First Steps in Getting Your Portfolio Ready

Feel free to email me content, questions... (you will hand this in on the first day of Portfolio class) ** for most of you I have your KU.edu email address if you prefer me to send you info to another one please email me.

GATHER, ORGANIZE, and WRITE
-- 3 ring binder
-- put your name on the first page inside
-- resume, type up all the information (don't need to design it. here is a link with an outline of the content.) feel free to email me content if you want me to read it over
-- your "personality" test in the binder (if you have never taken a personality test take one here is a link but feel free use any personality test. Will help you with your strength and weakness question, writing cover letters, etc.)

Write a word list/statement list 7 – 15 things under each of these topics:
-- my personality is...
-- my personality is not...
-- i enjoy working on projects that are...
-- i don't enjoy projects that are...
-- i like to work in this manner... the design process part that you like... and don't like
-- my work as it relates to the field of graphic design (what you have done or want to do)...

-- make an associated word list about your self (don't edit come up with at least 50)
-- key words which keywords fit you best? least?
-- any quotes by designers, typographers, ... that you associate with? 

Thinking about after graduation...
-- I want to live (name the city) or cities
-- I want to work for ___ type of firm or name of firms if you know
-- Ideal projects you would like to work on (this still may change many times before MAY)

Find ALL of your projects (including type and concepts) and organize them into one Portfolio Class folder on your computer or hard drive.

For EVERY PROJECT
Create a tiff or psd of one image (final image or an image from process). You need an image for every project. Find/ Write for each project: project name, class name, instructor, year (soph, jr, sr), project description or objectives, your concept or how you solved the problem...

All of the above is not designed just organized. Have each project on one 8.5 x 11 page.
on that page should be...
1) image of the project
2) name of the project
3) class name
4) instructor
5) year (soph, jr, sr)

Read Strategy Metaphor (next entry below before you answer the next 3.
6) project description/objectives (this takes time, take it and write them well you may use them on your website, portfolio, leave behind... do not tell me that i am looking at a website... something about the project; concept, idea, audience, challenge...solution...
7) concept/solution
8) anything else: audience, tone/style, color palette, fonts used, etc.

All the above can help when you are putting your final portfolio together, write the content in a professional tone.

ALSO
take all your images and print them out, black and white. small 2 inches or so. just thumbnail size images. one image for every project including type and concepts. trim them out an bring them in an envelope. 

FINALLY
When looking through your projects which one do you want or you think you must redo! could be just fixing it, or completely starting over. Or what type of project do you think you are missing in your book (your portfolio)? Take one project and redo it over the summer. Please let Jeremy or I crit you over the summer to make sure it is getting better. Do no think you need to redo every project. JUST choose ONE.

Senior Show Event Space

http://bergeventspace.com/

these spaces looks nice.

http://www.kansascityeventspace.com/about.htm

brands move

Channel 4 Branding 2010 from ruddstudio on Vimeo.

How do you build a chocolate brand? from Edenspiekermann on Vimeo.

visit the site

Committees for the May Event

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COST (raising funds): 

How can you raise funds need a small group to organize but ALL of you will be called on to help out. What are you going to do, make, how, where, organize everything tell people what they need to do.

Team (4 - 6): Addie, Jamie, Alyissa Megan, Sara

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Visual Language look and feel, design direction and standards

Design and produces all the printed artifacts (poster, postcard, name tags, signage, space graphics...) and oversees the look and feel of the website and motion to make sure the branding is consistent.

Poster / Postcards printed and ready to send out by Spring Break.

Design Team (4 - 6):
Michael, Brian, Jordan, Cat: Visual Language.
Lauren, Chris, Maryann: Print applications (working with VL team)

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WEBSITE: A small team will work on a web site for the show. Time and place, and a links to portfolios online. What ALL of you will need to supply for the web site will be determined soon, most likely a postcard design, an image of your work and a link to your web site MORE information will come soon from the web team.

Completed by Spring Break. 

Team (2 - 3): Jaclyn, Alexandra, Sarah (work with VL team)

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MOTION: A small team all motion materials for the show. Intro to the show, motion at the show, showcase the motion you have done... 

Intro motion completed by end of Feb.
Motion reel (by senior show: full length motion pieces strung together in a loop)

Team (2 - 3): Gavin, Jovan, Tristan (work with VL team)

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BLOG: Each student showcased. Each Monday someone else showcased.

Design look and feel and determine content. Everyone answers the same 3 -5 questions?

I can do it but will need help from the VL team

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SPACE
Costs. Present to the group. Organization, computers, lighting, power cords.

Continue the discussion pros/cons.

Need to have a space by Jan.

Team (3 - 4): Josey, Lindsey, Dani, Carly, (Michael)

* bringing your own computer? you need to bring an extension cord.

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MAILING LIST

Need a small group of you to go through the mailing list and email list and update addresses. Present list to the group for additions.

