Thursday, 13 June 2013

Creative Futures: local creatives & more

Researching Creative Employers

I was researching creative companies, local to me, for potential employment or freelance work, however after meetings & discussions, & analysing the task ahead & schedule of work to complete my degree within the extended time, have deduced that in reality, my degree must come first! I am concentrating on my studies until finished...& then the world is my ocean.

Some of my findings:

A search of local creatives may not reveal games companies near, however I realise that my skills are transferable, & being a creative & gaining more digital skills, will be open to more than just games companies when I apply for work, including companies such as Prodo & Eclipse Creative whom I have contacted in previous years.

I have postponed any more work on my cv's & portfolio for the present, but will tailor them to the role & company, albeit without losing my style or trying to be something I am not; I know I am flexible & can approach various tasks with the customer/end-user in mind, which has been proven whilst managing my own company.

Having to do a bit of a u-turn on the main high road, I turned my car around in the rather grand Hinderton Hall gated-entrance. That's when I spotted a creative design company sign: Fourth Wall Creative "A new kind of design agency based in Neston, Cheshire - fourthwallcreative | The home of free range thinking".
Not a Games company, but still in the creative/design industry, & after seeing their style & beautiful location, is another creative company I will look further at, & add to my list of potential employers when considering approaching with portfolio of work.

I discovered on one of my searches on Yell, that I can actually 'save' company details to look at later:
A search for local creative companies on Yell

Although I was surprised at the number that came up in this location, sometimes 'quantity is not quite quality'. I am always underawed when I open websites of companies who offer web-building & design/creative services, to find an outdated, crudely put-together, ill colour-matched & 'boxy', with badly-thought out navigation & errors, as their company website. I always wonder how they get continuous business, & had the same feelings when I had Frocked.co.uk, & would view other e-commerce websites selling fashion online, yet their layout was not easy on the eye or navigation easy to navigate, ie grainy images, bad models & fit of clothes, overbearing & clashing colours when not suited to the brand etc;


Screenshots of my e-commerce website Frocked.co.uk prior to closing; clean & easy to navigate

Screenshot of the 'Size' help page, with links to other help for sizing; image from London catwalk & edited by me
Screenshots of my e-commerce website Frocked.co.uk prior to closing; clean & easy to navigate



Sunday, 9 June 2013

Creative Futures: Vacancy Fashion E-Commerce Manager

My research into the various creative employment roles offered currently, & I stumbled across this exciting new vacancy in Australia! Although it is not Games, it is fashion & computer/online based, with creativity, design, marketing, business & technical savvy....I am keeping my options open & looking into a number of career options; I have transferable skills, with a lot developed from founding & managing my small fashion label with e-commerce website. However, my specific skills required for this post, are not quite extensive, or current enough for this post.....

RETAIL

Sydney, Australia

Join a leading fashion retail group which continues to see growth both through its store network and online channel.

We are seeking an exceptional Ecommerce Manager to work directly with the CEO, influencing all aspects of the commercial, design, operations and fulfillment teams, in driving forward growth plans for on-line within this strong brand.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the strategy, operations, and online experience of a high profile fashion retailer.

We are seeking a seasoned ecommerce manager who brings experience specifically from a retail environment where they have developed the online channel. Exposure to youth audience or within the fashion retail sector is essential and candidates from a contemporary fashion related ecommerce background will be preferred.

On offer is a highly attractive salary package.

Employer sponsorship is on offer but this role is for an immediate start. 

Saturday, 8 June 2013

Meet E3 Host Anna Prosser - GameSpot Video

Meet E3 Host Anna Prosser - GameSpot Video
I missed this event, even though I have it on my Facebook, & so am following up links. Seems I would have learnt a lot....with the various big companies & also Indie's showing; Ripstone, an Indie from Liverpool, & a company I have been looking at, are showing there!

Friday, 7 June 2013

PS Vita Review: Men’s Room Mayhem | RotoRob Gaming

In my research into videogame companies, one of my friends who works in games gave me the name of  Ripstone Games: an indie digital videogame publisher in Liverpool, & am following it up.

This is one of their reviews of their PS game:

PS Vita Review: Men’s Room Mayhem | RotoRob Gaming

Although I don't have a PS & thus cannot comment on the game, I love the 'off-the-wall' idea & colours/textures, & the 'fun' of it!

Such an elegant and appropriate place to meet a potential husband!

Tails of a Mermaid Performer


Sharing an image I saw on Facebook, & putting onto my Pinterest account, I followed up the source & found a mermaid performer! The images of the tail; texture & colour, portray that real-life look & feel I want to create in the mermaid game. Viewing lots of images created of mermaids, this is the closest to what I am hoping to achieve in the artwork.
Some copy from her website:
Ambre Saint-Clare
No human can resist the mysterious

song and call of the mermaid … 
  • Welcome to the gorgeous realistic underwater mermaid world and transform your parties with an unforgettable show given by Ambre Saint-Clare Mermaid Performer .
  • POOL PARTY – BEACH PARTY – CLUB – YACHT PARTY – EVENT ” PRIVATE OR COMMERCIAL ” – AQUARIUM – WATER PARK …

  • Ambre Saint-Clare is a professional dancer and a native of Paris, France .  
  • She comes from a history of classical dance training, beginning pointes at age 7 .
  • Later she discovered the world of belly dancing, circus, and music hall, which allowed her to develop a strong presence on stage and a unique energy . 
  • At age 18, Ambre got her professional dancer’s stripes and became a real showgirl . 
  • As a world traveler, she works for many companies and often offers artistic shows for events .  
  • Her dedication and enthusiasm encourage her to always go further in her art .
  • In 2010, when she was on a trip in the Caribbean, she discovered diving and the “ flipper ” . 
  • Captivated by the mermaid world since her childhood, she wants to set up a new show with a unique visual touch which will inspire the imagination of the audience .
  • Her studies in art history and her spontaneous curiosity feed her creativity and her artistic culture .
  • Additionally, Ambre has done some photoshoots for different photographers where she was able to apply her artistic concepts . 
  •  
  • Natalia F. Romanova