Thinking Very Visually

Jodie McGuiness is a freelance visual artist living in Leicestershire, UK. Her work has been the subject of a solo gallery exhibition in the city. Click here to read the full interview with Jodie McGuiness Visual Artist.

 

What made you decide to choose to get into this sort of career?

I started my design journey as a presentations/DTP (desk top publishing) operator for several of the top five blue chip companies in London. Although the pay was extremely good, I was not getting enough freedom to express my own creativity, so I started doing shift work as a freelance graphic designer. This allowed me to go back to college and study Graphic Design and Illustration in more depth, and push my own creativity.

After I completed the course, I went on to study Interior Design at Greenwich College, and then on to an interior design degree at London Metropolitan University. After a year, I realised I wanted to work for myself as a visual artist, and needed to find a course that combined design skills with business management skills, hence graduating 2009 from DMU with Design Management & Innovation degree.

Do you have a standard day or a standard type of `exercise’?

I tend to start my day by looking for inspiration and keeping up with art and design trends on the web. I have many great sites and artists bookmarked. It is also important to stay connected with like-minded people; I cannot stress enough how important it is to see what’s going on out there, see what other people are doing, what you like and what you don’t like and always question, “why”? This is one of the key ways to ensure your own work has originality, and subconsciously it helps to create your own unique style.

I tend then to check emails and get any of the business things done next, so I can have the rest of my day free to switch over to the creative side, although I do tend to be more creative late at night and in the early hours of the morning; I find my music combined with the tranquillity of this time of day helps me to become totally absorbed in what I’m doing with no distractions at all.

If I am working on a design project for a client, that is a completely different process. I listen to what the client wants, but more importantly, you have to become skilled in picking up what they are not saying. Half the time, clients naturally go for their own personal visual preferences, i.e. what colours they like, whether they like modern or traditional design and so on. As a designer, your job is to research what’s already been done, and most importantly, research the target audience of whom the design is aimed at. You have to have confidence in the route your design takes, and have great communication skills in order to sell it to your clients effectively.

What is the most common type of problem/call-out/enquiry you must attend to?

I would say the most common type of problem is clients wanting a ‘little logo’ design. A logo is the only visual identity customers have to relate to a company. A logo design is never a ‘little’ job – it takes a lot of research, analysis and time to effectively communicate a company’s brand values all in one design. My advice is to educate your client to understand the importance of their logo. My second tip would be to ensure your fee reflects the time, effort and research you carry out on such a project. There is huge difference between a good designer and a bad one, and this always reveals itself in the finished design.

What do you like most about the job?

Being able to constantly switch between designer mode and artist mode. Although both creative, as a designer I work to a brief given by the client, but as an artist I have complete freedom to push my own creativity with no boundaries. It comes more from my heart and soul, and so far, people seem to like and appreciate my art.

What do you like least about the job?

The inconsistency can be a bit scary at times. Sometimes I have a few projects on the go, but at other times it could be quiet for a month or two. But I use this time as an opportunity to devote solely to my artwork, and networking for new customers and contacts. I have been fortunate enough sto be able to juggle finances until the next project comes along. If security, consistency and stability are top priorities for you, than maybe this is not the best route for you to take.

What are the key responsibilities?

Being a freelance designer means you are also you own marketing manager, accountant, sales person and administrator; you are solely responsible for your own success. Most creative people (myself included) wish they had someone to do all these jobs for them, so even more time could be ‘creative’ time. Good art and design can never be completed in a hurry or with little thought. Personally, procrastination is part of my creative thought process.

What about academic requirements? Any formal demands, eg- A Levels?

Start with foundation courses or access courses in design, photography, illustration, etc. The more creative you can be, the more chance you will have to develop your own creativity with confidence and style. Having said that, I also believe that you do not necessarily have to have formal qualifications to be a great artist; you may just have a natural flair. Put your work out there and see what people think of it. This may help you decide whether you need formal training or not, although it certainly helped me.

What is the starting salary and how does this increase over time with promotion?

