Day 1:
Note: as much as I'm calling this a 'diary', it is less so an informative account and far more a subjective one. A place to write down my thoughts and reflections upon what I have done each day and how I feel it relates to my practise
I really like the office atmosphere at White Stuff, the company ethics are not at all a pretence, they are very much reflected by the head office design and day to day runnings. I have three key examples
They have a row of pretend shop fronts in the office, decked out in brick and painted window frames and doors. They remind me very much like the upstairs dressing rooms in the Nottingham store (though those have far less window obviously). It's quirky, playful and unexpected, which I feel is captured by the visual merchandising of the stores.
There is free tea and coffee (with sugar and milk) for all employees. Admittedly this may be a thing in a lot of places, but I've noticed they have this in stores and it's a nice touch (probably a good thing there isn't free biscuits too.)
The design team (although everyone seems nice) are all particularly nice. All seeming very busy with a million things on at once (story of my life as a creative student/ in my own brain), but very welcoming all the same. They had a mini birthday celebration this afternoon for one of the staff with nibbles and cake! (I did the obligatory intern tea run to do my part.)
Note: They also have an in office bar where drinks are cheap! Unfortunately this is only open one evening a month, still it seems like a lot of fun
There is something about the vibe which seems to relate to my course, I think due to there being lots of females and also there not being a vicious sense of competition. Instead it is quite encouraging. I would be interested to know which other types of companies have these element, because I can imagine quite a lot of places don't. I very much get the impression that the team works as a well oiled machine; everyone knows their roles and everything gets done. I do like this, especially as everyone is super busy anyway, though I may well find myself landings job in the future somewhere I have to compete to put ideas onto the table. I'm not sure whether I would struggle or strive.
Having described the design team as a 'well-oiled machine', I reflected today a lot upon how it is interesting to have such a defined design strategy. My design process, as my drawings can be, is often completely random, experimenting with different methods and techniques. I would like to find one I could stick with enough to make a 3rd year collection. And I feel this is something my current BA course lacks; an education into what it is to have a design process (I think there is too much pressure on having a finished commercial thing.) My course is great, because it is an art, craft and design course. However it is also very easy to be indecisive, which I need to put to rest in third year. I've had my second year fun, now it's time to stick to one thing and get good at it.
But back to White Stuff, they clearly have a clear design strategy and process, so much so that different people are hired and working with specific job descriptions. It's a big contrast to my own process or that or batch & bespoke designer/makers whom I have worked for before, where it is all solo. I find this really interesting, and maybe a good exercise to examine my design process and identify different roles/ strategies I use, and the relationship between them (as if my head was an office of people - bit crazy I know...)
To put this talk of design process into context, At White stuff for each collection (6 a year - currently working on S/S 16 drop 2) they create a look book - which they describe as their 'bible'. Something they can give to supplier and buyers to explain their trends and key looks. I looked through the one from S/S 16 drop 1, and was interested by the layout of secondary image, colour palette and text to describe each key look. I'm thinking I should start doing this for my 'narratives'. Like making a mood board by crossing senses; writing stories and making films as well as presenting image. This is a task I could do over Summer for my website and portfolio; using drawings to show my print design skills, and thinking of designs for products which engage the user.
But back to now; clearly I am feeling really inspired, cannot wait for another day's interning!
