OUGD602 - Portfolio Surgery

Today I had my portfolio surgery with Andy Lodge.

In preparation for this, I created an A3 portfolio, as well as the publication portfolio I had previous created. I took both of these along as it will be good to get feedback on them both and know which way is best to progress with.

A3 Portfolio

There is also a slightly less amount of work in the A3 portfolio, so I wanted to get an idea of how much work to include and what should be included for each project. The publication holds more of the client briefs that were completed, whereas the A3 portfolio is more focussed on my college briefs.

Feedback

The main comment that was made was that the amount of text on the A3 sheets was a bit limiting and more of an explanation should be given - much like what I had in the publication portfolio. It was said that instead of having large sections of text on the front page of each project, it could be broken down to smaller captions to be placed with specific images, explaining their purpose.

An example with the is the Domino's Pizza project. While the text on the front page is very explanatory of the project, when looking to the imagery of the mobile App, it isn't explained what it actually does and how it can be used, so a short caption beneath/above it would be useful to give more context and show more in depth thinking about the overall concept.

The second main comment made was that a couple of the images should be changed. These images should be as contextual as possible and show the concept working to the best it can. While zoomed in shots are popular and trendy, it doesn't necessarily aid the presentation of the project.

This comment is most relatable to the Air Jordan publication, where there are only three images, however these don't really show much. Top down shots would be more beneficial in showing the layout and design of the publication.

Another comment discussed at length was the projects included. It isn't a case of having a lack of work to put in the portfolio, more a case of deciding what to edit down and not to include while still showing a range of my working practice. A lot of the briefs in the portfolio are substantial, so it was discussed that I could potentially edit these down in the portfolio, but create some small booklets on the projects so that if someone wanted to know more, they could. This way it keeps the portfolio succinct, but allows me to fully show off the work to those interested in specific projects.

I thought that this was a really good idea because it means I can created booklets which are dedicated purely to one project instead of trying to fit all projects into one specific format and layout. It also means I can put the concept across clearly and fully explain a project, while keeping it small and readable.

Other comments discussed

• 30 Days - Create a GIF of these for the digital portfolio
• Type Principles - This should be a project taken along to interviews etc.
• Use of the categories in the top right corner is good. Shows what the projects are about.
• Layout of work is clean, simple and effective
• Houston typeface - only use if there is more done with it
• A page of the logo folio in the A3 portfolio could be good
• The Woodshop should be included in the A3 portfolio
• Perhaps Finding Vegan doesn't need to be there as there is a more in-depth App design in Fonte De Vita.
• Expand on Wheatless & More/change the imagery to something more contextualised
• Illustrative type needs to be presented differently/rethought.
• Projects should be spread out a bit more - content can look a bit condensed - each section to the project should have it's own page.
• Include more images to the 30 Days brief.
• Consider the audience & what projects should be included for specific individuals/studios

Overall I found this portfolio surgery to be very helpful and constructive. It was good to get a fresh set of eyes on it as someone who hasn't ever seen any of the work before. It gives a much more honest and clear opinion on how the portfolio is progressing.

Following this I will be implementing these changes and considering which projects I really want to show. I have only included a couple of projects from this year so far, and have a couple which are almost finished to be able to include. I need to make a plan of which projects will be included and which projects will be the ones making room for these.

Projects to include

• The Woodshop client brief - completed
• YCN Syfy - almost completed
• DBA - almost completed
• Fonte De Vita - tbc
• Collaboration - tbc
• Notam typeface extension - tbc

Projects to potentially take out

• Finding Vegan
• Houston Typeface
• Illustrative Typeface

Projects to improve

• Air Jordan Publication
• 30 Days
• NBA Exhibition
• Wheatless & More

OUGD602 - Studio: U606 Design Consultancy

Link

U606 Design Consultancy is a Barcelona based design duo. They work to simplistic and minimalist styles, creating sophisticated and professional outcomes for clients.