Complete by Spring Break

Volunteers (2-3): Melissa, Alyissa, Jamie (meet with me as a group and we can get started)

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Hand deliver
(3) Willloughby, (2) BR, (3)VML, (1) Callahan Creek, (5) Hallmark, (1) AIGA office, (1) Vahalla, (3) BarkleyBlacktop, (2) Arch 360, (1) Populous, (3) VML ....

PAPER SCHOOL

FRIDAY Nov 5 from 1 - 3pm in 321 we are having PAPER SCHOOL.

Don Clampitt from Clampitt paper comes from Dallas and teaches you the ins and outs of paper. It is a great little session to learn about papers that you will be using as a professional, he teaches you the basics, gives out lots of cool paper samples. And paper school can go on your resume.

check out the website.
http://www.clampitt.com/
http://www.clampitt.com/default.asp?NodeId=30

IF you have already signed up then you do not have to email me but if you haven't signed up please let me know if you plan to attend.

Behance.net

In portfolio class you will be required to have a behance.net website. EVEN if you have your own you will be required to have a behance page, it is tied to AIGA, easily found on blogs, etc. Please put University of Kansas in your tags.

Behance is free you need to click sign up and request for an invitation. Get at least one project online. GET THIS DONE NOW, at least one project up.

i am not an artist

link

InfoGraphic resources

http://www.behance.net/gallery/Digital-Nostalgia/236395
http://www.coolinfographics.com/
http://www.toby-ng.com/graphic-design/the-world-of-100/
http://similardiversity.net/project/
http://visualisationmagazine.com/100datavis.htm
http://www.mattkursmark.com/print-infographics.php
http://wilfredcastillo.com/

zoo rebrand

san_diego_zoo_gets_funky

May Event (May 12, 2011)

Wed, Oct 20

You will be concepting, brainstorming, exploring ideas for a May event where professionals will come and look at your work (your book -- book = portfolio). Think of this as an event. Professional will be invited. You will need to work individually and in groups to define the message, look and feel, and deliverables.

Your audience is DESIGNERS who will hire you! Do not forget that. This is not about you, not look at me i am so cool i am done with graphics. Designing for designers is both a blessing and a curse!

The May event is comprised of both Graphic and Illustration seniors.

1) what is the idea?

2) that is it called? what is the message?

3) how will you get the message out: email? postcards? posters? website? motion (animation announcing the event? your work, we can have 3+ monitors in the space)

4) swag? will you have swag? pins, bag, give aways, booklets?

The cost for participating is $75 dollars a piece (per student). That covers the cost of the space, food, drinks, tips, tables, table cloths, and a $500 for printing and mailing (costs about $250 to mail). You will have to figure out how to pay for the sway if you start now you could get some donations/ sponsors.

Instead of thinking about a senior design show think design conference, design experience, design exhibition. Think "cool" and out of the box, you can be abstract, KEEP your thinking fluid, nothing out at during brainstorming


http://www.viavide.com/winterexperiences/

fyi past shows...

-- KCAI website, motion
-- JCCC website
-- KU website

-- http://www.freshsqueezeddesign.net/
-- http://openwatercdes.com/
-- http://www.psu2010seniorshow.com/
-- http://www.lovewhatyoudopsu.com/ 

HOMEWORK:
least 50 ideas written down, research, etc. Identify ideas/concepts that can be refined into design directions

join aiga

join behance.net (get at least one project up, please TAG university of kansas)

apply for graduation 

Monday, Oct 25

Present research and at least 50 ideas written down, research, etc. Identify ideas/concepts that can be refined into design directions. 

homework: Choose at least x directions to build out for Wed. What are the deliverables you are thinking for your direction -- show them. Show us what you are thinking -- we are visual people.

Wednesday, Oct 27

Present ideas to the large group. Discuss. Which X can be further explored?

homework: Everyone explore the ideas to push how far they can go. Even though we don't have money for this -- yet -- expand your concept/designs to at least a postcard, poster, bag, pin(s), name tags (for guests, for you), website main page.

Monday,  Nov 1          

(all meet at 11:30?) Present in small groups. Refine ideas for a vote on Wed.

Wednesday, Nov 3          

As a large group you choose (vote) which direction. And identify who is responsible for each deliverable.

Brainstorming...First Day

May Event...

Will work for____.
Ready (Ready or not here we come)
Hide and SEEK (seek)
Legit
Cohesive
Hot off the ___
Versatile
Brand new
Fresh
I am your type...

build out, expand on as many ideas or one idea.
we need to SEE what you are thinking.
don't tell us lets SEE it.
NEED more for monday.

Get Email address

Get a hotmail or gmail or whatever email address. YOURNAME no cute names for your professional correspondence.

Inspiration

Community Illustration Idea:

http://www.zenvironments.com/sketch/

http://www.behance.net/gallery/Cut-N-Paste-Crew/106774

Infographic

http://www.griplimited.com/

I posted some inspiration images

http://alyissaj.blogspot.com/

EvryThng Logo animation from Aaron Trinder Film:Motion:Music on Vimeo.

Desk - Music and Sound Design from Aaron Trinder Film:Motion:Music on Vimeo.