If you worked as a junior designer for a SME, then the salary starts at around £15,000 – £17,000. Mid-weight designers range from £22-£25k, whilst senior designers can earn £30-40k. Many senior designers can progress on to become studio managers or art directors, and the salaries dramatically increase. Although the more traditional ‘graphic designer’ route is hugely competitive, it can be very prosperous for those who have drive, flair and ambition. This is specific to those people who want to work for companies full-time; being a self-employed freelancer is a different matter entirely. As a new artist, I have had a 2-week-long, solo exhibition in the UK, and successfully sold some of my artwork, which obviously helps. I would not recommend choosing becoming a freelance artist as a full-time career choice unless you have financial support from family, or have other means of income you can fall back on.

 

What are the most important qualities an applicant must should possess?

The ability to be able to spend a large amount of time working alone, but also to possess good communication skills, as you need to justify your designs and present them to clients. Good negotiation skills for clients and printers alike are also required. Be open to constructive criticism, and enjoy being a problem-solver by coming up with great solutions. You are literally showing people the contents of your mind and imagination, which sometimes makes you feel vulnerable, so be confident with what you produce, and don’t be over-sensitive about other people’s opinions. Above all, you have to have a passion for what you do, as this certainly shows in the work you produce. Good Luck.

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Defining Independent Film Production

Daniel Hughes is a freelance camera operator, and runs his own media production company from his base in Leicestershire. Please click here to read the full interview with Daniel Hughes Documentary/Film maker.

 

 

What made you decide to choose to get into this sort of career?

From an early age, I have been fascinated with ‘how it’s done’ in film and television. I was initially inspired by greats like Steven Spielberg, Tim Burton and Francis Ford Coppola, and blockbusting Hollywood movies such as Jurassic Park and Jaws gave me the ‘wow factor’. I thought, ‘I want to do that!’ Every time I went to the cinema there was an excitement, a feeling of disengagement from the real world. I wanted to be able to be creative (in whatever context) and at the same time earn a living from it!

 

Do you have a standard day or a standard type of project

I tend to plan my professional life on a weekly basis, so I usually know what the week has in store for me. My main bread-and-butter is corporate and commercial projects. However, my passion is independent film. Perhaps the most rewarding of all the local projects are the ones where I am working closely with charities.

 

What is the most common type of project for which you receive enquiries?

This can be very sporadic but my main line of enquiry is a lot of web-based film, wedding videography, charity or community based projects, as well as being commissioned as a camera operator or Director of Photography on freelance broadcast and corporate projects.

 

What do you like most about the job?

It is most rewarding as an artist to see one’s work broadcast, or screened at a film festival, however big or small! One of the main reasons I wanted to become a film director was because film making is a very subtle way of expressing emotion towards a subject, in whatever form. A piece of independent film is a way to create empathy with an audience.

 

What do you like least about the job?

It is often frustrating when I have an independent piece that is ready to shoot but I have difficulty finding a financier; the passion is there, but unfortunately the finances aren’t always!

 

 

What are the key responsibilities?

My role as a film maker is really quite simple, and that is to deliver a finished film that is of an exceptionally high standard. From beginning to end, I strive to nurture a project and collaborate with a team of creative professionals who all play a part in producing the completed piece. Independent roles are mostly outsourced, but as the film maker, it is my responsibility to pull it all together.

 

What about academic requirements? Any formal demands, for example, HND qualification?

I am currently qualified to HND level, but I personally believe that education is only the very first stepping stone. If you study in an environment that is very generic or overly formal, it can sometimes limit artistic development. A course needs mentors that engage with the students, giving them direction and developing their technical and artistic abilities. ‘Media Studies’ has for some time now been seen to be an easy option for youngsters leaving school, but I can honestly say that when I left school, I went into Further Education for all the right reasons!

 

Do you plan on going back to college?

Yes it is my intention to return to education in the next 2 years, hopefully to a film school in London. I hope to further develop my technical portfolio by gaining a better understanding of 35mm film. It takes time to learn this medium, but it represents the high-end of media production.

 

What about salaries in the industry – would you say it’s a well paid profession?

There is often the misapprehension that if you work in television, film or media that you are highly paid! Working in film and television can be ultimately rewarding financially, but there are often dry periods between shoots where there is virtually no work at all.

 

 

How far is it possible to progress within this career?

