Success!
I have finished my PDF portfolio. Wait what is that? Did I really just say after months of indecision and constant angst about that thing-that-shall-not-be-named? Yep. And unbelievably I am really really satisfied with it. It’s everything I wanted it to be: clean, simple, and allows the work to be the main focus of each page.
The only downside is that as a .pdf it’s not the easiest to upload. So if you’re interested in seeing it have no fear…I’ll be converting it into images that I’ll be able to upload right here.
In the mean time, here’s a fun quote I found reading my favorite social media blog called “The Anti-Social Media”. Enjoy.
“Facebook, is the Wal-Mart of social media. It’s [a] 600 million member gorilla that can throw its weight around so much to affect the very nature how we use the web. Twitter is Target. It’s still huge, and there’s definitely crap in there, but there are also a lot of gems. MySpace is K-mart, struggling to hang in there and remain relevant in a land of big-box social networks that are too big for their own good.”
So here I went posting that I would blog the extended process of putting together my portfolio and have I yet to post?
Well you know the answer to that.
I may have possibly already designed and ditched over eight concepts for my portfolio and still have yet to finish one. And I’m starting to think, will I ever get it done? Especially now since the term ‘ever’ has to fit within the next two weeks, the pressure is on.
But I promise, I’ll keep you updated.
For now the above is a sneak peek at all my failed ideas that have come and gone. And really, that’s only the half I bothered to save after hours of work.
Above I’m playing with Instagram (an amazing FREE app) and my new iPhone cam as a way to avoid actually studying. Wait, what? I’m posting again and this is what I start with? Well, yes. Lately I’ve had a huge case of self doubt so no idea for a post sounded clever enough and I’ve been too busy drowning in vacillation in attempt to put together my portfolio.
BUT that led me to an idea: You, my few audience members, are going to follow me along as I try to put my portfolio together, send it out, and potentially hear back from what could be my future.
And if you’re looking at that picture and noticed, yes, those are worry bags under my eyes.
Sketch App
This makes me want to get an iPhone or iPad even more. I’ll just keep dreaming.
The not-your-ordinary-coupon-book is DONE! And I’m sure you can tell from the look on my face that I’m pretty stoked.
Dowling Duncan redesigns US Bank Notes
source: dowlingduncan.com
if only our currency was this awesome…id never use a credit card again
I’ve been loving these guys for two years now and thanks to Tumblr staff now I realize they have too joined the Tumblr world. Thanks staff!
Name Ra Ra Riot
Location Formed in Syracuse, NY / Currently touring
First Post July 2009Ra Ra Riot is an indie rock band from Syracuse, NY that fuses swooning strings and intricate, emotional vocals to create a unique sound. Formed way back in 2006, they got their start doing shows around the Syracuse University campus and eventually moved up to music festivals. Consisting of a vocalist, guitarist, bassist, cellist, violinist, and drummer, they quickly started to grab attention thanks to their energetic live performances and the well-orchestrated layers of their music. RRR use their blog to show fans glimpses into their daily lives and into life on the road as they tour the world. Their second full-length album, The Orchard, drops today.
Happily found: Flavorwire
I stumbled across this site and really liked their approach toward design, music, fashion, film or whatever else under the sun considered cultural that they can put up for critique. Some of it seems a bit frivolous (which doesn’t necessarily make a bad read!) while some of the posts are more solid (see:American Apparel Downfall). But never losing any personality or touches of dry sarcasm, I know this is a site that will keep bringing me back for more.
In addition, if you live in a metro area like I hope to post-graduation, the sister site Flavor Pill acts as a guide to all things cultural in those areas so you can always find a great show or at least something that’s free (yes, they have a free category for all of us who are broke).
So please, go get yourself some flavor will you?
This made me giggle a little. Thankfully all my clients have given me quite a bit of creative freedom. But I have a feeling that’ll change in the future.
Logo Lessons Learned: NASA
According to the history division of NASA’s website, the nostalgic “meatball” logo we all know and love isn’t quite loved from a designer or printer’s point of view.
“‘It’s a design nightmare,’ sighs Greg Patt, Graphics Manager for Lewis’ Publishing Services contractor, Cortez III. “It doesn’t print well on laser printers because of the gradations on the airfoil, and it can’t be used at less than 5/8 inch because the stars disappear and the type becomes illegible.”
It is hard to match the meatball’s blue background on color copiers, and the lettering and airfoil do not contrast enough on black & white copiers. Because of its dark blue background, two versions are used: the basic version is used against light backgrounds and that version surrounded by a thin white line is used against dark backgrounds. In addition, its round shape makes it difficult to artfully place type around or near it…”
-Written December 1, 1997
Steve Garber, NASA History Web Curator
http://history.nasa.gov/meatball.htm
Why then was the logo designed this way? Well according to the site, in 1959 James Modarelli created the logo to be used with the photographic process. And anyone who has tried this knows that you don’t bother with trying to print anything small, so designing for a small size didn’t occur to him.
Lessons learned from the NASA logo:
- Design with the ability to downsize and not lose elements (even in Illustrator those stars can get lost).
- If printing with Pantone ink, design with the Pantone color wheel in mind.
- Be aware of color differences with translating between CMYK and RGB.
- Round logos are slick and beautiful on their own but can create layout problems when put against other round or square elements on a site or in print.
I might make “Logo Lessons Learned” a series of posts about famous logos and what we can learn from them. What do you think?
