Building Portfolio... comments?

[Quirk]

Hello... hope it is OK for me to do this here..

but I am putting together my portfolio for our first review in two weeks. I'm going to post work in this thread that is going to potentially be in my portfolio and I would like suggestions and comments.

Keep in mind, I'm not all the way through my program yet, this is just the first one to get us ready for when we are going to have to build and present future portfolios for our internship and eventually for employment.

So.. here are the first few.. I've posted up a couple in the forum, but I figured I would consolidate. I'll have more throughout the week. Your comments are appreciated.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/emdurham/2101425272_9590893ab6.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/emdurham/2098238398_8b16e24b83.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/emdurham/2097460389_6589988550.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/emdurham/IMG_4034.jpghttp://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/emdurham/billboard2CMYK-1.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/emdurham/spreadsm.jpg

[Quirk]

I guess I should give a little discription of each, but I just got out of class and have to head home soon... I'll come back to this later.

[serial]

Where can I buy one of those voodoo-dolls =) Does the torture equipment come with it, any instructions on how to apply and connect it to the person you want to "voodoo". I can see a very funny webapplication for the voodoo-doll (for marketingpurpose), maybe for facebook "Voodoo a friend today".

I really like your work!

[budafist]

I like your work too. Shows a good range of stuff there!

[Quirk]

dang it! I just noticed how I accidently placed two of the images together and now the width of this thread is ridiculous.

aaaaah! the line lengths are making my ocd meter go way off the charts...!

I had a fun time making the voodoo doll.. I wanted to make a 'user manual' and have extra features, but I started to run out of time. It does of course come with the x-acto blade in the head! muahahahaha.

[budafist]

dang it! I just noticed how I accidently placed two of the images together and now the width of this thread is ridiculous.

Nothing is ridiculous from here. My browser must've resized it or something.

[Quirk]

My computer at home must be challenged, it doesn't do it here at studio either...

Here is another one, I have about twelve pieces and I am considering taking a couple out because I want the strongest portfolio possible... more to come soon. I have to have this together by next Friday, so I'll be posting more...

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/emdurham/5EMD_bellwood.jpg

The client requested a logotype that would that would reflect their church's new philosophy of "Know the Way, Go the Way, Show the Way." They were trying to reach out to young families and stir up curiosity and interest throughout the community.

The design needed to show the Church as having a renewed energy and as being intriguing and inviting while straying away from typical symbolism associated with religion. To express these concepts I used a typeface that was inviting, energetic, and modern but not too overpowering. The color choices were used to subtly reflect newness and growth in the Church.

(this is the 'brief' I will be including in my portfolio)

[Quirk]

Here are the other briefs I will include for the previous designs:

Digital Light: This design was to create a logotype for a professional photography magazine that would function freestanding and as a masthead.

To convey the message of a modern, professional photography magazine. I used geometric a sans serif typeface and utilized symbolism associated with digital photography.


Voodoo Doll: I needed to design a compelling, functional, and successful package design for this product that would stand out on the shelf.

To show this product is different, mysterious, and fun. I incorporated unique materials and utilized type and color to reflect this concept.


In the Style of Hokusai: To create a mock magazine spread, I researched the Asian artist, Hokusia, and recreated one of his paintings on my model. I also designed the page to reflect Hokusia's style by simulating materials, type, and other stylistic qualities similar to what is typically found in his work.



I plan on having a previous english teacher edit these, but if you have any suggestions, they would be appreciated!

[budafist]

8 words in a logo? Goodness that's hard to work with. It look's like a story more than a logo.

[Quirk]

8 words in a logo? Goodness that's hard to work with. It look's like a story more than a logo.

Yeah! I know... that's what I was required to work with though...

[Ned]

Hehe... The first thing I thought of when I saw "The Way" logo, especially with that color, was this...
http://www.canadiandesignresource.ca/officialgallery/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/Bay%20logo%20Eng.jpg

I love your portfolio though... Everything looks very polished. Wonderful work.

[garricks]

Cool stuff, Quirk. I'd like to order a gross of those voodoo dolls, too. To use on my clients. :p

[tZ]

Quirk wrote

Yeah! I know... that's what I was required to work with though...


In a portfolio its especially important to consider how others will interpret your work. Thats not to say a particular piece is bad but based on the other work I would recommend not including the "the way" logo. It might have been a great solution based on what you had to work with but in the eyes of someone who is just skimming your work I think it incriminates more then it aids.

