Lecture - 22/02/13 - Design Enterprise (Your next step)

Design Enterprise (Your next step)

What we should know by now....

1. We should be able to understand and appreciate of what running a business entails.

2. We should have an insight into the creative sector and the different models of enterprise 
    that operate within it. 

3. Where your skills could fit within the world of enterprise. 

4. What new skills you need to develop to reach your goal.  

What is my goal? 


For the rest of the year....

1. The aim is to write a 1,500-2000 word enterprise proposal 

2. The proposal will then develop into a 6000 word report which you will write during Design 
    & The Market Part 2 during semester 1 of year 4. 

3. This could take the form of a buidsness plan/feasibility study, a proposal for personal 
    branding, market research for the development of a product/service or an analysis of a 
    particular buisness market or model. 


NEXT WEDNESDAY - 27TH

Will be in -  Learning Hub 1

Look at Nesta page - Link found on blog - Download the booklets given on the page and read booklet one. Then go to Download work sheet 2A and fill it out.

Bring in post-it notes 

Kickstarter - Webpage allowing people to donate funds to your business to help get started up. 

Gillian Easson - Nesta 

For Nesta, there main goal is to solve big economic issues. 

Gillian was originally a product designer but realised she wanted to expand her area of expertise in digital work. In her spare time she runs 'Creative Dundee'.  

Bebaroque

Hubdub

Lat 56

The tool kit helps you... 

1. Visualise your future
2. plan each step
3. Build 
4. Shape
5. Test
6. Communicate
7. and finally launch your idea 


* Evidence modelling - Predicting what your business will look like in the future. 

* Doing a mock up of your design will help you articulate your idea. 

* Test your idea - Prototype 

* Relationship:  Idea generator - Realiser - Distributor - Client

* blueprinting (Time-plan) - Can plan out weeks/months etc in how your money is going out 
  and coming in. Also when you need materials, exhibition space etc. 


www.nesta.org.uk/enterprise-toolkit
Gillian.easson@nesta.org.uk
@gillianeasson 

Presentaton

Today we presented our findings to Mike and Kate in the form of a presentation. Overall our group felt the presentation went well. The structure allowed us to cover all the areas we intended to, to help put forward our findings.

Presentation Practice

Today we practiced our presentation to weed out any flaws. No serious issues were discovered and it came out to be 15 minutes 42 seconds. Overall we are happy with the outcome and will be practicing once more tomorrow before the presentation. 

Lecture 08/02/13 - Brian McNicoll

Lecture 08/02/13 - Brian McNicoll (Dynamo Games)

Today Brian McNicoll came to discuss his success in business and how he went about his journey. 

* Shame my experience of setting up and running my own business
* Explain how to start your own business
* What do you need?
* What support is out there?
* The Positive and Negatives


Due to a lack of client interest, Brian decided to look at Java applications to fill the time. As a result his team created a mobile app called 'Mobi-Medic'. 

Put on a front when trying to get clients etc. Pretend to be a bigger company than you actually are to give off a professional feel. 

After 'Mobi Medic' Dynamo games managed to get a contract with Eidos when creating a mobile football game. After that it was clears java gaming was the way to go. 


Other games included...

* Countdown (Mobile)
* Crystal Maze (Mobile)
* Football Tycoon (Mobile IP)
* Soccer Tycoon (Facebook)
* Beauty Town (Channel 4 Game)

Brian McNicoll finally left Dynamo Games in January 2012. After which he worked on his own games and also taught at Dundee College on Computer Games.

Look into Design in Action


What will my business do?

* Gap in the market
* Be realistic i.e not 'Call of Duty'
* It helps if you have a passion for what you are creating. 
* Stick to 1 area initially to make a name for yourself

Business Revenue Model

* Paid
* Freemium
* Paymium
* Ad-Based
* Subscription

What You Will Need

* Business plan
* Premises
* Hardware and software
* Business partner(s)?
* Start-Up Capital? - Do you live at home? if so it will help. 
* Staff vs outsourcing
* Website, email, linkedin and business cards
* Hard work and dedication - not a hobby.  

Support Available 

* Business gateway
* PSYBT & Shell LIVEWire
* University
* Scottish Enterprise
* Design in action
* Creative Scotland
* Scottish Institute for Enterprise
* Friends & Family
* Many more

What you learn

* Market Research
* Design
* Art
* Audio
* Programming
* Project management
* Quality assurance
* Marketing
* Business development

Negatives

* First 2-3 years are most difficult
* Have to be willing to make some sacrifices 

Positive

* You don't need to look for a job
* Master of own destiny 
* Creative freedom
* Amazing experience
* Personal development
* Entrepreneurship on your CV
* Product satisfaction/acclaim
* You can potentially make a lot of money


Contacting Brian

email: brian@designinaction.com
linked in: linkedin.com/in/brianmcnicoll
twitter: @brian_mcnicoll & @designinactioon
web: designinaction.com



After Break - The presentation


* Prepare well in advance 
* work to a structure - This will make it easier to remember
* write down key points - Try to avoid reading it from the page
* use short sentences
* rehearse X3
* You are telling a story. Keep your audience engaged. 

