637 Years of Experience
637 Years of Experience is a final major project that I undertook during my university studies, and is one that I am incredibly proud of. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I noticed a gap in our education - the lack of networking and connection building with industry professionals. In response, I decided to take matters into my own hands and reached out to a list of people and areas that I was interested in. I simply asked for a chat over coffee, and to my surprise, many replied and were just as interested.
Overview
The name of the project, "637," is derived from the total number of years of experience that I was able to accumulate from the people that I spoke with. This wealth of knowledge allowed me to explore my interests and passions in greater depth, while also gaining a better understanding of the creative industries as a whole.
637
637 Years of Experience was a multifaceted project that involved a range of roles and responsibilities, and a unique process that I am proud to have undertaken. The first step involved reaching out to a list of creatives and industry professionals that I was interested in connecting with. I had to craft individualised messages that would catch their attention and ask these people to meet a stranger (me) for a coffee and an interview.
Process
Once I had secured these interviews, I had to conduct them in a way that would yield the most valuable insights and experiences. I brought along a Polaroid camera to capture a snapshot of each person and create a visual record of our meeting. I also recorded the interviews and later edited them to create a cohesive narrative that highlighted each person's unique perspective and expertise.
With the interviews complete, I then had to design a book that would bring everything together. I explored different directions that the book could go in, from a traditional interview format to a more experimental and artistic approach. Ultimately, I settled on a design that blended editorial and artistic elements, with bold typography, striking visuals, and a layout that was both visually interesting and easy to navigate.
What I loved about this project was its depth and the multitude of roles that I had to undertake. I served as a researcher, art director, creative director, editorial designer, and, of course, myself. Through this process, I was able to gain valuable insights and experiences, while also building a network of industry professionals that I could turn to for advice and guidance.
Overall, "637 Years of Experience" is a testament to my dedication and tenacity as a creative professional. It showcases my ability to take initiative, as well as my willingness to tackle multiple roles and responsibilities in order to bring a project to fruition. I am proud to include it in my portfolio and looking forward to part two!
Andreas, Ben, Cece, Dimitris, Greta, James, Joe E, Joe J, Lily G, Hywel, Matt, Polina, Lily W, Sean, Simon, Ewa, Stevie, Tami and Will