Week Two: Happy Birthday To Me…

So today is my birthday and I’ve officially been alive for a quarter of a century….

As I know I have a busy weekend a head of partying, socialising, dancing and of course final project ahead of me, I have decided to recap on the last four weeks to see how far my project has come and what is left for me to do in the final two weeks.

So far I feel my research has gone really well and not only have I collected a great variety of primary and secondary data that will help develop my project, I have also successfully covered my mums dining room table with half a ton of paper. If I had more time I would have liked to have conducted further primary research, particular around the graphics package part of my project.

Thankfully my previous academic experience means I have been able to critically analyse and evaluate my findings/research to a standard that would be approved of by both my tutor and the ABC awarding body.

Over night I feel that my folder has gone from representing my bank balance, empty! To how my stomach will feel after all the birthday cake I eat: full! This is because I have finally started to critique and develop my outcomes and as a result my folder has gained weight.

God knows how but since starting final project I have managed to commit approximately 92 hours. Personally I amazed I have managed to this between working, maintaing a social life and sleeping. Although I’m pleased with the amount hours, it has meant changing and problem solving parts of my project. For example I had originally planned to do a questionnaire for my initial sketches but have instead I have done a focus group which gives me the same primary research but in half the time.

In terms of personal development I feel I have not only enhanced some of my prior skills but also established some new ones such as Photoshop that I were non-existent prior.

Like I imagined working with my best friend has been nothing but a pleasure. I am fortunate to have had such an open and willing case study retailer that has 110% backed my project.

The main goal for next week is to finish all my final outcomes. This will be timely and no doubt rack up my hours particular as this is the week of the look book photo shoot however I want everything completed before ground zero (final) week begins so I can solely focus on my presentation and hand ins.

But for now it is time to open cards and stuff my face with birthday cake 🙂

Week One: The End Is Nigh….

Due to some sad personal news this weeks blog post is shorter than the others…

Over the last week the main focus has been finishing my final outcomes. Today I organised and styled a photo shoot for the Laura Elizabeth look book and using photoshop (and David) I will edit the photos and put together the final piece of my graphics package.

Once this is completed the main focus will be setting up the mock version of my final pop up store concept, this will be done on Monday morning.

Monday afternoon, Tuesday and Wednesday will be spent preparing for my final presentation on Thursday before handing in my completed project Thursday Evening.

What was going to be a tough week has only been tougher but with the love and support of those around me, I am sure I will be able to finally complete a project I have grown to know and love…

The Light At The End Of The Tunnel…

Seven weeks, one birthday, two breakdowns and 141.5 hours later and I have finally reached the end of final project…

There have been some massive highs and some terrible lows but the project is complete and my final outcomes have been achieved to high quality I could have never imagined.

From a personal perspective this is probably one of the most challenging tasks I’ve ever undertaken, bar learning to change a barrel, at least final project didn’t leave me covered in beer. One of the main challenges of final project was the amount of pressure I had put on myself to produce a unique and high quality portfolio as well as making my family, friends, peers, tutor and case study retailer super proud. This also acted as my motivation/strength and without their kindness, support oh and their outstanding cutting/sticking skills I would not have been able to complete the portfolio I have.

The main aim of my final project was to work alongside and advise online retailer Laura Elizabeth on how to raise awareness, increase sales and create consistency across the brand. I feel I managed to meet these aims through the successful completion of my two final outcomes a coherent graphics package and a feasible pop up store concept.

From feedback I received during my presentation the project and quality of work was at such a high-level it could actually be implemented by Laura in future expansion of her brand.

This leads me to conclude that my project as a whole and all of the components truly met and succeeded not only what was required by the ABC awarding body but also by my tutors and case study retailer.

Included in my portfolio is final feedback from my case study retailer. For me the line that truly clarified to me that the quality and success of my project was “she has captured my brand perfectly and worked hard to create something not only I love but I am sure my target market will love and be drawn to.”

Like any project there were some weaknesses and low points. The two main ones I highlighted in my presentation were time management and resources available. As I explained when presenting it wasn’t my lack of organisation and structure that led to not the best time management but more my under estimation of the amount of time I needed to commit to this project. Upon reflection I should have cut my hours at work down soon rather than later, potentially avoiding the all nighters endured over the last week.

In terms of my own personal development I feel I have not only enhanced some of my prior skills such as academic writing, research and application of theory but also established some new ones that I lacked prior to my final project and even starting the course.

The biggest development for me was to be able to present confidential, fluent and really engage with my audience, something I struggled with throughout my educational journey and over the last year.

Overall final project has really tied together my time learning all about visual merchandising, it has been the final chapter of a year that really helped me progress into the next stage of my personal and professional life…

THE END

Week Three: Half Way Point

So half through final project and things are starting to come together!!

After the near breakdown I had last week I feel I am back on track. This week has mainly be spent planning and researching ready to complete the final objectives of my project.

As I mentioned last week I uploaded my survey on retail shopping patterns. After a week of being available to complete on Survey Monkey I have managed to get a great response and have started to collate the data given.

I have also started to write, analyse and evaluate my interview with Laura, combining the information she provided me with my project. I’ve found my interview with Laura very interesting and gained a lot of key facts, for example I found out that Laura would prefer to have oval shaped swing tags for her merchandise and also how she plans to create sub-brands under the Laura Elizabeth name. This is all really valuable information as it helps me develop initial ideas for my graphics package and put me on the right lines.

