retrieved 3 April 2016, from http://www.agda.com.au/about/code-of-ethics/
Thursday, 31 March 2016
Sunday, 20 March 2016
Week 5: What Is Your Worth?
Homework: What is your worth? Work out how much you should be paid (based on your skill and experience) per hour as a freelance designer using online resources (http://www.agda.com.au/, http://www.getartisan.com.au/, http://www.dia.org.au/ and http://www.seek.com.au). Using the "forms for graphic designers" as a guide create a self-branded timesheet and post as a jpg. image on your blog.
Based on my current experience I set the rates fairly low in order to reflect it. As I consider myself not experienced enough as I only specialise in some areas of the field. I am also categorised as a student designer as I have not finished my degree which lowers my hourly rate. I decided to do a landscape version to suit the orientation of my current presentation of boxing glove designs, however I prefer a portrait version.
Based on my current experience I set the rates fairly low in order to reflect it. As I consider myself not experienced enough as I only specialise in some areas of the field. I am also categorised as a student designer as I have not finished my degree which lowers my hourly rate. I decided to do a landscape version to suit the orientation of my current presentation of boxing glove designs, however I prefer a portrait version.
Wednesday, 9 March 2016
Week 4: Managing Yourself and Managing Others
Homework: Managing yourself and Managing Others - dealing with clients, colleagues,your boss and yourself! In any design practice you will have to deal with a boss, colleagues clients and manage their expectations. Using the Johari Window tool (http://kevan.org/johari) work out how you see yourself and how others see you. Write down the attributes (the similarities and differences if any) on your blog and read the "AIGA clients guide to Graphic Design" and answer the following: What attributes described in Johari Window exercise do you see as key to dealing with clients? What attributes are key to dealing with your colleagues? What attributes are key to dealing with yourself? What attributes are key to dealing with your boss? How does your version of the Johari Window differ from your friends/close contacts? How does this exercise make you think about your position in the workplace (ie. do you think you would be a good co-worker or boss or are there things you think you need to work on/develop?)
What attributes described in Johari Window exercise do you see as key to dealing with clients?
The most important attributes needed when dealing with clients would have to be patience, observant, knowledgeable, adaptable. Patience being important as the design must be able to understand the aims of the client before creating anything, this may take time in order to obtain the full idea from the client. Patience is further emphasised through how "It is the client’s responsibility to lead a project and the designer’s to design and manage the design process" from the AIGA client guide, as this situation could be potentially frustrating for a designer. Being observant helps a designer understand who they are working for, as with this trait you pick up details that the client may want without knowing, being knowledgeable also relates to this too. Adaptability is needed as a client may change their idea multiple times throughout a project which is where being adaptable is important.
What attributes are key to dealing with your colleagues?
In order to deal with colleagues it is important to be friendly, adaptable, helpful, dignified and dependable. Friendliness is important as it makes it much easier for a colleague to approach you. Being adaptable helps when talking to a variety of colleagues as their personalities can differ and it might change the way you act around certain colleagues to befriend them. Helpfulness is tied in with being dependable, as being a helpful reliable team mate will gain you the respect of your colleagues giving you a dignified persona.
What attributes are key to dealing with yourself?
Dealing with oneself requires being accepting, logical, reflective and self-conscious. Being accepting allows you to move on with problems that you cannot fix which is in turn, being logical. Reflectiveness and self-conscious are closely related since being able to reflect upon yourself helps you improve, whereas being self-conscious further improves yourself through perceiving yourself as an individual and where you can fix things.
What attributes are key to dealing with your boss?
The attributes needed to deal with your boss are being dependable, trustworthy, confident and mature. Dependability and trustworthy are similar, as a boss should see you as someone who can be relied upon when needed. Confidence is needed to be able to translate a designers problems to the boss, since a boss may not understand your side of issues. Maturity is important as a boss's criticism may bring a designer down, however being mature allows you to understand why which will motivate you to continue.
How does your version of the Johari Window differ from your friends/close contacts?
I tend to be a more independent person and I keep to myself which translates to people seeing me as shy. However with people I am close with I am the opposite which makes it hard to define me which is why I selected "complex".
How does this exercise make you think about your position in the workplace (ie. do you think you would be a good co-worker or boss or are there things you think you need to work on/develop?)
I would make a strong co-worker over a boss. The reason for this is I am too kind when I criticise others work which means I am not able to lead people as a boss. I am reliable when a friend is in need and my work ethic is fairly high which translates well when in the workplace as a co-worker. In order to improve myself, I would work on my communication with peers as I am usually the one being talked to rather than the one approaching others.
