Monday, 6 May 2019
Weekly Reflection: Week Commencing 29th April
The Gantt chart below represents the reality of my weeks progress. It's been a very full on week as the last week of my Final Major Project. I was able to complete my handbook quicker than I expected, as I worked hard to write and lay out the design in a quick turnaround. On Wednesday I also factored in the importance of planning ahead to ensure I was on track to complete my research file by assessing what I was missing. On Thursday I wasn't feeling especially motivated to finish the writing elements of my Event Plan so I began to layout the majority of the written content I already had instead. In addition, I realised that it was essential to take images of my FMP printed work for the portfolio before I have to submit it on Tuesday so I spent an impromptu afternoon taking images in the FCP studio on the professional backdrops with a professional camera hired from the photography studios. On Friday and Saturday I had to go home for an ill-timed but unavoidable family commitment so I couldn't get very much done. I did more than originally planned, however, by working on printing additional research elements for my research file.
Sunday, 5 May 2019
Diary Entries: Week Commencing 29th April
Monday 29th April
Today I had a tutorial with Charlie which was a really positive little chat! After that I made my Gantt chart for the week which was helpful as it brought up some issues I had with my initial timings. Having written most of my event plan in the second half of last week, I had been planning on completing that document to submit digitally before beginning my handbook to be printed for a physical submission. After taking account the Bank Holiday Monday which falls a week today, I have found that I need to spend time on my brand handbook first in order to leave enough contingency time as it goes to print. I can then work on the remainder of my event as and when the time becomes available later this week and into the Bank Holiday Monday. As a result of this revelation, I began to write and layout the design of my brand handbook.
Tuesday 30th April
Today I worked hard to complete my brand handbook, having made a turnaround of just two days to complete it. I was pleased that my logical strategy of completing my marketing report first had come to fruition in the sense that the majority of digital and marketing elements within the handbook only needed to be inserted into the handbook with limited adjustments.
Wednesday 1st May
Today was a long day. I woke up at 5am for a 6am-12pm shift at work before going to the library for the day, where I stayed until 11pm. A very long day indeed! Nevertheless, it was productive as I first went to the print bureau to print my event invitation and experiment with different ideas and also discussed the possibilities of getting another quick UV print in time for the deadline. By the end of today I have ruled out this option as I have other more pressing and important aspects of the project to complete. During the rest of the day I have printed out my handbook in rough paper in order to carefully proofread it, corrected these errors and finalised the document ready for printing tomorrow. I have began my digital event plan design, which I'm excited about as I feel that I can become a bit more experimental when I don't have to consider the importance of bleeds/margins/paper types/ink. I also had a quick review of my research folder so that I'm aware of what I need to focus on in the coming days.
Thursday 2nd May
This morning I woke up to get an early start in the print bureau. As I decided at the end of yesterday that I would no longer be UV printing onto a branded paper bag for part of my submission, I quickly mocked-up a branded paper bag on Photoshop and inserted it into my brand handbook document ready for print. I spent a few hours in the print bureau trialling different papers and waiting in a long queue of other students! Then I spent my afternoon doing something a bit different by taking some portfolio-style images of my FMP printed work before I have to submit it. I also spent time laying out more of my event plan as I'm struggling to find the motivation to complete what small amounts of the written/design content I have left to do.
Sunday 5th May
Having taken time out of university work on Thursday and Friday due to unavoidable family commitments, I have suddenly felt very behind and panicked today. Unfortunately a seven hour shift at work meant that I could only get stuck back into my event plan from 10pm onwards. Therefore, I didn't really sleep on Sunday night/Monday morning! :) Nevertheless, plenty of progress was made as I completed all of the layout elements of my Event Plan.
Monday 6th May
Having not really gone to bed last night, today continued to be a very motivated day as I finally completed the elements of my Event Plan which required additional research, such as the timeline and budgeting. After that, I worked on my research file by locating any gaps in annotation or things that are missing which I would like to add. I then prepared for submission by exporting and naming my files and filling out my declaration and submission pages. I uploaded my digital submissions at some point after midnight.
Tuesday 7th May
I spent my morning continuing to work on my research file, as I find that there is almost always a little more research or annotation that can be done. I finally prepared my physical submissions by attaching their declaration forms and dropping off at RSG/103!
Today I had a tutorial with Charlie which was a really positive little chat! After that I made my Gantt chart for the week which was helpful as it brought up some issues I had with my initial timings. Having written most of my event plan in the second half of last week, I had been planning on completing that document to submit digitally before beginning my handbook to be printed for a physical submission. After taking account the Bank Holiday Monday which falls a week today, I have found that I need to spend time on my brand handbook first in order to leave enough contingency time as it goes to print. I can then work on the remainder of my event as and when the time becomes available later this week and into the Bank Holiday Monday. As a result of this revelation, I began to write and layout the design of my brand handbook.
