Portfolio critique

[CkretAjint]

Been working on my portfolio for quite some time now and am finally wrapping it up. I am getting pretty excited since I have put a lot of time into it (spend a long time branding it for myself) and look forward to showing it around to new potential employers. But as always I thought I would get input from my creative friends from around the world.

This all started in mid 2007, when I realized I haven't touched my portfolio since 2004! :eek: I had recently branded myself and wanted to continue my look and feel into my portfolio. That was my resume, business card and portfolio are all "me". I wrote lists, sketched out spider charts and drew sketches for everything. I finally came up with everything I wanted to include in the portfolio. Pretty much 2 of everything, both pages will be put into my portfolio to take to potential employers, but only 1 of each will be shown in my "samples" PDF to send out. This way I show up with new stuff for them to view/review.

Please take a look at a few of the pages. Let me know if there are any spelling issues, weird looking images, too much of something or even a page tht you hate all together. It's hard to show a book, or brochure that you can flip through so I do not have images of those to show. I also still need to add a poster, postcard and brochure to the portfolio.

Initial Portfolio idea:
It is a 12"x12" photo album that I can deisgn pages a place into my easy to travel portfolio. For items that one might like to flip through will be displayed as shown above. Flat page mock up on left, with a pocket on the right to pull the item out and flip through it. this way if you want to look at it and see how it folds you can. If not, just keep flipping.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2310/2383815294_b5160f874d_b.jpg

You can view my stationary kit a few images below to see how it all ties in together!

Sample pages:
The black border below, is just a mock up page border. It will not be print! I just included it for the look and feel of actual mounted pages within the book.

Logo Designs:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2305/2383804226_0b4d55ae76.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2305/2383804226_0b4d55ae76_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3037/2383804230_6cf73f09b1.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3037/2383804230_6cf73f09b1_b.jpg

Stationary Kit:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2069/2383830406_6485c0b920.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2069/2383830406_6485c0b920_b.jpg

[CkretAjint]

Digital Illustrations:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2007/2383804240_bb472a1a4b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2007/2383804240_bb472a1a4b_b.jpg

Photo Manipulation:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2238/2383804246_18875f46d1.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2238/2383804246_18875f46d1_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2195/2383804250_1cc320bdb0.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2195/2383804250_1cc320bdb0_b.jpg

Tshirt Deisgn:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2016/2383815290_1b088cd3d7.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2016/2383815290_1b088cd3d7_b.jpg

Plush Toy Design: (Better pictures of the actual toy are coming, these are just place holders to get the over all idea.)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2387/2383815286_cbde97319b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2387/2383815286_cbde97319b_b.jpg


Thanks in advance for your time looking and giving your input (good or bad)! ;) :D

[Mynock]

It's hard to know what you changed in that fireplace scene, but that's something to point out during an interview.

[CkretAjint]

It's hard to know what you changed in that fireplace scene, but that's something to point out during an interview.

Colors, lighting over all (esp in the back nook and fireplace), entire couch is a different color, deer head was dropped, items on coffee table has been altered/deleted...

[AbiJ]

wow, good work, looks pretty impressive. I agree with mynock about the photo manipulation, maybe an idea to add annotations in the white space on the right, like you have in the logo & illustraion pages

[balou]

Really nice work Ckret. The only thing I might suggest is replacing the Joy Deco logo with something stronger. Also, do you have a digital illustration that isn't a car? Might be a good idea to show something else in the mix. Good luck with your search!

[double A-ron]

Awesome work Thomas!

[CkretAjint]

The only thing I might suggest is replacing the Joy Deco logo with something stronger.

I agree. currently working on another one to replace it. :)

Also, do you have a digital illustration that isn't a car?

Yes I do, infact I have an entire page of other non-car illustrations. I just didn't post them cause the page isn't quite complete yet. That page is just all cars cause they fit so well together, and are quite a bit more detailed then my other illustrations.



