Graphic Designer Games

My friend Nic has recently started her MA in Design and to showcase and organise her research has begun blogging her notes. Her blog is packed full of fascinating articles (see it here). One particular post about a logo guessing game (see it here) really intrigued me and got me thinking about other graphic designer games that were available (and also everybody likes games).

Nic spoke about Logo Quiz on her blog which is available for iPhone, iPads and Android devices, the premise of the game is to guess the famous brand from a fragment of the icon. A similar online version of the game is "Famous Logo Quiz"; It's quite an easy game with 30 logos to guess that everyone should be able to get a few of.

Similarly is the Sporcle quiz of corporate logos where you are given 6 minutes to guess all 36. I managed to get 23 if anyone thinks they can beat that, see it here. Sporcle is also a great quiz website for thousands of other genres and well worth checking out.

"Type Connections" is my favourite of all the games and works like "Blind Date" for type. You choose a "main character" and a partner then send them on a date to test compatibility. The funny commentary that accompanies the game really makes it entertaining but educational too as you can see which typefaces go together in "meet the pairs".

The font game, as you can probably guess, is about guessing fonts and I found this game really really challenging. If  you're a typography nerd and you think you can guess all 34 have a go here.

A much easier version of this game if the font shoot out game where you have to shoot the type the game asks you to select, unlike the font game, you have 3 lives and it's a bit more "game like" with a score board and the shooting element. Play it here

So have fun procrastinating with some useful and fun design games.

Five Interview Tips

If you follow me on twitter you will know that I have been job hunting since I finished uni this summer, and you may also know that I had an interview on monday. With the meeting still fresh in my find I decided to compile a list of "tips" and advice for graduate designers also going to interviews.

1. Research

An obvious piece of advice but you will be glad you know all of the companies' clients when they ask you which examples of their work you like the most and how much you know about the company (they will almost certainly ask). It is a great opportunity to show how serious you are about this role and the company.

2. Be prepared

For my previous interviews and meetings I not only took along my portfolio but some physical examples of my work and my iPad with lots of extra photos of projects I had not included in my printed portfolio. I found that it can be useful to take actual pieces of work with you to better explain your work but also create a talking point plus show extra images from my iPad.

3. Location

What seems another simple yet obvious tip is to research into where you going. Sat navs are not always reliable and don't allow for any potential traffic you may come cross so always google map your route so you are aware of the estimated time and location. Add on an extra half an hour to allow for error and always arrive 10 minutes early. 

4. Ask Questions & Get Feedback

Always ask questions about the company, your interview technique and how you can improve. Although it can be hard to take constructive criticisms it will strengthen your confidence for any future meetings and shows that you are willing to improve.

5.  Leave Something To Be Remembered

I think it is a good idea to always leave something with your interviewers so they can contact you back and you will be remembered, I believe this also shows fore thought and preparation. Be it an example of your work, a business card or a self promotional pack; leave something that will remind people of your great interview.

These are just a few of the pieces of advice I take note of when going to any interviews or meetings and I hope they are useful.

Good Luck!

Graduation

Yesterday, four months after finishing university, I eventually graduated along with my class mates at Chester cathedral. Before the ceremony I had been nervous about being on stage because I am really clumsy and not much into being on a stage, but thankfully being on stage lasted about 8 seconds and I didn't trip.

Halloween is quite an unusual date for a graduation as most others tend to be in the summer, however, it did give us all a chance to catch up with each other and discuss what we had been doing since June. It is quite nice to finally have some closure on my uni time, although I loved it, it's definitely time to move into a career in design.

I managed to drag my boyfriend and parents to the event without them complaining too much despite it being cold and the ceremony being quite long. It's no secret that I hate having my photo taken so here are a few awkward shots I took on my phone.

Also this is my 50th post which seems pretty appropriate :)

Nic looking forward to graduation

Lorna & I before we were seated

Me looking like a tool in Starbucks

Sam & I posing in a sports hall