Luke Blackman is currently studying ICT and Media at South Downs College. In 10 years, he aims to be a print-based graphic designer. He has a talent for design and analytical skills. His plan is to gain experience at his college and local companies to build his portfolio. He will study for relevant qualifications like HND in art and design. Long term, he aims to work his way up from junior roles to positions at well-known design companies through internships and apprenticeships over 10 years.

1. MY 10 YEAR PLAN
By Luke Blackman

2. INTRODUCTION
• I’m Luke Blackman
• I’m a college student at South Downs College studying ICT and Media.
• I have moderate knowledge of using Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign require for
graphic design
• In 10 years time, I seem myself as a mainly print-based Graphic Designer
• The strength I have is that I have a very analytical approached when it comes to
design and making of artworks.
• The main reason why I want to work in this field of expertise is that I have a talent
for designing design to suit different application of clients.

3. INTRODUCTION 2
• I want to go on to be a Graphic Design in 10 years time because I have a good
talent for design and with good detail.
• The job requires many applications, these are a selection of some of the most
important thing in Graphic Design;
• working in a team of other designers and illustrators
• Keep abreast of the new media and programs out there, particularly design
programs such as InDesign, QuarkXPress, FreeHand, Illustrator, Photoshop, 3ds Max,
Acrobat, Director, Dreamweaver and Flash.
• Working with vast range of media including photography and Computer Aided Design
(CAD)
• The job allows for working hours of 35-40 per week with a Starting salary of £14,000
per year and more for those with more expeirence and qualifications.

4. CASE STUDY
• Case studies
• :
• Graphic designer: Jono Lewarne
• More case studies
• Arts University College Bournemouth: Abigail Cucolo
• Activities worker: Kelly Sykes
• Apparel designer: Rebecca
• Jono wanted to be a graphic designer since he was a kid, but some less-than-insightful careers and education advice lead him
to train as a geneticist. After figuring out he didn't want to do that forever he took some time out and retrained
• How did you become self-employed?
• I set up my own studio, City Edition Studio, immediately after I finished studying as there was no way I could survive on
junior designer money as a mature graduate. I thought if I was going to earn very little for a year or two, it might as well all
end up in my pocket rather than some of it in someone else's.
• Understand yourself as a designer. Know what interests you and what conditions you respond to best
• I didn't have any grants, but I was lucky to get a couple clients straight away that kept my head above water for the first six
months. There were no costs initially as I was using just my laptop and working out of my flat.
• How relevant is your degree to your job?
• Absolutely vital. The most helpful skills I learned at uni were critical reflection and an ability to enquire about new subjects,
something designers encounter every day. Knowledge of various print processes was also essential and has enabled me to
work with printers with no issues.

5. CASE STUDY
• Describe your typical working day as a graphic designer
• A day normally involves working on a variety of design projects for clients in the arts and various sectors of industry. If I
have time, some reading and researching.
• How has your role developed and what are your career ambitions?
• I've had to learn about the business side of running a studio, invoicing, client relationships, etc. I'd like to be in a position in
a few years' time to be able to employ an assistant full time as a creative collaborator. It's fun to work through ideas with
someone else as well as getting a different perspective on a problem.
• What do you enjoy about your job?
• Everything apart from chasing invoices. The research stage of a project is particularly interesting to me. I love the variety of
subject matters I encounter and learn about.
• A project that I researched heavily was a fluid identity system for the Arnolfini's Parallel Universe season. The research lead
me quite deep into some experimental areas of astrophysics, which was great! Without that understanding there is no way I
could have arrived at the solution that I did, which the client was thrilled with.
• What are the most challenging parts of working as a graphic designer?
• Trying to understand what a client really wants when they're not sure.
• Any words of advice for someone who wants to get into this job?
• Understand yourself as a designer. Know what interests you and what conditions you respond to best. As time goes by
you'll be able to develop those conditions and also be able to spot unsuitable working conditions and environments and
avoid them as necessary.

6. SWOT
What Why
Strengths I am able to see, due to my disability, more details in work than most other people. Very
committed to finishing work. Reliable and aware of limitations
Weaknesses My disability does mean I can’t easily decide in matters of the future or making any long
term decisions, nervous about traveling too far from home on a daily basis.
Opportunities I can use my skills in a working environment and have some support in the work I do.
This helps my understand the work I am given. I have access to Technology to do the
job.
Threats My skills that I can use to my advantage may be good in a working environment in
some circumstances. But the skills I can’t easily do in the work place may hold me back
from the plan. These things may not just be me but other aspects around me.

