For design lovers

Just the other day I received a question on Twitter from Adam at Design4Love:

“Hi.. how are you? Do you have any tips for me how to get into the UK design industry (Other than sending applications to agencies). Thanks!”

Which got me thinking about how difficult it was for me and some of the fellow graphic design students I studied with to get a job in the design industry back in 1999 (yes that long ago!) straight out of design college. I snapped up a job with a Central London design agency in Soho within 2 weeks of leaving college but looking back it wasn’t really the right job for me then. Though just 13 months later I changed positions and worked for a great design agency based in London Bridge and learned a huge amount as well as working on lots of different types of projects as a designer.

Anyway competition was fierce then BUT the amount of graphic design and other design courses available in art colleges and universities up and down the college has grown hugely since then.

So here are a few tips on (like Adam asked) “how to get into the UK Design industry”

The Portfolio:
Having a great design portfolio is a must. To be honest your design portfolio is the most important thing on this list, its what you’ll mainly be judged on. It must be well presented and include at least 6 or more design projects. Think about the kind of work the agency your applying to does and try to tailor your portfolio towards that. For example if they specialise in corporate identity and branding work try to include work of this kind.

Be ready to talk about your design work, what inspired you, why you approached the project in the way you did, even choice of typeface, colours, imagery etc. Show them some of your sketchs and development work, some agencies what to see your scribbles more than the finished work as it shows your design process and how you think!

Before taking your portfolio along to job interviews, make sure you show it to a people (tutors, other design students) talk them through it, get them to ask you questions about your design work and respond with suitable answers. This will get you used to talking people through your portfolio, making you a more prepared for the interview.

Work Experience:
Offer to do some work experience with a design company who’s work you really admire (for free if you have to!), even if its just a week then spend that week wowing them, making the tea, producing great work, take an interest in everything relating to that design company. It is a good way to get your foot in the door but also don’t be too pushy or cocky, you might think your a great designer but remember there is a big difference between design college and the real world!

If the company really like you during your work experience they might offer you a full time job!

Finding Work:
Send your portfolio as a PDF etc to as many design companies (that your interested in) as possible, then after a few days give them a quick call to check they have received it.

Another alternative and one that worked for me is to approach a design recruitment agency. I contacted Major Players (there are many others!) when looking for a new graphic design position. They interviewed me and I took them through my portfolio and skills set, based on this they then contacted me when suitable jobs became available. This worked very well as they got me a new job within 2 weeks.

Dress code:
There isn’t one as such. Wear what your comfortable in but also look like you have made some sort of effort! That said I wouldn’t recommend turning up in a suit! Remember what you wear can be seen as a reflection of yourself and your design style or preferences.

Behaviour:
Be yourself, be calm and open to discussing your work and the work of the design agency. Remember to ask questions about what work they produce and what your role would be. One thing I found useful was to ask if someone could take you around the studio, afterall that is where you’ll be working if you get the job and you need to see what sort of environment you’ll be working in. It also easier to ask questions as you move around and see how they work.

Research:
Remember to do some research on the company that is interviewing you, as they are likely to ask you what made you apply for a job with them, what sort of work do they produce, what awards have they won (if any), why do you want to work for them in particular?

Keep trying:
Above all keep trying and keep looking at ways to improve your portfolio. If you go for an interview and they don’t give you a job, don’t worry, your work just might not be suitable for that particular design agency.

So hope this has helped, good luck!

A thoroughly prepared client brief is half the success of a rebranding or design project. Attaining all the necessary and relevant information from the client and a comprehensive insight into the client’s brand provides you with a great foundation for the right brand identity and design solution.

As a designer or brand consultant, a properly prepared client brief gives multiple sources of ideas to work with. Unless you have a clear understanding of what the client wants and needs you waste your time trying to design something out of nothing and the client ends up spending more money than budgeted for as a result of the required modifications…which naturally makes both parties very happy….