The plan for next week, which also happens to be my last week as a 24year old is:

• To finish analysing my online survey, interview with Laura and look book research
• Start on my pop up store concept, drawing up some sketches and collecting feedback on the designs from Laura and a sample of about twenty.
• Research events Laura could attend producing an event moodboard with all my findings on it. Whilst researching these events I plan to contact the organisers to find out how they measure the success of the events and the cost to stand, does prime space cost more and how is prime trading space decided. Hopefully I will be able to use this information to evaluate the suitable of trade fairs for the Laura Elizabeth brand.

However I am now going to have a glass of fizz and celebrate the engagement of one of my best friends (she literally rang me whilst doing my blog post) looks like I’m in for a busy week of celebrations and data collating!!!

Week Four: Trends, Friends & Driven Round the Bend

So two weeks into final project and the creativity has started…

After the weekend from hell at work and nursing a sore head from our weekly Monday Night Cocktail session, I thought the best way to get my project started would be to do some research into current fashion trends which will act like the starting point for my look books. With my trend boards completed, I arranged to have a day with my retailer Laura Elizabeth talking through my project, aims, purposes and potential outcomes.

Today (Thursday) I went over to home of Laura Elizabeth, a beautiful converted mill in the quiet village of Little Eaton. Once the technicalities were out the way we headed straight over to the studio to find merchandise for the look books. Laura’s studio is any fashionista’s dream, rails of vintage clothing in an array of colours, patterns and styles. After a good rummage through all the clothes (and a few cheeky steals) we managed to select our items for the look books.

Also this week I managed to get my online questionnaire up on the internet and after a mass message to my closet friends and family, I’ve already had a great response and am really looking forward to analysing the data next week.

From a personal point of view, this week has been a tad emotional, after the emotional rollercoast i call work and the realisation that I’m on the month count down to finishing college, things came to ahead Wednesday night and tear flood gates opened…thankfully my friends were there to pick me back up and I am now ready to take the bull by the horns and take this next month head on….

Week Five: Full Steam Ahead

So well into the second week of final project and it’s full steam ahead. After bit of hectic weekend (which included the discovery of my new favourite drink Pink Chocolate Cocktails) most of this week’s work has been conducted from the comfort of my bed.

The main focus of this week was to lay down the foundations of the project, completing my statement of intent, buying resources such as mood-boards and folders, drafting out my online survey and collecting research resources.

In true Georgie style I made sure I went into a lot of depth and covered everything in my project brief. By doing this I feel have really outlined what it is I am doing and the direction I need to go to achieve my outlined outcomes.

As well as giving direction for my project, my statement of intent has also giving me a starting point for my research, which will be focus the of my project over the next week or so.

Over the next week I will have an in-depth interview with Laura in which I hope to learn her target audience. Once I have done this I will identify the characteristics of these individuals using VALS theory before developing initial ideas for my graphics package and pop-up store.

I will also finish drafting and publish my online survey which will hopefully support my target market research and initial idea development.

Finally for this week I plan to have a bit of creative session developing a series of mood boards showcasing this seasons vintage trends which will act a s starting point for my look books.

But for now I plan to have a leisurely afternoon preparing myself for a mad weekend at work…

Week Six: Welcome To Final Project…

So this is it!! We are finally at final project!! After seven months of highs (and a few lows), one minor break down…did someone mention Pinterest…I’ve reached the final hurdle!!!

When first introduced to the notion of final project, vague memories of 2012 dissertation era came flooding back…all nighters in the library, early morning coffee runs, tears, tears and more tears!! However this time around I feel a lot more relaxed and confident, partly because I won’t be completing my final project in boxy student flat but mainly because my friends & family are only a stones throw away to support me this time rather than a two hour road trip up North.

As sons as arriving home after college prior to half term, I got my teeth straight into it (well into some cake first then final project). For me organisation would be the key to my success…which is why I created myself my own pretty little monthly calendars so I could clearly see what I needed to do over the next two months.

Now I had established my timeline I needed to actual think what I was going to do…

Like I’ve been for most of the year, I really wanted my project to stand out from the rest and although I had kindly been offered to work with retailer Bridgens, I couldn’t help but think, I wanted to be more creative and adventurous. It was then I started thinking about what I enjoyed most from this last year and that’s when I came up with the idea to create a model pop up shop concept (with accompanying graphics package) for a non-bricks and mortar retailer.

Now I all I needed to do was find this elusive type of retailer, thankfully my closet mates all fancy themselves as the next Richard Branson and  between have a wide array of business ventures (that suppliers sorted for when I get married one day) I was a bit spoilt for choice.

As fashion is and will probably always be my main love/passion, I approached my secondary school bestie, Laura and asked her if she would be on board with my out of the box final project idea…I must admit I was worried my proposed idea wouldn’t work and my creative thoughts had finally spiralled out of control.

With a big thumbs up from Laura, it was now a case of twiddling my thumbs and waiting to get back to college…so to properly prepare myself to hit the ground running I set up this blog to help document my final project journey.

Back at college we finally had our big introduction to final project and with all the paperwork and input out of the way it was time to pitch my idea. Thankfully it didn’t go down like a led balloon and what started of a little thought snowballed into this strategic yet fun and practical project I’m about to start.

The rest of the day was spent ploughing through with my statement of intent and after cheeky rest bite shopping spree, I’ve now completed parts one and two of my project brief (to be honest I would have got a lot more done if I hadn’t spent forever finding the perfect selfie for my review section).

So my action plan for the next seven days it to:

– complete project brief/statement of intent

– buy all the necessary stationary to get me started

– set up an initial meeting with Laura to discuss the project, ideas and have a bit of brainstorming session

-start researching vintage trends, do a competitive shop for graphics and look books

– and finally start pulling together a look book idea/concept for Laura Elizabeth

But for now me and my little bambi bear are going to snuggle down with a cuppa and catch up with the soaps….