[Quirk]

Quirk wrote


In a portfolio its especially important to consider how others will interpret your work. Thats not to say a particular piece is bad but based on the other work I would recommend not including the "the way" logo. It might have been a great solution based on what you had to work with but in the eyes of someone who is just skimming your work I think it incriminates more then it aids.

Good point. I should look to see if I have a better example of logo design. The thing that is nice about it though is that it is work outside of class.

[Quirk]

Here is an Alphabet Booklet I made that would demonstrate my photography skills, it also is supposed to show that "I can see things from a different point of view"... it was a class project. what do you think? too overused?

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/emdurham/bookStandGR.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/emdurham/abcOpenGR.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/emdurham/abcFrontGR.jpg

[Quirk]

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/emdurham/colorStandingCMYK.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/emdurham/colorOpenCMYK.jpg

This is a booklet of color studies. This actually turned out really good. It shows I have a good understanding of color, and all of the designs are nicely executed.

[Quirk]

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/emdurham/sagClosedCMYK.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/emdurham/sagClosedCMYKcl.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/emdurham/sagOpenCMYK.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/emdurham/sagOpenCMYKCl.jpg

Here is my last booklet. It is about the designer Sagmeister and is supposed to demonstrate his style. I included samples of his work and an interview with him and used his style to compile this booklet. I should have taken images of the inside, but I'll have all of these booklets in my portfolio for interviews.

[Quirk]

I'm scrapping the other logo (the Way) and putting this in for identity design instead. This is for a small local pharmacy in a conservative community. They wanted to look updated and professional, but not too over the top since the community isn't so acceptant to change.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/emdurham/7EMD_proBono.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/emdurham/barnasDrugS.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/emdurham/giftCertificate.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/emdurham/letterhead2.jpg

[Quirk]

here is an identity design for an upscale, urban, and contemporary Asian restaurant. It features "interactive lighting"

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/emdurham/P1010871CMYK.jpg

original building

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/emdurham/mainSign.jpg

after designed

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/emdurham/mainSignLights1.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/emdurham/mainSignLights2.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/emdurham/mainSignLights3.jpg

as one passes by, the lights react to where they are out.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/emdurham/vehicleSide.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/emdurham/vehicleFront.jpg

[Quirk]

So those are the ones I have chose to include (aside from the Way one).. If I get my personal identity done before monday, I will have that included. The order I have them in at this point is: wine bottle, barnas drug, voodoo doll, color booklet, alphabet booklet, digital light magazine cover, in the style of hokusia, sung dynasty, sagmeister booklet, breast cancer billoard...

any thoughts on what I have posted today are much appreciated.

[Quirk]

Here is my last booklet. It is about the designer Sagmeister and is supposed to demonstrate his style. I included samples of his work and an interview with him and used his style to compile this booklet. I should have taken images of the inside, but I'll have all of these booklets in my portfolio for interviews.

Also, this is copy heavy, so it will show my page layout and typography skills.

[reuber1]

Dumb question, but do you have a website that showcases all of this?

I've liked what I've seen thus far, though agree with TZ on 'the way' logo and I'd keep that out (not to say your solution for it wasn't effective).

[Quirk]

Dumb question, but do you have a website that showcases all of this?

I've liked what I've seen thus far, though agree with TZ on 'the way' logo and I'd keep that out (not to say your solution for it wasn't effective).

I'm taking a web design class now and I'll be building one soon, but for now it is just flickr or other methods..

I hope it's OK to post these all here. I know it is confusing and out of order, but I figured I would put it all in one thread instead of making several.

[Quirk]

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/emdurham/Untitled-1-4.jpg

Here is one more my instructor wants me to include. I didn't want to, because it screams student... but this is an actual CD cover I designed for an artist in Hollywood and these have national distribution.

Malea is a folk singer, and this is an electronica mix... so I attempted to unite the two...

[Irine]

Here is one more my instructor wants me to include. I didn't want to, because it screams student... but this is an actual CD cover I designed for an artist in Hollywood and these have national distribution.

Malea is a folk singer, and this is an electronica mix... so I attempted to unite the two...

Why do you think it "screams student?

How do you know if a work is? just out of curiosity

I think you succeeded more or less to combine the 2.

[Quirk]

Why do you think it "screams student?

How do you know if a work is? just out of curiosity

I think you succeeded more or less to combine the 2.

Usually in student portfolios there will be "unreal expectations of design"... like, CDs, T-Shirts, etc... things that won't realistically be what they will be designing when they get their first jobs.

From what I understand, employers want to see design that is practical and shows a wide range of abilities.

I'm not sure I understand the rest of your question...