Tuesday 30th April
Today I worked hard to complete my brand handbook, having made a turnaround of just two days to complete it. I was pleased that my logical strategy of completing my marketing report first had come to fruition in the sense that the majority of digital and marketing elements within the handbook only needed to be inserted into the handbook with limited adjustments.
Wednesday 1st May
Today was a long day. I woke up at 5am for a 6am-12pm shift at work before going to the library for the day, where I stayed until 11pm. A very long day indeed! Nevertheless, it was productive as I first went to the print bureau to print my event invitation and experiment with different ideas and also discussed the possibilities of getting another quick UV print in time for the deadline. By the end of today I have ruled out this option as I have other more pressing and important aspects of the project to complete. During the rest of the day I have printed out my handbook in rough paper in order to carefully proofread it, corrected these errors and finalised the document ready for printing tomorrow. I have began my digital event plan design, which I'm excited about as I feel that I can become a bit more experimental when I don't have to consider the importance of bleeds/margins/paper types/ink. I also had a quick review of my research folder so that I'm aware of what I need to focus on in the coming days.
Thursday 2nd May
This morning I woke up to get an early start in the print bureau. As I decided at the end of yesterday that I would no longer be UV printing onto a branded paper bag for part of my submission, I quickly mocked-up a branded paper bag on Photoshop and inserted it into my brand handbook document ready for print. I spent a few hours in the print bureau trialling different papers and waiting in a long queue of other students! Then I spent my afternoon doing something a bit different by taking some portfolio-style images of my FMP printed work before I have to submit it. I also spent time laying out more of my event plan as I'm struggling to find the motivation to complete what small amounts of the written/design content I have left to do.
Sunday 5th May
Having taken time out of university work on Thursday and Friday due to unavoidable family commitments, I have suddenly felt very behind and panicked today. Unfortunately a seven hour shift at work meant that I could only get stuck back into my event plan from 10pm onwards. Therefore, I didn't really sleep on Sunday night/Monday morning! :) Nevertheless, plenty of progress was made as I completed all of the layout elements of my Event Plan.
Monday 6th May
Having not really gone to bed last night, today continued to be a very motivated day as I finally completed the elements of my Event Plan which required additional research, such as the timeline and budgeting. After that, I worked on my research file by locating any gaps in annotation or things that are missing which I would like to add. I then prepared for submission by exporting and naming my files and filling out my declaration and submission pages. I uploaded my digital submissions at some point after midnight.
Tuesday 7th May
I spent my morning continuing to work on my research file, as I find that there is almost always a little more research or annotation that can be done. I finally prepared my physical submissions by attaching their declaration forms and dropping off at RSG/103!
Monday, 29 April 2019
Gantt Chart: Week Commencing 29th April
Sunday, 28 April 2019
Weekly Reflection: Week Commencing 22nd April
The last week has felt very rushed and very stressful! Not usually the type to get too stressed over things, I've actually been struggling to sleep and feeling very overwhelmed at times. Nevertheless, I've made huge achievements this week by printing my lookbook and finalising the majority of my Event Plan. I'm so happy with my lookbook, which arrived so quickly from the company I outsourced it to named The Newspaper Club. I managed extremely successfully to stick to my original Gantt chart this week, which I'm pleased about because I know I'm running out of time to find a contingency if I am not able to meet my own very high expectations. The end is insight and I don't know whether to laugh or cry! :)
Monday 22nd April
Today was a very long day! I spent 12 hours in the library getting my lookbook content finalised. This part took slightly longer than first anticipated but it wasn't an issue as I had deliberately allowed contingency time. I then took the time to print it and proofread, marking all errors which would need to be completed tomorrow.
Tuesday 23rd April
In the morning I made corrections to all of the errors and adjustments in my lookbook before submitting it to be printed through an external company. Then I caught up with my project management by creating this week's Gantt chart a little bit later than usual and catching up on the weekly reflection entry from last week. In the afternoon I began my event plan by starting with the Event Concept section. I've been feeling really worried about the fact I am starting my Event Plan so late but I genuinely haven't had any free time prior to this to begin it.
Wednesday 24th April
Today I completed the Concept section of my event plan, which included the last half of my event concept overview, the guest list, a guest pyramid and the consumer profiles for the target audience of the launch event. I know I am going to have to work myself too hard these next couple of weeks which is worrying me a little bit but unfortunately it is going to have to be done in order to complete everything I've set out to do.
Thursday 25th April
Wednesday 24th April
Today I completed the Concept section of my event plan, which included the last half of my event concept overview, the guest list, a guest pyramid and the consumer profiles for the target audience of the launch event. I know I am going to have to work myself too hard these next couple of weeks which is worrying me a little bit but unfortunately it is going to have to be done in order to complete everything I've set out to do.
