Week 11: Preparing final draft and other things.

I finished writing my essay draft. I needed to ask a few more questions to Bunmi but unfortunately, I could not get the answers. So I reviewed the presentation and her website to look for hint of the answers. I prepared a front page, bibliography, images and page number. I can submit immediately after I got back my draft check.
Through this module, I learnt what creative industries are and how they work together and growing in the UK. Also I researched how much fashion industry effects among them and their problem and challenge for global business. These knowledge will become very useful in a few years. In addition, I enjoyed researching for my essay. 'Cite them right' was very useful and I get use to use Harvard reference system. On the other hand, I found I need to practise English more. Overall, I like this module.

Week 10: My second draft

I showed my second draft to my tutor because my first one which submitted last week was too far from a proper essay style. But this time, I tried to write 2100 words.
The contents are about what king of organizations support global SMEs and barrier to the other countries. The structure is an introduction, 4 issues, 1 case study and conclusion.
Through writing this essay, I found interested in these things. The UK is seemed to have many supports to SMEs both government and other organizations. However, almost all sources say that small fashion companies are very hard to get financial supports because of the uncertain business character.  I will research same thing for my country during Christmas holiday because it will help my future.

Useful report:

Neri, K. (2008)The UK Designer Fashion Economy Value relationships – identifying barriers and creating opportunities for business growth [Online]

Available at: http://www.nesta.org.uk/library/documents/UK-Designer-Fashion-Economy.pdf

Week 9: Bunmi Koko's presentation

Because of my Sika's interview problem, I changed my target to Bunmi Koko. It was lucky that she had not done her presentation yet. So I took movie and some photos of it to reviewing.

Overall, the presentation was perfect for writing a case study. She showed us exact information which we needed to include. Start from brief her background, achievements, then her company structure and strategy, SWOT analysis and a little about her future plans. So I could start thinking my case study immediately after that.

From the presentation, I found her great success is supported by her husband who is her company's CEO, and connection people to advertisement and endorsement. One more thing is that financial management is very severe in these days for fashion brands.  

Bunmi Koko Official site:
http://bunmikoko.com/front/index

Week 8: Interview to Sika Designs

Sika Designs is one of the young fashion entrepreneur and it is very suit for my case study. I went to her boutique, where is at Greenwich market, if she is there and ask interview. At that time, only a shop keeper who is the designer's cousin was there and we could chat about some useful information for my essay.

However, because the designer was not there and she was extremely busy, the shop keeper suggested me to send email to her. I sent immediately after I came back to my house, but unfortunately my questions were refused because many students are asking interview to her recently. Anyway, at least I can use the cousin's information to put some parts of my essay., not as a case study, so it was not waste of time, I hope.

Inside of the shop, there are many magazines which have Sika designs pages. The shop was small but perfect size as a small fashion boutique.

Sika Designs official page: http://www.sikadesigns.co.uk/

Week 7: Considering my theme

I almost spent my time for reading this week because I was not sure what kind of information actually suit for my theme which is about an emerge fashion designer aims to be an international brand. In another words, a new designer means an entrepreneur and small firm, international brand means exportation and global business. I researched those key words instead of simply using "emerge fashion designer" because it was very hard to find out good sources.
Through reading British Fashion Council report 2010, I could find out some relevant organizations and their reports. Thus I am reading those and summarize some parts which may useful for my essay.

Lester, L. R. Brynn, D. Kevin, I. Mariarosa, L. (2009) Top Barriers and Drivers to SME Internationalization [Online].

Available at: http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/16/26/43357832.pdf

Week 6: Prepare for writing my essay

-What is a case study?

It is important to prepare everything before start writing an essay. At the very beginning, I need to know what is a good case study. I tried reading some examples for fashion but I was not sure how it should be. Then I searched more direct information. In an article about how to write a case study, the writer (No data, p.1) says "A case study is a puzzle that has to be solved." and "Writing an interesting case study is a bit like writing a detective story." That is good news because I love reading mystery.

Then I started writing my essay plan which including questions for the designer.

I uploaded it and the link is below.

My essay plan:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1opm7frAxgHj4PVdtHmQqMi7fzUaA07OvXL9f441IuAQ/edit?hl=en_US

The next thing to do is that I need to make an appointment to meet  the designer as soon as possible. Luckily, their shop is in Greenwich and I hope she is there.

Sonny, N. and Ayantunji, G. (2011) 'Case Study 6: Davies & Sons -Savile Row Tailors' Entrepreneurship Marketing -Principles and practice of SME marketing-. Oxon: Routledge

How to write a case study: http://www.gttp.org/docs/HowToWriteAGoodCase.pdf

Week 5: Primary research -Field Trip-

-Here today Here tomorrow-
This is very sweet shop in Dalston. There were the 4 designers works and a small working space for them. Unfortunately, there were none of them when I visited. So I could not ask any questions but I could understand that they care about sustainable, ethical fashion. That is always a point for emerge designers. 

website: http://heretoday-heretomorrow.com/

-East of Eden-
On the same street, there is one interesting shop called East of Eden. The owner collecting vintage items and sellng over three years. I asked several questions but could not get satisfied answers. 

