PPP3 // PROFESSIONAL CV

Below is my professional CV that I use when I applied for MSc and when I send off for potential internships. It highlights my skills set, past experience, education and me as a designer.

PPP3 // TARGET AUDIENCE

The target audience for my services is for people of any age from any background. One of my services I would offer is to design and build a website. Anyone could need a website, someone who is an electrician to someone who is a florist. Therefore, my demographic is very widespread. This is similar to other services such as app design but services such as motion or 3D design is more selective as these types of jobs are more niche as an electrician wouldn't need any animation done but companies in the tech industry will. By having such a wide spread demographic my branding needs to be neutral and accessible for all to understand. Having a website that is filled with complicated animations may be overwhelming and hard to navigate for a hair salon who is seeking me out for a website.

PPP3 // WEBSITE

You can access my website here:

www.foryouthemoon.com

For me, a website is the most important piece of identity I need. As a digital designer, the first point of contact for potential clients (apart from social media) is my website. Physical work isn't an element of design I work with so the majority of my work is only viewable online. The majority is interactive and made up of videos and therefore would struggle to be understandable if it was printed.

I wanted the site to represent me as a professional digital designer who's work spoke for its self. No distractions just the work. Minimal colours and with a minimal layout as I made sure all work was presented in a visually exciting manner, using dynamic and strong mock-ups. The landing page of the site uses a horizontal gallery, letting the user immediately witness the work and be able to scroll without being distracted by unnecessary content. The site is also responsive on mobile to ensure the site can be viewed by all no matter the device.

The site was built through Wordpress.com

Mobile version

PPP3 // FOR YOU THE MOON LOGO

I find creating a logo for my own identity is extremely challenging as I'm indecisive and critical. I wanted the logo for 'For you the moon' to be minimal and clean. I went through a few logos over the past year which you can see below:

This logo was based around the moon concept. Having the circular shape to represent the moon, with the face suggesting the humanistic and friendly connection. The illustrative style also connected with a friendly approach. This logo was rejected after a couple of weeks. I didn't feel it translated quicker enough. Also, it didn't portray a modern aesthetic but instead was more playful which could compromise the professional portrayal.

The second logo idea is an abbreviation of the name by using hand signals. Four fingers representing "four" and so on... It's a clever play on the logo as it's quite interactive and is something that could become more than just a logo. I love the symbolic nature of the logo but someone pointed out that it looked like the "Phones for you" advert where they also represent the words into hand signals. This advert is deemed funny, silly and quite iconic. Since i heard this comparison I rejected the logo. I didn't want the logo to be associated with the advert as It's not something I want as a talking point. However, I would still use it to represent the brand but not as a logo but more of as a promotional representation.

 This is the current logo for the identity. Again, it's an abbreviation of the name but instead of hands, it's numbers and words. What I love about this version is how stylish, clean and professional it is. It's straight to the point with no distractions, portraying a credible logo. The typeface Montserrat has been used to strengthen the portrayal of a modern and minimal aesthetics. It creates a readable and soft, yet strong characteristic. Also, Montserrat is a web safe font which ensures all web browsers will support the font. This is also a smart move coming from someone who specialises in the digital design so it wouldn't look unprofessional if I choose a font that wasn't supported. I have an obligation for my identity to be accessible by all.

PPP3 // BRANDING CHANGE

In the previous year, I've had a number of different self-identities. The first identity was named 'Child' and the second was named 'Jack'. Both identities didn't represent who I am now in level 6. I'm about to progress onto a master studying HCI and wanted a clean, minimal and professional looking identity. My branding In level 5 was named 'Jack' and did, in fact, communicate a contemporary style but having my face as the main feature quickly wore off. Personally, I felt that I had to follow a path that was seen as the normal route when creating a self-identity. This is why I ended up using my name, but essentially I didn't want to. I find branding myself the hardest thing to achieve as I normally get bored of it very quickly.

