poiiiylyfe

CLEO campaign process

2010-01-20T01:09:00.003+08:00

Consulted our in-charge lecturer and realized that we never really give enough thought when creating out TAPP. It is still too first level and the topics that we came out with does not appeal to our TAPP. Therefore, we cannot really work on our creative brief and strategy if we never refine our TAPP and our 3 cover stories.

A lot of thinking have to been done here.

Metro advertisment

2010-01-19T00:53:00.003+08:00

I really screwed myself up for this assignment because I never do the execution for it. I only handed up my report and scamps.

I was really not being myself for the past few weeks and have been thinking negatively about my life and everything. I even lost the goal in my life that I find that doing the assignment is such a chore. Besides, I have already planned out with to do for my advertisement assignment during the holiday and suddenly, a lot of last min things that needed to be done for the agency just popped out and it destruct my whole planning.

Because of this, I do not know how to manage my time as my plan was ruined my last min things. So, I felt so stress that I just simply gave up on the things that have to done, gave up the time to meet up with my friend and also gave up on myself.

Luckily, I talked to one of my best friend about my troubles and gave me an advice which I will always keep in mind: Dun feel depressed li juan. When you go to work, it's really going to be like that. You will know when they will give you extra work. Sometimes you have to work overtimes. Take this as an experience for the future. Learn to manage your time slowly. Have a planner and use it well. The most important thing is that you do not procrastinate what you have to do. If you need to do something fast, work on it immdiately. Many people have this problem but it can be overcome if you motivate yourself. I am sure you can cope with the work. You can always call me if you want.

After hearing him out, it actually gave me some motivation and I started to do some research work on Metro. However, when school reopens, I am still stuck at the researching process because I want to know how does the commuters feel and think when they were commuting to work. I was not able to put myself in their shoes and so it actually hinders my idealization for this assignment.

Actually, I have already had a concept before the holiday but I just think that it is not perfect enough after I did the research. I realized that the concept does not really communicate what I want to communicate. So, I was really pissed off with myself and simply just give up on my own.

I guess I am a perfectionist when it comes to advertising because I really like the feeling when I get to come out with a TA-DA concept that everyone goes " How I wish I could have thought of that".

However, I am not going to stop there. I will still continue to scamp for ideas for this Metro Advertisement even though this assignment is already due. Thinking should not stop and this will help me to think of a TA-DA concept eventually.

Packaging Assignment

2010-01-18T00:28:00.001+08:00

Before

After

The process was tedious because I do not really follow up with the consultation time. When I was stuck with the idea, I just refuse to consult my lecturer because I think that she will not be able to help as I have not had enough research on the product that I was doing.

So I was really very stuck and thankfully, I went out with yunwei to help her with her final project concept and she helped me with my this assignment by questioning me about the Brand DNA and the direction that I want to go.

She actually enlightened me by going towards the cute direction and upon reaching home, I quickly sketch out the graphics on illustration due to time constrain. Therefore, I finally came out with the surface design, structural design.

The problem to why I cannot think of the direction of my surface design is because I do not know how to incorporate all the research that I have done and get enlightened by it. So that is why I kept thinking about how I can actually incorporate those Japanese packaging design style and also my Target audience response to my packaging design.

From this assignment, I have learned that I have to imagine myself as the target audience and think of what they really want to see from the design. I still failed to put myself into the shoes of the target audience.

Internship interview reflection

2010-01-17T00:06:00.000+08:00

I only went to 2 interviews so before I got selected to intern in Calibre. The first interview chance was given by CHIC followed by Calibre.

CHIC

Actually I was not into publication because I was not that interested in it, however, the photography interns does interest me. So, I actually sent them my portfolio etc and they asked me to go for an interview a week later.

The interview lasted less than 15 mins because the person-in-charge told me that they do not need any photography interns indirectly. Before she told me this, she actually asked me about what other industry that I am interested in and why did I come for this interview.

I told her that I am interested in packaging design, advertising. Then she replied by saying that the industry that I am interested in is so distant from publication. At that moment, it somehow alerted me that this is not the job that I want because I was not interested in publication at all.
p.s. I was hoping that she will not ask me to intern there because I am not interested at all but due to the time constrain, I just want to have an internship place.

So, I was quite sad and relieved when she said that she do not need any photography interns. However, from this interview, I have learned that I should go for job interviews that I like but to go for it for the sake of wanting a place. It will not bring me any good at the end of the day.

