Christmas Market Production Schedule

Hi all,

It does the soul good to see you all in production - you are on your way to a successful sale! For the next few weeks, we will continue to meet in the print room instead of room 23 to facilitate production. Be sure you come prepared with all supplies needed to make the most of your time. I will of course be available to help with any manufacture or design modifications throughout this process. The excitement is building....

The schedule below should help you with your planning process in preparation for the sale at Glasnevin on the 14th of December. We have 3 class days left before the sale!

November 24h: Production
December 10th: Production and supply lists, responsibilities
                   8th: Production and preparation, display practice run    

See you all Monday!

NB: See new link to Fundi.ie and Business to Arts pages to the right.

Welcome

Hi All,

Welcome to your final year here at BCFE - it will no doubt be a challenging time for you, but it will be worth every ounce of effort. By the time the year end show arrives, you won't have seen the year fly past...which brings me to the present.

In class we had a look at this blog, and I directed your attention to the 'Links' sidebar, to the right of where I post. The links I've included will be an invaluable resource for you as you research your progression aims. This research will be ongoing throughout the year, and I will announce important deadlines as they arise. However, you will need to pay attention to, and document, your unique, individual progression aims.

With regard to the design process, we will be moving forward to assess our competitors. As always, make sure you document every step of your process, as this is will be important for assessment.

I would like to take the opportunity to wish you all the very best that the year will bring, and encourage you to comment in the box below.

Competition

Hi all,

I came across a competition some of you may be interested in, especially those of you working with colour:

http://www.sdc.org.uk/competition/idc2014/

Congratulations!

Congratulations to you all - the year end show has been a resounding success. When I walked into the gallery on the evening of the opening, everything looked spectacular. I had invited friends and family back home via our Facebook Event Page, and the comments I heard ran along the lines of, "It looked like a professional gallery!" Certainly, we must applaud Orla for her commitment to attaining the Cow Shed! Her persistence is an inspiration. I was impressed by your presentation. I understand that there were some sales made, too - feedback on the process would indeed be appreciated, but I think it all went as smoothly as we could have hoped, and those first year students! Very together.

I will add one photo, as I was so busy mingling, that I only managed to snap one or two. Please scroll down to the end, though, because I happened upon a very interesting documentary from FRONTLINE, which I think some of you may be interested in. It's called 'Generation Like", and investigates the use of social media for promotional purposes. It's illuminating. There's excellent insight into how it all works.

Finally, it's been an absolute pleasure working with you all these past two years. I wish you all the best for your future endeavours, and DO keep in touch!

And now for the link:

Generation Like

Alternate LinkedIn Assignment

Hi all,

I trust you have all been taking advantage of the lovely weather we've been having - I know I have! But just in case you thought I'd forgotten, here is the assignment for those who expressed an interest in an alternative to building a LinkedIn profile.

Consider my recent lecture about copyright. I know many of you found the information thought provoking, and it brought up some questions regarding your own work. I would like you to put your thoughts into words, here in this blog. The questions I'd like you to answer are: How do you think copyright could affect your work? How will you take steps to avoid copyright infringement - and how will you prevent others from infringing on your rights? Use your notes, and the links on the sidebar, particularly the Craft and Copyright link.

Type your thoughts in the comment box below, and I will publish them as I receive them. This assignment is due on 28th of April, along with the rest of your submission (see brief). Any questions, please also use the comment box below. I will not publish questions.

Enjoy the rest of your break!

Business Cards

Hi all,

We're nearly finished with tour mock interviews, probably MY favourite activity of the class. I enjoy this process because I get a better idea of your work, and who you are as individuals. I hope you have found this process helpful, and that it will make a difference to the success of your interviews, whether for college entry, or your career path.

As we continue our investigation of promotion, we turn our attention to that auld classic: the business card. A well designed business card is part of your Professional Identity. How you are perceived by potential clients is very important. What impression would you like them to have about you, your work, and your level of professionalism? I expect you to research various possibilities for your own business card designs, and have them ready for the end of year show.

