Portfolio Presentation: Step Two

Portfolio Presentation: Step Two
As I told you, portfolios are ALWAYS in process! You should be continuously adding, tweaking, improving upon your portfolio-EVEN WHEN YOU HAVE A JOB!

It has been said, by the professionals, you should tailor your portfolio contents to fit the needs of each prospective employer and each job interview. This means that you must carefully research each firm in advance to determine what kind of editing might be necessary AND what types of jobs you desire. Those who desire to design logos, should have logos in their portfolio. Those designers who want to create publications, booklets, catalogs should have examples of these in their portfolio. You get where I am going with this, no?

This whole Portfolio Presentation Session is about:
1. seeing what you want to have in your portfolio
2. filling in the missing gaps between what you have and what you want.
3. deciding how you want to present your portfolio

So, we will be exploring ideas and designing NEW work.

To land a hands-on creative job, you must have an outstanding portfolio that demonstrates the quality of your thinking as well as your form-giving abilities. Most designers need two versions—a physical one that can be carried around and a website.

Please read thru this article from March/April 2006 issue of Step In Design on Portfolio Tips

Be thinking about your designs and we will continue to discuss possibilities and designing new work.

Portfolio Presentation: Step One

Portfolio Presentation Step One:
One of the first exercises I suggest, to those building their portfolios, is to see what is out there.

From Communication Arts Magazine’s online creative hotlist comes links to portfolios galore.

You can search by: location, category and experience.

Location
See what MA has in the way of talent. Then skip around and observe the differences [or similarities] in portfolios from designers on the West Coast, Midwest, South, Mountain Area, Canada and the International Listings.

Category
If you hunt via category you can select by category and industry. For example: Design in Education OR art/Creative Direction in Marketing/Communication. You get the picture of all the combinations. If you poke around and observe the portfolios out there, you can get an idea of what you might want to include in your portfolio and see how to present your work.

Experience
When you search by experience view the junior and senior levels to compare and contrast the differences in the types of pieces in these portfolios.

Take time to think about:
What is in each of these portfolios?
How the pieces are arranged?
How is the work presented?
What information about the artist AND about the work itself is included?

Consistency
Consistency in your presentation is important. Whatever method you choose to use in your portfolio is a personal choice, just BE CONSISTENT in how you are presenting.

RIA=Rich Internet Applications

For those interested in learning more about Rich Internet Applications RIAs, Sun Technologies is bringing a FREE seminar to Boston Sept. 11 and 12th. Follow the link, learn more! For those students moving onto the Web Design portion of this program, it seems to me, this would be a great launching point.

Photo Stamps: Real Postage, Really You

Photo Stamps: Real Postage, Really You. Offically authorized byt he US Postal Service. You can create your very own photo stamps. Just think of the designs you could put onto your stamps! In fact, you can even preview your own images on the stamp design. 20 customed designed stamps for just under $17.

Your Job: How Satisfied Are You?

Your Job: How Satisfied Are You? What do employees say are their top five 'very important' aspects of job satisfaction? How does this list differ from what employers predict and how might this difference contribute to employee dissatisfaction?

If you are ready to identify a more satisfying place to work, check out to latest Beantown Web article and follow the four-step JADE plan to increase job satisfaction:

1. Join a professional network
2. Attend networking functions
3. Develop your professional contacts
4. Enlist your network to help you find a more satisfying job

TED: Technology, Entertainment, Design

TED: Technology, Entertainment, Design These REALLY are ideas worth spreading. Join the membership, it is guarenteed to spark your imagination!

100 Years of Illustration

100 Years of Illustration! Just look at what this blog contains. I have also listed it in the column to the right. Excellent source.

New Typography Site

I Love Typography has just been linked to the right column. Have a peek at what ALL is happening at this site.