CALIBRE

I was quite scared before and during the interview because I finally got the chance to be interviewed by my ideal company. During the interview, I was quite shocked with all the issues that the interviewer has pointed out.

For e.g,

1) He said that my photograph are just nice photos but not professional enough ( in my mind, I always thought that I take quite professional photos because I have the knowledge of photography composition, balance etc and furthermore, I use DSLR to take those pictures)

2) Before a shoot, you can to do the production part which includes casting, finding the location to shoot etc.

3) Being the photographer assistant, you have to take initiative, responsible, flexible when problems occur. So assistant job is to make sure that all the set-up has been done properly before the shooting time and then the photographer's job is to do just press the button and shoot.
( I always thought that photographer and assistant work together during the set-up process)

So, from this interview, I actually know a lot of fact that have not been taught in school. Things that was taught in school are all just perception but this is the real reality that I know from this interview.

I can foresee that I will learn a lot during my internship period at Calibre.

Calibre Internship process

2010-01-16T22:38:00.001+08:00

17th Nov 2009

Internship stresses me so much that I want to die already. Sent 4 email to 4 companies but then I lost 1/2 of the chance because 1 company email me and said that they have interns, and so, I cannot intern there. Then I screwed up the email that I sent to APE because I forgot to change the company name from &larry to APE. I went really crazy as i realized the mistake after I sent the letter to them.

Got to find some more companies or else I will be so dead for internship. Somemore now got packaging design and VAF which will be due next week. Then the agency thing, oh my god, I dun wan to like stress myself over those can't be understood political stuff.

18th Nov 2009

Internship - I am scared that my portfolio is not good enough and the company will not hire me. This just show how not confident I am. I duno leh. If it is something that I like right, no matter what come into my way, I will still go for it. Yup!!! I should have this kind of spirit in me. Die then die loh, just send them mail, go for interview and present myself well in front of the interviewer lo. There is nothing to lose right???

12th Dec 2009

My chance? All I need is just a chance to learn as much things as possible during my internship period. I really hope that DesignBridge will at least give me a chance for interview and let me experience my FIRST formal interview in design industry. Of course, I really wish that I can get to intern in there too!

Yeap I know, I know that I still do not have a fantastic portfolio now but who knows that I will not have one in the future.

I do not want to use CONNECTION to get into any company. I want to use my own power and will to get into the company. But now, I am kind of losing hope and scared. No one reply my intern email except for Brew. Maybe luck is not by my side this time round.

Try harder? How? No one can help me except for myself. I should find the answer myself. Just found it quite sad that I actually prepared 6 resumes, to be able to go for 6 interviews, but I have not gone for one at all till now.

Why chances are not given to me at all? I am so mentally prepared for the interview, done my portfolio nicely and did so much research of the companies that I wanted, yet nothing good came. I really want to get this done or else I would be worrying so much everyday. World is always not fair at all.

22nd Dec 2009

I wanted to get into Calibre so much because I admire their advertising photography style. I actually gave them a call last week and they said that they will get back to me but then they did not. I was dishearten and frustrated too because I have so much thing to do during this holiday. I would like to finish this ITP issue asap.

23rd Dec 2009

Went for cleo briefing and went to ION with ash and the rest. Ash asked me for my internship status and I told her that I still have not gotten a place yet. She actually encouraged me and it really gave me the courage to call up Calibre again. However, I got back the same reply as the previous one.

However, during dinner time, Calibre actually asked me to send them my portfolio to them. I was thrilled. It means that I would at least have a chance for interview.

24rd Dec 2009

Calibre called me up for interview. I was too shocked at that time. Hurriedly, I bathe and rush to their company for my interview. During the interview, I was very scare, however, the interviewer, Jeff, kept telling me about how their companies operate. Hoping for a YES from them after the interview, but it did not.

5th Jan 2010

Yeap, I got a reply from Calibre and I am finally accepted by them. Happy!!!

Cool

2009-11-12T00:37:00.006+08:00

When Life Gets Down

Beware of Coconut!

MOCK INTERVIEW

2009-11-10T22:43:00.006+08:00

My portfolio, resume and namecard

c

I am done with the MOCK INTERVIEW with Mr lau and he said that I have passed the test, just a little nervous. Need to be more relax and treat like you are talking to a friend. I need some practice though.

Oh yea, and Mr lau said my resume was kind of well done - making it in a card-like form, just that it has all the scroll lines and cut which actually spoil the whole design.