The most important attributes needed when dealing with clients would have to be patience, observant, knowledgeable, adaptable. Patience being important as the design must be able to understand the aims of the client before creating anything, this may take time in order to obtain the full idea from the client. Patience is further emphasised through how "It is the client’s responsibility to lead a project and the designer’s to design and manage the design process" from the AIGA client guide, as this situation could be potentially frustrating for a designer. Being observant helps a designer understand who they are working for, as with this trait you pick up details that the client may want without knowing, being knowledgeable also relates to this too. Adaptability is needed as a client may change their idea multiple times throughout a project which is where being adaptable is important.
What attributes are key to dealing with your colleagues?
In order to deal with colleagues it is important to be friendly, adaptable, helpful, dignified and dependable. Friendliness is important as it makes it much easier for a colleague to approach you. Being adaptable helps when talking to a variety of colleagues as their personalities can differ and it might change the way you act around certain colleagues to befriend them. Helpfulness is tied in with being dependable, as being a helpful reliable team mate will gain you the respect of your colleagues giving you a dignified persona.
What attributes are key to dealing with yourself?
Dealing with oneself requires being accepting, logical, reflective and self-conscious. Being accepting allows you to move on with problems that you cannot fix which is in turn, being logical. Reflectiveness and self-conscious are closely related since being able to reflect upon yourself helps you improve, whereas being self-conscious further improves yourself through perceiving yourself as an individual and where you can fix things.
What attributes are key to dealing with your boss?
The attributes needed to deal with your boss are being dependable, trustworthy, confident and mature. Dependability and trustworthy are similar, as a boss should see you as someone who can be relied upon when needed. Confidence is needed to be able to translate a designers problems to the boss, since a boss may not understand your side of issues. Maturity is important as a boss's criticism may bring a designer down, however being mature allows you to understand why which will motivate you to continue.
How does your version of the Johari Window differ from your friends/close contacts?
I tend to be a more independent person and I keep to myself which translates to people seeing me as shy. However with people I am close with I am the opposite which makes it hard to define me which is why I selected "complex".
How does this exercise make you think about your position in the workplace (ie. do you think you would be a good co-worker or boss or are there things you think you need to work on/develop?)
I would make a strong co-worker over a boss. The reason for this is I am too kind when I criticise others work which means I am not able to lead people as a boss. I am reliable when a friend is in need and my work ethic is fairly high which translates well when in the workplace as a co-worker. In order to improve myself, I would work on my communication with peers as I am usually the one being talked to rather than the one approaching others.
Thursday, 3 March 2016
Week 3: Logo and Resume Template
Homework: Pretend that you are a media "brand" and
follow the steps 1-3 in the LogoTournament "Create a Logo Design
Contest" set-up sheet (http://logotournament.com/). Write down all of your
responses on your blog (you can take screen shots if you like or otherwise
document your answers to the questions posed by LogoTournament). DO NOT set up
a Logo Contest (so stop after completeing step 3). Based on your results create
a logo that suits your style and professional objectives for upload on your
blog. Once you have created your logo - make a Template for a CV (using the
'Designing a Resume - with Steve Harris' Lynda.com resource below) and place a
jpg image of your template (one page) on your blog.
Organization or
business name:
Jason N
Slogan:
By design
Please describe what your
organization or business does in one sentence:
General graphic design
Industry:
Internet
Target Audience:
- Adolescent to adults
- Age 14 – 30
- Male and female
- Graphic design industry
- Middle class and above
- Mix of flamboyance and professional
Purpose (What top three things should the logo communicate?):
Professionalism, skilled and creative.
Professionalism, skilled and creative.
Style:
- Wordmark (Google, Coke, Disney)
- Abstract Mark (Olympics rings)
- Character (Starbucks, Pringles)
Style Sliders:
Colour:
Blue, white, black, grey, orange and yellow. As long as one
of these colours is in the logo, they don’t all have to be used.
Reflection:
The logo I have created is somewhat fitting for myself, as I
prefer it to be clean and simple. I decided not to include the slogan as it was awkward when placed next to the design. The colour orange could be altered, however I
feel that orange is fresh at the moment and I have decided to use that colour.
I feel the logo does communicate what I have written in the Logo Tournament in
terms of professionalism, skilled, and creative. The use of clean shapes
translates into professionalism, the skill comes from how it is put together
with enough white space and creativity comes from the combining of letters.
The resume template could use improvement in terms originality
as the template is still similar to the one on Lynda. Although the use of
colour is appealing and the typefaces used are clean and easy legible. Overall
it is simple and the contrasting between the orange and the light blue
highlights the key aspects of the template.
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