Thanks for the kind words everyone! :D

[YNOT]

WOW! You're hired!!! I guess I've never really seen a lot of your work before! No clue you had done such kick-ass car illys!!

And your stationary...top-notch all the way!

Dude, you've got an awesome portfolio here...extremely well-organized and well thought out. Very 'simple' yet 'very' effective.

I seriously can't say enough good stuff about your work. I'd say you've certainly got a great future ahead of you and if the first place you show the portfolio to doesn't hire you, well then they're just lame!

Thanks for sharing this stuff...it's truly inspiring! Keep up the great work and best of luck to you with this!

[G-Man79]

your branding collateral is outstanding as well as the car illys. nice work!

[emucru]

You have a lot of interesting pieces. It is very well rounded and shows your versatility. I think you will get a great response.

[YNOT]

Also...your signature/logo is 'da'shit'! Probably I'm partial because it reminds me of mine but nevertheless it rocks!

[WannaBrie]

WOW! You're hired!!! I guess I've never really seen a lot of your work before! No clue you had done such kick-ass car illys!!

And your stationary...top-notch all the way!

Dude, you've got an awesome portfolio here...extremely well-organized and well thought out. Very 'simple' yet 'very' effective.

I seriously can't say enough good stuff about your work. I'd say you've certainly got a great future ahead of you and if the first place you show the portfolio to doesn't hire you, well then they're just lame!

Thanks for sharing this stuff...it's truly inspiring! Keep up the great work and best of luck to you with this!



^what he said. seriously. Great work ckret. :D

[odizzle]

amazing work! especially the car illustrations. just curious..how long have you been doing graphic design?

[CkretAjint]

Thanks for all the positive feedback everyone! It really means a lot. But I gotta be honest, I was hoping for people to give me somethings to improve upon! :p

just curious..how long have you been doing graphic design?
About 4 years (after college). :)

[YNOT]

...I was hoping for people to give me somethings to improve upon!

Well...when you're hot...you're hot! Maybe someone can find something for you to improve on...but to me you're 'spot-on'.

[budafist]

Nothing I can tell to improve on. Your body of work is outstanding.

[frankster]

It's very well put together. I think the first page of logo work is much stronger than the second, but the car illustrations and the stationery are outstanding and very well displayed. I'd consider making all the green title bars at the bottom of the pages the same length, because they very nearly are anyway and I'd also consider numbering your tshirt designs as you have with your illustrations and logos, because they are clearly not all for the same client.

I've heard people over and over on here say that it might not be such a good idea to brand yourself for an interview for a position at another company, but your branding is so classy that It would be a shame to forgo it and I'm not all that sure how much potencial employers would really frown on you having your own brand anyway. Is it really that much of a no no? I'd say anyone that has the ability to brand themselves is pretty darn good at thier job because branding yourself effectively is the toughest job.

[CkretAjint]

I had thought about keeping the bars equal length as well. But in my eyes (at the time) it looked wonky having varying amounts of green on either side of the text. So then I just shrunk the bar to have equal amounts of green space on either side of the copy. Anyone else have input on this?

I'd also consider numbering your tshirt designs as you have with your illustrations and logos, because they are clearly not all for the same client.

I can do that! :cool:

[frankster]

I'd keep the bars the same length and left or right align the text in them. That's probably personal taste though.

[odizzle]

the weakest thing i see is the joy deco logo, and it sounds like you already have a piece to replace that. i'm finding it difficult to see anything else that could be improved. your portfolio is leaps and bounds above mine!

[Silence04]

Excellent work Ckret!
You've really put this together well. Great layout, good descriptions for every piece, consistent branding! A hard cover custom portfolio like that always gives a stunning first impression. Great work all around, Really!

