hooray armadilloâ„¢

Today, as I do every Friday, Pinky, I am working with the Design and Production Department at the Labour Party’s HQ in London. It’s quite a different environment than any place in Parliament. I really like it, though. I’m getting to design a newspaper ad right now.

This is only my second Friday working here and already the people here are trusting me with quite a lot. It’s nice to be able to jump right in and get to work without having to spend a week or something watching over someone’s shoulder before they give you a tiny assignment to complete on your own. Designing in this environment is different than anything I’ve done before. There are strict guidelines for everything from what font is used, what color red is used (the color, or colour, of the Labour Party…yes, I know red is usually not good), what size certain elements have to be so they are “accessible” to all readers. After all, this is no different than than any other brand. They’re trying to sell something, too.

I tend to like this layout style, though. I like things to be consistent so anything that can help in that regard, to me, is a good thing. Things have to be approved by tons of different levels before they go out (the Prime Minister’s office being one of them). Having a system where lots of elements are already pre-defined helps to speed things up so things can get printed sooner. Yeah, it takes a little away from creativity, but I think it’s worth it. You can spend (waste) so much time picking a font or choosing the “right” color. Here it’s all done for you.

Tonight I’m meeting up with an old friend from back in the Nauf Chuck who is studying here in London. Should be fun as we will be near Piccadilly Circus. Which, while a shitty circus, is fun to say. I must look at the origin of some of the names of places here…they’re rather misleading. Covent Garden, Oxford Circus, London Eye (not an actual eye…what a rip off).

Finally. I’m writing on here. I didn’t know what form of blog I wanted this to be. A daily journal where I contemplate the minute details of life and try to be incredibly contemplative? A listing of all the stuff I’m doing? A place to be able to rant about whatever I want? Perhaps a mixture of all of these.

 

So, to begin. I’m working this semester in London at The Houses of Parliament (more specifically the House of Commons) with a Member of Parliament. He’s a former teacher of my mum’s (mom’s) from Scotland who has since become a Member. So that’s the connection…I know it doesn’t have much to do with my background in graphic communications. However, I am being able to use my skills at the Labour Party’s design department (for things like campaign materials, etc.) as well as for things related to my MP’s (I think it best he remain anonymous) own communication materials.

 

My office in London is in Portcullis House (named for the logo that is used for the Houses of Parliament…the one at the top of this post). The building is right next door to The Houses of Parliament (connected by a nice little underground passage), and, yes, Big Ben (it’s chiming right now, actually). It houses many of the MP’s offices as well as rooms for various meetings. Portcullis House is really modern (opened in 2001) and it is quite a big contrast to walk between here and Westminster. I have yet to take an official tour of the Parliamentary Estate, as it is known, but it is still crazy to think I’m working here!

 

Last night I attended an event celebrating the Year of the Ox. I went by myself because my MP had somewhere else he had to be. It was in The Banqueting Hall, used by King James I back in the day for royal receptions and other special events. Needless to say it was very very grand and once again I felt a little out of place! But I immediately acquired some complimentary wine and made for the servers with endless supplies of lamb sausages, vegetarian spring roll, and some kind of chicken and I soon felt no awkwardness about being a lowly Parliamentary intern among a bunch of trade ministers and banking types with connections to Hong Kong. I did meet a few people and got to talking with them about what I’m doing in London as I continued to sample the lamb sausages (with a mash potato dip…damn they were good). The event concluded with a Cantonese-style (so I was told by an accountant I met) dragon dance with authentic Chinese music playing. We were told the ox symbolizes a strong, resilient person, with a can-do attitude…just what we need during these economic conditions. Afterward I met a some other interns and we got to talking about these events we are able to go to and how best to try and relate to the people we meet there. Just as with working in Parliament these events are a little bit daunting at times, but the networking opportunities and ideas and options for the future they present are incredible. I’m looking forward to many more.

Then I took the bus (shout out to the 159 to Streatham!) home and missed my stop somehow (I was lost in a text message) but figured out how to get home all right.