Expanded Proposal

Full Name: Keely Sheridan

Student Number: 10012989

I intend to carry out my work experience within a company called Discover Britain and Wild Travel Magazine In Cheltenham. I will be working alongside the company's Editorial Designer, Steve Rayner, who is my Work Placement Mentor and contact personnel.

I have selected this organisation through a process of careful selection. As a student with commitments to university, a focus point for me was not only making the right choice in placement (that would give me considerable experience in the working world, while also preparing me for a job in design) but also the distance. I was looking for the ideal placement, but within a reachable distance. I began by sending a series of emails out to all of the magazine and design agencies I could find within a sensible distance from my place of  study. Most of the companies I found were situated in the city I live in, or in Birmingham - a neighbouring city. I was prepared to travel to either, when among the emails I received a response from Debbie Graham at Worcestershire Life Magazine, who let me know they were actually based in Norfolk, then directed me to Steve Rayner at their "sister company" Discover Britain and Wild Travel Magazine in Cheltenham, only a short train journey and walk away from where I currently live. This opened the door for a potential work experience placement. 

Once I had been directed to Mr. Rayner, I got on to emailing him immediately and enquiring about the possibility of work experience with him. This turned out successfully, and he was enthused about helping me out with my work experience, and gave me all of the necessary details about starting.

Once I'd organised my work experience with Steve Rayner, I set up with him the date of which I'd start my work experience (Thursday 14th February) and my working hours (10am-5pm). We discussed my current skills with design software (such as InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and QuarkXpress) and how I would make my way into work once a week. 

Once the work details were arranged, I gave consideration into what expertise and transferable skills I would bring to a workplace. For example, I have 3 years of solid experience with design software and work that I've created myself using these programmes, and I also work to my utmost to be a polite and approachable colleague with a balance between hard work ethic and a friendly demeanour.

Although I have not been given a specific list of requirements, I have received a general job specification. This is as follows:

"As far as your query as to what sort of tasks you will be undertaking is concerned, I think we will take each day as it comes - if that's OK. Initially I will explain all about the duties expected of me in my role and I will tell you a bit about my background. For the first couple of days we will get you involved with picture research as this takes up quite a lot of my time and is a more skilled task than you might imagine. At some stage I will set you design tasks to be carried out in QuarkXpress or Indesign - are you familiar with these programs? these initially will be in a dummy environment but at some stage I would hope that we would be able to work on 'live' jobs. I will be careful not to put too much pressure on you so don't worry about this.

As I said though let's wait and see how things progress during your time with us and as we discover what type of work you are keen to get involved with. I am more than confident you will gain plenty from the experience which hopefully will be useful when it comes to making decisions about your career in general."

I look forward to starting work alongside Mr. Steve Rayner on Thursday 14th February at Discover Britain (and more specifically) Wild Travel Magazine, and will relish the opportunity to gain further experience with a professional Editorial Designer in the magazine design field. 

Module Proposal Form

Full Name

Keely Sheridan

Student Number:

1001989

Name(s) of Company or Organisation(s) where you intend to take your Work Placement(s):

1:

Discover Britain and Wild Travel Magazine

2 (if applicable):

Module tutor:

Maureen Gamble

Mentor/Work Placement contact person:

Steve Rayner

Tutor contact telephone number or e-mail address:

Mentor contact telephone number or e-mail address:

Steve.rayner@archant.co.uk

Why have you selected to do this Work Placement/s? I have selected this work placement firstly due its relevance – working alongside an Editorial Designer for a magazine (Wild Travel) which is recently and quickly becoming more popular among consumers. I have also chosen this work placement over others as it is in an ideal location – Cheltenham, allowing me to fulfil my commitments with university, while also being within short travelling distance from the workplace. By selecting this organisation, I will be gaining further experience and practice with a professional Editorial Designer in the magazine design field.

What skills and expertise will you bring to it? (ie. subject and transferable skills) I have given certain considerations into what expertise and transferable skills I would bring to a workplace, for example, I have 3 years of solid experience with design software and work that I've created myself using these programmes. I also work to my utmost to be a polite and approachable colleague with a balance between hard work ethic and a friendly demeanour.

What experience / professional expertise do you hope you will gain from the Work Placement/s? I hope to gain further experience in design software; QuarkXpress and InDesign, and aim to understand and work comfortably in a professional environment among designers as a part of a team while also being capable and confident enough to work individually using my own initiative.

