Giles' Digital Diary

Giles Collins from Mullion School:

I chose to do my work experience at Gendall Design because it’s the sort of thing that interests me and (without sounding like a stereotypical 15 year old nerd) I will happily do anything that involves a computer. The type of work that I was doing, web designing using Photoshop and HTML/CSS/JS, really intrigued me; and I think now that I have learned the basic skills it is definitely going to be something I continue to research and work on. My mind had previously been set on becoming a games designer and. although I'm still pretty certain I want to do that, this experience here has shown me how interesting web design is and I'm now considering taking a course to develop my skills and maybe, eventually, find a job at a great place like Gendall; (the game development still comes first though, sorry).

I had expected to be working independently and I had figured that everyone I was going to be working with would be super strict and pushy but the people that work at Gendall were all amazing and cool and really kind. I think it was this that made my time here go by so quick, they always helped me whenever I asked.

On the job I learned about how HTML, CSS, and JS work, I have learned all the basics; adding headers and paragraphs to a webpage using HTML and styling it all using CSS, using unordered and ordered lists, using classes and ids, and presenting it all by orienting and swapping  properties of entities. I can also manipulate a webpage using inspect element and make it say or do what I want it to (with a little trial and error) and change pictures, text and colours. My main assignment was to create an iPhone application for a big retailer and present it in a responsive website, for the iPhone app itself I used a template and Photoshop to edit the assets and change things to make it suitable for the client, I added the transitions and animations for this using Marvel Prototypes and put the embedded the app prototypes into the website I created using the embed option on the Marvel website.

So in conclusion I feel I've learned loads of useful skills that would be extremely helpful in my future if I pursue a career in web design, and I will take any opportunity to come back and see these amazing people, thanks for having me, I love you guys! 

We're Hiring

We are  looking for a self motivated, creative and strategic thinking Senior Designer to work with our team in Falmouth, Cornwall.

Brief role description

You will combine creativity with strategic thinking to deliver inspiring, engaging and effective print and digital design solutions across a wide range of integrated communications, for national and international brands.

What we need:

We are currently looking for a Senior Designer who understands a brand, and displays a craft and attention to detail to their work. You are able to apply your designs to all communications from the digital environment (website/mobile) to print and interpretation.

What you get:

To work on regional, national and international brands as part of a small but skilled creative team. Our clients vary from bespoke start-ups to recognised brands, clients include the National Trust, Eden Project, NHS, and The Duchy of Cornwall.

If you are considering moving to Cornwall you’ll need to understand this is not a retirement role, it’s a lifestyle change. However the work pace is as demanding as you would expect in the city.

To find out more or apply click here

Join Our Team

We are  looking for a self motivated, creative and enthusiastic Senior Digital Web Developer to work with our team in Falmouth, Cornwall. 

What we need:

You will be skilled in LAMP development and have a passion for upcoming web technologies. You will have proven HTML, PHP, CSS and Javascript experience, as well as excellent technical skills, with an eye for design and detail.

What you get:

To work on regional, national and international brands as part of a small but skilled creative team. Our clients vary from bespoke start-ups to recognised brands, clients include the National Trust, Eden Project, NHS, and The Duchy of Cornwall.

Our waterside studio is in Falmouth, one of Cornwall’s most eclectic destinations – a buzzing university town which boasts beaches, galleries and independent shops with a year round atmosphere. The studio is truly inspiring – you can see the sea from the window and go to the beach for lunch. Our team are a group of talented designers, developers and account handlers and we work sensible hours to ensure a good work / life balance.

If you are considering moving to Cornwall you’ll need to understand this is not a retirement role, it’s a lifestyle change. However the work pace is as demanding as you would expect in the city.

To find out more or apply click here

Flushing away poverty

We have just twinned our toilet!

Toilet Twinning has been running since 2008 and raised more than £2.3 million, twinning about 35,000 toilets in more than 40 countries. It provides people in the poorest communities with a decent toilet, clean water and all the information they need to stay healthy.

There are a number of contributions you can make by either twinning your toilet with an individual toilet or a school block. The donation is used by Tearfund to provide clean water, basic sanitation and hygiene education.

In return, our toilet now houses a personalised certificate, complete with a colour photo of its twin and GPS coordinates so we can keep an eye on it via Google Maps (Lattitude: 11.19123000, Longitude: 105.64234000, Beong RaiChoeng, Cambodia, Latrine No.5140).

For more information on how to twin your toilet visit www.toilettwinning.org

Starting out....

Our newest recruit, James Howe, takes us on a journey of starting out in the digital world...

Pressure, an overwhelming feeling of pressure!  Third year of University has come to an end and all eyes are focused on you. It’s been a turbulent run, and you’re not sure whether at the age of 23 you should be feeling quite so uneasy as to what lies ahead. “What’s next?” they all ask, ‘they’ being family, friends, neighbours, and friends of neighbours whose family show an unhealthy amount of interest in your chosen career path. Why wouldn’t they all be intrigued? Surely it’s big news, huge in fact, you’ve just got yourself a degree in Digital Media.

*silence*

It becomes all too clear that you’re on your own. Advice is scarce, opinions differ and the man from careers guidance suggests you do a summer course in CV writing. Not exactly the end goal you were aiming for way back when you were labouring over a lengthy UCAS form. But you compose yourself, strap in for the long haul of uncertainty and start putting the feelers out.

HTML, CSS, Javascript; this is your mantra, rinse and repeat.

Application after application, they all begin to blur into one with a glaringly common requirement: EXPERIENCE.

And so you try a different approach, the Internship.

Unfortunately it seems yet again you may be out of your depth. Enquiries go unanswered and the ones that reply do so commending enthusiasm but doubting skill level. It’s hard not to start doubting your own worth at that point. Reminded year after year that the course you have partaken on is self-taught/directed; you are bound to having courage in your convictions and continuously hoping that you’re heading down the right path.

But all it takes is for one opportunity along that path to fit better than most. For me that was finding Gendall Design. Understanding of my current skillset, and empathising with my want to learn, they kindly allowed me a place within their team. I am aware of my limits, but don’t wish to stay limited. Here at Gendall the environment allows you to flourish under a nurturing eye, and day-by-day that skillset grows:

PHP, SCSS, responsive design; the new mantra, rinse and repeat.