Propoganda 3: Political Posters

Propoganda 3: Political Posters, Traveling around the World, Opens in San Francisco 2007 then travels to Visual Collaborative, Center for Independent Artist, Minneapolis 2007 check them out Run the slide show and get some inspiration for your next poster designs.

Rhythm & Creative People

When you can, listen to this podcast #71 on Rhythms and creative people.
He talks about being:
1. Beware of just-in-time-creating-keeping your ideas ALL IDEAS in some record keeping system. He suggests: Devon Think for the Mac OR OR your trusty sketch/workbook.
2. Watch your energy level: do what you know is BEST not what is convenient
3. Beware of compulsions: everything from checking emails, over indulging etc. focus is the key

Illustration Links

I have added a link to illustrators. Tony Fitzpatrick has some amazing drawings/collages. Have a peek for inspiration.

T-Shirt Designs worth $2500

Submit an idea for a chance at fame, friends and twenty-five hundred dollars. That's $2,000 cash and a $500 gift certificate [or $200 in cash] & membership to the Alumni Club at Threadless. Plus, get paid $500 for each time your design gets printed!

Looking for Website design inspiration? Check out more than 30 recent
Interactive Media Awards winners at the latest issue of Beantown Web

Some Beautiful Photography

Check out the beautiful photography here @ Autoxiro I have also listed this under the Blogs, at the right column.

Phil's First Toscana Menu Design-in process

Those, in class, please tell Phil your thoughts. Others, please leave your critiques.

Gravure Printing

National Geographic magazine's features and much of it's contents are printed using the Gravure printing process. Gravure, sometimes referred to as Rotogravure, is an intaglio printing process. The image carrier has the image cut of etched below the surface of the non-image area. On the gravure image carrier [usually a copper cylinder-because copper can be reused and recycled], all the images are screened, creating thousands of tiny cells.

During printing, the image carrier is immersed in fluid ink. As the image carrier rotates, ink fills the tiny cells and covers the surface of the cylinder. Paper is brought into contact with the image carriers [with the help of an impression roller]. When the paper hits the image carrier, ink is drawn out of the cells onto the paper.

Dryers are usually used to dry each color as the paper goes through the printing process. You can read more about this process at the Gravure Association of America, Inc.

Collage Artists Take Note

Claudine Hellmuth creates hip art for playful hearts She will transform your photographs into personalized collages. And she's got an interesting blog

Don't Forget: Networking Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Just a quick reminder about Networking Night next Tuesday evening, the 14th, starting at 4:30 - we are expecting a big crowd. We have lots of great speakers lined up (check out the posters!) from all programs, a role play on how to network properly ---- involving the one, the only Jeremy Osborn!!! ----, a question/answer session on how to get your portfolio/demo reel noticed, and just good ol' networking among students and alums of all programs. Plus, we'll be getting pizza from Upper Crust - what's not to love?!?! It will be well worth the extra time.

Please pass the word on to your classmates/colleagues

National Geographic Design Editor Speaks

Ms. Beth Rakouskas

National Geographic Magazine was first published in 1888

Working with great images

Our students working hands-on with those fabulous photographs to design a Departments Spread


On Friday, August 10th we were extremely fortunate to have Ms. Beth Rakouskas come speak to us about design. Beth is a Design Editor for National Geographic Magazine. She works designing the Departments Sections you see in this iconic American publication. Beth also worked on the redesign of National Geographic and shared her stories of how the redesign worked and had students do a hands-on project working with those fabulous National Geographic images!

Beth spoke about the history of the magazine, how the redesign process occurred, how the magazine comes together: from concept to printing.

A few ideas Beth left us with: [not in any particular order]
Use design vocabulary: especially when defending your work
Be prepared to collaborate
Ask questions
Remember design is problem solving
Show you know what you are talking about
Show initiative
Remember details are important

I hope this little series of images spurs your mind to remember all of Beth’s wonderful stories and advice. Again, thank you to CDIA for bringing Beth to speak to us. To read more about National Geographic Magazine, have a peek at the online magazine.