Thursday 25th April
Today I began part two of my Event Plan, the promotional strategy. I have written several media storyline ideas which I imagine the press would run with around the time period of my event, as well as written a press release which will inform them prior to the launch day. I have decided to name my event 'Meet the One'. Tired but trying to maintain this momentum!
Friday 26th April
Today I revisited the press release to proof read and edit before designing the external promotional elements of my event which I anticipate passersby and guests will stop to share on social media and be curious enough to enter the store and event. I also formulated a social media strategy for the event and launch which involves certain influencers being gifted Marks and Spencer One and sharing through their social channels throughout the launch period of the label. I also planned ahead (albeit a little bit more last minute than I would have liked) by ordering the physical elements of my invitation and packaging which I will submit physically to Charlie and Guy. I ordered these on Etsy and they should all arrive next week!
Saturday 27th April
I'm writing this from the library at 11:42pm where I am slowly experiencing the feeling of my brain turning to mush. Just getting this diary entry ticked off and then I can finally go home. I'm working hard to stay on track with my weekly Gantt chart as at this point there isn't really any other solution - since there's almost no time left of the project to use as a contingency! Today has been a productive day; I have created several internal advertising leaflets to promote my launch event in-store and constructed the justification and scheduling of my influencer marketing strategy before, during and after the introductory Marks and Spencer One event. Tomorrow I still need to design the Guerrilla-style external advertising for the promotion of the event on the outside of the Marble Arch building (I'm having creative block with this), design a public facing leaflet informing about the British Fashion Council panel discussion, design a tote bag and its contents to act as an event goodie bag and write up the descriptions and justifications for my internal promotional leaflets in support of my Event Plan. It all feels achievable but will need to be managed around a seven hour shift at work.
Friday 26th April
Today I revisited the press release to proof read and edit before designing the external promotional elements of my event which I anticipate passersby and guests will stop to share on social media and be curious enough to enter the store and event. I also formulated a social media strategy for the event and launch which involves certain influencers being gifted Marks and Spencer One and sharing through their social channels throughout the launch period of the label. I also planned ahead (albeit a little bit more last minute than I would have liked) by ordering the physical elements of my invitation and packaging which I will submit physically to Charlie and Guy. I ordered these on Etsy and they should all arrive next week!
Saturday 27th April
I'm writing this from the library at 11:42pm where I am slowly experiencing the feeling of my brain turning to mush. Just getting this diary entry ticked off and then I can finally go home. I'm working hard to stay on track with my weekly Gantt chart as at this point there isn't really any other solution - since there's almost no time left of the project to use as a contingency! Today has been a productive day; I have created several internal advertising leaflets to promote my launch event in-store and constructed the justification and scheduling of my influencer marketing strategy before, during and after the introductory Marks and Spencer One event. Tomorrow I still need to design the Guerrilla-style external advertising for the promotion of the event on the outside of the Marble Arch building (I'm having creative block with this), design a public facing leaflet informing about the British Fashion Council panel discussion, design a tote bag and its contents to act as an event goodie bag and write up the descriptions and justifications for my internal promotional leaflets in support of my Event Plan. It all feels achievable but will need to be managed around a seven hour shift at work.
Tuesday, 23 April 2019
Gantt Chart: Week Commencing 22nd April
This week the Marketing-Communications Plan remained at the forefront of my work as I got on with finalising, proofing and printing. I feel that my expectations this week for the amount of progress I would make went well as I fully expected that the printing process would be a long and draining one. I delayed my initial expectations for printing the marketing plan as I found that I needed an extra day to finalise all of the content and I knew it was important not to rush the proofing stage.
I also was careful to ensure that I factored in the busy Easter Bank Holiday weekend which meant I'd be working more part-time hours in my job too. I finally feel like I've achieved something in this project now that the marketing report is printed and ticked off but I know I still have a long way to go. I wish I had had more time to dedicate to the rest of my project elements but unfortunately that isn't possible now! I plan to spend approximately one week completing my next three elements. Creating the lookbook is a priority as I will need to factor in time to have it printed externally. This takes 2-5 working days to arrive. Early next week I will ensure that I proof read the entire document efficiently just as I did with the marketing-communications plan by printing it and going through it with a fine tooth comb. I'm really looking forward to receiving my final lookbook newspaper.
I also was careful to ensure that I factored in the busy Easter Bank Holiday weekend which meant I'd be working more part-time hours in my job too. I finally feel like I've achieved something in this project now that the marketing report is printed and ticked off but I know I still have a long way to go. I wish I had had more time to dedicate to the rest of my project elements but unfortunately that isn't possible now! I plan to spend approximately one week completing my next three elements. Creating the lookbook is a priority as I will need to factor in time to have it printed externally. This takes 2-5 working days to arrive. Early next week I will ensure that I proof read the entire document efficiently just as I did with the marketing-communications plan by printing it and going through it with a fine tooth comb. I'm really looking forward to receiving my final lookbook newspaper.
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