For this year I wanted to remove my name and come up wth a name that represented my values, passion and area of interest.

For you the moon

My new identity is called 'For you the moon' and it embodies the very nature of my commitment and drive to go above and beyond for the client and the brief. The name suggests going the extra mile or 232 thousand miles to collect the moon, so whatever the client or brief require I will give it all my effort to deliver.

PPP3 // MANIFESTO

Manifesto

I see myself as an innovator, an innovative designer with the drive to combat and solve contemporary, social, environmental and political issues through the use of user experience. My specialist area of interest is building and designing successful and well-examined apps with an understanding of the importance of user being at the forefront of every decision. Another area of interest I see myself going into in the future is accessible design. Users who suffer from cognitive, motor or visual impairments and also the elderly are often neglected and left behind in the continuous advancement of complicated and dynamic digital platforms - an unfair set of circumstances in which I feel exceptionally passionate about changing. I thrive under pressure whether it be with a heavy workload or a large number of looming deadlines, these are the times where my best work emerges. From attending numerous conferences and studios I've been able acuminate a number of industry connection through social networking. Networking is fundamental when it comes to career development and experiences, I've discovered new viewpoints, ideas, and collaborations from networking, whether it be social networking or a tangible conversation.

PPP3 // SUMMER INTERNSHIP ATTEMPS

Im back looking for a summer internship after the failed attempt for the UI intern position in Berlin. I'm trying to find a summer placement in London as I wouldn't need to pay anything for accommodation. Therefore, I sent of a number of emails to around 10 studios all based around UX. You can see from the email below of how many I sent off. They were all sent off before easter and suggested that I'll be available to meet for a coffee if any studios were interested. However, no one replied. Maybe i need another approach? Send off promotional pack or hand written letter? Maybe it was the keywork 'Paid' that put them off?

PPP3 // BOOK IM READING AND HOW I CAME ACROSS IT

Currently, I'm reading 'The Inmates Are Running The Asylum' by Alan Cooper. Alan is considered the father of user experience and is a true inspiration to me. The book is about the battle between technology and consumers. With many people finding that they don't know very much about the technology they used and end up becoming lost in translation. When, in fact, users need their phones, camera, computers and cars to work the way they thing but battling with close minded developers can often be problematic. I'm only 100 pages and thoroughly enjoying it.

How I came across the book

Ever since NUX5 I've been in contact with one of the speakers at the event. I've spoken about her in the NUX5 blog post but essentially she is an alumni from UCL and studied the same MSc course I'm about to start in September.  Once I found out that I got accepted into UCL I contact her and told her the news but to asked about any reading material I should be familiar with before the course started.

And that's it where she recommended Alan Coopers book.

Email conversation below

PPP3 // PODCASTS

At night and on train journeys I listen to a number of UX podcasts. Podcasts are an easy way to quickly digest information with very little effort. They allow me to understand the industry of UX, expose me to a number of professionals and their experiences and opinions within the industry. Below are three UX podcasts I've listened to over the past 6 months. 

What is wrong with UX 

This podcast is run by two women. As senior professionals and authors, they speak about a number of topics and their experiences within the field of UX. 

Topics include:

• 4 things that will make you a better UX designer
• UX trends
• Is there such thing as a Junior designer
• Bad words
• The best advice we've ever been given

The UX Intern

This podcast was especially appealing to me as it is hosted by a UX intern. The podcast is made for young UX designers who may need advice about UX and when they first enter the industry. To help with this issue a number of big time UX designers such as Alan Cooper have been interviewed on the show. The interviews are based on the interviewee's experience in the industry and what advice they could give new designers who see UX as a career path.

In conversation with UX

Similar set-up to 'What is wrong with UX' to podcasts brings a number of industry professionals to discuss certain topics while expanding on their own experience with running their own business and the challenges they face.

