Copyright

To make sure your work is safe you must make sure it is properly marked. This will show that it is protected under law. Work is automatically subject to copyright protection under law but displaying a notice shows that you have an awareness of copyrighting and take it seriously. If you register your work you will have evidence in case your claim is disputed by someone claiming the work is theirs.

Keeping your evolution of the idea will also help prove this. This can be early drafts, rough sketches etc. Water marking (inserting evidence into finished documents that can be read using special applications) can also be helpful in this regard.

If the work is a joint venture you must be sure to know who owns the rights to what and what happens when someone leaves the project. Copyright lasts your entire life and for 50 years after you die.

A number of things which are not copyrightable include: 
-       titles, names, short phrases, and slogans;
-       familiar symbols or designs;
-       mere variations of typographic ornamentation, lettering, or coloring;
-       mere listings of ingredients or contents
-       Ideas, procedures, methods, systems, processes, concepts, principles, discoveries, or devices
-       Common information such as calendars, measurement charts, TV guides
-       Government or legal documents

If someone breaches copyright law...:
1.    You can apply for an injunction (also known as an interdict) to prevent further copying or distribution of your work.
2.    You can ask the court to order the copycat to deliver-up all the infringing copies of your work.
3.    You can claim damages OR a reasonable royalty for the copies of your work that has already been made and used by the copycat.
4.    If the infringement was flagrant and you can prove that the copycat intentionally stole your design, you can ask the court to award additional punitive damages.

Info taken from http://myows.com/blog/copyright-basics-for-graphic-designers-part-1/

Health and Safety

The CCAD's health and Safety guidelines
The College recognises and accepts its responsibilities as an employer and as a service provider for securing the health, safety and welfare of its employees whilst at work, students on College premises, during study visits and work experience and for members of the public who use its premises.

The College will provide and maintain so far as is reasonably practicable:

• Work places, systems of work and equipment that are safe and without risk to health
• Safe arrangements for the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances
• A healthy working environment

•Suitable and sufficient information, instruction, training and supervision

•Training in programme-related procedures on processes and machinery which will occur during induction and throughout theprogramme

•To enable all employees and students to avoid hazards and to contribute positively to their own health and safety at work

•Instruction on emergency routes and exits, safe evacuation during emergency situations, and fire

assembly points, which will occur during induction and throughout the programme

Health and Safety legislation placesresponsibility on the individual to make him / herself aware of hazards and to follow recommended safe procedures. The legislation covers all staff and students. Students who behave or conduct themselves in a dangerous manner or do not demonstrate common sense are liable to be excluded from work areas. In particular, it is important that students realise they have a recognised legal responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work Act to:

•Comply with all College health and safety procedures to ensure their own safety and the safety of all others.

•Wear personal protective equipment required during College attendance

•Observe all instruction and training as required during College attendance

 
Taken from http://ccad.ac.uk/

 In the printing industry, manual handling (such as using different knives and guillotines), slips and trips, and the use of machinery are the most common types of accidents, contributing to approximately 25% of the overall accidents each, 75% as a group. The number of manual handling accidents can be lessened by proper training and instructional videos.

Given that any activity, substance or tool that may potentially cause harm is a hazard, being a designer is more dangerous than you would assume. Here is a list of hazards, how they could cause danger and how it could be prevented:

• Craft Knife - Can cause severe cuts by incorrect or careless use. This can be prevented by incorporating cutting mats, safety rulers and correctly holding the work.
• Paper Drill - Broken drill bits, incorrect and careless use can cause puncture wounds. This can be prevented by regularly checking and carefully cleaning the drill bits.
• Sanding Disks and Fretsaws - Injury can occur due to flying debris, inhalation of dust and allowing your hands to come into contact with the blade or abrasive surface. Safety goggles, aprons and dust extraction are vital here to combat the danger.

You should be familiar with the above symbols which mean eye protection must be worn, ear protection must be worn, danger high voltage and flammable respectively. 

Info taken from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/design/graphics/productionsystemrev7.shtml

Career Oppertunities

Through my course i will acquire many transferable skills including:

- Communication
- Organization
- Team Work
- Explaining Ideas
- Effective Writing
- Good Grasp on Various Software
- Conveying information
- Thinking Ahead
- Time Management

When my 3 year course is complete it is not likely that i will immediately fall into a good job at a design house and so I will need a plan to help me through the early period of time in which I will not have a steady income. I could find a part time job in a different field while working freelance to build up a portfolio to get noticed or i could choose to go onto a higher level of education. Currently, 12.6% of people coming out of a Graphic Communications course remain unemployed for a notable length of time whilst 68.5% find some form of work and 9.1% stay in education.

Were I to attempt to find a job relating to my course, the best choices would be:

• Advertising art director
• Animator
• Graphic designer
• Illustrator
• Printmaker
• Production designer, theatre/television/film

Jobs in which my degree would be useful include:

• Fine artist
• Medical illustrator
• Multimedia specialist
• Photographer

If i was looking to stay in education, a masters degree would be a good way to go. It would help develop my work, skills and knowledge.
Some masters allow you to collaborate, with artists from other courses such as fine artists or film makers. Additionally, a Masters gives the student time to build up their  portfolios and create a larger network of contacts which would eventually be invaluable when it does come time to get a job.

Source: http://www.prospects.ac.uk/options_graphic_design.htm

Agencies

An employment agency is an organization which matches employers to employees. In this context it is essentially an organization that will find work for artists in exchange for a portion of the profits. Agencies are not necessary however they are hugely beneficial and provide a level of stability that would be incredibly difficult to procure alone. 

Big Active

Big Active are an award winning creative consultancy specializing in art direction, graphic design and the representation of leading image makers. They work in many fields however including  music, fashion, culture and entertainment, designing brand identities, communications, publications, digital content and events. They are therefore very diverse and believe each field is unique and often work with various partners because of this in order to produce the best quality work.

Nowhere on the website is there anywhere for potential clients to send a portfolio implying that the agency would rather seek out clients rather than be inundated with people asking to be represented. As they are a big and well known agency they are able to do this but smaller agencies still ask for people to send in portfolios to evaluate. The site does have a contact page but it is intended for people to ask the agency to do a job for them.

Info and images taken from www.bigactive.com