The dissertation proposal is a way of getting us to think ahead to what we chose to focus on in our third-year studies. It allows us to plan out everything from reasoning to sourcing. It makes us think ahead with sourcing and layout allowing for more focus on the content and quality of the work. It is a great opportunity to further my development as not only a designer and maker but also as a future business owner.
Through my tutorials a few key areas were highlighted for me to look at, these include:
>Furniture- this has been the focus of my recent work for the last couple of terms, I enjoy the exploration of materials and new processes. I had never focused on this area before my time on the artist designer maker degree; I have chosen this as my future career path from my experiences.
>Sustainability- a key problem for our generation and something that should be at the forefront of everyone's minds when stepping out into the design and enterprise world. It is something that can be applied to materials, energy supplies, and transporting.
>Circular economy- a great answer to the sustainability question. The idea is to repurpose what is available before sourcing new. In the sense of furniture this could relate to wood; using reclaimed floorboards and existing furniture before buying new planed wood.
>Scandi-modern design- the Scandi-modern furnishings and interiors work to a set of guidelines. These include natural finishing's and a lack of clutter. The movement is also a front runner in sustainable lifestyles making it a clear choice for inspiration.
As I start the proposal with an overview it gives me the opportunity to encapsulate and prioritise the ideas put forward in the initial form. The advice is that this is approximately 500 words. This should be ample to do a brief summary. I use the word brief as anything I use in this proposal will not be easily translatable to the actual dissertation. However, it allows further exploration and detailing at future points.
The background reading that is going to be included in the future dissertation features ranges from business guidance to style reporting and predictions. The understanding is that these choices will form a strong and well-informed proposal, leading to a successful communication of ideas. The proposal also makes you consider the implications of a resource choice as well as the merits it possesses and its relevance to any points or justifications. This deeper examination of sources will allow for a much more coherent thought process when it comes to constructing the dissertation.
The research plan provides more of a constructional view of the dissertation. It focuses on the individual components that will construct the CERP. For the base of this plan I looked to a model put forward by Amanda Genther a designer and online marketing strategist; her specific model that she has composed for creatives is as follows:
>Executive summary- she suggests that you start your plan with a one-page summary. This will include your mission, vision, and purpose. This will be a great opportunity to introduce yourself and ideas in a way that will be explained in detail throughout the rest of the plan.
>Target market- who are you trying to work for? Why do you want to work and produce for this audience? This will be a chance to explore the different views and interests of consumers, as well as budget work and sale points.
>Competitors- defining competitors is important in understanding pricing and production quality, whilst also making sure the anything produced is unique and stands out in the market. By looking at the different scales of companies, I can be informed on what will really make my business different to everything else that is out there. Genther summarises it as “their strengths+ weaknesses determine your competitive advantage- why are you different?”
>Human resources- what am I missing skillset wise? It is likely that I will need to employ people as the company grows, whether they be showroom or workshop based. I need to find people that compliment my skillset and can fill in in the areas that I am lacking
>Vendors/suppliers- as a furniture maker this is a rather key point to the business. I can't make the good quality furniture I want to without a decent supplier list there are suppliers that I have used in the past that I have had mixed experiences from, product wise and customer service wise. To have a stronger more comprehensive relationship with my suppliers I will need to research deeper into what they stand for and whether there are opportunities for shared believes.
>Marketing plan- what is the best and most effective way as a start-up business to get my products in front of my target consumer base? There are many shows and exhibitions for this exact thing and so I need to explore how to get involved with this environment. The other thing that I included in this idea is the world of social media and digital promotion.
>Operations- the day to day running of the business as well as the way in which customers are handled and their needs are met. How will I aspire to work as a company and make it adaptable for growth?
>Financial projections- as a start-up I will most likely need a grant or loan for initial funding. This will need to be figured out for a reasoned proposal. What will I need to to get materials and equipment, workspace, and any bills this may include? To do this I will need to think about the profitability of the business. This is a great way to conclude the plan as all aspects of the business will determine this.
Genther, A., 2012. Designing A Business Plan for Your Creative Business - Amanda Genther. [online] Amanda Genther. Available at: <https://amandagenther.com/designing-a-business-plan-for-your-creative-business/> [Accessed 21 April 2020].
This is a strong base for the body of the essay. I will also look to the work of Alison Brangan, the Princes Trust, as well as other influencers from the field.
