Portfolio Review #2

Today I had a portfolio with Kim Welch.  Currently, she is the Creative Designer at Kum & Go.  Kim has had many jobs since her graduation from Grandview, but she has learned many different skills and experiences.  I was very happy after reviewing my portfolio with Kim.  She said that my portfolio was strong and had great potential in the graphic design field.  The only big suggestion I received was to rearrange my portfolio, so that my pieces would work together to make the portfolio stronger.  Kim also help to provide job hunting resources for me, which I found to be very helpful!  I can't thank enough the help Kim has given me with my portfolio!

Project 1 Update

Website Design

After much deliberation, I have to create my website with wix.  I know a lot about website design, but I feel it wasn't meeting to it's full potential and time is of the essence.  Soon I will have the website up and running!

Portfolio Review #1

Tonight I had a portfolio review with Jeff Harrison from Innova Ideas & Services.  He is currently an art director for them, but has worked freelance as well.  I showed my presentation portfolio and explained the various projects.  After filling out my review sheet, he gave me some great advice.  One of the things he suggested was to add some logo variation within my portfolio.  That way the viewer can see how my process works and see how I arrived at a solution.  We also discussed freelance quotes.  He suggested that I do $65 per hour starting.  I think that it is a good place to start and I'm glad that he gave me an idea to start from.  Jeff has worked both corporate settings and agency settings.  This really helped me get an idea of what kind of jobs that I could apply for.  Overall, it was a great experience and I'm really grateful for his insight on my portfolio.

Project 1 Update

Website Design

I setup with fat cow web hosting in February.  I have now started the design process and hope to have it completed by next week.  The color scheme and typography will stay the same.  Here is a link to my sitemap: http://writemaps.com/sitemaps/shareMap/ex1ff94yj185275iaeavqekbonj641po9w5k3e5syp4mb6cni4.

Project 3 Update

Printer Tour

Garner

Today we went to the Printer Garner in Des Moines.  Since we were such a large group, we got divided into 3 groups.  I never realized exactly how big a printer can be and the process it goes through.  The printer was enormous!  Even though there is a progression towards digital printing, it was neat to see they still had letterpress.  I wish we had gotten a chance to try it out.  Along with the embossing and foiling accents.  One process that I was curious about was the bindery. Most of the booklets can be put through the machine, but other times people would be hired to put them together.  I was also surprised by the whole size of the entire printer building.  I have never seen one that big.  I hope to learn more about the entire process of the printer.

Project 3 Update

Chad Owen

Guest Speaker

Chad's presentation today was a breath of fresh air.  Unlike the other presentation he told us the good and the bad of Graphic Design.  I really appreciated that he didn't fluff anything and was very blunt.  He also gave some new advice that I hadn't thought of asking.

The biggest key was not to job search during the summer.  In the Graphic Design world, it can be the slowest time of the year and companies may not need that extra help.  In one of his job experiences at an Ad Agency, he said it was very hard to have connections with clients and people.  All you do is stay on the computer all day.  For him, this wasn't the ideal job.  Personally, I want to have interaction with people.  When he mentioned this, it gave me a red flag to be cautious of Ad agencies.

Chad also mentioned, that awards get you places.  Awards also look good on resumes to potential employers.

When interacting with clients, it is important to know when to stop trying to convince.  Chad tried presenting a spectacular idea for the company and they weren't convinced.  The company wanted something generic.  Once Chad had tried to convince 2-3 times, he stops.  This was helpful to know when working with employers.  Another suggestion by Chad was to have people pay up front.  Many times new companies will start up and then run out of money. Leaving the designers with nothing.  In the same aspect, best pieces that are designed may never fully happen.

Sometimes when these situation occur, designers can get disappointed or depressed.  Chad suggests to make up fun little projects to keep yourself motivated.  I think is was very important!  Designers will always have good and bad days, by continuing motivation, great pieces can still be produced.

Chad's presentation today was very helpful.  I thoroughly enjoyed the bluntness and sense of reality in his presentation. 

Project 3 Update

Antje Gray

Guest Speaker

Antje Gray is a design from Design Matters.  In her presentation today, she stressed the importance of connections with people and helpful advice that incorporates with Design Practicum.  Being a member of AIGA, Antje suggests that becoming a member is a great way to make connections.  If not AIGA then, ADAI is also another option.  Details, Details, Details!  Antje is very particular to details: making sure stationary and portfolio are consistent, website is key, and job researching before interviews.  A stationary system and portfolio must be consistent in order for the representation of yourself is successful.  Colors and style should fit together, but also be able to print in black and white.  Many employers don't always print everything in color.  For digital in pdf format, Antje suggested that the cover letter and resume should be a separate document from the portfolio pdf.  All of the documents should be 8.5x11.   The portfolio should have 3-5 great pieces to show off your work for the potential employer.  

Website is key! CD portfolios are out of style and just to click is more efficient. Plus, Antje says this will show off that you can build a website that is functional and impressive.

Research a job before an interview is very important.  If a potential employer ask how you can be a asset to their company, you should be able to describe how you would fit into their specific company.  Using key words that the company uses will help your resume and cover letter stand out from the rest. Contacting the company before showing your portfolio shows not only that you are organized, but you are respecting the companies time.  If you show up, don't always expect a person to drop everything to look at the portfolio. When doing the interview process, be assertive and show you want to be involved.  Presenting the portfolio to the employer shows off the communication skills and problem solving skills with the piece.  Antje suggests to describe the assignment and then say how you find the solution to the problem.  Everything must have a reason: color, font, and imagery.

Antje's presentation was well done like the presentation done by Andy Cusack.  Her stress on connections, presentation of yourself, and attention to detail has helped me to move forward in my design process for design practicum.