Work

Capricho

GEOAGE

Minimalist style work isn't usually something that I prefer, however I really like this approach as they make up for the minimal design in the execution and use of stock. Their presentation of work is also very clean and effective, which puts the work in a very professional light.

OUGD602 - Studio: Studio Mothership

Link

Studio Mothership is a Hampshire-based graphic design practice co-founded by Ken Borg and Lucy Sloss. They create a broad range of work that includes brand identities, design for print and publishing, marketing campaigns, websites, exhibition design, way-finding, and environmental graphics. Their clients vary from individuals and small businesses to institutions in the corporate, cultural and educational sectors. They believe in one common philosophy: to produce simple, intuitive and well-crafted design responses to help forward-thinking clients communicate with their audiences.

Work

UCA Degree Shows 2014

The Book is Alive!

Studio Strike

I really like the modernist inspired design aesthetic that Studio Mothership use across all of their work. I also really like that they use a wide range of colours and colour palettes for clients. These combined show a clear professionalism and well thought out responses that are individual to each client. The work is also very refined and well executed, with identities that work across a wide range of media.

OUGD602 - Manifesto Presentation

OUGD602 - Studio: Wide Eye Creative

Link

Wide Eyed Creative are a primarily Web design agency based in Washington DC, US. They also work in branding and strategy, with a number of large and high profile clients in US politics.

Work

The House Democrats

Coastal Conservation League

Transportation Trades Devision

It is very clear that this studio has a very specific market in the political world, with a large number of clients from this. However,  while the majority of the clients want the same thing, their websites and designs are individual and each have a different tone of voice. I like the overall aesthetic response that the studio has to its work, with clean and clear layouts with a balance of image and text to create contemporary and effective website designs.

OUGD602 - Studio: Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv

Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv is the brand design firm behind many of the world’s most recognizable trademarks. Since 1958, the firm has pioneered the modern movement of idea-driven graphic design across every discipline, specializing in brand identities, exhibitions, print and motion graphics, and art in architecture.

Website

I didn't realise how many world famous identities and projects that had been created by this agency until I looked on their website. I think the fact that an agency can have this kind of portfolio is pretty incredible and is definitely something to aspire to.

Portfolio

OUGD602 - Studio: Territory Studio

Link

Territory is an independent, creative agency established in London in 2010. Founded by three people whose combined skills and experience spans a broad range of media, industries and brands. Their in-house expertise across branding, motion and digital allows us to offer an integrated approach as brands increasingly demand cross-platform, through-the-line solutions that are adaptable and interchangeable to any given media.

Work

HitFilm

Guardians Of The Galaxy

Gallivant PR

I really love the amount of variation in work that Territory do. The way in which they integrate design, digital and motion graphics is very impressive and innovative, especially when it comes to the designs created for films such as Guardians Of The Galaxy, as shown above. It shows the true amount of work really put into detail for these films. There is a wide diversity is the styles and aesthetics created by the studio, each tailored specifically to the client, as clearly shown above with three very different examples of their work.

OUGD602 - Cargo Collective

Today I set up my own Cargo Collective website. This is because I decided that having my own website and domain name is something that I think will help me in moving forward as a creative professional and not just a student anymore. At this point I have had my Behance page for about a year now and have enjoyed using that.

Through Cargo, there is the option to purchase a domain name through a site they recommend. I definitely want my own domain name instead of it to be cargocollective/emilylodge. That doesn't scream professional.

Following the purchasing of my domain name, I began to customise my site. The good thing about Cargo is that there are a large amount of options in customisation, but it is still very easy to use. I went through a wide variety of styles before settling on the one I will be using.

At this point in time there is still a lot to do to complete the website and decide how I want to display the first page of the website. I haven't decided if I want the front page to be different, or for it to just link directly to the work page.

Link - emily-lodge.com

OUGD602 - Time Management: Calendar

After the success of using a calendar in the previous semester I decided once again to create another and use it as a visual guide for the rest of the year. This is definitely more useful this semester as it is busier than ever with OUGD603.

It follows the same format as the previous, with each project colour coded, as well as weekends and weeks away in grey.

Calendar