PPP3 // LEEDS DIGITAL FESTIVAL // UX PANEL

It's Leeds Digital Festival week and with many events on offer I signed up for the Bolser UX panel. The event took place at the Northern Monk Brewery and consisted of three speakers briefly discussing what they've been working, followed by a Q&A. The short presentation wasn't designed to actually teach anything but to get an overall gist of what the speakers do in their line of work.

Images from the event are below:

First talk was Stephan who was Head of UX at NHS digital. He spoke about his experience and how the NHS is outdated and lacked technology. They've recently designed a new app where patients can go through a standard questionnaire to describe their symtoms which would then tell the user if they should see a doctor.

Add caption

The second talk was by Mark, a senior UX designer for a company who build the Sky sports app. His presentation was around the topic of footnotes, giving an example of good and bad footnotes and how important footnotes are even though the majority of user don't even read them. Instead of neglecting them, how could companies make them more engaging so the user would be interesting to see new improvements to their app.

The final presentation was by another senior designer, Alice who works for Bolser. She spoke about her experience working with KFC. Her presentation was about redesigned their rewards app and how important user testing and research was to a successful app.

PPP3 // WORLD IA DAY CONFERENCE

I attended World IA day in Manchester. World IA is a "one-day annual celebration hosted by the Information Architecture Institute and held in dozens of locations across the globe."

Information architecture is a subject which comes under the umbrella of User experience. The subject of IA was new to me and it was apparent when the talks began. It's not like I didn't understand anything because I did but the majority I didn't. When speakers spoke about their process when working for companies I understood that but a lot of the talk was complex jargon, stats, data and business talk. This was what I couldn't really follow as I've had no experience in the industry. Therefore, I can't really say much else because I wouldn't really make sense or do the overall experience justice. However, the whole day was very interesting as it exposed me to another area of UX but for now, I'm certain that IA is not a subject area I could see myself in. Unless I learn more about the subject which I would when I begin my MSc in September.

The following picture is from the day:

PPP3 // FAIL ATTEMPT AT SUMMER INTERN IN BERLIN

So, I almost got a summer internship in Berlin. I emailed a studio in Berlin who advertised for a summer UI internship position. I sent off a humorous email with an, even more, humorous meme of a cute seal. The studio replied back claiming the email was their kind of humour and offered an interview via google hangout. I was asked a number of questions about me and my work and I thought it went well but unfortunately, it wasn't good enough. I asked for reasons why and apparently I didn't know enough about UI. But according to Rob Walker from Raw failing is a positive thing!

PPP3 // MAGNETICNORTH REFERENCE

Reference

“Jack hit the ground running, getting involved in project work straight away. He took part in a workshop with clients and experts, inputting when he could. Following the workshop he used his initiative and took one of the ideas we created and developed it into a fully formed concept.

Jack seems to have a genuine interest in user-experience design. In his short time with us, he demonstrated he can work as part of a design team to generate ideas and on his own developing concepts.

I wish him luck with his continuing education and future career.”

Adam Todd, Creative Director, magneticNorth

PPP3 // VOLENTEERING FOR NUX

I've been to a couple of talks and also conferences hosted by NUX. I find the organisation truly inspiring as it allows me to understand User experience from all different viewpoints and perspectives. On Twitter, they were advertising for a number of volunteers to help out with events. Without hesitation, I emailed to offer my services. I was in contact with Lucy from the team and she discussed meeting up for a coffee to get to know me more and provide more details about the position. Before I went any further I asked for more details over email as I didn't want to waste her time if they were looking for someone full time. Unfortunately, they were looking for a long term volunteer which wouldn't be possible as I'll be moving back down to London in June and won't be returning.

It was a real shame but when I'm in London I would love to still get involved with UX organisations and take on a volunteering role.