Then, my concept was to make my portfolio, resume and namecard to fuse as one - to show how versatile my "branding" can be. So, when they fuse together, it became a handphone holder/stationery holder which will sit nicely on the creative art directors' table. It took me quite some time to think of the concept, the process making and the measurement. No reference was made for this idea - just ideas pop out before I doze off for sleep.

However, one thing that Mr lau enlightened me was that I have to give the AD/AC my portfolio if I am going to sell my "branding" to them. However, it took me quite long to make the portfolio and therefore, my idea of fusing them together does not work at all!!!

Yup, just one thing to take note.

Oh no..money leh

2009-11-09T10:26:00.007+08:00

Money, money, money...sing to the tune of the Mamamia song...which came across my head when Lau talks about money.

Money, money, money lyrics

I work all night, I work all day
To pay the bills I have to pay
Ain't it sad?

And still there never seems to be
A single penny left for me
That's too bad

It sounds quite familiar to me though...I can like spend all my $50 in 2-3 days which I do not understand why? I guess I spent most of it on the transportation fee, food and some unnecessary items. Therefore, I need to control my own expenditure.

Okay, back to today's reflection on money (topic raised by Mr Lau)

a) Aside from the definitions of money you may have heard of or already know, I’d like you to ask this question of yourself, and others: “What is money?” Write your thoughts down in your own words about what the function of money, what you think it is. Consider what does money mean to you? Or – what is your relationship to money?

Functions of money:

1) Pay the material and printing cost

2) Do research

3) Eating

4) Shopping

5) Charity

Pay the material and printing cost

Money helps me to pay off the materials and printing needed for the course. It is always standard that I will spend around $50 to buy the paper, printing for every BDS assignment.

This is what I heard from someone: " Only when you are very rich then you should study design course", which I think is half true and half not true. It depends though. Even though my family is not considered well-off, but I can learn to save money when comes to printing and buying materials. I can go do research and see which printing shop provides the cheapest rate yet high quality. So, it really depends.

Do research

Secondly, money is used to aid me for my research. For example, I have to do a repackaging for Meiji yoghurt and I actually spent $10 to buy all the different brands of yoghurt and items that have nice packaging design that I like.

Eating

I like to eat even though I am vegetarian (restriction of a lot of good food, but there are a lot of good vegetarian food out there). But most of the time, I spent it on cakes, chocolates, ice-cream because I love them a lot, especially nice and pretty cakes. haha.. Next time you all shall try this chocolate buffet at Fullernton hotel.

Shopping

Recently, I am into online shopping because I want to look pretty with pretty clothes...hahahaha..yeap, and I like all those sosphicated, vintage things (which usually cost quite a bomb for me)

Charity

Yeap, money is used to help poor people. It justs hurt to see those beggars out there begging for money (but luckily there is not a lot of beggars in singapore). Like what I have learned from this show "Meet the Natives" : " Why does people rather spend the money to groom their pet dog but not the poor?" It is kind of true though.

b) Consider: Money makes the world go round ... (true/false/why?)

False because even those rich people also have their own family troubles. Theirs are worst because their kids will fight for the asserts. Poor people may have enough to make ends meet, but then there will be still some occassions that they will be worried about money issue too.

c) Consider: Money is the root of all evil … (true/false/why?)

True because people have to live on money. No money means no life unless everyone can survive by eating anything that can be found by them. If it is in the past, I think people still can live without money, e.g. survivors on the island. But in this 21st century, everything needs money and that is why there are so many robbery case etc.

d) What else?: Money is …

Money is the master of your life.

e) What else?: Money is …

Money is the one that help you build relationship with people (but I do not like the use of this method to make friends.

f) Do you care about money? Why/not? What would happen if you didn’t have money at all? What would happen if you got a million dollars?

Of course I care. Because I need money to eat lo..If I have no money, I will go out and work to earn money. If I have million dollars, I would like to travel around the world and learn about the cultures of different countries. This is what I like most!!!!!!!!

g) List down all your ideas and assumptions about Money, and examine them. How did you come to these conclusions? When did you start to think of money that way? Who influenced you to think that way? Was/is that always true?

Money helps to build relationship with people that is beneficial to you. I learned this from the television and real life example. However, I disagree to this method because it just sucks. Why do you want to use money to suck up with people??? However, this is the reality and we have to believe it (that's sad right???)

h) What can money do (for you)? And what does money enable you to do? And what does money stop you from doing?

