As a full time graphic web designer in B'ham

August 20, 2016 Edna Ma

I have been working at Eastside Co for four months, I really enjoy my job here because there's always opportunity to apply my skills outside graphic design, like designing beautiful UI, drawing illustration (e.g. web and app icons) and taking photos (for company's instagram posts!)

Last month, I won my very first internal award, we call it 'trooper award'. We dominate one to two colleagues for their hard work every week. The 'trooper' came to me because of my design for the shopify meet up event. The 'trooper' reflects company's encouragement to people's contribution, which I hope every company should have this positive culture.

Beside work, we have a good work-life balance that we play foosball during lunch hour and break time. And every time when we have new members join in, we will have a pizza day! I remember my first day was a Pizza Friday and we had social after work, which was a very warm welcome :)

Work experience @Top Banana

September 7, 2015 Edna Ma

Thanks to New Designers, I met Dave, the art director of Top-b, and was given a two week placement at this well-known global event management company.

On my first day, a big sheet of paper was already sticked on the wall, I had my own working space, called Edna's space/ Edna's corner. What a warm and surprise welcome! :D

So, here is a break down of what I have done and learnt throughout the days.

Day 1 (25 Aug 2015):

Three previous live briefs was given to me, and see what ideas I can come up with.
Briefing started sharply at 9, everyone needs to tell what they are going to work on.
Drawing storyboard was a challenging task to me, but the brainstorming session was fun.
Event/ conference identity is different from the commercial logos I used to create.

Day2 (26 Aug 2015):

My expected train was cancelled, letting Dave to wait for me at the station :(
Event logo design, idea sharing and brainstorming.
Preparing presentation slides and mock ups for CDF event.
Went for a walk at lunchtime, the weather was so nice :)

Day3 (27 Aug 2015):

Involving into a live brief, idea sharing and brainstorming.
Drawing a draft storyboard with a growing plant idea, was modified by Dave.
Having a tasty cupcake and refreshment at tea hour, so lucky :)
Keep doing 'Reaching for the sun' logo.

Day4 (28 Aug 2015):

Designing a invitation card and recreating a map for a event of Wolseley.
A lovely baby visited us, everyone was refreshed x
Creating invitation cards and designing presentation slides for CDF event.
My work always needed to be refined by Dave, haha learnt a lot from him!

Day5 (1 Sept 2015)

Making Top-b's case studies sheets, which they call it Memory box.
Converting presentation slides from indesign to powerpoint.
A very productive day!

Day6 (3 Sept 2015)

Continue making Top-b's Memory box.
Designing Aggregate Industry Posters.
Learning and trying to colour sketches by markers.

Colleagues at Top-b were so friendly and cheerful, and they made a good cup of tea! I have great time in this harmony working environment, wish I can spend more days there.

New Designers

July 5, 2015 Edna Ma

It was the hottest week in the UK throughout the year, but it was one of the most unforgettable week in my life.

New Designers is an event showing off UK's fresh-graduated designers' work. I'm pleased to be one of the exhibitors in New Designers 2015, which celebrated 30 years at the Business Design Centre, London.

We travelled from Birmingham to London, built up our booth, exhibited our work for four days and broke down the booth...Took part in the build up process is the most important stage because it is our responsibility to handle and present our work nicely.

Birmingham City University booth, illustration on the left and graphics on the right.

It was a great opportunity for me to meet new people from the industry and gain some job experience. It was fun to catch the right person for the right chance throughout the days. I also had the chance to know more about my BCU fellows, which sometimes, I need to introduce their work if the they were away.

Apart from the exhibition, New Designers also provide some interesting events for exhibitors and visitors, such as Talks, Design competitions and Portfolio reviews.

New designers brought me to a new stage, let me knew that I'm not a student anymore. I'm a well-trained designer who is ready for the industry.

It's a great end of my education, and a wonderful start of my career.

Thank you New Designers, my tutor and those visitors who listened to my presentation and took my business card :)

Date: July 01-04 2015 @ London