PPP3 // MASTERS PROCESS // WHY AND SUBJECT AREA

Masters for me is a chance to educate, develop and acquire an expert degree of knowledge of a certain subject, that subject being HCI. Human-Computer Interaction is a specialist area of Digital design but also includes other subject areas such as Psychology and Computer Science. HCI is the study of how people interact with computers and how computers are or are not developed for successful interaction with humans. After my MSc, I want to move into a UX designer job and eventually begin to build a start-up and the MSc in HCI will allow me to have these opportunities. I can become a UX design without the masters but the MSc will give me a better chance. I selected this subject for a number of reasons: to boost my chances of a better career path but to also gather more industry links and connections.

Digital design and UX is a subject that I've loved when before I came to university. Even before starting uni I said to myself that I would go on to do a master within an area related to UX. This in itself proves the obvious love I have for the field of user experience and the commitment and dedication to ensure the user is accounted for and not left behind. I feel a sense of purpose when I design for the user, an aspect that I haven't felt with Graphic Design. I'm not saying that Graphic Design doesn't serve a purpose because it absolutely does but for me it's different. Feelings of change and satisfaction are the feelings I get when I'm designing a digital solution for the user, making their online experience easier and more convenient; doing the right thing. When I was in the workshop with UX designer from the BBC and Magnetic North I felt comfortable and in a place, I belonged, and instantly knew I wanted to dedicate my career to the field of UX.

PPP3 // PHILIP DE FRANCO BUSINESS PROPOSAL

I contacted a famous Youtuber a business proposal for 'Related', one of my extended practice briefs. I don't want to see my work collecting pixel dust online when it can be developed. I watch Youtube a lot and throughout the years I've been watching one Youtuber who discusses news topics but he also owns other Youtube channels that are based around technology. I knew it was a long shot but i contacted him and asked for his financial help to make the game a reality. 

He didn't reply back but the email is below anyway.

Dear Philip,

I'm writing to you in regards to a potential business opportunity to help me create and develop a gaming app. I'm a 22-year-old innovative thinker and designer working alone in his spare time, creating creative and unique app ideas that can thrive within the app & android store.  

I've already mocked up an interactive prototype of the game (Link below) but I'm in need of financial support and someone who can take this visual prototype further and make it into a fully functional game, with your company and influence in the driving seat. I feel vulnerable showing this prototype but I need to put myself out there and bring my ideas to life. :)

What is this game?

The game is called 'Related' and is based around the theme of 'related artist'. Essentially, the user has to get from one artist to another through selecting related artists in order to proceed onto the next level. It's an addicted and unique angle on music and gaming. With a massive opportunity for financial gain.

What's in it for you?

All the rewards and an opportunity to make the next addicted gaming app such as 'candy crush'. I believe in this app and without a doubt believe it can be a success. Through researching you and your company it's clear that you are the best person I would want to take over this idea to make it a reality.  

The link for the video prototype is below, so please take a look to understand the full potential of the app. 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/122zuv72f8szpkc/Comp%202_2.mp4?dl=0

If you wish to know any more details then please don't hesitate to get in contact. I'll be happy to take phone calls or even Skype. 

P.s If this email is answered by someone other than Phillip,please can this reach him? and not be rejected by someone else. Rejecting me is perfectly fine but when I go to sleep at night and generally can't sleep because of how excited I am and what I've created then I feel this product can't be ignored. 

Thank you for your time,

Jack

PPP3 // MAGNETIC NORTH PLACEMENT REPORT

Over the past two weeks, my time has been spent with the lovely people at magneticNorth. Founded in 2000, magneticNorth is an independent design studio based in Manchester. magneticNorth have worked with a diverse mix of global clients such as the BBC, Google, Manchester City and the City of Manchester - creating digital solutions to interesting design challenges.Throughout the internship, I was mentored by Adam Todd, one of the creative directors at magneticNorth.

One the first day, Adam introduced me to everyone in the studio from the UX team, visual designers, developers and also the owners. For the rest of the morning, Adam generously took me through current projects magneticNorth was currently working on and gathered the designers responsible for talking me through the brief, giving me the run down of where they are currently up to, what challenges they’ve come across and walking me through every stage of the process.