Apply for Graduation

If you are planning to graduate in Fall 2010 you need to go to your Enroll & Pay accounts and apply for graduation before march 1st. This is the on-line deadline to apply for Fall 2010 graduation. Please make sure you take care of this. Many seniors didn't do this last  year and there are many unhappy people so do it now.

JOIN AIGA

AIGA is committed to increasing student involvement in the design community. To make membership even more accessible to students, for six weeks only, full-time students can join or renew online for just $50.

This national student membership drive mid-September thru October 31. To JOIN go to http://my.aiga.org/

It is very important that you are included in the KU AIGA student group so once you have signed up please email me (herstow@ku.edu) your name, email address (that you used to sign up) and your zip code.

WHY JOIN?
Mentorship opportunities (get a mentor / be a mentor)
Network with professionals
Access to to AIGA online membership directory (listing all 15,000 members across the country).
Design Job Search only AIGA members can view complete job listings at AIGA Design Jobs.
Member Gallery, online portfolio gallery (a place to showcase your work) connect with employers and recruiters.
Discounts: student discounted pricing on local, regional and national events, lectures, conferences and competitions.

...

Money Money Money - "Gettin' Money With a Mouse and a Wacom Pen (Fuck Comic Sans Fuck Papyrus, Too)" from Brad Chmielewski on Vimeo.

A Design Thinker’s Personality Profile

Contrary to popular opinion, you don’t need weird shoes or a black turtleneck to be a design thinker. Nor are design thinkers necessarily created only by design schools, even though most professionals have had some kind of design training. My experience is that many people outside professional design have a natural aptitude for design thinking, which the right development and experiences can unlock.

Here, as a starting point,are some of the characteristics to look for in design thinkers:

Empathy.
They can imagine the world from multiple perspectives—those of colleagues, clients, end users, and customers (current and prospective). By taking a “people first” approach, design thinkers can imagine solutions that are inherently desirable and meet explicit or latent needs. Great design thinkers observe the world in minute detail. They notice things that others do not and use their insights to inspire innovation.

Integrative thinking.
They not only rely on analytical processes (those that produce either/ or choices) but also exhibit the ability to see all of the salient—and sometimes contradictory— aspects of a confounding problem and create novel solutions that go beyond and dramatically improve on existing alternatives. (See Roger Martin’s The Opposable Mind: How Successful Leaders Win Through Integrative Thinking.)

Optimism.
They assume that no matter how challenging the constraints of a given problem, at least one potential solution is better than the existing alternatives.

Experimentalism.
Significant innovations don’t come from incremental tweaks. Design thinkers pose questions and explore constraints in creative ways that proceed in entirely new directions.

Collaboration.
The increasing complexity of products, services, and experiences has replaced the myth of the lone creative genius with the reality of the enthusiastic interdisciplinary collaborator. The best design thinkers don’t simply work alongside other disciplines; many of them have significant experience in more than one. At IDEO we employ people who are engineers and marketers, anthropologists and industrial designers, architects and psychologists.

–– excerpt from Harvard Business Review, Design Thinking, Tim Brown

Strategy Metaphor

This is from Bob Basow (campaigns class in Journalism). Copy and paste this somewhere for you to reference in the future.

GOAL: an ongoing purpose (or "why") that is not likely to change over time. For example, my goal is "to live a long a healthy life." (Some corporations have goals that are painfully simple -- FedEx's goal is "Get it there." For an example of a really obscure goal, take a look at KU's Mission Statement. It makes you wonder what we really do here -- besides pat ourselves on the back.)

OBJECTIVE: a specific and measureable result -- in other words, a statement of "what." For example, my objective might be "to lose 20 pounds by June 1." Because it's specific and measureable, I can keep track of how I'm doing -- a weight loss averaging one pound per week is easy to track. (It doesn't hurt that the objective is realistic, although "reasonableness" is not a requirement.)

STRATEGY: a statement of "how" -- the means by which I will pursue the objective. For example, there are really only two strategies for losing weight: "exercise more" and "eat less."

TACTICS: the specific steps taken to implement a strategy. The key is that a tactic is neither good nor bad -- it is either "on strategy" or "off strategy." For example, when I go to the gym and pack a veggie lunch in a plastic bag, I am staying on strategy. But if I choose, after my workout, to go by the Dairy Queen for a Blizzard and then go home and take a nap, that is "off strategy." Granted, there's nothing wrong with Blizzards and naps -- both are wonderful things, of course! But because they are off-strategy, they aren't helping me reach my objective.

Colours in Culture

Keep this handy for your reference. It will come in handy many times in your life...

nifty trick with behance.net

the default on behance is...
http://www.behance.net/jjpaige

when you are emailing your link add /frame to the end and it will look like this...
http://www.behance.net/jjpaige/frame

and even further if you want them to see all /viewall
http://www.behance.net/jjpaige/frame/viewall

twitterers and tweeters

how to brand you twitter space.

more infor graphics for the info lover...

for those of you who like them and like to keep resources...
link: 30-examples-of-creative-infograpy