Depending on the particular project you will need a specific design brief. That means if you are developing a website or creating a business card, the client design brief will be different. However, there is some general information about your company and what you want to achieve, which should give a good idea in any design situation. Here are some general questions that will help me and fellow designers and consultants:

• 1. Title
• 2. What is the nature of your business? What does your business do?
• 3. What is your target market?
• a. Age
• b. Sex
• c. Income
• d. Occupation
• e. Location
• 4. What is unique about your business or product?
• 5. Who is your competition?
• 6. What is your aim? What are your goals?
• 7. How do you want your clients to feel about the brand? What is the message you want to communicate?
• 8. What is your budget? Range?
• a. Providing a rough guide enables the consultant/designer with an idea of the type of marketing and design solution that can be provided to you.
• 9. What is your deadline?
• 10. Provide the designer with current and past design and marketing materials.

 To see how you can improve the image of your brand click here: graphic design Melbourne

Any home can be pleasing with the proper application of basic interior design methods. Some people study interior design to be very good at it but there are people who are gifted with an eye for beauty and for interior designing.

A person who is creative can do some interior designing on his own even without formal training. Those who have an eye for what is aesthetic can just as easily decorate and design his own house depending on his tastes. Of course, it helps to read books and articles about designing to be updated on the basic and latest design methods.

Any interior designer can create a specific atmosphere just by putting together several pieces and unifying them in a single theme. There are interior designers who have a bias for certain motifs like eclectic, modern or even country style. Some go for simple designs without the clutter.

Interior design is not only aesthetic but also functional depending on the requirements of the client. An interior designer can make a small room spacious and an otherwise cluttered room into an orderly one. Interior design is used just about anywhere from homes, offices to commercial buildings.

The interiors of a room should always match the personality of the person who will occupy that room. This is the reason why designers always work closely with their clients so they can make sure that they get a feel of what their clients want in terms of design style.

People have this notion that interior design is expensive. However, designers are not only creative people but they are also very good in budgeting. Most designers will work on a design that will match or fit the budget of their clients. A person can allot a minimal amount for the interior design of his home or office and still come up with an aesthetic and functional room.

Professional interior designers who are formally trained usually have basic knowledge on architecture, engineering and even accounting. They need these courses to make their design aesthetic, structurally correct and cost effective.

The terms Interior design and interior decorating have often been used interchangeably. However, the two terms actually deal with different phases of making a room or a space aesthetic. Interior design is basically the process of studying the personality of the occupant of the room being designed in order to maximize and tailor-made the room’s design for that person’s behavior and personality.

Interior decorating on the other hand is the process of actually mixing and matching the different design techniques like window treatments, the right wallpaper, wall finish and even the furnishing of a room.

There are a lot of opportunities for those in the interior design and decorating industry. An interior designer can go into designing household, corporate or commercial establishments. Others specialize in the design of health facilities or even tourism establishments.

The latest trend now for those in the interior design industry is to be able to incorporate the right engineering and aesthetic design with sustainable development. Even designers are now more conscious about the state of the environment so they tend to use environmentally friendly materials for their designs.

There are designers who specialize and use Feng Shui in their designs. This requires further study because Feng Shui deals with the Chinese’s ancient methods of designing a space to make the design work for the owner’s health, business and other life factors.

The Chinese believes that a structure should be properly designed so as to allow positive energy to enter the structure. When the structure has already been built without the aid of a Feng Shui expert, the mistakes can be corrected through proper interior design using the Feng Shui methods.

By incorporating Feng Shui in interior design, it is believed that a person can bring out all the positive energies in a room to make him rich, happy and healthy. An interior design using Feng Shui can also get rid of bad spirits that bring in negative atmosphere in an abode.

Getting the services of an interior designer can make a room both aesthetic and functional. Any person who wants to make his home livable and functional should try getting the services of an interior designer to maximize his space.

What types of professional interior designers are available?

Have you heard of Interior redecorators? These professional interior decorators transform your home using things you have accumulated over the years. The end result is a balanced, harmonious space that reflects the personality of the people who use it. Many interior designers have added this service to their repertoire. Alternate terms for professional interior designers specializing in interior redecorating are interior redesigners, interior arrangers, interior stylists, one day decorators, visual coordinators or interior refiners.

