Joshua Crowley talks grad show, with UWS graduate Daryl Orillaza, who was the winner of Vis Com’s “Best in Show Prize” & “Best Major Project” for 2009.
How do you perceive the value of a graduation exhibition? What was in it for you?
I know personally my parents insisted that I’ve been doing a “visual art” degree all this time, and it at least gave them more of a scope as to what it was that I’ve been studying. More than anything, it was a celebration for us, that we’ve made it to the end of 4 years studying together. With industry apparently in attendance as well, it potentially gave us the opportunity for employment.
For me however, I think the biggest addition I got from Manifest was working on the branding and identity of the night alongside Paul. We were lucky enough to be heading a fairly large team on such a large project, involving designing for several different media & outcomes, large scale production, and liaising with so many many different people in the industry including sponsors, printers, and suppliers.
What kind of last minute projects and goals did you rush through before the exhibition?
There was a tight squeeze there in the end to get a lot the loose ends of the exhibition collateral finished. The last 2 weeks before the event, with most people already on holidays, saw a few of us bunker down in the Rabbit Hole for hours screen printing bags and making the badges. A lot of manual labour hours which we didn’t properly for-see.
I also had some problems with my business cards. They never arrived on the due delivery date, and after chasing them out, it turned out that the prints were faulty, and they had rescheduled them till after the grad show! This was all on the last Thursday before the show, and in the end I found myself running between Pyrmont, World Sq and Surry Hills on the day of the exhibition to pick up a last minute DIGITAL run of my cards that they mocked up. They were far inferior in quality and finish. And I only received my proper cards about a week ago.
Were you aware of any particular industry members visiting the exhibition, did you engage directly with any?
I guess in hindsight, the reality is, that Manifest was the showcase of 56 students from ONE design school. Throw in COFA and UTS and UNSW, then Billie Blue and all the other schools out there, and it’s a clear indication of how many people are in the same boat, fighting for the same jobs in the same design studios.
Did you struggle with the act of summing up your abilities and experiences into one stall? How effectively did your major work sum you up in hindsight?
Oh definitely. Part of my personal battles with my major project was how it would line me up with employment in the future. I initially wanted to do a purely photographic project, but as your question suggests- I didn’t think it would properly depict the whole range of skill sets I’ve learnt over the years. A hence the decision to do the magazine- it enabled me to still do the photographic editorials that I initially wanted to do, whilst still showcasing my love & ability in typography and publication design.
In hindsight, I think the project opens me up to potential employment in graphic design as well as photography, and it’s just a matter of seeing what opportunities arise.
What proportion of your peers had websites, flyers or business cards prepared- was there much focus on contact after the exhibition?
Interestingly, every single student had business cards prepared, but i think this was largely because self-promotion material was an assessable component of our Professional Practice unit. There is however, a big drop off with the portion of students who have websites- sitting at only about half. It’s quite clear which students are hungrier to make it in the industry than others.
Is there any comment you’d like to add on the experience?
I think whilst the exhibition was a great night, future students should enjoy the night for the celebration that it is. Enjoy that you’ve come to the end of your university degree. Concentrate on making you’re work the best that it can be, and build yourself the strongest portfolio that you can. The industry aspect of the show, whilst it’s very much there, shouldn’t be everyone’s focus on the night. I know a lot of student’s were banking on getting jobs that night, and nobody really did. At the end of the day, if you’re work is strong enough, and you want it that bad, the opportunities will come.
Plans for the future?
Basically just enjoying the summer and the time off. I’m working part time still in retail, and picking up the odd photography job here and there. I’ve gone to a couple of interviews for jobs next year, but I’m going to weigh up my options in January. More than likely I’ll be chasing up Photographer’s Assistant roles, trying to work in the fashion industry, whilst building up The Bold Italics on the side with Paul & Nic.
Related Links
darylorillaza.com
thebolditalics.com
Tags: Best Major Project, Daryl Orillaza, Joshua Crowley, UWS graduate