7. THE
GRADING
TO ENSURE ACCURACY YOU SHOULD
ALWAYS RECHECK YOUR
CALCULATIONS MANUALLY
BTEC Level 3 90 credit (in Creative
Media Production) – Final Grade
Calculation Final Grade Chart
For the outcome to be valid all units
have to be achieved Points per credit 630  659 = PP
Name: Pass = 7 660  689 = MP
Target: Merit = 8 690  719 = MM
Min Credit Points needed: Distinction = 9 720  749 = DM
750  769 = DD
770  789 = D*D
Unit Ref Unit Title Credit Grade Grade Points 790  ABOVE = D*D*
Credit X Grade Value
1 Pre Production 5 8 40 =
2 Communications 5 8 40 =
3 Research Techniques 10 7 70
7 Creative Media Industries 10 7 70
50 Writing copy 10 8 80
51 Page Layout 10 7 70
56 Digital Communications 10 9 90
57 Photography 10 8 80
55 Digital Graphics for Print 10 9 90
52 Factual Writing 10 8 80
0
0
0
Well Done! Based on these predictions you will
exceed your Target
0
0
0
0
0
0
Qualification Grade Totals 90 710

8. MY PLAN
• My plan for becoming a graphic designer would start well by studying in media.
(that's what I’ve been doing now).
• Most graphic designers have a qualification in a HND. Degree-level study is rare
without first completing a foundation degree or BTEC national course in art and
design.
• So studying these in college or university would be useful but I can be suited for the
job role without learning the degree and study, providing that I have a good
portfolio of previous work.
• The best way of getting to be a graphic designer is start from the bottom and work
my way up. Same will be true for who I work for, start for a less known designs to
the most well known. Using apprenticeships and internships.

9. MY PLAN
• My plan is to get work experience at South Downs College based at Waterlooville,
near Portsmouth in Britain. The college has lots of students supplying education
every year and advertising and marketing is important to the college. So much so
that the College has its own marketing department.
• The marketing designs the brochures, posters, leaflets and other forms of
advertisement throughout college and outside of it.
• I will send a CV and a Speculative letter to the head of department, and if they’re
interested, have an interview and show them my portfolio. They may give me a
design task to see if I am competent in the work before giving me the work
experience.

10. EMPLOYMENT TOOLS
CV Spectative letter
Luke Blackman
23 Third Avenue
Havant
Hampshire
PO9 2QR
02392687805 – telephone
07521 947774 – mobile
lblackmanmedia@gmail.com
South Downs College
College Road
Waterlooville
Hampshire
PO7 8AA
023 9279 7979
For the attention of: Amy Minker, Marketing department
Dear Amy
I write to you out of interest for the possibility of work experience within the marketing
department.
I am currently a student in your college studying media in level 3 BTEC Multimedia
Journalism and I’ve achieved level 2 BTEC media, and then two level 2 BTECs in ICT
before that.
I have an interest in computer creative design and look at ways of improvement of
designs and layout so having the work experience to expand my knowledge of the
industry would be beneficial.
Part of my course requires that I gain some work experience in a relevant area and if
you were able to offer me even a few hours experience, it would be a great opportunity.
I understand your department deals with all the college marketing and advertising not
only inside the college but outside the college as well and I would like to learn more
about how your department manages these areas. If I have been successful in my
request, I would be available at any time.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Luke Blackman
23 Third Avenue, Havant, Hampshire, PO9 2QR, 02392687805, lblackmanmedia@gmail.com
o
Luke Blackman
Objective
I want to be a graphic designer because I see elements of good art that other
people don’t see. I can bring new and fresh perspective to graphic design.
Experience Spring 2011 Baycroft School Gosport, Hants.
Nursery Support
 Looked after the welfare and learning of the children
Summer 2011 Baycroft School Gosport, Hants.
School Tuck Shop group organization
 Planning with making supplies and products to sell
 Delegate tasks for smooth operation
 Fund raising for the school
Summer 2011 Baycroft School Gosport, Hants.
Graphic Designer
 Designed signs for the food technology department’s summer fair
Education 2009-2012 Baycroft School Gosport
2012-2015 South Downs college Waterlooville
GSCE
 English C
 Mathematics C
BTEC
 Level 1 Home Cooking Skills Pass
 Level 2 Applied Science Pass
 Level 1 Digital Applications Merit
 Level 2 Creative Media Production Double Merit Merit
 Level 2 IT City & Guilds Merit
 Level 2 IT Software Specialization Merit
Interests Computing & gaming, graphic design and music.
Skills
integrity, approachable, friendly, good with communication (written and
verbal), good with research, competent with industry software/ IT, I am
adaptable and willing to learn.
References Louise Reed
Emma Maughan
South Downs College, College Rd,
Waterlooville, Hampshire PO7 8AA
023 9279 7979