East of Eden: http://eastofedendalston.tumblr.com/

Angel by (C)R U me

-Other creative industries (Small business)  I found-
There were a few more interesting shops near Highbury&Islington. Especially, one of the furniture shop called Chest of drawers considers about their quality of material and eco. Here as well, we need to think an ethical way for our business.

Chest of drawers: http://www.chestofdrawers.co.uk/

Week 4: Library session

I chose question 3 for my essay because I am interested in opening own design house. I am going to focus on a new small brand which called SIKA designs. Because it is still small company, it was hard to find out their name on books and broadsheets. Unfortunately, the best source for latest news of small firms  comes from the Internet nowadays. There are a few examples of them which might be essentials.

Sika Designs official website: http://sikadesigns.co.uk/index.htm
Interview with phyllis Taylor for Sika designs by Ciaafrique: http://www.ciaafrique.com/2009/06/interview-with-phyllis-taylor-for-sika.html  

Vogue Italy: http://www.vogue.it/en/vogue-black/the-black-blog/2011/01/sika

However, it is good idea to use the other media to find out about running small business internationally.

-Jane, A. (2011) 201 Great Ideas for your Small Business. 3rd edn. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

This book contents many real experiences from small business entrepreneurs and how they could solve issues. Some of topics are about going global which will be helpful for my research.

-Simmons, G. A, Gillian, A. and Durkin, M. G. (2011) 'An exploration of small business Website optimization: Enablers, influencers and an assessment approach' To be published in International Small Business Journal

(Accessed: 12 October 2011)

This journal publishes 5~6 times annually. Journalists shows their study and facts about small business in the UK.

-Sonny, N. and Ayantunji, G. (2011) Entrepreneurship Marketing -Principles and practice of SME marketing-. Oxon: Routledge

This new text book tells more effective and practical strategy for SME (Small and medium sized enterprises) including international ambition. 

(I did not count references as in 160 words)

Week 3: Guest Talk -Andrew Calcutt-

-Guest Talk: Andrew Calcutt, Field Reader of Cultural Study & Creative Industry- 

Sum up, he talked how creativity and industry connected and they became a 'brand' for London through 300 years. 
Before the historic lecture starts, he suggested us to see a website which called 'The Sartorialist.com'. The small niche blog (but became famous) was suggestive example of creative industry now.
These days, most factories had gone to other low wage countries. UK used to have strong connection between creators and industries after the Industrial Revolution. However, the recession makes them separate and their business harder. Therefore, artists and designers have to seek their original way to survive, like the blog. The issue remained as a good starting point for my essay. 

Questions for Andrew:
1. Is the creative industry at risk of disappearing if its continue to outsource?
2.How do you think the Internet, social networking and online shopping has effected the creative industry?

gradvertising: http://gradver7ising.wordpress.com

Week 2: Creative Industries and uni students.

London is known as one of the hottest cultural cities. Art, film, play, dance, music, fashion and sub cultures fill everywhere.There are also packed with art subjects students.  How can they make a bridge between universities and companies? Are there any organizations which help them?

University of East London: http://youtu.be/iB7A_wCGPJg

University supports students in many ways.Then what do government and organizations help creative industries?

-dcms
This is an official website about supporting all aspects of culture related businesses from the Olympic game to gamble. 
They provide some interesting facts and figures. For example, they showed 'there were an estimated 182,100 businesses in the creative industries on the Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR) in 2010, this represents 8.7% of all companies on the IDBR' (dsms. http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/creative_industries/default.aspx#Creative)

 
-UK Creative Industries (Part of UK Trade & Investment)
This is more focused on creative industries. It is strong for helping business opportunities.

dcms: http://www.culture.gov.uk/

UK Creative Industries: https://www.creative-industries.co.uk/

What are the Creative Industries?

It was the first time I had heard the word. I am going to research about it through this module.

The below chart is our guesses what the creative industries are. Around fashion, most of creative industries connect to showing productions like media, digital technology and showcasing.

However, what is the general term of 'Creative industries'?

According to David (2007, p.12), the cultural industries (=creative industries) is 'the production of social meaning'. That includes all activities about media and performing arts which deal primarily with industrial production and circulation of texts. For example, broadcasting, film, the Internet industry, music, publishing, video and digital games, and advertising and marketing. He showed them as core cultural industries.

Richard (2000, p. vii) also defines it a decade ago. He says that creative industries are 'the product or service contains a substantial element of artistic or creative endeavor'.


Both two meanings are slightly different. However, at least they indicate that cultural activities form creative industries.

David, H. (2007) the Cultural Industries 2nd edn. London: SAGE Publications Ltd

Richard, E, C. (2000) Creative Industries. USA: Harvard Unversity Press