What are the requirements of the Work Placement Provider/s? If there is a Job Specification? Although I have not received a particular job specification or list of requirements, I intend treat this work experience opportunity with a professional approach, arriving on time to my placement, well-dressed, well-mannered and with enthusiasm to begin my work.

Brief description of Work Placement/s activities and predicted timescales: I am required to work every Thursday from approximately 10am-5pm. Mr. Rayner has specified that he will be giving me certain tasks as I progress week-by-week. He has also indicated that during the first days I will be working on picture research, then I will move on to working on tasks using software such as QuarkXpress and InDesign with hope to move on to ‘live’ brief tasks.

Initial Research • Wild Travel Magazine

Work Experience is a vital part of progression in every industry. It not only helps in preparation to find a pathway for a future career, but also aids personal development regarding their Transferable Skills and their personal excursion through the world of work, ultimately enabling them to adapt into their chosen field professionally and appropriately.

During the month of January I set up work experience with Steve Rayner, the Editoral Designer for Discover Britain and Wild Travel Magazine. I've chosen this particular magazine firm as it's precisely the area I wish to work in professionally, it's within my surrounding area, and I feel this is the perfect environment for me to set myself up as a working professional Designer in this field, whether this is purely work experience, or if it leads to bigger opportunities.

As my first day or work experience commences on Thursday 14th February 2013 (10am-5pm) I thought it necessary to do some background research into the magazines they design before I begin. 

"Wild Travel is the UK's only magazine dedicated exclusively to wildlife travel. Every issue we showcase a selection of the world's best wildlife watching experiences, plus we gave wildlife destination guides, field guides to individual species, wildlife photography workshops, kit reviews, expert travel advice and the latest wildlife and conservation news. Working alongside many of the most respected writers, photographers and tour operators in the business, it's out mission to show you that you don't need to be an adrenaline-fuelled adventurer or a member of a wildlife documentary crew to enjoy many of nature's greatest spectacles first hand."

Wild Travel: Passage to India

Wild Travel: 100 Natural Wonders

Wild Travel: Big Cat Country

When looking into the design of the magazine layout on each issue cover, the main theme is consistent, using a clear, up-close and focused photograph as the main central image and placing it behind any available information. Their colour themes are also consistent, using white and golden yellow to stand out against the naturalistic forest-tones of the photographs.

This specific colour theme also has strong visual links to similar organisations such as National Geographic as shown below:

This white-yellow-black colour theme has been used and related to National Geographic for years, and so I feel the aesthetics of Wild Travel Magazine are perhaps similar to National Geographic as consumers will subconsciously link both the magazine and National Geographic as long-lasting, reliable and successful wildlife organisations.

I have also found an online copy of Wild Travel Magazine's October 2013 Issue. The page layouts are outstanding - displaying a variation in aesthetics and general layout design by using smaller photographs, arranging text in inventive and contemporary ways, and taking up remarkable double-page spreads with amazing once-in-a-lifetime shots of wild animals at their most beautiful. Two examples shown below:

1)

Note the contemporary use of circular photographs and experimentation with typeface and size

2)

Astonishing use of space over a double-page spread, with suitable typeface to blend perfectly with the beautiful photograph displayed

Among the research, I also discovered a video for Wild Travel Magazine, explaining important, useful information and displaying beautiful examples of their photography alongside some astonishing statistics (view video here)

Wild Travel Magazine Information/Statistics Video:

• Wildlife encounters for every season
• Wildlife destination guides
• Trip reports
• Expert advice
• Information on global wildlife and conservation news
• Stunning wildlife photography
• The UK's only magazine dedicated exclusively to wildlife travel
• Has a global audience of passionate wildlife enthusiasts and travelers
• It's easily accessible, inspirational and trustworthy
• Cross promotion to an audience of over 2 million readers
• An independent guide to the growing array of international wildlife tours
• The average spend of the magazine's readers is £3,500 per year on their wildlife travels
• Magazine is open for readers to promote their brand in print and online (iPad and Android devices)
• The magazine is available through WHSmith and a range of independent retailers.


Background research into my area of work experience is vital, as I feel it gives me a step-up into what to expect while working with this particular magazine - I feel this has allowed me to feel much more at ease with the design of the presentation of the magazine as a whole and has given me a specific and thorough understanding of this firm.