Modern Alphabet Flashcards

Looking for a cool gift for the kids in your life?
Check out these Modern Alphabet Flashcards.

FT Summer 07- Some More Designs

Alyson: magazine advertisement


Shong: design




Jess: invitations






Julianna: poster designs


Christina: book jackets and possible poster designs


Khari: poster design

Native Files & Grippers

As our Ruth our Printer discussed with us today: most printers do NOT want just a pdf's. They prefer-along with the pdf- to get the native file the graphics, photos, images, and fonts files you have used in your design job.

Also, remember your gripper! Each printing press NEEDS a bit of space, at the edge of the paper, so the press can 'grip' the paper and pull it through the press. This area is unprintable and the margins maybe slightly different on different presses. 1/2" is common. Be sure to discuss these details with your printer BEFORE you begin your designs. It will save you time in the long run.

Information Map

Here's an information map

Field Trip to Allegra Printers of Waltham

Allegra Print & Imaging
is a franchise print shop here in Waltham. Peek at our tour of this full service shop. The mayor of Waltham, herself, came into the shop, while we were there, to drop off a print job!


Owner Ruth Cretella was a wonderful tour guide!


Laser Printer


The book guts


They printed the guts of this book on the laser printer


Discussion about laser printing vs ink printing


Inks


Adjusting the press


Back of the shop- 2 color press


Bindery


Guillotine Cutter


Local Watch Repair Sign: Christina you should be able to copy this for your files

Helvetica: one Hel of a Movie

Helvetica: A documentary film by Gary Hustwit. A feature-length independent film about typography, graphic design and global visual culture. Check the site for film showings and trailer clips

Gas Pump Graphics

Here’s a new twist on a Point of Purchase graphic.
Sponsored by Snickers candy bars, this graphic is there in front of the consumer as they pump gas. I interpret this as being a reminder to exercise as this diagram is indicating the muscles used in securing a child’s car seat.

What type of message would you like to see @ the gas pump?
What if this medium were digital?
What if you could interact with this type of point-of-purchase graphic?
How would that change your design?

What if your phone, pda, ipod or other hand-held device was able to interact with this medium? How would that change your experience @ the pump? And then, as a designer, what would you do to create the message for this medium?

FT Summer 07-Final Salsa Designs

Provocative logo designs for a new line of salsa!

Alyson


Shong



Phil


Michael




Julianna


Khari



Jess


Christina

FT Summer 07-Restaurant Logo Design

Phil is working on designs to build a logo for a restaurant. His plan is to then design menus, other collateral print materials and perhaps design the exterior of the restaurant itself [as a design approach]. Great beginning here!




Phil also has a blog Phil's Red Pepper Design. I will link it, in the right-hand column, under Blogs.

International Paper Company

The International Paper Company
This site is chock full of information on paper and the history of paper

Networking Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Just a quick reminder about Networking Night next Tuesday evening, the 14th, starting at 4:30 - we are expecting a big crowd. We have lots of great speakers lined up (check out the posters!) from all programs, a role play on how to network properly ---- involving the one, the only Jeremy Osborn!!! ----, a question/answer session on how to get your portfolio/demo reel noticed, and just good ol' networking among students and alums of all programs. Plus, we'll be getting pizza from Upper Crust - what's not to love?!?!

Please pass the word on to your classmates/colleagues -- hope to see
you all there!

The Future of Design

How Magazine's feature article on The Future of Design. Have a read to see what experts predict about: who you target audience will be? what your office will look like? which of your skills will be most valuable? why the medium won't matter but the message will? and what makes design timeless?

FT Summer 07 - Salsa Designs Rd One

Michael


Christina


Phillip




Jessica


Julianna

Final Designs PT Spring 07

Joan






Liz


Margarita




Vanessa


Eileen




Cecilia



Jen










Danielle




Carrie





Rachel