What is a Certified Interior Designer? (from B&P Code Section 5800,5538)

A Certified interior designer is a competent design professional who is qualified to design, prepare, and submit any type of nonstructural, non-seismic interior construction plans and specifications to local building departments. Certified interior designers have demonstrated through education, experience, and examination their knowledge of the Uniform Building Code as it relates to space planning, life safety, flammability, and disabled access code issues. Most interior designers have a minimum four-year education. Many have Master of Interior Design degrees or other additional education in architecture or interior design. Interior designers who have many years experience may not have a Bachelors in Interior Design, but usually are well educated and have many years of qualified experience. All qualified interior designers will indicate that they have passed the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Certification) examination and/or are registered/ certified/ licensed in their state.

How do Interior Decorators charge for their services?

Flat Design Fee: The client pays a flat fee for the professional interior designer’s services based on the design plan, time required, and scope of services.

Hourly Rate: The interior decorator bills a negotiated rate per hour.

Cost Plus Method: Professional interior designers charge a set percentage on all merchandise purchased and tradesmen’s services rendered.

Mixed Method: The client pays both a set percentage on purchases and a base design fee for hourly rate.

Per square foot: This method is used especially in new construction.

What to ask at the first meeting:

• Ask to see the interior designer’s portfolio, but remember that the designs reflect other people’s tastes,¬ not necessarily the interior decorator’s, and possibly not your own.

• Ask what size projects the interior designer has worked on, where, and what was the budget range.

• Ask how the established budget will be handled, and the kind of payment schedules the interior decorator requires.

• Ask about the types of services the designer can provide.

• Ask for a list of references.

What you may be asked at the first meeting:

It is a good idea to prepare for your first meeting with a professional interior designer by creating your own folder of clippings from magazines, catalogs, and books of design ideas that appeal to you.

You may also be asked some or all of the following questions:

• For whom is the space being designed?

• What activities will take place in the space?

• How long do you plan to occupy the space?

• What is your time frame for completing the project?

• What is your budget?

• Are you relocating or remodeling?

• What image do you want to project?

• What colors, style, and effects do you like?

• What are your objective and lifestyle needs?

• What is the approximate square footage to be designed?

If a professional interior designer, or anyone, for that matter, tells you the process is easy, stress-free, and will be complete in two weeks, they’re either lying or stupid. Don’t hire that person.

Design professionals are your resource to the latest trends, best products and ideas to help assist you in the best possible way to achieve your goals. The designer will do the footwork for you while providing the very best for your budget. They can save you hundreds of dollars on just one project by helping to prevent costly mistakes. The agreed upon fee can be by the hour or by the project depending on the client’s needs. Below I have outlined some tips for choosing a designer:

1. Interview several designers to find the best fit for your project.

2. A professional will be upfront about the fees and cost so there will be no hidden fees that will surprise you in the end. Ask questions!

3. Find a designer that fits your budget and project. Some professionals only deal with certain aspects of design and have a minimum charge. Interview over the phone first and get some pricing upfront.

4. Be sure to express your feelings to the designer and keep the lines of communication open.

5. This should be an enjoyable experience! If not, then choose another designer. Any recommendations you can get from other clients are always helpful.

6. A true professional will be able to buy at wholesale and save you money!

7. Get references! A professional will have references and photos that show projects that have been completed. Ask detailed questions about any concerns you may have about the projects completed. Actually check the references from the portfolio.

8. Address any concerns about the time that you have appropriated for the project, monies involved and the overall schedule that you must meet.

9. Discuss the quality you expect and what you hope to gain from this project.

10. Get any details in writing that you feel necessary. Such as: project time limits, monies to be paid to the designer, contracts, agreements and the scope of the work.

Remember that your designer is a complete resource for the creation of the lifestyle that you want to bring to your home or office. Hiring a designer can be one of the best decisions you ever make!

When you are running a clothing retail shop, there is no reason for you to worry about your profit or where you can shop clothing supplies at low prices. There are several clothing suppliers all over the world where you can avail of the best deals. You will be able to keep most of your income when you buy wholesale fashion clothing. If you are looking for the most affordable clothing wholesale, purchase apparel stocks at Asian fashion wholesale manufacturers. One of these fashion wholesale companies is CausewayMall, which is found in Hong Kong. The best thing about this wholesaler is that it offers its clothes internationally. Hong Kong fashion wholesalers from all throughout the world have the opportunity to shop for clothing supplies wholesale at CausewayMall. Among the major retailers and wholesaler clients of this manufacturer come from countries such as the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Thailand, and Singapore.