1. First, do a little investigation into different designs. Make notes and/or sketches in your Class File. Include printouts of designs you find particularly appealing. 
2. Consider alternative approaches: how about a hand made business card? What types of materials, techniques, approaches, or combination thereof could you use? Think: textile, paint, stencils, print, stitch, lamination, rubber stamps.....but do keep it practical - you don't want to spend overly long with production time. 
3. Time to look into printers in your area. Identify them, and, contact them to find out about pricing and paper stock available. 
4. Vistaprint.ie will most likely be your least expensive option for a traditional printed business card. Explore the website and your options. Document your findings.

Keep it simple, and this process should not take too much of your time. 

Next week we will have class in the mac room, so no need to move between classes! Bring your research with you to class next week, and we will discuss our findings and options. See you all then!

Interview Schedule

Hi all,

Before I list the schedule for your mock interviews, I have a couple of announcements.

First, I have decided to revise the assignment I gave you on Monday. Instead of a 2 page essay on your art related progression aims, you are to research career options of particular interest to you.

1. Use the sidebar to access websites with a focus on career options. The most relevant are:

• Artquest
• Arts Council of Ireland, England
• Crafts Council of Ireland, England (incl. Future Makers, Hand and Lock)
• Creative Choices
• Visual Artists Ireland
• Student Finance - for funding

1. Document your research - this is of paramount importance - feel free to go through your printed research with a highlighter to emphasize information you find useful. Go for at least 3 options - one never knows!
2. Write a brief review of those options, up to one page, 12pt, double spaced. 

Second, I have a rather unexpected, yet very welcome announcement that I think you will all enjoy. I have made arrangements with Vincent Kelly, of Gallery Zozimus, to visit the gallery as a class. Vincent has very kindly offered to host our class and give us an informal tour and talk. I'm sure most of you are aware of Gallery Zozimus - a ceramic and painting focused gallery on Francis Street with close links to NCAD. We will meet there on 31st March; details to follow.

Whew. Okay, now for the schedule:

10th Feb:

     2:00 pm  - Susan

     2:30 pm - Alice

     3:00 pm - Adele

     3:30 pm - Natascha

17th - Mid Term

24th Feb:

     2:00 pm: - Nataliya 

     2:30 pm - Anne

     3:00 pm - Kate

     3:30 pm - Ina

3rd March:

     2:00 pm - Laura

     2:30 pm - Martina

     3:00 pm - Ken

     3:30 pm - Aoife

You may agree with each other to switch if you like, just make sure to let me know. Remember to bring your corrected CV and Artist Statements, along with your edited portfolios. Select your best work and sketchbooks - focusing on what you'll be presenting for you actual interview, if applicable. Any questions, please post a comment - and remember, comments are moderated, so I won't post it unless I think it's helpful and relevant to all. 

All the best!

What should be in a portfolio? (+playlist)

Preparing a portfolio

What is a portfolio

Hand and Lock - some inspiration

Hi all,

Firstly, I'd like to mention that your comments are appreciated, and I will take them all into consideration as I begin planning for next year. Please feel free to leave comments in relation to future posts.

Some of you may be thinking about entering your work for consideration in this year's Hand and Lock competition. I certainly encourage you to do so. This year's theme is the integration of floral and geometric pattern - it's one I think you'll enjoy. I'm including a link to some work I think you'll agree touches upon this theme in an ingenious way. Here's a photo I took in 2012, at the Knit and Stitch:

       

Severija Incirauskaite-Kriauneviciene
Way of Roses
stitch on metal

To view more stitched metallic objects, check out this recent Colossal post:

http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2014/01/ornate-embroidery-patterns-stitched-into-metallic-objects/

Be aware that the deadline for online applications and payment of entry fee is the 31st of March. This is only the first stage. The deadline to submit work is the 30th June. For details, go to the Hand and Lock website (link in sidebar to right). I hope this will serve as inspiration for you!