After, I was given my first task, a brief that magneticNorth was currently in the early stages off. The brief was in collaboration with the BBC, to create an accessible game for children.Children who have a number of debilitating and often restrictive disabilities such as motor and cognitive impairments. The rest of the day was spent reading up on the brief and become as familiar with it as possible. magneticNorth had already finished the main research phase of the brief. As this topic was new to me I wanted to understand as much as possible, to avoid a situation where It was impossible for me to get involved and bounce around ideas when the brief developed. I wanted to fully embrace myself in the brief, digesting existing research material not only from magneticNorth but research conducted by the BBC and other agencies that were involved and have an extensive understanding of the problem. The majority of the second day was again spent reading up on existing material and research.

The third day was a huge day filled with emotions of excitement and curiosity. The day was spent in a workshop with UX designers from the BBC and other companies involved with the accessible game project. The day was mapped out by the BBC, they dictated how the day would turn out, what we would be discussing and the group tasks we would be undertaking after the initial discussions. In preparation for the workshop, magneticNorth produced around 20 small conceptual ideas for a game. Each idea focused on a certain disability, whether it be cognitive, motor, or visual impairment. The morning was spent with magneticNorth running through their ideas which opened up a number of conversation around each idea, conversations such as how the idea could operate and if it’s a possibility. However, the goal wasn’t to immediately shoot down any idea but to understand the direction and possibilities the concept provided. How would each concept work in regard to aesthetics, functionality and mechanical structure. After the morning, we were put into small groups and were giving a task to pick one idea that magneticNorth presented and to flesh out the idea; to discuss how to concept could be visualised within wireframes, storyboards and user journey. We then presented our ideas to the others groups and then the day was over. This was by far the most interesting and unbelievable days at magneticNorth.

On Thursday, we waited for the BBC to update magneticNorth on which ideas they wanted to take forward and further develop, In the mean time I sat with a team who was currently working on the Manchester City brief, they gave me an overview of the brief and where they were up too. I spoke to the design strategists and UX designers, they all explained the importance of understanding the user by conducting user research, field testing and personas to gather a wide spectrum of Manchester City supporters. On Friday the BBC assigned two concepts to magneticNorth and another two to the other company involved with the project.

For the rest of the week and half of next week, I was solely involved with further fleshing out one of the ideas. I don’t know how much I can say about the idea around the game as I had to sign a Non-disclosure agreement but the concept involved a small fish who can eat other fish in the tank to eventually grow bigger. I spent my time storyboarding different scenarios and how the game can be adapted to fit all disabilities. By first looking at the mechanics of the game, so seeing how the game would work in a general sense. What would it look like and what the main objective of the game was. Then understanding the input methods and attempting to construct a one-switch game and bringing that one-button to then figure out how to adapt that for other disabilities, such as eye-tracking, audio only, speech and so on... While working on developing the idea I received regular feedback and constant discussions with designers, managers and developers to understand the realistic nature of the idea. The rest of the week was slow as the work got sent off back to the BBC, I spend the rest of the week looking into other parts of the UX process such as elevator pitches, user journeys.

In all my experience has been simply brilliant. Everyone at magneticNorth was so lovely and generous and made me feel very welcomed. Nearly everyone came up to me on the first day to introduce themselves which put my first-day nerves at ease. My experience has confirmed that I am indeed heading in the right direction, regarding MSc and my career goals beyond. I still find it fascinating that magneticNorth allowed me to be involved with the BBC project, and actually get involved with a workshop where I was interacting with accessibility designers from the BBC! Accessible design is an area that I’ve had an interest in for a while but never had the opportunity to act on these interests but my placement allowed me to dive straight into the deep end with accessible design, which I absolutely loved and felt a great deal of joy, fulfilment purpose.

