I have been in charge of (partially) executing a merchandise project for some weeks now. Talking about what type of products, materials, costs, numbers, colours with the manager and the CEO want to sell. Finding where to print and organising communication between Rochester Square and the printer.
Also executing the design that was already somewhat chosen. Photograph/scan, prepare the artwork, learnt to make halftone for screen-printing.
Since everyone’s in charge an artist and has their vision, I don’t really have too much creative control over the process. Which is fine considering my position in the business. There is still enough responsibility to be afraid to mess up.
I am learning that running a small-ish business is a lot of work (lol). There are six people giving at least 4 hours weekly each just to upkeep alongside the full-time technician and studio manager.
When doing design type of work there is no time for much research or anything, stuff needs to get done. You learn while doing it (if there’s time for that).
All of those damn uni project pdfs pay off now, who knew.. I hated them and now if I didn’t have that (limited) knowledge I would struggle with InDesign.
Anastasia, the jack-of-all-trades studio manager is quick. Snap decisions. I’d spend ages on all of this stuff trying to make the perfect thing poster, pdf or whatever. I am so slow. She bangs it out in no time and makes me do the same. There is a lot to get done in her workday. Not all is perfect but it’s done.
She knows there’s no time and most jobs can be done to an acceptable standard and that’s it. For me it’s hard to do that. Perfectionism is not very helpful.
It’s good to have someone to ask for second opinion. She doesn’t know everything. I have stuff I know from my experience and education too. Working as a team is efficient and fun. I can snap out of my anxiety ridden brain and bounce of her.
I am learning that making portfolios for other people, or fixing stuff in photoshop, mock-ups or other technical digital stuff is ok, but I’d rather be doing my own stuff. I guess, that’s why people get paid to do it. I’d rather got paid to do it than not lol, because it’s not always feeling like the best use of my creative energy when it’s not my work. I’d rather do my own work, ideally. That’s what I would like to do. Although it does feel good to solve problems or make something nice sometimes.
There is so much to learn. I am not even learning much about the kilns even. Just loading, unloading and cleaning.
Same goes for the glaze room. I am glad people are teaching me this stuff.
HOW TO MIX GLAZE: water and glaze powder is 50/50, 2500g of powder and the same of water, mix it, leave it for half an hour and then the sif(?) comes into work. Extra note: j-cloths after the sponges remove most of the dust that we don’t want to be inhaling.
There is also always something extra to do, janitor/handyman type of stuff on the property: problem solving, figuring out how to fix a leak or how to attach some light somewhere that the work exchange gets to do.
I started reclaiming some old terracota clay. A good skill to have. Also, learnt about.. cleaning. Silica and clay dust are bad for you. Everything needs to be wiped, moped and hoovered constantly.
I like that I do physical messy work one day, and office computer stuff another day. Can compare the pros and cons of both. Not sure which one I’d rather do for the rest of my, life – I guess – none. I like the variety.
Sidenote: I would also like to take my DSLR to work and take pictures, draw stuff and make clay things more.
On my second week at Rochester Square we have looked at the work that can be done with my skills and chose a couple. The first project is to do with Rochester Square merchandise, they want to make some products for their web shop and Christmas market.
It was being postponed for years and now is the time. We looked at t-shirts, tote bags and possibly aprons.
The founder, Francesca and the studio manager being artists themselves know exactly what they want, my role to this point has been mostly technically fulfilling their ideas in Photoshop. I try to do it to the best of my ability.
I have learnt a bit about preparing stuff for print, have found a person to print the merchandise and I am in charge of all of the communication with the printer.
Christopher suggested looking into what can I make on the side for my placement that could be MY work and contribute to my portfolio and provide opportunity to get paid by them in the future.
On the ceramic technical side I have started reclaiming some clay, that is useful for my own practice.
There was also cake.
I want to bring my DSLR camera more often and take photos of the place and the people there. Also draw from life there, this could turn into some sort of project.
Here are some pics for clay reclain and glaze mixing.
With all my heart. Why does it have to be so clunky?
Besides that, I think joined Rochester Square at the right time, I took part at their quarterly studio meeting & quarterly ‘egg’ themed dinner party.
It was useful to meet the studio artists, work exchange volunteers and friends of the place. It is a close knit community that is not really open to outsiders. I think for one to be able to join it, you have to wait for someone to leave and then apply and hope for the best.
I am certain I can learn a thing or two here about ceramics from the people I already met, who did it for decades and hopefully do something fun with my illustration skills regarding their visual identity.
There are talks on arranging a document/portfolio of projects that were done by Rochester Square, because now it is all over the place in different drives and documents. Not sure if that is my favourite thing to do but all those Process PDF InDesign skills might come handy.
On the 25th of September I have started my first work placement. It’s at Rochester Square – a ceramic studio hosting work of around 20 artists based in an old garden center in Camden.
My duties are split between ceramic studio technical help and office assistance.
At the Studio I am learning how the studio operates and already helped with unloading kilns, mixing glaze, reclaiming clay and cleaning.
The other part is in the office with with the studio coordinator and the founder, where I assist them with design related jobs. I have done some Photoshop work in the first week fixing posters and preparing them for print.
