me

Right then, me. I think I shall try and stick to my working methods and then branch out into a little bit about me, the person. If you're not that bothered about lots of words and can't really be arsed to read them, stop reading in a bit, but do travel to my various online guises. The links above with take you to my Pigg By Design facebook page, it's a mix of work and a bit of personal insight. Also up there my twitter account. I talk shit, a lot, but then aagin so does everyone there. My Flickr account is predominately a copy of my Instagram account, Instagram being in my humble opinion the mest camera app for the iPhone. A vast array of photos and images that I reckon are pretty good representation of me in photo form. Last but not least, well, maybe that's not true my Google+ account. I'm going to be honest here, I've had this since it was in the beta stage and am at a loss as to what the fuck it's all about. I'm perservering with it (more than my linkedIn) for now as I'm a big google fanboy, though I've euthenised my myspace now. I'm still shy about my soundcloud page as I'm yet to finish any of my tracks but I'll soon me be deleting this sentance and adding an icon up there. Phew, on with the words (non-readers leave now).

Designing.

I think it's important to know about a designers working habits and methods, it'll give some insight into the work that goes into producing projects. You the client will normally only see a tiny percent of the work involved in your proofs. I generally keep all my concept work, from paper to digital so if you ever feel the need to have a good look through then ask.

I break my design work up into 5 main stages. I think these are pretty basic but essential to good design. These are also pretty much ignored by all those bedroom warriors and off the shelf templated bollocks that I hate so much. Just because it looks good, doesn't make it right!!

Stage 1 - Research.

After having a consultation (whether it's a face to face, phone call or a emailed questionaire) I do what must seem to be the obvious, I look everything up. Every word, colour, image and theme discussed. For the record I don't just google everything, i'm quite old school, I have a library card, something about reading something published in a book seems to make it more reliable than something on the web. Know what I mean? I also have a good old rumage through my old work, from used concept work to old sketch books from college/university. Sometimes the smallest of thumbnails can spark the greatest of ideas.

Stage 2 - Concept.

Now depending on the brief (sometimes a specific image/font feel is agreed on) this will be straight into digital work, with a montage of imagery and colours with a few choice fonts. Perhaps some illustator brushes are created here as a feel of a brand starts to form in the mass of colours and brush strokes. Also out at this point are the pencils and pens, yes, I am that old school. The art of drawing to me is an extremely important discipline in this industry. Some disagree and hail the programs and point to their ability to remove the ability to draw as a nessicity. I frown upon this, the way I frown upon laptop DJs, I didn't spend all that time honing my crafts (drawing/vinyl DJ'ing) for some little oik with cash to blow on expensive equipment that does the work for them. I digress, back to the work.

Now at this stage I will have a few mood boards of images, fonts, colours or a mix of all. Time to reintroduce the client either via email or a short car ride...

Stage 3 - Mock ups.

Now it is possible that the mood boards may have some rough ideas for products, but if not this is where these begin. Now chances are a few different images and fonts were highlighted in the meeting/email so again this stage is still in concept. A few versions of products will be created and the theme will start to take shape. Back to the client

Stage 4 - The Finals.

Ok, that seemed a bit quick, but this section will more than likely only get here after revisting Stage 3 a couple of times. The chosen layouts, images and fonts are put together, the brief is readdressed (does the final outcome cover what was originally asked for? has the idea evolved as the breif has developed? are the required targets being met?). Before progressing to the next stage all images are cleaned, ink/colour settings are finalised. This incorporates having any raster images (photos etc) being optimised for whatever the useage may be, web/print, not all printers use the same methods, and not everyones screems work the same. Any out of place lines and bobbles are taken out of vector images, everything gets properly aligned and spaced. All of the little details are taken care of here.

Stage 5 - Production.

Hmm, is that the right title? I've thought about it long and hard and it's the best word i could think that covered a multitude of end posiblities that are here. It could be print, uploading web pages, burning DVDs, cutting/pressing vinyl... you see why I went for production.

Yes this is the point where we both sit back and look at the produced project and think, yes, that's what 'I' wanted (this normally requires constant compromise throughout the process, I've left out the bit where we disagree over things and debate in an effort to make the process of working with me seem easy in hope that upon reading this you'll want to work with me,...).

Now I believe that these stages can be applied to most of the work I do, though if you come to me wanting a logo on a t-shirt, nice and simple, I doubt very much that I'm going to read up on the history of t-shirt making and find a scientific equation for the perfect placement of said logo. No, probably gonna look at what you've supplied, redraw (if needs be) and get it on a t-shirt.

Me.

OK then, you've read (or scrolled past) how I work, either you got bored or actually want to know a little about me, or think that there's some sort of secret game down here. There isn't, sorry. If you want the facts about my working/educated life then the C.V. is there for that, here i shall extend some of the more personal point that are covered at the end of it.

To cover this subject, namely me, I think to keep some sort of structure I shall have do a question and answer somewhere and then rewrite the answers into some sort of continual prose. Hmmm, I'm thinking dating sites should be good for this, they'll cover most of the topics....

...turns out that was a shit idea, nearly ended up having to meet Derek, likes long walks in the woods and vaseline, next week. Think I may have dodged an awkward silence there. However, after accidently using my real email address and spamming myself to hell, and knocking back all of those lovely ladies, and the swelling went down from the black eye Laura (my betrothed) helped me with after she found out what I'd been up to, I did find a better solution. It seems the dating site idea wasn't a total loss, as it put me onto a plethora of sites with recommended questions for if you're planning on partaking in speed dating. So I'm gonna copy and paste them from www.futurescopes.com and go with that, what can possibly go wrong?

1) What do you do for work? Dumb question for this really, however if this was speed dating I would totally lie and say musician/poet just for shits and giggles.