(15 minute presentation - no need to fill all of the time)

Try to speak at a reasonable pace. When nervous we tend to speed up by 20%. Roughy a 1000 words will be required to fill the time. 


Important elements to your presentation

* Concept
* Who does what
* The start
* Introducing and signposting
* Transition
* Rules of rhetoric - list of three, rhetorical questions, etc
* The ending 

Look into 'Aristotle's five canons of rhetoric' and the 'Rule of three'

The 'Rule of three' is more effective as it allows your presentation to be more memorable. 


How to rehearse

* Do it at least 10 times
* Do it in front of the mirror - practice to a face makes it more like an audience. 
* Think posture - feet slightly apart with one in front of the other
* One arm holding notes and the other at your side
* Avoid being fidgety - touching your hair, putting hands in pockets etc
* Think voice and eyes - Try to have a good level of volume (especially since we will be  
   presenting in a large space).  Focus on as many people as you can so you don't freak one
   person out. 
* Read through notes before you start. 

INSIDE ALL OF US IS A CHIMPANZEE!!!
(The Chimp Paradox - The Mind Management)

* Use cards during your presentation. This is a media your less likely to fiddle with. 
* DONT use powerpoint - If you do, pick a nice template and avoid bullet points and visual 
  effects.
* Perhaps use prezi or www.beedocs.com
* Smile and be positive
* You are allowed to restart again if things go wrong at the beginning. 
* Be inspired 

The Interview

The Interview with Elastic Creative

On tuesday 5th, half of our group went through to Edinburgh to have our interview with elastic creative. These people were chosen through the fairest way we could think of...picking names from a hat. The interview went very well and we have both recorded and written notes. 

The Making of the video

Making of the video  31/01/13

Today the group met up and created the video that we will be sending off to 'Elastic Creative'. 

http://vimeo.com/58667817

Lecture - 01/02/13

Lecture - 01/02/13

Around 6 fourth year students (from different disciplines) came in to discuss how there interview went last year and how the took that information to help develop their own idea for their enterprise. 

Talk 1 - Jewellery discipline

She discussed how the interview went but more importantly how she translated her information into her thinking behind her enterprise. She discussed how she looked into empty shop areas which she could adapt into her own space. In total she emailed 8 people and achieved 4 different interviews which helped with her dissertation. 

Talk 2 - Textile Design discipline

* Before going to your interview, research into the background of your chosen company. 
* Practice your questions within your group
* Get your consent form sorted
* Questions included - Funding received, inspiration for their work, how they market 
   themselves, Trade fairs, who are their contemporaries etc.
* Work as a group 
* Filter through the interview soon after
* Try to find an empty lecture theatre so you can practice. 
* Establish your idea in needed


Talk 3 - Textile Design discipline

The interview 
* Choose the correct designer
* Prepare your questions
* Create multiple ways of recording the interview

The presentation
* She used Prezi to present the groups work
* Include all the main points 

What I need to know
* What is my company values.
* Who am i competing with.

Make Fake evidence
* Webpage for your business
* Blog
* Facebook
* Shop window
* Business Cards
* Branding

Talk 4 - Interior Design discipline

The interview
* Remind your interviewee a day before about the meeting incase they had forgotten. 

Business ideas
* Use nesta to test ideas
* Perhaps link your idea to your current DJCAD project 
* Can it replace an area to revamp 
* What are the strengths 
* What are the threats 
* Maybe show off your business idea to see the response you get 

Talk 5 - Graphic Design discipline

The interview
* We asked - How he started up and created opportunities

Business ideas
* What is your audience
* Your competitor
* success rate
* Branding
* Summer research - reading up on blogs
* Branded herself (Graphics - Kernel) for her business idea 
* Email a business similar to your idea to get help
* Social Prospectus

Talk 6 - Animation discipline

Creative Industry overview
* What sectors are there ir game industry, Visual effects etc
* what skills do your need, the application process
* Perhaps try to email questions to companies abroad

Getting in touch with people
* Do your research
* make each email personal ie use there name/company 
* Answer emails within 24hrs
* Keep trying if you don't get a response. 


After Break Lecture





Look at Suggestions
* iplayer - The culture show
* Global Service Jam - @gsjdundee (Twitter) 

Group Meeting - 29/01/13 (Video discussion)

Group Meeting - 29/01/13

Today our group met to discuss how we bring together a creative video to send to 'Elastic Creative'. Within the discussion we decided to create a stop motion video that would involve cards with the message we wanted to get across to Elastic. We created 8 cards (including two at the end to say thank you etc) so everyone can be involved. 