This is entirely dependent on whichever direction one chooses to go. As a camera operator, the next rung of the production ladder would be Producer or eventually even a film consultant. There are many paths and no proven, fool-proof route. But personally, I like working amongst a busy production team; it’s great when a team gels, and shooting flows so well!

 

If you left this profession, what else would you consider doing?

Film is something that has been a massive part of my life and has in many ways shaped me as a person. I would find it rather difficult to have a totally clean break from film making. Photography is another passion of mine, so I would probably consider taking this direction.

 

What advice do you have for someone who is looking to get into this as a career?

Simply keep at it, work hard, build a good portfolio and get to as many film festivals as possible as they have great networking opportunities. Get your work out there, and if it’s any good it needs to be seen. It is equally important to see film, seek inspiration and find a style or genre you like. The film and television industry has always been very competitive, but I personally believe that with the seemingly endless digital TV channels coming on line, a career in film is becoming easier to reach.

 

http://www.danielghughes.com/

Lie Back and Take Control

Alix Needham is a well-known and fully qualified hypnotherapy practitioner based in London, with a popular practice close to Regents Park. Click here to read the full interview with Alix Needham Hypnotherapist.

 

 

What made you decide or choose to get into this sort of career?

My first career was as a Physical Education teacher, and I had attended numerous courses on improving performance psychologically. This led to an interest in hypnotherapy in order to change pupil’s attitudes and get better results.

 

Do you have a standard day or a standard type of `exercise’?

As my own boss, my days are flexible and designed to suit the needs of myself and my clients. My mornings are usually spent on administrative tasks such as marketing. Afternoons and evenings are usually reserved for hypnotherapy client work.

 

What is the most common type of problem/call-out/enquiry to which you must attend?

The most common problems I try and deal with currently seem to be anxiety in its many forms. I specialise in shyness, blushing, self confidence and public speaking. A lot of people find the last one particularly difficult, especially business people who are trying to fast-track their careers and take on additional responsibilities with their employer. Also, many clients want help with hypnosis for weight loss and giving up smoking. This last one is a particularly well known application of hypnotherapy.

 

 

What do you like most about the job?

Being able to help people who are stuck or in conflict to move forward, and make changes in their life to improve their life quality. I enjoy seeing results in a short period of time. Also, being my own boss and being in control of my own business are two very large positives for me.

 

What do you like least about the job?

Sometimes it can be emotionally draining, in the respect of having to deal with people’s complex, deep-seated emotional problems. This is both the positive and the negative element of the work.

 

What are the key responsibilities?

From a business perspective, making sure I have a regular client base who are happy with my work, and who recommend me to other people. The main tasks are in marketing, advertising, self-promotion, and crucially, liaising with doctors and other health care professionals.

 

What about academic requirements?  Any formal demands, eg- A Levels?

Life experience is very important so that you understand the client’s problems. You do not need A-levels as such, but you need to find a reputable training course, which you can find through the National Council of Hypnotherapy in the first instance.

 

 

What is the starting salary, and how does this increase over time with promotion?

This varies a great deal on experience and length of time in practise. Also, your own marketing skills and how much competition there is in your area are key factors. When you start out, you may need to supplement your income with a part time job until you gain a satisfactory supply of clients.

 

What advice do you have for someone who is looking to get into this as a career?

Before you decide to train as a hypnotherapist, make sure you are very self-motivated. Also, that you are able to work on your own. In many areas, there is a lot of competition, so a good network of influential people would help to get referrals. Also, good marketing and public relations skills are very helpful as you build up your client base.

 

What are the most important qualities an applicant must and should possess?

A good understanding and interest in people. Self-motivation is necessary in order to build your business. Good organisation and communication skills. Empathy, life experience, flexible attitude, and the candidate must be confident and self-assured. Self knowledge and wisdom are all-important.

 

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Brand Xanny

 

Xanny Disjad was on time for our appointment. That sounds like something of an unremarkable opener, but this being Thailand, and this also being a glamour interview, I should tell you that this never happens. It was my first indicator that this bright light of the happening Thai fashion-and-furore arena knows how to do things differently to the rest (to read an entirely different take on a career in modelling, please click here!)

We met up at the Skytrain station in Asok. My haphazard knowledge of this busy expat area of Bangkok began searching frantically for recall of a suitably-imposing five-star hotel lobby.