CausewayMall is a wholesale online shopping mall, which specializes in wholesale women’s apparel. It offers its clients with a convenient shopping experience, what with the chance to buy clothes online. All you have to do is log on to the website of CausewayMall.com. It has images of its clothing selections, allowing you to browse for your preferences. This wholesale manufacturer from Asia sells cheap, ladies, wholesale clothing. You will be able to avail of discounted prices when you order clothes in bulk. Most importantly, the designs and styles of the clothing from CausewayMall are very fashionable. They are very sellable to middle-end to price competitive market.

Whether you want to buy junior wholesale clothing or women fashion clothing wholesale, you will be able to take advantage of the company’s trendy styles. The apparel of CausewayMall is based on the fashion of various countries. For one, you can buy Japan & Korea fashion clothing. You can also shop for Hong Kong fashion clothes. What is more, some of the garments of this company are based on L.A. fashion. Causeway Mall is a cute trendy clothes wholesaler, marketing items which are of the latest fashion. You will be able to find chic and elegant apparel items.

You have thousands of choices when you shop for wholesale Korea style fashion clothes. CausewayMall sells blouses, skirts, dresses, pants, clothes sets, and jackets. You can even purchase Love Pearls and accessories. The latter are comprised of formal hats, winter hats, elastic socks, and cotton socks. When it comes to the elastic socks of CausewayMall, you can choose from knee-high or thigh-high socks. You can also take a pick from various colors and checkered designs. CausewayMall is also a sexy tank halter tops supplier, which consist of charming and cute designs. With the affordable clothing of this fashion wholesale company, you will get to supply your retail store with new items without having to spend much.

Today fashion keeps on changing. So you have to keep alongside about the most recent trends. Trends may be differing from person to person. Actually a trend is a uniform that everyone seems to wear. Designer and exclusives clothes took attention because these clothes are different from ordinary clothes. Demand of fashionable clothes increases a lot from past several years. Clothes are the necessity of all the people around the world. It is an important tool in our society. The clothes we generally wear not only enhance our personality but also raise our confidence. Women generally pay more attention in purchasing new types of clothes as compare to men.

Today fashion industry has a growing market. Internet shopping also plays an important role in the development of this industry. People just type what they want and get the results in few seconds. People use internet for both selling and purchasing their product.

Online shopping for women clothing offers vast variety of choices to women especially when they are looking for different sizes, colors and shapes outfits. Many websites also assist you to find out right type of ladies garments. They also provide various offers that make it possible for customers to save money.Today fashion keeps on changing. So you have to keep alongside about the most recent trends. Trends may be differing from person to person. Actually a trend is a uniform that everyone seems to wear. Designer and exclusives clothes took attention because these clothes are different from ordinary clothes. Demand of fashionable clothes increases a lot from past several years. Clothes are the necessity of all the people around the world. It is an important tool in our society. The clothes we generally wear not only enhance our personality but also raise our confidence. Women generally pay more attention in purchasing new types of clothes as compare to men.

Today fashion industry has a growing market. Internet shopping also plays an important role in the development of this industry. People just type what they want and get the results in few seconds. People use internet for both selling and purchasing their product.

Online shopping for women clothing offers vast variety of choices to women especially when they are looking for different sizes, colors and shapes outfits. Many websites also assist you to find out right type of ladies garments. They also provide various offers that make it possible for customers to save money.

The other benefit of online shopping stores over physical clothes stores is that they can keep larger stock of clothes as they do not have the restriction of space. Also now women not have to go for many clothes outlets to purchase right type of clothes for them. Through online shopping women can buy best and latest style clothes. They can choose wide varieties of clothes such as casual clothes, formal dresses wedding dresses etc. Woman can easily choose the clothing which fits in her requirement and the one that are comfortable also. Also women can purchase many other types of apparel such as jewellery, shoes and bags which they can wear with their fashionable clothes.