PP3 // NUX LEEDS TALK - UX AND BEHAVIOUR CHANGE

On the 24th of November, I attended the NUX talk based in Marshall Mills, Leeds. The talk was held by Mark Spooner, a PhD student in Human Computer Interaction and Behaviour Change and Dr Claire Easthall, Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice at the University of Leeds. The topic of discussion was about User experience and behaviour change.

Venue

Mark kicked off the talk by introducing what he does within his PHD and his specialist area within childhood obesity. He started with a brief summary of persuasive behaviour; the dark side and the light side. Dark side being malicious companies using unethical persuasive techniques to entice consumers to buy their products such as cigarettes and junk food.

 Good side being on the moral side of persuasion such as, directing consumers to change their unhealthy habits or using symbolic signs or visual communication for a positive change such as a sign telling drivers to drive under 20 mph when passing by a school.

A good point was made by Mark when he discussed the unhappy traffic sign face (image below). He discussed that when drivers speed higher than 20 mph then the 'unhappy face' flashes notifying the driver that they have gone over the speed limit. Mark mentioned about social judgement from other drivers knowing that he sped through a school zone and how effective that sense of social pressure could potentially persuade the driver to slow down.

Mark discussed population behaviour change. Using the example of the colour of cigarette cartons and how the government researched and used the worst colour they found to put off smokers from purchasing fags. Another example that was used was the screen that hides the cigarettes, the screen breaks up the subconscious identifiers of the cigarette packaging. If the consumer doesn't see the packaging then it makes the persuasion of the packaging less effective as it isn't on show to influence consumers. 

Claire Easthall was next to expand on from Mark's discussion. With a background in pharmacy her specialist area within PHD was researching into why patients don't take their medicine. Her talk was situated around her researching into this question and how she digested a number of behaviour theories and with that knowledge conducted a questionnaire to gather research on this question of why patients don't take their medicines. Finally, from the results, she was able to construct a theoretical framework that could be applied to further her research and create some sort of digital product.

Stages of change model, which could be used to help smokers quit. All stages that they had to go through. If one part of the circle is broken or skipped then the whole process collapse but if the smoker makes it through all stages then they often quit.

This was the theoretical framework Claire and her team created. Two columns demonstrating the domain and the barrier of that specific domain in relation to "why don't patients take their medicine?". For example, a patient may have asthma and need to take an asthma pump. In terms of the domain knowledge, the patient may not know how to take the asthma pump or is unable due to arthritis in their hands. In the domain of motivation and goals the patient may not be able to afford the precription, they may have bills or shopping that need paying for, so the conflict between finance worries and health collide. These are only two examples out of many that Claire presented. 

Mark and claire talked more about behaviour changes but these were the key points I took away. There was a lot of stuff they discussed which was above my expertise but hopefully, I will begin to digest more the approaches once I begin to engage with more UX talks. However, the talk was extremely insightful and inspiring and only enlightened my interest in the subject. Is was very interesting to get a different viewpoint from Claire then just a UX designer. it's also intriguing at how disciplines can overlap with each other. 

It would be great if I could attempt to approach a brief within 'extended practice' by gathering primary research based on a theoretical framework of some sort. The only barrier in the way is time. Claire spent 3 years working on her research and analysing user research and a 75k grant! But essentially a small-scale version can always be undertaken. 

Very great talk! 

PPP3 // SUMMER INTERNSHIP ENQUIRY // FUELED

Near the end of September, I dedicated some time to attempt to secure a summer internship in London or Berlin. London was a good choice in terms of opportunity and financial security as I would live at home and Berlin due to its hotspot for creativity and a place I'd like to eventually move to. I applied for around 5 internships and the majority either didn't reply or stated that they don't take on any interns. However, one company took the bait. Fueled, a mobile app and development company based in London. I applied for an internship within the UX team so I could focus my energy and creative talent on the specialised area that I wanted to progress into.

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