“We could head for the Grand Millennium”, I suggested. “That should be pretty quiet. Or the Westin Grand Sukhumvit?” This was the best my pollution-addled brain could manage on short notice. It was hot, too. “No, it’s okay,” she replied, “there’s a Macdonalds just here!”

It quickly dawned on me what an incredibly grounded person I was meeting. Subconsciously, your mind recollects the photos and remembers the famous pout, the attitude and the hardcore sexy cool; and so you naturally assume that any kind of appointment will be an exercise in prima-donna pretension. Yet, when I finally got to meet the young star, I was overwhelmed by what a refreshingly simple experience it would turn out to be.

In truth, I was anxious to just go anywhere, as we are attracting quite a crowd by now. This in itself is no mean feat, in an area of the city where even the men dressed as women look incredibly hot.

The Xanny Disjad marque has now gone truly global. The petite and exotic lady from the Southern province has taken Bangkok head-on and lived to tell the story. Such is the success of the Xanny enterprise, her Facebook fan pages now sports some 25,000 members, and this year, her first stateside shooting schedule beckons.

“I came to Bangkok looking to get away from the provincial troubles,” she explains, “and I began searching for modelling work later on. I found the cost of living was more expensive in Bangkok than in the South, plus the pace of everything; I hated it to begin with, but now I adore it.”

 

 

“I’ve always been very independent, but I have a personal manager to help me out now. I used to spend a lot of time at home, but these days I seem to always be going from one meeting to another. The process is very easy; the client likes me and then organises a meet with me directly.”

For those unacquainted with the Disjad brand, Xanny is the family-orientated entrepreneur from Narathiwat Province, and runs her modelling business mainly by herself.

She told me, “Work is so crazy; I need some full-time help this year. But my business is close to my heart, so it’s difficult to hand over the reigns to anyone else. I usually do my own make-up too, because I know exactly what I want, and I know how to give the client a shoot that will work for them. I also need it to be fun, or there is no point.”

“Before the project starts,” she continues, “I will always meet with the hiring agent and the photographer over a few drinks. I need that intimacy to be able to work to the camera properly.”

I offer her some of my Big Mac, noting that she has not ordered. “I’m lucky that I’m not a fast-food person!” she laughs. “I love fish, salad and Thai vegetables. I can handle extra-hot Thai food, so I don’t really watch what I eat in that respect. I can cook many Thai dishes; I used to spend time in the kitchen with my Grandmother when I was six years old, so I learnt from her.”

It does not take long to realise Xanny has an appreciably open outlook which she tends to apply to everything, from fashion, food, travel and relaxation. She told me, “I’ve just got back from Hong Kong, although it was for vacation not work. I enjoy the shopping there; it can be cheaper than Bangkok for some things. I like Singapore too. I’ve been there a few times. I like the clean air and the city planning; it’s like England! I love the organisation of everything. Some people find it off-putting, but I really enjoy it; it’s so different to here! I miss Bangkok when I leave though; you become addicted to the madness of it all.”

“I’ve been to Kuala Lumpur too. I love Malaysian food. Because I come from the South, it’s quite similar in style to Southern Thai food. I need to spend more time there, to get to know the people and to understand the city.”

“Next year, my big plan is to go to America; Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, maybe. I’m hoping to find some long-term project work. I’ve never been, but I’m prepared for it to be a crazy experience. I want to travel more too, so I’ve set aside a month just to do that next year.”

“You’re gonna hate Los Angeles,” I tell her. “It’s horrible.” Xanny replied, “That’s okay. I just have a hunger to experience anything new. There’s opportunity everywhere. In five years time, I will still be in Thailand, but I hope to travel more. My life is complex; I just need to find a way to accommodate it all! It excites me that when I look at what I’m doing; the Xanny brand is International. It makes me really happy.”

Business is good for Thailand’s number one glamour export. Xanny’s diary is so full-on right now, it seemed almost pointless asking about her favourite type of shoot, but I elected to anyway. “Anything glamour,” she replied. “Anything where the client goes away thinking that they got what they were looking for in terms of the shoot concept.”

