ASSESSMENT ONE: Part 1 Report

Nature of work

Hawra Kamal Hassan

201100598

Hawra Kamal
201100598
9 November 2014
ASSESSMENT ONE: Part 1. REPORT
GSP5203
1292 words

Contents page
Page:
Introduction

Research:
Interview

Independent Research

Analysis

Conclusion

Appendix

Reference

Hawra Kamal
201100598
9 November 2014
ASSESSMENT ONE: Part 1. REPORT
GSP5203
1292 words

Work is alike a medicine to us. Work serves us slight hits of achievement,

development, and energy. All of which adds to us with remarkable benefits. We might all be
different in our weakness to work's seductions, but none of us is immune. It fulfills many of
our essential needs by giving us meaning and purpose in life. It aids us grow and create
connections with others. However, we get addicted to medicine, our consumption of work
can easily turn in to an addiction as well (Nature of the Work).

Research
Interview
The interview was conducted with an appealing and inspiring graphic designer
Ruqia Ahmed. It took place at Bahrain Polytechnic on 26th Oct 2014. The interview was
written in a way that eases the answering process. To achieve this, a number of guidelines
were followed. So, the questions were prioritized, starting with easy questions to get the
respondent to be relaxed. Furthermore, most of the questions were open-ended to get as
much information and close-ended questions in between to slow down limited to yes, no or
one word answer. Open-ended was used to encourage Ruqia to express and share her
experience freely. Moreover, the interview depended on how is the nature of work in a
design agency as a graphic designer. The questions (shown in the Appendix) were about the
required competencies, the skills needed and gained, difficulties, responsibilities, and
dealing with pressure within the job.
The major finding of the interview was that individuals are required to be bachelor
certified and if with a master you could have a higher position for instance, a creative

Hawra Kamal
201100598
9 November 2014
ASSESSMENT ONE: Part 1. REPORT
GSP5203
1292 words

director. Designers must always be updated with the new (adobe) software programs and
techniques otherwise your certificate might get expired. Freelancing is a great experience
that builds up the confidence otherwise the experience is in the quality of work shown in
portfolio. Ruqia mentioned that she choose this job after taking the masters with a good
knowledge of design deficient to spread and deliver. The working hours are for 8hrs long
sometimes staying longer is compulsory to meet a deadline. Ruqia added on that, I
recommend you to join this job it has a cooperative environment with lack of experience. It
enhances your creativity forcing you to learn more and being introduced to new things.
Time is valuable where you wont get enough. It is a vital job to help the community and to
communicate through design that will also help a designer to have a lot of connections.
Ruqia concluded, Quality of finalized work and satisfying a client is the biggest responsibility.
The job seems to be entertaining with such a cooperative way of working in groups. In
addition, it forces you to face your difficulties in terms of time management, respect, and
attitude. That changes you to a stronger person.
Independent Research
As graphic designer, a new design must ascertain the needs of the clients, the
message that the design should communicate, and its attraction to the viewers or users.
Graphic designers should always consider reasoning, culture, and social factors through the
development and implementing of the design for the targeted audience. For every meeting,
Designers should have gathered appropriate information for the clients by presenting their
own research. Distinguishing the needs of the clients is vital for graphic designers as they

Hawra Kamal
201100598
9 November 2014
ASSESSMENT ONE: Part 1. REPORT
GSP5203
1292 words

continue to progress corporate delivery strategies in addition to designs and layouts

(Education Portal).
Graphic designers practice sketches to illustrate their vision for the design. They
select colors, photography, typography, and other visual elements. Designers then exhibit
the finalized design to their clients for approval. In printing and publishing, graphic designers
also may assist the printers by selecting the type of paper and ink for the publication and
reviewing the mock-up design for errors before final publication. Graphic designers need to
consistently update their skills and techniques with in the new programs and their
communication equipment as a constant attention for graphic designers (Helmer, S.1993,
January 1).
Work environment and conditions in places of employment vary. Graphic designers
employed by large design agencies generally work regular hours in well-lighted and
comfortable settings. Designers are usually under pressure to satisfy their current clients
and to find new clients to sustain a stable income. All designers sometimes have to face
frustration when their designs are rejected or were not as creative as they wanted. Graphic
designers may work for long hours, over night or weekends to meet production deadlines,
especially in the industries where deadlines are shorter and more frequent. The
requirements and competencies for the chosen design agency Gulf Marcom are to have
talent and creativity wanting a place to show off your skills. In addition, to the 4 years
Bachelor's Degree Curriculum, familiar with adobe softwares, with a CV and portfolio
applied (Al Muqla, K.1974).

