About Graham and Brown

Graham and Brown are a contemporary wallpaper design company who strive to achieve new and exciting prints, they work with some great designers such as linda barker and laurance llewyn-bowen to achieve new vibrant prints, they are also working with students currently from London to help get new possible designers help with inspiration and talent.
MISSION "Stimulating people to think differently"
Self Awareness-Listen and be aware of how your behaviour impacts on others
Partnerships-Aim to delight internal and external customers
Results-Enpower people to be accountable
Inspiration-Inspire others by example
Never give up-Keep looking for solutions
Teamwork-Work together to support the others world wide team in delivering one vision
www.grahambrown.com/uk/about-us

GOT A PLACEMENT!!!!!!!!!!

I attended the interview for Graham and Brown and found the head office building in Blackburn. The outside and inside was fascinating to look at as it was clean, modern and inviting. I waited for my interview and meet two ladies from the design department who asked me to set up my portfolio in the design room.

I showed my portfolio of work along with sketchbooks.
The feedback I recieved was that they liked my work and one lady said "Sketchbooks are very important as they show use your ideas and design process and she gave me a huge smile" giving me the impression mine was ok to view.
They loved my work particarly the CD work due to the surface pattern qualities.

We then discussed how long that I would like a work placment for and they offered 3weeks over the summer but this wouldnt be possible due to me going to DISNEY. So they said they would discuss it after I had left and they said they would contact me that day to let me no if I had been successful. WHICH I WAS!!!
I was offered just one weeks placement but this wont be until September, week commencing 13th 2010 as they said they were fully booked until then.
I have accepted the placement and look forward to starting.
Once getting onto my work placement I hope to learn more about the design process of wallpaper prints, I hope to learn more about various job roles, understand what it takes to be part of the team, learn more print making skills and also get valuable experience within the design world that could help me get a job in the future.
Graham and Brown will be able to teach me good team working skills, practical skills and imaginative skills within there work place that will help me with my current work and surface pattern module.
I am really excited to start my placement!!!
PLUS ALL SET FOR DISNEY!!!

Interview Tuesday 30th March

I will be meeting the people at Graham and Brown to show them my work and to nagotiate a Work Placment that is longer than a week. I wil lbe going at 11am to meet Paula and Nina in the Design Department AT LAST!!!!!!!!!!

Offer from Graham and Brown

Hi Katie
Unfortunatly we cant offer you a few days a week for a 7 week period as we have lots of students applying for work experience. We can only offer a one week period.
If this still is of interest to you please can you email or send photocopies of your work and a indication of when you would like to come.
Many Thanks
Paula Taylor

To Paula
Thank you very much for offering me this opportunity. I would love to take you up on your offer of work placement within Graham&Brown.
I am required as part of my module to complete approx 50hours within a company. My time table means that I have to be in University Mondays and Fridays leaving Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday free to attend work experience with you.
I will discuss with my tutors what is best to do regarding my time table and will get back to you by Tuesday next week.
I have attached a few prints that i have been working on this week as part of our surface pattern brief for you to look over.
Your Sincerley
Katie Jones

Tried Theatres...

Today I have phoned some theatres in the North West to see if they would be interested in taking on students for Work Experience:

Blackpool Grand Theatre- arent excepting applications at this time.

Thornton Little Theatre- I have sent them a email and am waiting on a reply.

Palace Theatre- I rung and they said that there is no placements in the areas which I am after and they dont usually take on students for work experience.

Royal Exchange Theatre- I need to apply in writing to Barry James.

Appollo- I rung and they are far to busy take on students at this time.

The Lowry- I have sent them a email and am awaiting there response.

For DISNEY I have recieved money from my Dad and boyfriend as contributions for the flight but still need more for Insurance, Visa and initial rent. I just need to fill out the application form for possible funding from a Merseyside funding company called "The Holt Education Trust" this needs to be done by March 17th 2010. I want to get this complate and sent off by the end of the week.

Work Placement Progress....

SMD has said that they dont have space for a extra person as the last student they have taken on was kept on as she was so good. I have been informed by John that he could possibly have a job within the Octagon Theatre BOLTON.

I didnt quite realise how frustrating job hunting for design could be.

I have learnt alot although I dont have the placement organised. I know that when I finally leave and want a job after University its going to be alot tougher than what I expected.

Hopefully John will help me get the Octagon Theatre job as this was orginally the kind of placement I was after to help me with skills for DISNEY.

Keep your fingers crossed please everyone...........

Where I am up to on the Work Placement Search....

I have been to a meeting with John Hunter (Placement Officer) and he is going to meet SMD on Thursday 4th February 2010 for a possible PAID!!!Work Placement. This will be the solution for the flight to DISNEY and also help me with experience for my Work Placement Module.

Also I have been to my local libraries to see about possible funding for my FLIGHT just incase I dont get a PAID work placement. I have had a positive response from a Liverpool based organisation who help students from MERSEYSIDE. Just waiting for the application form to come through so FINGERS CROSSED EVERYONE!!!!

Also may have got a job in PAD gallery PRESTON to help out there........