 

 

This accommodating attitude is probably the reason why she’s being approached for TV work. But Xanny is businesswoman before anything else, and she is prepared to take things day by day. It is a lesson her peers often seem unable to grasp.

This self-motivated professional life does not appear to leave any time for personal relationships; “I’m single!” she declares. “I’m very into business and knowing what I’m focused on, but I still haven’t met any guy that understands my lifestyle! I need someone who can chill with me and accept my busy life, as I can’t be with my man all the time. I have to manage work, family, time for myself, friends, socialising, so . . . not yet!”

I stop my MP3 recorder for a moment because my french fries are getting cold. Chatting to Xanny is a very interactive experience; she is as interested in my Bangkok story as I am quizzical about her life. As a part-time freelancer myself, I’m particularly interested to know how she picks up on new work.

“I use a web site called Model Mayhem. This site is terrific because it connects everyone in the industry; models, photographers, make-up artists and clients. It works internationally too, as hiring agents who are coming to Thailand for a short period of time can look on there and do a local search. Model Mayhem is great when I go overseas too, because I can let people know where I’m going, and they can get in touch if they wish to book me while I’m there.”

“I used to spend a great deal of time on Facebook, like ten hours a day. It’s not all social though; I use it primarily for work. I’ve picked up jobs directly from there, and I have several fan pages which I administer myself. “

I notice Xanny constantly refers to herself as “the brand”, and I also note she refers to her Facebook fans as friends. She elaborates, “My personality is important, and the way I am looked upon, which includes the way I interact with people on social networking sites. I’m friendly, and I try to reply to people who take the time to contact me. It’s a bitchy industry at times, and I work hard at not being like that. For example, I never use bad language on Facebook, because it’s important that people perceive me in a certain way.”

This warm, self-motivated world view permeates every aspect of Xanny’s operation, even down to the complexities of the working day itself. She says, “If it’s just in Bangkok, I always get myself to the shoot. I can do my own hair and make-up, and I have regular photographers that I use. Many are international though, so we have to hook up each other’s diaries! I love to work with the same people, but if I’m working with a new photographer, we will have the same attitude; “let’s get this moving, let’s make it fun.” This is the kind of person I need to be working with. Sometimes, I will see locations that I would like to shoot in, and occasionally, we even shoot on the roof of my condo!”

“If I was not modelling, I would still be doing something in media. I’ve done some presenting for public relations clients, but singing is my biggest love, and has been for as long as I can remember. I will do this full-on one day, definitely! I would not give up modelling; I can fit the two together. I don’t like any full-time thing that keeps me fixed to one place. I love the flexibility of my work, so I would consider anything that can slot into my life in this way.”

At the reasonably tender age of 24, I wondered if Xanny had any advice for young girls looking to get started in glamour modelling. She said, “Model Mayhem is the first step for a new model, and it supports your career as you develop. It’s the premier modelling site in the world.” She jokes, “Maybe if I keep plugging them, I can be their international face! But seriously, in a few years, I will eventually open my own modelling agency. That would be something close to my heart, personally.”

 

 

Pitfalls? “I sometimes have guys hitting on me. I guess this is to be expected in this business! Funnily enough, they are not usually photographers, but hiring agents!” Xanny takes a sip from her orange juice. “They are not interested in me particularly, they are just after anyone. It’s important that models new to the business understand this is a big risk; new entrants are easily exploited, so it’s quite a dangerous job in that respect. You do meet a few bad guys, but generally speaking, at this level, everyone is very professional, very proper.”

I’ve noticed that our section of the restaurant seems to have become very popular; the Sukhumvit road end is virtually empty. I swear the guy behind me is recording us on his iPhone.

“There are other threats to your business also. For example, I find my picture in many magazines without my permission. It’s difficult to personally police all this!”

This is probably the only time I’ve ever had an exciting meal in Macdonalds.

I thank Xanny Disjad for her time, and tell her that I probably have enough material now for three back-to-back specials, to which she replies, “You’re sure?! Ha! Email me if you’ve forgotten anything, or just give me a call.”

Might just do that.

 

Xanny invites you to join her at her exclusive Xanny Disjad web site

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2011 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 1,300 times in 2011. If it were a cable car, it would take about 22 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.