Card 1 - We're DJCAD graphic design students 

Card 2 - Discovering the world of business

Card 3 - We love the design Elastic produce

Card 4 - But also respect how you do business

Card 5 - We want to know

Card 6 - What's your approach

Card 7 - How you do business

Card 8 - and most importantly...

WHY? (all the cards shown previously make up Why? on the wall) 

So fancy meeting for a chat?

Thank you 

Lecture 25/01/13 (and Group meeting)

Quick Group meeting before lecture on 25/01/13

Within our group meeting, we met with a lecturer Gary who has directed us to a design company in Edinburgh. This company will suit the requirements needed for the interview. 

Lecture - Researching your business (Drop in Session - Friday 3:00-4:00)

Within this lecture we discussed the current project which we are undertaking and how to go about it. This included how to interview the person chosen, how to approach them, how to handle yourself etc. We also looked at competitions and organisations that offer cash prizes for professional pitches in creating your own business (business plan/concept).

NACUE's = Encourages students to become their own boss (start an enterprise)  

At DJCAD there will be an Enterprise Training & Jobs Fair 2013 on Thursday 31st at 5pm. This does sound interesting and I will be going t this event as I am interested in starting my own business once I leave university. Mainly because I know jobs are few and far but also because I believe it will create a happy situation/future for myself and will also help other graduates and open up job positions. 

                                                  

Project

*Select a subject - What company/area of business
*Define the issue - Questions your going to ask
*Approach - How are you going to contact them
*Background Research - Info on your chosen Company
*Interview - Call, Visit, Skype
*Analysis - Analyse the answers given
*Present - Final present your findings. 

Define Issues
Understanding the characteristics of design and businesses and their life-cycles. Discover the skills and attributes require by entrepreneures. Examine how they; start up, finance themselves, define their niche, brand and market themselves, organise & recruit and finally grow.

Simon Sinek's view

What - Whats my company going to be, How do I market myself
How - How do I get started, How am I going to fund myself
Why - Why are you doing this, Why did you call yourself that, Why did you do it that way. 

Start out by asking yourself these question. If you cant answer this then do something else. You have to be motivated and happy within your situation. 

Steve Jobs would be a good example of What, How, Why. Steve Jobs asked himself these questions and created the company Apple. 

                                                       

Research for project

*Desk Research - Reading Books and searching online. Expand your horizon by reading  books that we have been directed to. Looking at the Company, the sector, the market and the trends. 

*Primary Research - interview

*Key Tips - Play to your team strengths then define specific tasks. Try and have one strength mentoring another with a lack of skill in that area (ie, interviewing, presenting etc)

Doing Interviews

Interviews have four stages:
*Arrangements
*Preparation
*Interview

*Arrangements

Once you have decided to interview someone, email in advance to make an appointment. Ensure the email is of a professional nature. Spell check and do not use short hand writing. Also avoid using X's or smiles. This is not professional. Identify yourself by your name and the name of your university and course. Describe what your project is about, be brief and general. 

*Preparation

Do as much research as possible in advance on the person or company. Make a list of your questions and the information you require. After gathering the questions, try them out on a friend. Also prepare a consent form. Within this form it will explain what we are trying to find out, how the information will only be used for educational purposes. How none of the information will be shared with the general public and how it will not appear on our blog unless consent is given. Finally email them a copy for them to sign off. 

*Doing the interview

Be personable and ensure that you arrive on time. Being late does not give a good impression. You must also dress smartly, smile, ask questions politely and have good manners. Finally be friendly but not over the top that your loosing your professional approach. 

Ask if you are allowed to record the interview. This might be approved but the negative side is that they might hold back more. Take notes even if you are recording it just incase of a technological malfunction. You can never trust technology 100%. 

Give some casual conversation to start with to ease them in and make it less stressful and more casual. Give them time to answer their question fully and appear to be interested. Looking distracted is un-polite and will not make a good impression. If two people are doing the interview take turns in who is questioning and who is taking the notes. Finally thank them for their time, leave a business card if possible and make sure you have taken your consent form.

* The reconstruction

As soon as the interview is complete, go through the notes as soon as possible in a quiet location (coffee shop etc). Underline or put stars next to the information that you think to be the important points. Do not interview via facebook/twitter or email. Do not ask about their fundings etc as this is to personal. Do not blog any of the information.  

Swot Analysis

*Strength
*Weaknesses
*Opportunities
*Threats

                                                               

Lecture after 10 minute break

MAKING DESIGN WORK - New Challenges

Work - Around 90% of people dislike their jobs. 