Let me eat good food, buy design books and also for studies. It stop me from overspending because I have to control my use of money or else I will not have enough to spend.

i) How much are you worth? Try to imagine, and come up with a $ value/figure, and then explain why you are worth this amount. What emotions do you feel as you contemplate this question? What is the significance of this reaction?

Maybe $5000 because I think that I am still not that good as a designer and my EQ is still okay but not that perfect. I gave some serious thought to this but then I felt that I am being sold. Is a weird feeling to think how much I am worth for.

j) Imagine a scenario where you were hired by a client to do a design job. How much would you charge for it? What if you doubled the amount? What if you halved the amount? What are your reactions to each price range? Would you do it for free? Why?

I may charge about $1000+.

2009-11-03T21:56:00.001+08:00

I am back to the agency because I really wanted to learn from the seniors. It is just the socializing with them is the push factor for me to quit agency. Okay, everyone is not perfect, which includes me too. I am not able to clique in with them but I can learn from the process. Yeap, everyone is not born to know everything and so, we are here to learn.

Therefore, I joined back in order to learn how to mix with them (but not sucking up to them). I see that there is not a need to suck up with people. Just be who you are (quoted from Vencia). I just need to be more open (actually I am quite talkative, just different environment will make me very quiet..which I think is bad. I should get rid of it!!)

Then the MOCK INTERVIEW was quite okay but I was too nervous. Shall work on it again!!!

2009-10-26T12:08:00.002+08:00

Internship Preparation 2

Mon, is the interview by Mr lau but I was not prepared at all. I have not even print out my namecard, resume and portfolio because I want to re-do the design.

I got the concept in mind but I still have not done anything for it. Therefore, I want to prepare everything properly before I even go for the mock interview. I can finish everything by this week for sure. Just give me a couple of day!!!

I know, if you go out to work, they will not even spare you their time if you are not prepared. Yeap!! This is the grave mistake that I have made, so I am not going to make this mistake in the future.

2009-10-21T13:11:00.001+08:00

My Self motivated entries

2009-10-21T12:45:00.002+08:00

Preparation for ITP interview

I AM SERIOUSLY SCARE OF ITP!!!

It is not because of the environment of the company that I am going to work with next year, is because I have not find my own brand value and have not build up my portfolio.

I am quite interested in packaging design though but I am scared that NO COMPANY will hire me as my design standard is not that professional enough.

I am scare that they will give me "sai gan" work when I go there to work because my standard is not there. Besides, I am quite shy and I am scared that I will fail the interview.

I got phobia with interview because there was once an interview for an Australia Geography study trip during my sec 3 time. This is the whole process:

Miss Tan: Why do you want to go to the study trip?
Me: Because I want to visit my friend who has just migrated there.
Miss Tan: lol

I should said that because I am interested in the rocks formation etc in Perth...but I actually said that I want to visit my friend. That was a grave mistake but luckily, I still got the chance to go there.

So, I am scare that the same mistake will happen again. But the main problem is that I DO NOT HAVE A PROPER PORTFOLIO!!!!

Preparation

I have to jot down the objectives of the internship before I can work on the rest. Shall start today!!!

2009-10-20T11:48:00.001+08:00

DCMD JOURNEY

Life has been quite interesting ever since I joined this course. I can still remember how I struggled to get along with the class and also in my work during year 1, life was hard during that time.

However, after 1 year of understanding the class and also getting used to the working style of being "still going to be a professional designer", I am actually liking the lifestyle now.

Course people

I remembered that I cannot get used to the people in my class because everyone has different personalities (during my sec sch life, everyone is about the same) and having a hard to make friends with the people in my class. However, after knowing them further, I learned how to deal with different people (a good experience for me =p ). So, I am very grateful to know them. Besides, I also learn a lot of good points from them. I LOVE MY CLASSMATES!!!

Like (they are my motivation):

Ashlyn - Daring, Perseverance, Confidence, Always experimenting on different style and always share with me all the latest design hit
Cerlyn - Hardworking, Constant work
Melt - Always have great ideas because she actually think all the possibilities before deciding on the idea, however, her execution was not that good.
Charmaine - Good public speaking skills, Confident
Ariel - Hard core
Makiyo - Good photography skills
Kamelia - Interesting style that she has
Suzanna - Consistent work and always finish the assignment 1 week before submission
Evelyn - Her consistent and professional work
Ben, Gareth, Wingtong - Very designer style they have

I was able to learn a lot of things from them and one thing I have to work on is to BE MORE CONFIDENT!!! Because Confidence is one part that lead to success!!!

