Amazon Publication Invoice

A lot has happened since the prior quotation for this job and it has been a steep learning curve for the better part of it.

First of all, I learned that quotes don't usually include tax so you can expect 20% increase on top afterwards. This, as you can imagine isn't particularly nice if you didn't expect it or have the knowledge to begin with.

However, I also learned (thanks to Joe, who has again been a hero) that print jobs that are complete publications (i.e the entire job of printing AND binding is quoted as one job) are exempt from tax.

SO... instead of quoting the print job from Team and the binding from Spink and Thackray separately (meaning two lots of tax on two separate jobs), I was able to get Team to outsource to Spink (as they usually do anyway) all in one go and therefore get the entire publication completed without having to pay tax on the job.

As a result, final billing for 68 complete case bound Amazon Publications (three more from last time) was £1,305 (£19.19 per unit)... and in budget. Brilliant.

This also means that I don't have to transport prints from Team to Spink and that I can simply collect the final books from just around the corner. Also brilliant.

A few other lessons learned were that you have to pay up front when the job is the first one between you and the printers. Fair enough in my opinion.

Not so good though was the fact that proofs got couriered to my door without prior warning (good luck I got home about 15minutes earlier). I guess that I can't moan as the quality is looking amazing and the process has been really prompt... it's just that I feel as if I have been navigating in the dark and learning as I've been getting everything done.

I think it may be my own fault for not mentioning that I was a student, but from previous experience this 'label' has given the impression that I'm after a quote for a job that will never come to anything. Rough with the smooth it seems.

All-in-all, it's a case of lots learned and even more gained.

I can't wait for the final product to be ready for collection. The experience has been a rollcoaster, but one I have been glad to have been a part of.

(oh and one final note... I am quite aware that if this were a professionally paid job I would have to be charging a substantial amount due to the high unit cost of a small print run. For now though, I am very grateful of the experiences that I have gained in both the design process and the print negotiations).

Website Updates

Added some new pieces to my website this weekend, also trivially changed the background colour to an extremely light grey. It takes the pain away from looking at bright white which I think is a plus. It also lets me use images with a white background without having to put an ugly border on them...another plus.

Griffo Classico

Postage Label (ready to go)

Footprint: A Printing Co-operative

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Postage Label Final

Postage Label Development

Elmwood Portfolio Review

With D&AD rolling into town I managed to have a portfolio review today with Stephen Woowat from Elmwood. The sessions were meant to last for ten minutes each, but as I was his last un-employed designer of the morning we got talking for just over half an hour.

As with previous portfolio reviews positive and negative issues were discussed for each of the projects and as I haven't managed to update my portfolio since seeing Alex Atkinson and Si Scott, I went on the premise of seeking the same feedback and applying a compare/contrast approach to the review. Points of discussion were as follows:

Fedrigoni Paper

+ Favourite project of the portfolio due to the journey and development of the concept.
+ Strong product photography and effective method of delivery.

- Would like to see more paper crafted elements. More of the proposed monthly themes etc.
- It would be more beneficial to push the concept through and demonstrate how the networking event may work. Could the signage be made of paper craft for example? Really communicate the story/narrative.

A4 Only Exhibition

+ The 'brand' is effectly distributed across a range of promo materials.
+ Interesting concept for digital delivery at the exhibition event.

- Could include photographs of the event to again communicate the story and the context.

Typefaces

+ Favourite typeface was the biscuits (takes the biscuit).

- Should include images of when you actually made the type with the objects. This will additionally help to sell the story behind the production.
- You could use one of the typefaces across a brief to give context, but only if it is appropriate. Don't force the issue in other words.

Creative Networks

+ Excellent to include a real printed flyer

Overall Comments

+ Generally a very strong portfolio.

- Would like to see one or two more projects. Probably just one more would do it.
- Get some brand identity briefs in there also. Show you can do this.