Hawra Kamal
201100598
9 November 2014
ASSESSMENT ONE: Part 1. REPORT
GSP5203
1292 words

Analysis
The information gathered from the interview and the researches are fairly similar.
However, the outcomes contrast in the details clarification of a task conducted in the
research whereas it is more about the practice of a task in the interview. Listening to a
description of a job processing is unlike experiencing the process. For instance, a quote
stated by Mitchell Kapor says, What is design? It's where you stand with a foot in two
worlds - the world of technology and the world of people and human purposes - and you try
to bring the two together. This indicates the combination of the technology or the
technical work with the reality or practicing nature of work. Similarly, to the interview and
the research they complete each other. The interview is more marketed and updated to
what a Bahraini community needs. For instance, an Arabic saying states, ask a user dont
ask a doctor. Therefore, it shows the importance of asking a user that has experienced the
situation. Basically, the research gives the requirements and basic information about the
nature of work where as the interview gives how the requirements implemented enduring
feel.

Conclusion
As a Visual designer with 4 years bachelor program, a graduate from Bahrain
polytechnic delivering applied, professional and technical qualifications. According to my life
experience and academic qualifications this job would be suitable. Design students
experience the same qualifications in university plus the internship that will be great
experience-transforming designers out of their comfort zone into the real world. As a

Hawra Kamal
201100598
9 November 2014
ASSESSMENT ONE: Part 1. REPORT
GSP5203
1292 words

graphic designer the qualifications required are a lot more then it seems, it is not all about
art and adobe softwares. However, it is communication skills, paying attention to details,
problem solving skills and creativity. Working in groups creates a comfortable environment
to work with cooperatively on a divided project. However, I have a supportive personality
that meets the job requirements. For instance, always self-motivated, independent,
responsible, adapt with situations, organized, problem solver, love to make connections,
and work with Gantt charts to manage deadlines. Qualifications are never useful unless an
individual experience them to know their abilities and skills that standout from others. No
one is perfect we all have our strengths and weakness. To fulfill the job requirements, I have
to expect the unexpected and not to expect the unexpected but always flexible. Emotions
and sensitivity does take place within designers .For instance, people critiquing my work
might reject with negative feedback. This is a common thing any designer would face. It is
not important how many times the work gets rejected because clients have different
perspective and designers see things differently. It is the ability to persuade them.
Freelancing would be a great opportunity to experience the real work independently that
would enhance my self-esteem and to be considerable with in the designers. In addition,
fulfilling the gap between the qualifications, experience and job requirements it will lead me
to a successful designer in a design agency.

Hawra Kamal
201100598
9 November 2014
ASSESSMENT ONE: Part 1. REPORT
GSP5203
1292 words

Appendix

Interview Questions

1. What are the required competencies?

2. How many years of experience is needed?
3. Why did you choose this job? What influences your job?
4. How long does it take to get to your position?
5. How are the working hours?
6. Do you recommend me to get a similar job/ if yes what do you recommend and
why?
7. What experiences do you earn from this job and what skills do you learn?
8. Do you think that this job stops your creativity or does it enhance it keep you
develop?
9. How do you deal with pressure?
10. What are the difficulties you face?
11. How important is the job for you?
12. Have you made any connections?
13. How long have you worked for this job?
14. What are the job major responsibilities?
15. What support does position have in terms of people, budget, and employment?
16. For what reason people have left this position?
17. Do you think of leaving the job, if yes, why?
18. What you like the next person to do for the position differently?

Hawra Kamal
201100598
9 November 2014
ASSESSMENT ONE: Part 1. REPORT
GSP5203
1292 words

Reference:

Helmer, S. (Ed.). (1993, January 1). WHAT IS GRAPHIC DESIGN? Retrieved from
http://www.aiga.org/guide-whatisgraphicdesign/

Education Portal. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://educationportal.com/articles/Graphic_Designer_Educational_Requirements_for_a_Career_in_

Graphic_Design.html

Nature of the Work. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://careers.collegetoolkit.com/careers/graphic_designers/tasks/27-1024.00.aspx

Kapor, M. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_design.html

Qualifications of a Graphic Designer. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.graphicdesigninternship.net/qualifications_of_a_graphic_designer.html

Al Muqla, K. (1974, January 1). Retrieved from http://gulfmarcom.com/#careers