My design

Okay, I am still improving myself by going out more often and taking notes of all the design that I encountered (ad, print, packaging design etc). The only thing that I need to do now is to build up my portfolio and present myself in a confident way during my internship interview for next year.

Besides, I have to take some time to experiment new style. I have always wanted to tried watercolor illustration and paper cutting but due to money constrain, I never have the chance to work on it. Maybe I should think of solution to solve it.

Student Agency

Have been joining the agency for more than 4 months, I guess. But, I have the thought of quitting agency because of some particular reasons. I just get a hard time getting along with the seniors but I guess I just needed more time for me to understand them and vice versa.

I bet that when I go out to work, I will surely meet people like my senior and so I might as well learn it now in Agency right? I just want to be myself when hanging out with them, and not be a hypocrite and suck up to them. This will not be considered making friends with them, just focing yourself to be part of them. This should not be the way, in my opinion.

Still thinking whether should I quit agency because I really want to learn things from agency. Okay, shall give a serious thought about it.

Friends

I am really very happy that I finally can make some friends from the senior. I get to know Yunwei, Jiahui, Ken and Wilson from my korea trip and they are really very nice people and easy to get along with.

I thought that I will not make any friends from the senior side after I graduate, but luckily, I met them...so happy!!!

Really very happy to be in this course and get to mix around with different people and also to learn a lot designs techniques from lecturers and peers. =)

2009-10-20T09:40:00.000+08:00

Here is the Tally of Blog entries you should have (at the very least):

1. Assignment 1B – Brand tracking reflection & Personal Branding Final Reflection (How trustable you are as a brand)

2. Reflection on Marketing Assignment (including the Experience Storyboards is good)

3. Reflection (WIP) on YNTUC brochure (with Communications Model) and CFTB

- on motivation on doing assignments (also hierarchy of needs)

4. TED videos (Sustainability and green issues)

5. DCMD Journey so far (do one at this point, if you didn’t do the earlier one)

6. And Finally: Your reflections on your preparations for ITP interview.

7+. Self motivated entries (does not include complaining/bitching entries). Such as self-reflections that relate to self-motivation, meaning, career, and other explorations.

Seoul Design Olympiad, etc, for example.

2009-10-18T10:49:00.001+08:00

Reflection on my CTB

DISCOVER TAIWAN, DISCOVER LIJUAN

I chose to do illustration on my "imagination of living in Taiwan" which Taiwan is my favorite place. Simply excited to do this assignment because I have some knowledge of the places in Taiwan (even though I have never visited Taiwan before). In the meantime of discovering Taiwan, you will discover what lifestyle that lijuan liked.

The USP of my coffeetable book is that there is a box at the back cover of the book which contains my "MEMORIES FROM TAIWAN". Besides, the illustration in the book is usually B&W and the illustrations get simpler page by page because I want to show that the everything was fresh when I arrived in Taiwan, but when time goes by, I actually got used to the life and missing out the small details in life.

This is the first illustration in the book - My arrival in Taiwan

My product

The box at the back of the cover

All the memories - Movie tickets, Photos, Receipt, Birthday cards, Notes

Photos

I enjoyed making this photos most because the photos reveal the true self of me - a crazy girl (just that I never show it out in class)

I like to do all those weird things as seen in those photos. I was hoping to have this kind of photos during the Korea study trip but it somehow does not work. Sad =(

Anyway, got to thanks my friends - Maegan and Zhane for helping me out in this mini photoshoot.

My reflection

Really had a hard time doing this assignment because time was tight. I was really hoping for more time so that I can tried on the watercolor technique on my illustration (a different style which I want to learn).

This watercolor illustration style

I actually tried on 1 illustration but I failed, therefore, I discarded the idea of doing this style due to the time constraint (i promise that I never procrastinate for this assignment). Luckily, I get to know this girl named Lixian from behance and she even replied to my question on how to do this style. She is so good!!!

Problems

Okay, so I spend most of the time thinking of how can I make the hard cover because the challenge for me is the box at the back of the cover. I have to think of how to bind my paper to the cover, how to wrap the cloth to the cover. This required a lot of planning and calculation to make the whole binding perfect.

Did a small mock- up to have a over look on how my book will look like

The process of wrapping the cloth to the cover

How the box will look like at the end (just a mock-up)

Luckily, with perseverance and determination of completing this assignment, I was able to come out with a solution of making this cover. And also, to finish my illustration on time.

