I began this brief by researching be the best approaches to creating self-awareness and how I could creatively assemble a portfolio/ CV that an agency would take an interest in, something that would stand out. For a while I liked the idea of creating a desk figure or bobble head of myself to send to agencies and this became the starting point for my research. I came across a few similar ideas on the internet but nothing that really involved a portfolio or form of self-promotion. I liked the originality of the idea and decided to continue with it. After my initial concept sketches I came up with the idea of producing a figure that also included a USB containing my digital portfolio. The figure could also be distributed in a branded box that described how to use the USB and would also include personal details, a business card and a copy of my CV.

 

The first step in developing the figure was to contact a CAD designer to see if the project could be realistically manufactured and produced at an affordable price to enable the potential for distribution on a larger scale. At my first point of research, I was informed the ideas for my figure were fairly easy to transfer in to CAD and should not have any associated manufacturing issues. However, after sending the design to be processed I was told it could take up to a month and would cost almost £200. This was problematic as the lengthy time span of manufacture meant that replicating the figure for self-promotion for more than one agency would be difficult. The price also wasn’t realistic for the concept as it limited the number I could produce and therefore limited the number of agencies I could reach. I had been aiming to send several of these packages out so the amount of funds I would have had to invest to make this possible were far too high.

 

After finding out I couldn’t get my design manufactured I decided to produce it myself in order to reduce time and cost limiters. Whilst researching the area I had found successful examples of figures people had made from thick card and decided this would be the best option for me. I then continued to pursue this idea of self-promotion in this way.  Overall, I was very happy with the outcome of the brief, even after I wasn’t able to produce what I had originally hoped. The card version of the figure, although not what I had first had in mind, still turned out to be successful. I have retained the 3D designs of the figure and will continue to look for cheaper options to produce the figure in a more professional way in the future as I think it would be a great and unique way to display my work.