Clothing not only makes a woman stylish but also generates confidence in them. Now days clothing is not only a symbol of style and glamour, but it also reflects the social status. Thus we can say that fashion now days become a powerful tool to determine the woman’s success.

The other benefit of online shopping stores over physical clothes stores is that they can keep larger stock of clothes as they do not have the restriction of space. Also now women not have to go for many clothes outlets to purchase right type of clothes for them. Through online shopping women can buy best and latest style clothes. They can choose wide varieties of clothes such as casual clothes, formal dresses wedding dresses etc. Woman can easily choose the clothing which fits in her requirement and the one that are comfortable also. Also women can purchase many other types of apparel such as jewellery, shoes and bags which they can wear with their fashionable clothes.

Clothing not only makes a woman stylish but also generates confidence in them. Now days clothing is not only a symbol of style and glamour, but it also reflects the social status. Thus we can say that fashion now days become a powerful tool to determine the woman’s success.

If you want to start a business that will surely usher in huge profits for you, you can build your own clothing retail shop. There are some entrepreneurs who fear that they will not be able to get back the money that they have put in when they invest on fashion clothes. However, this is not the case when you know where to get the best deals. In order for you to make your business do well, there are a lot of things that you have to consider first. If you’re into selling fashion clothing, you have to look for a supplier that will be able to provide you with reliable and affordable deals.

When choosing from a long list of clothing suppliers, choose a company or manufacturer that sells wholesale fashion clothing. One such company is CausewayMall, which is a Hong Kong fashion clothing manufacturer. This supplier is your choice wholesale online shopping mall, allowing you to make your order through the Web. This is very convenient since you won’t have to leave your store in order for you to shop for new clothing supplies. Opting to buy from CausewayMall will provide you with several benefits.

The first benefit that you enjoy from procurement at CausewayMall is the chance to avail of its low prices. When you order fashion clothing wholesale, it will be given to you along with a cut-off price. This Hong Kong clothing wholesaler sells its items at an economic price, when you shop in bulk orders. Another advantage that CausewayMall offers is the utmost trendiest styles in the fashion industry. This is something that you can expect, despite the fact that CausewayMall sells its wholesale fashion clothing at lesser costs.

CausewayMall always puts the interests of its clients first. This is the reason why you get reliable yet, cheap ladies wholesale clothing. Not only this, it is possible for you to shop from this fashion wholesale company even if you are not managing your business in Asia. CausewayMall sells its apparel internationally. This means that you can buy its affordable clothes anywhere you are in the world. The wholesale buyers of this manufacturer usually come from the United Kingdom, United States, Singapore, and Thailand.

The apparel that CausewayMall.com provides is inspired by Japan & Korea Fashion Clothing. This implies that your clothing supplies wholesale are comprised of chic and trendy designs. You can choose from cute designs such as bubble-sleeved blouses and lace skirts. Or else, you can go for funky styles like off-shoulder blouses and checkered cotton socks. Causeway Mall is also a sexy tank halter tops supplier, with styles taken from L.A. fashion and other top fashion districts.

There is no way that you can get designer clothes wholesale at affordable prices. Fashion clothing usually means expensive tags. But when you shop at CausewayMall, you will be able to supply your clothing retailer shop with designer and fashion apparel without sacrificing your profit. This could mean more customers and a higher profit margin for you.

Fashion or being fashionable has been a trend since the 14th century in the west. Since then, fashion has spread all over the world and invaded country after country, especially the urban cities of the countries. Being fashionable has been sort of a status quo in every society. The more fashionable you are, the more you are regarded as an elite or a socialite person. With the popularity of fashion, it is not surprising that it has become a booming business worldwide.

Women nowadays are more particular than men when it comes to fashion. That is why women’s boutiques are more common than men’s in every city. Women are very fussy when it comes to what they wear. They won’t usually wear what is not in style; they would always be updated with the fashion trend. And with the trend shifting almost every year, so do the variety of clothes that women buy. So every boutique and fashion clothing store should always be well-run with the changes in style and trends so that they will not be left behind in the business.