However, I feel that your portfolio is seriously lacking other mediums. It certainly shows your computer skills, aesthetics, and creativity, but i feel it doesn't show diversity. I know you said there are some other items that will be in your portfolio, but i would really like to see more artistic illustrations using pencil/color-pencil, acrylics or pen and ink. Even though these mediums have practically disappeared from this industry, it will really polish off your portfolio and allow you to shine above most applicants for a job. It doesn't even have to be great work, i just feel something like that should be there to prove yourself as a well rounded artist, imo. ;)

Maybe that's just how i've been taught, but i hire people based on things like that at my job and imagine other people still do as well.

[Optimusdinkus]

Yea a prelim notebook would cause this sucka to sizzle the eyes of the next art director to pieces, just in case they ask to see it btw. One thing though on the photo touch up, I see a dear head still, and they really do look the exact same.

[CkretAjint]

One thing though on the photo touch up, I see a dear head still, and they really do look the exact same.

Look at the space of it between the bottom of the neck and the fireplace mantle.

Yea a prelim notebook would cause this sucka to sizzle the eyes of the next art director to pieces, just in case they ask to see it btw.

I do have one that I bring along with me into the interview incase they ask to see it. I just didn't want any rough sketches in the portfolio itself. Especially since sketches and ideas flow like water... The sketch book also helps pass the time while you are waiting in the waiting room. ;)

[Tea]

I just found this because of the thread Mo mentioned you in. I'm so glad I didn't miss it after all. This is a reallly nice presentation and if you don't mind, I would love to share this with my students in next year's class. Very nice and very professional. Ckret!

[morea]

Ckret - how did you customize the portfolio case?

[CkretAjint]

Ckret - how did you customize the portfolio case?

Super simple actually! I bought an all white photo album, and I went to a vinyl cutting shope and had they cut my logo out of green vinyl. I gave them all the measurements and they cut it (along with the matching green interior covers). Then I just stuck it on! :)

[CkretAjint]

I would love to share this with my students in next year's class. Very nice and very professional. Ckret!

Tea, shoot me a PM or an email and we will talk!

[CkretAjint]

oops, wrong thread.

[Danger_Mouse]

Great stuff!

Only comment is I'd like to see more.

[CkretAjint]

Only comment is I'd like to see more.

Keep your eyes peeled then! As I finish up more pages I will make a mental note to post them up for all to view, including the ones that I have tweaked and changed since they didn't meet the QC standards! :D

[NTLemon]

I love your personal branding and stationary it's fantastic. Sorry I don't have anything critical to add but excellent work.

[sierng]

Well at the end of the day, all that matters is that you had a go. :rolleyes:

[CkretAjint]

Well at the end of the day, all that matters is that you had a go. :rolleyes:

huh?

[CkretAjint]

i know this is super old and the pictures are missing at this point. But I just wanted to make a quick note for others that look at this...

The green vinyl that covers the inside covers and has my logo on it on the front cover was only $25 to get cut and installed (I supplied the files ready to be cut for the guy). :)

[kayausa]

with all this oohing and ahhhing I would love to see it... why don't the pics show up on my computer?

[Samakimoto Graphics]

Awwww! I missed the show. :(

Should come on here more often.

[dazines]

nice work

[CkretAjint]

with all this oohing and ahhhing I would love to see it... why don't the pics show up on my computer?

They don't show up because I deleted the original pictures. Many of the pages had changes and were obsolete. You can view the updated pieces here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomasmaxson

I would update the main page, but I am not allowed to edit my post since the first 15 minutes have long come and gone... :)

[kayausa]

thanks for reoploading it... really, really nice work... I like your clean style... maybe you can help me with my portfolio?

[kayausa]

where did you get the binder?

[CkretAjint]

It's just a standard 12"x12" photo album from any office depot/arts and craft store. Cost like $15.

[CkretAjint]

thanks for reoploading it... really, really nice work... I like your clean style... maybe you can help me with my portfolio?

I'll be more than happy to critique it. Just post up samples of your pages here for all to view and I'll make a mental note to toss in my 2 cents.

[kayausa]

I'm thinking of printing it using blurb.com, they print it like a real book- but what I really like about yours is that you have the pockets for the real pieces.
here are some samples of my being worked on portfolio...