Set it out

ISSABELLA HINDLEY-CUPPER / 
GRAPHIC & MEDIA DESIGN
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Rationale is a key part of the process of design, I believe that successful design is achieved through the ability to justify the reasoning for each aspect/element within a piece of work. Semiotik's ethos as a design agency is built on rationale, each stage of their process must be explained otherwise an idea will not be pursued. I was drawn to Semiotik as I believe that our styles are aesthetically similar, but also because I respect their manifesto as a studio and their approach.

I moved to Greece on the 23rd of September to begin my internship at Semiotik Design Agency in Thessaloniki. I gained the placement in June and for the months leading up to it, felt a whirling pool of ambivalence. My initial feelings were excitement and pride, but this quickly transitioned into anxiety and anticipation. I was scared to be leaving the home that I share with my partner, as well as family and friends to go to a place that I had never even visited. Summer felt like it was over in a heartbeat and before I knew it, I was flying to Thessaloniki. 

There are many things I would like to gain from my placement at Semiotik, confidence definitely being one of them. I want to develop my ability to discuss my work proficiently, with purpose. I often refrain from sharing ideas or speaking about my work as I feel inferior as a designer and doubt my opinions. I need to learn how to reflect on my work in both a critical and positive way, as well as learn how to sell ideas instead of being apprehensive. I am excited by the prospect of my work being seen and analysed in a professional context as opposed to by tutors, family and friends. 

I completed my first big assignment at the studio and the feeling was incomparable. Since beginning at Semiotik, I have been assigned work on a rebranding project, an illustration and a few other small projects that run parallel to one another. I've quickly had to learn how to juggle tasks, use unfamiliar software and approach design differently- the Semiotik way. Today, I completed my first major task, which unexpectedly was an illustration. (I practice mainly typography and editorial design)

The studio was struggling to find an illustrator that matched their particular requirements. They were looking for an illustration with a traditional Greek style as they were rebranding a Greek company. The people who had responded did not fit the criteria and I ended up offering to try and create something that fulfilled the brief. I spent four days trying to perfect the illustration. The experience felt incredibly long and at times frustrating, especially after drawing the same animal about 70 times, but I finally completed it and sent it to the client today.  The creative director and my colleagues at the studio liked the illustration. This felt rewarding after a week of feeling pretty useless and lost. I'm excited for the projects that will be given to me whilst I’m with Semiotik and hope that I'll get to work with creating typography using the Greek alphabet.

This experience has motivated me towards planning a big personal project for the coming year. I want to make my practice and intention for the year purposeful and reflective, as well as develop myself as a designer and professional. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fsk9ND08zzA​

 https://issabella.co.uk​ @issabellafhc
http://www.semiotikdesign.com​  @semiotik_design