With the abundance of the competition in the fashion clothing business, shop owners have to find ways not only to be up-to-date in fashion trends but also to find means to sell their designer clothes competitively. One way of doing this is purchasing wholesale, not only will it be much cheaper, you can also have more availability of clothes for your costumers to choose from. One factor that store owners should also consider is the quality of the fashion clothing that they are buying from manufacturers. Wholesaling clothes is sometimes not reliable in getting the clothes with the best quality so it is wise to shop around for fashion clothing supplier.

Luckily for fashion clothes shop owners and entrepreneurs, the internet has made the search for a clothing wholesaler much more convenient with the availability of online fashion clothing suppliers serving trendy and stylish clothes not only locally but internationally. One of these suppliers is the online sourcing mall CausewayMall, a clothing wholesaler who supplies most fashionable clothing and magazine style ladies apparel internationally. Its close relationships with clothing manufacturers enable the CausewayMall to offer mass produced very trendy and fashionably styled clothes.

CausewayMall not only offers fashion styles in the locale but also from other countries. Other Asian countries such as Japanese and Korean styles of clothing can also be ordered from this company. Hong Kong and Korean clothing and fashion wholesalers can buy from CausewayMall all the stylish party dresses, off price clothing labels, ladies apparels, trendy clothes, halter tops, cute dresses, and even junior party dresses and clothing apparel are selling at very economical and affordable price.

With the assortment of products and accessories CausewayMall offers, you won’t have to look for another wholesale clothing supplier. All the clothing lines you need can be found at this online sourcing mall. And with the quality and affordability of its clothes and accessories, CausewayMall can be considered a one-stop shop clothing store.

The fashion industry is currently a thriving business worldwide. This industry exploited the need of every person to be attractive and fashionable. It is a fact that a person’s social status is highly regarded if he or she is fashionable. While a man’s being fashionable is usually his sharp-dressed and well-coiffed look, a woman’s fashion sense is much more different. Women’s clothing and apparel to be fashionable and stylish should follow the trend of the time. And the trend changes very quickly, so the women must adjust and buy the new trend.

This is probably why we see more women’s clothing stores and boutiques everywhere we go. Whether in the malls and downtown areas, women’s boutiques are more common.  This is why more shop owners of women’s apparel always have to be competitive in their clothing lines and prices for them to attract more costumers. And with the availability of many suppliers and the intense competition, wholesale prices are very competitive and purchasers can have a lot of options where to buy wholesale. It is important to find a supplier that is reliable. International fashion clothing suppliers can be more reliable than local suppliers due to the bigger market they handle; international fashion suppliers cannot afford to be uncompetitive in its supplies.

International fashion clothing suppliers have also branched out to reach a bigger market for their designer clothes. One of these international companies is the CausewayMall. This international store offers for wholesale a complete array of lady’s apparel, fashion dresses, tops, skirts, and accessories. The products this store offer are also of certain quality in very affordable. Not only that, the store also offers different fashion clothing lines of  several Asian countries such as Japan and Korea and western cities such as the city of Los Angeles. Hong Kong clothing wholesalers can order from this company the latest trendy party dresses, fashion clothes and apparel. Korean wholesalers can also select from the assortment of trendy designer clothes the CausewayMall offers. CausewayMall’s fashion clothes and women’s apparel is available in large quantities due to its close relationships with clothing manufacturers which allows the company to offer mass produced trendy and fashionable clothes which would give the purchaser a lot of choices of different styles of fashion dresses and ladies apparel including cute trendy clothes, halter tops, cheap party dresses, and other women’s clothing. These are all available on wholesale from CausewayMall. What makes the CausewayMall competitive in the wholesaling business is that quality of the designer clothes and apparel the store offers and the affordability of the same.

Conveniently, CausewayMall is also an online sourcing mall. This would allow purchasers to order online and select from the available styles of latest fashion dresses and accessories. The focus of this store is to communicate and execute with honesty and efficiency. And being one of the more reliable fashion wholesalers known internationally, it is apparent that the CausewayMall will create long term relationships with customers and will be in the wholesale business for a long time.