Here's a secret - Do not listen to what your parents/lecturers etc have to say about your future as they are wrong. They do not know where our economy is going therefore can not give accurate advice on it. They are not lying, its just they are taking a gamble on our rocky economy. Predicting a positive outcome is a gamble.  

Job growth has decrease in a lot of areas but has increased in: Design, financial services, entertainment, education and scientific research. 

40 DJCAD pupils worked on 'the Illusionist' film. 1 pupil was the director of Special effects on 'Skyfall'. Go DJCAD!!!!!

There is a remarkable rise in the Digital Economy. Facebook, youtube, apple, google and twitter are recent companies. There are less than a decade old! Yet they have become a large part of our lives. We cannot predict the future of technology and our economy. 

The top ten Jobs in demand by 2015 did not exist in 2005! These include; App Developer, social media manager, cloud computer services, life coach, professional blogger, market research data miner, chief listening officer etc. 

This module is preparing students for jobs that currently do not exist! 

*Vertical Famers - Farms created in skyscrapers etc that are within cities. 
*Avatar Manager

2007

This year was the year that those over 65 in the UK outnumbered those 16 or under. This will never change and cannot be reversed. 

2020

Finland, Italy and Japan will have more people retired than those in the workforce.

WE ARE GETTING OLDER as a population. A new culture is being produced. Older people are being more active (Pre-Boomers - Born before 1946). Baby Boomers 23% (1946-1964 - Soldiers coming back from War etc). Generation X (MTV Generation - 1965-1976). Generation Y (The Net Generation 1977-1997 27%) the Generation that prolongs youth. 

Generation Y is the era of the wanted Child. Since there is preventions to pregnancy, less children are produced which effects the old to young ration, hence the reason that those over 65 in the UK outnumbered those 16 or under. We are the most protected Generation so death rate is less also. We have dexterities in our hands that the Baby Boomers do not have due to using games, using a computer etc. This has caused surgery equipment to be remade. Also it is quicker to train those in Key-Hole surgery. 

The IPOD Generation

* Insecure
* Pressurised
* Overtaxed
* Debt

Change 1
Jobs will get smarter and more people focussed

Change 2
We won't 'go to work' we will connect with work

1942 'we can do it' Poster

                                                          

Being T Shaped is essential. You must be positive and driven. 

Things to look at

smarta
Makers by Chris Anderson
Scottish institute Enterprise
Simon Sinek
Hilary Colins - Creative research (Page 134-137)
Evan Davis - Made in Britain
Sir Ken Robinson - www.ted.com
Grownup Digital - Don Tapscott - www.grownupdigital.com
Mary Portas

Design & The Market - First Group Meeting - 22/01/13

Design & The Market - First Group Meeting - 22/01/13


Today our group met and Discussed what company/business/person we intend to interview. Each group member was able to bring a company or business to the table as a potential interviewee. These consisted of:

* A T-Shirt Business started in Dundee
* Good Creative Graphic Design Company
* Motion Graphics Start up Business
* Design Blog company based in Edinburgh and Glasgow. 
* The option to ask a lecturer  of success stories from DJCAD
* Pentagram
* Elastic Creative
* Interior Design Company 
* Touch
* Story
* Nevis

We have discussed that within the next few days, we will Shorten the list to five agencies and send out an email with a video attachment. 

Design & The Market Part 1

Lecture 1 - 18/01/13

In today's lecture, we have discussed what to expect within the next year during this module. What we aim to learn, what is expected from us and what assessments will be required to pass the module. 

During this discussion we discussed about previously successful graduates who have become entrepreneur in different areas. These are:

www.johannabasford.com (Johanna Basford)

www.Littleriot.com

www.wearesnook.com

‘MAKE A JOB, DON’T TAKE A JOB’

Lecture programme

Self-Directed Study

Blogging (Business literacy)

Personal Enterprise proposal – 50%

Enterprise proposal – 50%

Enterprise Proposal

Identify an appropriate designer or company and do background research on their business. Visit them and conduct an interview. This will be reported back in the form of a team presentation which each individual will then summarise this presentation on their blog. 

Personal Proposal

You will develop a proposal for researching and establishing a viable enterprise plan. This will detail the research required, source of advice and information available and objective. 

Reading Materials

Funky Business – Jonad Ridderstrale - ft.com

REWORK – Jason Fried

Business Model Generation – Setting up your own business

Financial Times

The $100 start up

Start It Up

New mind – The Creative Society

Follow people on twitter  -@littleriotltd - @johannabasford - @wearesnook

RSS Fees

Agencies to look up

Core 77

Fast Company

Design Council

NESTA

New york Times

FT.Com

Business Week


After this first lecture I would not have considered running my own business straight after university. Does make you think considering the low risk as we have nothing to loose coming out of university.