However, I wanted to consult Azhar on Mon but he was busy, so have to push the meeting day to Tue (which was 3 days before submission). After consulting him, changes are to be make for the illustration and everything went chaotic because I have already planned the events to do during the next 4 days.

Timeplan

4th sep - Finish illustration + buy paper
5th & 6th sep - Copywrite part + make my cover
7th sep - go sch & test print, align and print at peace center, buy screw and CD stopper
8th sep - Do the souviner, final book, report
9th sep - Photoshoot, report, print, mount (OFFICIALLY DONE FOR CTB)

However, I met Azhar on the 8th sep and everything went chaotic. Besides, Student agency is still on and I really wish that I can skip agency to do my work. But, I still went to agency. But luckily, I managed to finish everything on time except that I did not sleep on the night before submission to rush my report. I actually plan to finish everything 2 days before submission so that I can rest.

The plan failed anyway but then at least, I followed my timeplan closely or else I will be procrastinationg.

My motivation

Is my timeplan and the desire to see my end product.

Determination lead to success

2009-10-17T10:16:00.000+08:00

Reflection on YNTUC brochure

I will start off with my post with my brochure concept.

Basically, I came out with this tissue box brochure concept after doing quite a lot of research on different types of brochure. I found that all the brochure are of the same types which readers will throw it away after reading it. Therefore, I came out with this idea which they can keep the brochure after reading by turning it into a tissue box.

Research that I have done - Some of the creative brochure structure and design

My product

How it looks like when it is in the brochure stand

The front view when opened it up

The content side when opened it up

Bottom side after turning it into a tissue box

Tissue box

I am actually quite happy while doing this assignment because I finally came out with an idea that is different from the people in the course. My main objective for this assignment is to ensure that the reader will keep the brochure that I have made and I guess I have make it (maybe 90% because some may not even bothered to turn it into a tissue box).

I am not sure whether is this consider a GROUND-BREAKING idea for a brochure design but I am actually quite happy with the result. Something that seems so impossible in the beginning was actually made into a real product, which I think is fantastic.

My motivation

Is my unique ideas and the compliment given by azhar encourages me to work even better.

However, the structure wise is great but in terms of design wise, it still lacks professionalism. I guess I can come out with good concept but still lack a lot experience in design. So, this is my problem and I have to work on it.

Shall see more designs that other designers have done and work on it

2009-10-17T09:49:00.000+08:00

Assignment 1B – Brand tracking reflection & Personal Branding Final Reflection (How trustable you are as a brand)

How did you feel about doing this assignment in general?

This assignment was dated back in the month of July and I actually doing the reflection only like now~Sumimasen. But, I can still remember all the thoughts and reflection because I wrote it down somewhere, just that I do not feel like blogging it, that's all.

Okay, this assignment was seriously fun because I realized that there are so many brands existed in every brand category. Here's the question: " How can my brand stand out from my competitors?" that came across my mind while doing this assignment.

I got a lot of answers to this question:

1) You have to build a strong and good image of your brand upon launching it (first impression is very important)

2) Good marketing strategy - 4Ps (Product, Price, Place & Promotion)

3) Promotion is very important because it gets people to know the existence of this particular product

This is a take- away from this assignment.

About how brands work and communicate in general through the brand tracking and brand case study

The existence of brand is to COMMUNICATE, if they don't, people will not even know that they exist. Brand is an intangible things and so how does it communicate? From the words of mouth of the consumer can helps to promote the products (this is a powerful tool) and through advertising (however, I realized not a lot of ad convey the USP of the product well, e.g, Marigold yogurt ad)

People will still buy Marigold products because there is very little competitors with Marigold in Singapore market. However, if they show this ad in other countries, people will not even spend 1 sec to look at the ad.

About yourself (as a brand)

Before we were given this assignment, I have already questioned myself whether am I considered as a brand? This question came across my mind because K pop has been a "HIP" things recently. All the clothes, accessories, hairstyle that BIG BANG, 2NE1 have will be closely imitated by the people. So, those singer is also considered as a BRAND, isn't it? E.g, Madonna known as the Queen of Pop, so anything on her will be considered pop.

So, I have to be well-known as something but what is that something? I want to do ground-breaking design and ideas because I want to be DIFFERENT from the rest. Since I chose to work in this design industry, I have to stand out from the rest. Yeap, of course, hard work does play a great deal. 俗语说的好：天底下没有白吃的午餐

About the consistency of your behavior and motivation throughout this assignment.