2) Where are you from? Born and raised in Newcastle, proud Geordie.

3) What is the one thing about yourself that you would like me to know? That there is many things about me you should know.

4) When was your last relationship and how long did it last? Erm, it's still ongoing. My ever gorgeous Laura is the apple of my eye and we have been together since 2005. This kind of answer on dating sites (and I'd imagine speed dating) doesn't go down too well.

5) What are you looking for in a relationship? This is just a silly question and I'm beginning to think I should have edited them instead of just copying and pasting.

6) What do you think is the most important value in a relationship? At least 2 people.

7 ) Do you want to marry or have you ever been married? Of course, though I won't be applying for 'Don't Tell The Bride' or '4 Weddings' or any of that type of shit anytime soon.

8) What do you look for in a husband/wife? Someone to make me sandwiches.

9) Do you want/do you have any children? Yes, I'd love a brood, some miniatures to can live my life the way I should have.

10) What do you do for fun? At last a question that seems relevent. I love music, football and gaming, though I'm not fanatical over games, no W.O.W. RPGs. Supporter of Newcastle Unted, player for the Seahorse FC and Waynes World (5 a side, recent champions of the top division on Mondays at the Powerleague in Shields I'll have you know).

11) What are you most proud about? Tricky one this, a few moments of achievement throughout my life. First having my design chosen to be the schools christmas card (about 1991, though they used it for a few years). Any gig I've set up that was a success always makes me feel proud. Being part of 4 People Not Profit and doing whatever small part I can to help someone anywhere is a good thing. Getting to this stage of my life is also a bonus. How do you think those answers would go down in a speed dating scenario?

12) Is religion important to you? Religion is evil. It's just a form for control backed up with fairy stories. Just be nice to each other.

13) Do you follow politics? To some extent, though the futile nature of getting any change that benefits the masses and not those in charge just annoys me.

14) Do you believe in love at first sight? Aye, why not.

15) What is your most treasured possession and why? My memories.

16) What is your favorite month of the year and why? August. I love the summer. and my birthday, tee hee.

17) Which is your favorite book/movie? Why is this one question? do you either love books or movies? and for that only one genre? what is up with that? To attempt answer I'll start with book, it's easier, as I do actually have a favourite. Trainspotting, Irvine Welsh. Love the way it's written, love the stories with in, all in all great book. Movie wise I don't think I could answer with just one as I would have to go through the genres and top 5 each so that all could get recognition without favouritism going towards any set style based on the mood I'm in now.

18) Which is the last book you read? One of Jeremy Clarkson's, I forget which one. Made me chuckle.

19) Which is the one job in the world that you would love to do? Other than what I actually do, I think musician. Not just a world star with piss poor lyrics written by a team of cunts, manufactured with stylists, publicists and such other 'cists. No, a proper musician. I actually play the guitar (not just Guitar Hero) and arrange breakbeat and techno tracks with FL 10. My taste in music is spread far and wide, crossing many genres so think I have a good grasp on music and would have a decent message to send with my tunes... if i was a musician full time...

20) Which is your favorite music and your favorite singer/band? The Beatles were the best thing to happen to music. FACT!

21) Do you like animals/keep pets? I have many cats.

22) How do you spend your spare time? Dicking around on the PC, mostly music related, or watching films. I'd like to have put drawing as I do still do it from time to time, but just not nearly as much as I'd like.

23) Where do you see yourself in five years time? With extended family, strong working client base and a faster car.

24) If you were an animal in the wild, what would you be? Cold and hungry, oh wait, a cat of some description. yes, a cat.

25) Do you believe a cup is half empty or half full? Deepnds if I've spilt something or am drinking it.

26) If you could travel back through time, what single mistake would you correct in life? None, any change would no doubt result in a paradox of such destructive proportions that returning back to this point of the timeline would be impossible and may even be the cause of the destruction of the whole space time continuum. and I hate hypotheticals.

27) You have got six months to live, what will you do first? Head to DFS?

28) Is sexual compatibility important to you? Yes, never tried to fuck a pie but after watching that film reckon on humans sticking to humans is an ace idea.

29) Who was your hero, as a child? Was actually a massive Kevin Keegan fan.

30) If you won a lottery, how would you spend your millions? Probably on loads of gadgets and shite I don't need and general tat. Some quality holidays though.

31) Which was the first crush you ever had? can't remember...

32) What makes you laugh/cry? What's with the doubles again? Right funny things make me laugh, sad things make me cry. I don't know any sad things. To answer properly I'd say a lot makes me laugh. I have a horrible sense of humour and laugh at things I probably shouldn't laugh at.

33) If you have friends coming over, what would you cook? Probably chilli with lashings of tequilla.

34) Describe your perfect holiday. One thinks frozen Alaska, the other sunny Australia. Needs sun and lazy about. Booze also.

35) Which T.V. program would you never miss? Never miss owt, I have a + box.

36) What is the last CD you bought?

37) Are you a morning person or a night person? Night owl, all day long.

38) Would you like to climb a mountain or trek across a desert? Probably not.

39) What adjective would a close friend use to describe you? Funty.

40) If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Newcastle, but move the city somewhere hotter, with nice beaches.

41) Into which personality’s shoes would you like to step for a day? The Queen's.

42) Who is you favorite actor/actress/celebrity and why? Not really sure I have one, wouldn't mind having a pint or two with Jack Nicholson mind...

43) Who is your favorite sportsperson? As above, Keegan.

44) What is your favorite sporting activity? Dumb question when considering the above.

45) Which is your favorite genre of movies - comedy/thriller/action? Mood dependant. Easier to list what I don't like, long winded period dramas...

 

Well, I hope that was informative and gave you a good insight into my world. Then again, after reading some of that back, maybe honesty isn't the best policy...

Jonny