For this unit, I feel that enhancing my online
presence and creating a professional portfolio are both of extreme importance. I
have been fortunate enough to be accepted to exhibit my work at New Designers,
after our degree show. From visiting the show in previous years, I am excited
to have the chance to network with a diverse amount of creative graduates, as
well as gaining feedback and hopefully creating contacts with industry professionals.
We have recently had a portfolio day at the
University, where ex-students showcased their professional portfolios; giving
us the chance to look through their presentation techniques. I have taken away
that my portfolio needs to be simplistic and straight-to-the-point. My
portfolio needs to show why clients would want to hire me for a job in the
fashion industry. I intend on showcasing my work through photography and mood
boards featuring my colour, pattern and material choices. I have enlisted the
help of a friend to photograph my samples, intending to back-up the technical
embroidery skills that are showcased on my CV.
Online presence, dependent upon the platform
being worked upon, is used to further showcase a designer’s portfolio, during
the degree and once graduated. I regularly post photographs of my sampling and
any opportunities that I have been successful in, onto platforms such as my
personal Facebook/Instagram accounts, however the target audience for these
posts are limited to my ‘friends’ or ‘followers’, not necessarily many people
that are based across the context of fashion embroidery and embellishment that
I desire.
I have, for a long time, used social media to
showcase my work, personally finding that my CV and LinkedIn pages have been
the most beneficial in the sense of providing links for outward facing experience.
Through these two platforms, I have successfully been offered a placement with
a couture wedding dress designer in London after my graduation ceremony, and I
am also in the process of setting up a placement in an embroidery factory in
India, amongst other possible opportunities.
Artsthread: http://www.artsthread.com/profile/laurakent/
Instagram: @laurakenttextiles
Linked In:
http://linkedin.com/in/laurakenttextiles
Twitter: @laurakentmmu
Pinterest: @laurakenttextiles
Website: http://laurakenttextiles.co.uk
I feel that it is the right time to create an
online presence in the format of a website; this will allow me to set up a
creative space to promote my work, and allow the audience to get a sense of my
style and achievements. I have recently bought my own domain, and after much
research and testing of web design templates and ease of use over different
design platforms, I have decided upon the use of Cargo Collective as my website
platform. I feel that their hosting package allows me to create my own unique
online presence. To me, I feel that the two most important parts of the
creation of an online presence are simplicity and consistancy across all of my
social media platforms; I strive to keep all up-to-date with information, as
well as making sure each looks professional and portrays both me as a designer
and my work, in the way in which I desire.
I enjoy networking through voluntary opportunities as a way to both interact with audiences with the same passions as myself and create long-term professional connections. During Unit X, I have been volunteered over a range of creative opportunities with societies that I am influenced by.
I offered my time to steward at the Textiles Society’s annual Antiques Fair. In doing so, I learnt about the society as well as being surrounded by inspirational and enjoyable company. After doing so, I have now become a member of The Textiles Society. Secondly, I became an on-sight-artist at The Whitworth Art Gallery’s ‘Emerging Makers Networking’ event. I had interaction with many designers from across the North West. The day offered talks from guest speakers- all successful designers from textiles-to-glass-to-ceramics, sharing their experiences in the ‘real world of art and design’. I feel the greatest advice that I took away from the event was that sometimes life won’t be enjoyable, but as long as you remember why you love doing what you do, and are determined to succeed, there are always opportunities out there for art and design.