I was quite consistent for this assignment because I found the brand tracking very interesting and so, I was quite ON for it except for the PERSONAL BRANDING. It is because I still have not find my own brand and so, I was quite lost and relunctant to do the personal branding.

Research for subway was my motivation because the more research I did on Subway, the more I get interested in this brand. Therefore, I got so interested in researching on other brands under the same brand category.

With the extension that Mr Lau, I was able to make refinement to my research and compile it nicely for submission.

Did you think you did a great job for this assignment? Explain why/not.

Yes. Because I put 100% for the brand tracking and did a lot of research to understand the success of Subway. I even send questions to the Subway's headquarters but they never reply. But is okay, because I still learn a lot from the research.

How trustable do you think you are as a brand to other people, based on the promises you have fulfilled/or failed. Does this state of affairs work for you?

Once I give my word, I will work towards it. I always write a note to remind myself about my objectives and stick it on the wall where I can see whenever I settle to work. However, I have to clear my mind and settle down to think of my objectives, or else I will be lazing around and not knowing what to do next.

Did your real values surface, in the way you approached this assignment, and your actions? What problems keep popping up again and again?

My real values is to learn as much thing as possible in every assignment and yes, I did learn quite a lot from this assignment. The problems that kept popping up would be that I am afraid of taking pictures of the product as the fear of being scolded by the shopkeeper. However, I have to say this to myself: " No worries, if they scold then scold lo. Anyway, this will be your last time seeing them and they will not remember you after you leave the shop right?" in order to encourage myself. If I never encourage myself, I will not have the courage to take the photos and asked question about the product.

Therefore, I have to encourage and reason with myself constantly in order to proceed with this assignment.

What is your real brand about, really? What are your real values? Who are you really?

Still searching but I want to be UNIQUE and create REAL GROUND-BREAKING ideas like NAGI NODA.

Art directed by Nagi Noda

How can you overcome these issues to be more professional? What are you going to do next?

Experiment with new stuff and imitate what others have done. After that, turn it to your own ideas. My new step is to stop procrastinating and try new stuff and look around for inspirations.

2009-08-06T12:17:00.000+08:00

Reflection on Marketing Assignment

My team

My biggest mistakes that I have made is that I was late for BDS tutorial when azhar asked us to find our grouping for our marketing assignment. So, when azhar told them the brief, she kept calling me and asked me to hurry and asked me to group with her. I was reluctant to group with her because of the bad reputation she had with a lot of people.

Then she kept calling me and at that time, I was still preparing my bag and preparing to rush out of my house. Being a kind person, I just reluctantly agreed to group with her.

So, during BDS tutorial, we sat down to think of what we plan to do. Then we came out with opening a MINT CAFE but then, we realised that we have to come out with a product. Then we went to the library to do research.

For me, I like to do research first so that I can have some inspirations. However, for her, she just like to shortcut work. Then she expected me to come with an idea on that day because she came out with 3. I told her my idea and she thinks that it is not good enough.

So, let's use her idea lo because she WANT TO DECIDE on an idea on that day.

Then we decided to use the digital calendar idea lo. However, I question on the function, she defended it and think that it is the best idea in the whole world! I gave more suggestion but she just went "Eh" and change topic.

So basically, lets follow her idea lo. Then during holiday, we never discuss anything at all because none of us is bothered to call each other up.

Then Mr lau asked me how was the product and he gave me his comments and good suggestion. That day she did not come for DT class. So, on mon, we sit down and discussed, then I told her what Mr lau had suggested.

Then she just turned his suggestion down and refused to change the idea. Then I kept telling her why it will not work but she refused to listen. Even rachel even said that it will not work and she also refused to listen. Then what can I do? She refused to listen and insisted her own way, so lets do her way lo.

So, before the weekend ends, we discussed what part we should be doing. Then I said I will do the marketing part because I was really not clear with the whole product since she is more familized with it.

Then when mon came, she told me that she has started the marketing session. I was so shocked because she was suppose to do the product part. Then since I only do a little bit of the marketing research, then I agreed to do the product part since she has already started the marketing session.

So, I went to do research on what people have done for calendar design and function. Besides, I also went to do research on logo design. However, I was stucked for the logo design because it is not easy to do a logo design.

This is the logo design that I came out with along with other 3 designs but I think this is more inclined to our whole product - being a high-end calendar but an environmental-friendly product.

I showed it to her and she thinks is not good enough and so, she decided to design her own logo.

That is her logo. She just choose any font from the illustrator and came out with this logo. It somehow does not blend into our product and I told her, but she still insisted her own logo. I really could not be bothered to quarrel with her and so, let's just go her own way because we only have 2 days to submit our work.

