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Education and IndustryJake Smith / JP74Burnley College
11 Feb 2015
Who?
Jake Smith@jake74Started working in digital in 1996
Previously
Traditional design/print companyQA Playstation games tester at Sony Europe…
What do I do?
Front end developerDirector
I also do…
HR, Event speaking, UX/UI, copywriting, bit of design, bit of programming, bin emptying and tea making on very special occasions.
Where?
JP74 LimitedStarted in 2001Team of 15 ‘jaypees’
…based in Padiham
What does JP74 do?● In our 14th year● Originally started making Flash/Director
games for children’s entertainment● Moved into CMS / back end programming for
blue chip style businesses● Currently pivoting into a software
development company
We’ve worked for…● D&AD● Panaz● Johnson Tiles● Store First● Bolton Wanderers FC● Durex
What is ‘Industry’?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industry
Industry is the production of a goodor service within an economy
You’re in the industry if…
You’re getting paid to regularly do any task relating to the creation of the product/service… web design, software application or video game
Design, coding, accounting, client handling, copywriting…
How did I get started in design?
● Sought an unpaid junior graphic designer position for two weeks
● Did well – got asked back● Ended up working Saturday mornings and
any term breaks
How did I get started on the web?
● Ex-tutor got a call from a company called Subnet looking for Shockwave Flash skills
● Worked freelance on a project, got asked to join full time
● Ended up being there for 5 years
How did we start JP74?
● Everyone was made redundant from Subnet● Pete and I started servicing ex-clients who
now no longer had an agency to work with● We took on our first employee after 3 years
Essentials skills for working ‘in industry’
Communication● Agile / waterfall etc, fluidity of project management
● Stand up meetings
● Tasks and management there of…
● Working in teams
● Issue tracking
● Time management
● Testing
● Deployment
George Bernard Shaw
“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion
that it has taken place”
Industry = Collaboration
Collaboration● An understanding of everybody’s role within the organisation
● Knowing your roles and abilities
● Recognise the overlap of skills between roles
● Be prepared to help
● Work well in a team
● Don’t be afraid to ask for help
● Accept assistance, you should all be pulling towards the same goals
How do we work?
Planning Production
Planning
● Scoping● Tech spec● Func docs● Wireframing
Production
Tech Front end
Design
What we work in● Django/Python● HTML5● CSS3● Sass● Compass● PHP
● Javascript● Git● Node● Bower● RESTful● …and so on
How do we find staff?
Channels
● Twitter / LinkedIn / social media● Friends of friends● Colleges and Unis – stay in touch with tutors● Attending end of year shows● Industry events● Recruitment agencies
Getting employed
You need…
● A good (and relevant) CV or portfolio● To show up to an interview on time● To know about the company and possibly
the person you will meet…
● To be yourself
Ethos
● Every studio/agency/company has one● You spend over 8 hours a day with these
people!
● Don’t be a douche
Be eager to learn
● Industry is a place where the hungry will always find work
● Take pride in what you do● Start personal projects● Join others in creating cool new things● Be enthusiastic
Kyle says…
● You learn loads more in industry, it’s well better!
● Do trainee positions – get paid to learn
Industry vs Education
● Tighter deadlines● You can’t make mistakes, as it’s other
people’s money● You learn because you have to accomplish
tasks
Bonus skills
● Ability to spell and use grammar correctly● Care and conscientiousness● Desire to do cool stuff● Have interests outside of computers/design,
and don’t be afraid to talk about it, no matter how daft you may think it sounds
Me. Regularly.
“You do businesswith people”
Freelance
There is another way…
Freelancers need…
● To be organised● To deal with accounts and late payers● Be collaborative with other freelancers or
agencies, as well as their own clients
Detect a theme?
● Communication● Collaboration● Enthusiasm
In summary…
● If you get a chance, take it● Make yourself indispensable, volunteer to
help at every opportunity● Bring fresh ideas and passion to the table● Make the current staff stay on their toes● Don’t be an asshat
Email CVs to [email protected]
Any questions?
@jake74 — @jp74
Thank you