I did this design

I did this poster and she insisted me to finish all the design by tue and so, I skipped maya to complete the design. I finished it at around 8pm in school, printed it out and mounted it.

After that, I sms her to tell her that I have already finish the design and mount it. Then she started to get angry and say why I never let her see and print it out. She said we can meet at7am in the morning and decide on the poster, then during azhar class, we then can go to the bukit timah to print our poster out.

Later, I asked her to send me the report so I can compile my part and then I can just print it out in school the next morning.
Her reply is: "I am in bed now."

The problem is that assignment is due the next day and she still want to do last min work (do the report and poster) the next day.

Let see the whole sms we had the night before the assignment day

Me: Send me the report you have done now and I will put in my research myself. Is mostly pic, there is not a need to edit.Tml i go print.

She: I'm in bed now. But I'll be in sch b4 8. Wanna meet around 7.30am?

Me : Please send me now. I need to compile

She: I've got my own pictures too. We can do it tml.The printing shop only opens at nine. we should definitely finish by then.

Me: I have already printed the poster. Please send me now. I don't want to do last min work.

She: No. You send me the pics. I'll print it out in hive. Plus y you print the poster already? We have not finalized it?

Me: Anyway, I will not send the pic. Furthermore, I have already done the poster and mount it. Take it or leave it up to you.

She: If it not up to my standards, I'll leave it. Do it myself.And I don't need your pics. I have my own, went around to search today. So, I'll leave it too. Because frankly, I do not like your design nor your attitude. So, I'll do everything myself
She: Be prepared to write your own DAMN report now. Cause I am tempted to not write you name down on my work. Ok?

In a nutshell: I think that it is because I am too soft-hearted and do not know how to fight for my own right and therefore, I am being pushed around by her. I should just stand firm with my ideas and talk straight to her about the problems instead of letting her to take control of everything. I just think that I am quite fortunate to work with her because this is the first time that I worked with such a difficult person in my whole life (glad that I have gained another experience) and now, I somehow know that if I happen to came across this kind of people, what should my action.

Actually, after quarrelling with her (this is the first time that quarrel with people outside), I actually felt more daring to say my opionion to others. This is a good thing, yeap.

I HAVE TO BE FIRM WITH MY IDEAS AND STOP PEOPLE FROM PUSHING ME AROUND.

My motivation

My only motivation came about is only when I jot down all the jobs that melt and I were suppose to do. I aimed to complete all the job listed on the reminding list. However, this happened only 1 week before the submission. I should have done this in the beginning of this assignment.

Most of the time, I was not motivated at all partially is because of the partner I have. I tried to compromise with her but she was not even trying to co-operate with me.

How did I pick myself up after some disappointment or failure?

Submission date kept pushing me to finish the work that I appointed myself to do. Of course, after I complain to my friends about the incident, I felt more relieved and will get back to my work.

How now?

Seriously, I had cold war with melt and I was quite surprise that she even post all those stuff on the class blog which some is not true. Shocked because she was also partially wrong but she turned the table around and accuse me of all the wrongdoings.

Okay, I admitted I was wrong because I was not able to finish the design early. That was my wrongdoing. So, both of us were in the wrong. Since I am in the wrong too, I apologize to her and we are back to friends.

What next?

I may not want to work with her in those big projects because I do not want to sabo my own results. If there is no choice, I will clarify the working style that I want in the beginning and state my stand firmly with her.

A learning experience which I have gained that allows me to learn and having this knowledge to deal with this kind of people in the future.

2009-08-01T20:57:00.000+08:00

MARKETING WIP...

Currently, Melt and I have already discussed the overall things that we have do for our MARKETING PROJECT. We have already finished and thought of how our product will look like and the features of it.

So, we just have to finish all the things that I have jot down as seen from the picture.

2009-07-29T23:16:00.000+08:00

TED - Don Norman on 3 ways good design makes you happy

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/don_norman_on_design_and_emotion.html

Chris Jordan pictures some shocking stats

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/chris_jordan_pictures_some_shocking_stats.html

TED - Alex Steffen sees a sustainable future

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/alex_steffen_sees_a_sustainable_future.html

Optional Video on Sustainability:

TED - William McDonough on cradle to cradle design

http://www.ted.com/talks/william_mcdonough_on_cradle_to_cradle_design.html

2008-04-16T04:36:00.000+08:00

hihi....