Here is a good article I found looking at what to do next after we graduate. It gives good advice about our inevitable job interviews in a very near future!!!
"Every May design students exit the great halls of their university with high expectations of the job market. Many find work within a month or two, becoming an employee of where they previously interned, or some through some other connections. Many others discover that competition is fierce and jobs may be few, many very talented individuals are turned down because of their inexperience or portfolio. When you go out to interview make sure that you and your work look their best. Here are some portfolio tips and tools I’ve used in my job hunt and have seen work for others.
There are several methods to show your work, whichever you choose, be sure to print and present with the best quality available to you. Do not let your craft abilities be your crutch, many art directors will be looking at your trimming and matting skills as much as your design ability. I suppose that’s why many job postings ask candidates that ‘pay attention to detail.’
Boards: This is the method we used in school, and some people prefer to use in their interview process. If you don’t mind the bulk of carrying around boards, then remember these few things when preparing your portfolio.
1. Maintain a uniform size and orientation on the boards. Choose something that is large enough to showcase the largest piece with enough margin, but also make sure the smallest pieces don’t become lost on the board. Make conscious choices on layout, if your showing a brochure, maybe have an open piece as well as the cover. Or show the front and back open, but overlapping one another.
2. Color. Choose a color that is subtle and enhances your work, rather than something that drowns it out. The most used color is black, since colors jump out the most from this background, but if you have pieces that are heavy with black print...consider a medium gray. I’d keep the color of the boards all uniform as well.
3. Carrying Case. Keep your board in immaculate shape, this is very important in presentation. Make sure you have a case, a professional one, that will not let the boards shift to much getting curved edges or water damage.
Boards are a good method if you want to keep your mounted pieces on a good firm backing that will not fold or easily break. The do get heavy though, especially when your using so many for a reasonable size portfolio of 10-14 pieces. They probably are the easiest for switching out pieces as well, but storage may also be a problem if you have limited space. I think boards might be better to show to a client rather than to a prospective job.
Book with Pages: This is my favorite method of presentation, I believe it is the most manageable and maintainable method of presentation. A book presents a few options as well, you can mount actual pieces of work or present photographed samples. Whole design sets can be shared on a spread as well, doubling your presentation space if needed. There are some things to consider when using a book as well.
1. Color – Most books come with black pages, as with boards…this will be your call. Be sure that anything you use is ‘acid free’ and archival quality so your prints don’t yellow too quickly.
2. Glare – Most books use clear plastic sheets to hold the pages. The clear plastic sheets do produce glare on pieces though, if you buy a book that uses punched boards you can mount directly on pages without using the plastic holder. I personally don’t mind the glare, but it could present problems.
When using a book, purchase something that will last you a good long time. Use a size suitable to hold your largest flat pieces with no problem. Consider photographing 3-d pieces and placing these on pages within the book. If you have two focuses in your portfolio, i.e. Illustration and Design, I would keep two separate books.
Design and Bound Book: If you want a more unique and creative portfolio you may design a personal book unique to your tastes. This could be something you layout like a scrapbook, a magazine, or a unique portfolio case. This is an exercise of your imagination.
Slides: An antiquated and unflattering method of making a portfolio, not really needed when we have computers and other means of file transfer. Color correction and photo retouching on slides simply isn’t an option.
CD: A digital version of your portfolio is a good method to leave something behind…or to send some of your work abroad for consideration. The method of delivery will be up to you, something as simple as PDF samples, or a little more complicated such as a self contained website or flash intro. Let the CD make an impression, if your sending the work to far off locations, try sending small post card samples, or design a self promotional kit to go with it. Having something physically printed with your work will make it more memorable. When using a digital medium also remember that you are not there to explain your work or answer questions, so be as informative as you can with descriptions of your work.
I hope these methods help you consider your portfolio carefully. The advice is given as guideposts to help find your own unique method of showcasing your work. As with any design project, consider the why behind each design decision…including your portfolio."
Thursday, 5 July 2007
Lexus TV campaign
Lexus launches a new TV campaign for its volume model, the IS, this month.
Targeted at a younger audience, the ad features dynamic driving imagery of the IS with the tagline, “Moves you in more ways than one”, to communicate the physical and emotional benefits of the uplifting driving experience offered by the IS.
Raindrops that come into contact with the IS are seen to change colour – a metaphor for the uplifting experience the driver has when driving the car.
The pan-European ad was directed by Daniel Barber and will run in the UK until mid July. TV is supported with print ads in motoring and lifestyle press as well as outdoor and radio in July and cinema – a first for Lexus – in August.
The new work for the IS is a beautiful expression of colour, movement and form.
I don't think they have seen a huge flaw in the idea. The coloured water looks like petrol. The way it changes colour and drips from the car, looks just like a oil leak. So the first impression I got was - that car is leaking a lot of petrol? Maybe the follow up posters will boast the good miles to the gallon?
Keep an eye out for the TV ad if you haven't already seen it. You will see what I mean.
Targeted at a younger audience, the ad features dynamic driving imagery of the IS with the tagline, “Moves you in more ways than one”, to communicate the physical and emotional benefits of the uplifting driving experience offered by the IS.
Raindrops that come into contact with the IS are seen to change colour – a metaphor for the uplifting experience the driver has when driving the car.
The pan-European ad was directed by Daniel Barber and will run in the UK until mid July. TV is supported with print ads in motoring and lifestyle press as well as outdoor and radio in July and cinema – a first for Lexus – in August.
The new work for the IS is a beautiful expression of colour, movement and form.
I don't think they have seen a huge flaw in the idea. The coloured water looks like petrol. The way it changes colour and drips from the car, looks just like a oil leak. So the first impression I got was - that car is leaking a lot of petrol? Maybe the follow up posters will boast the good miles to the gallon?
Keep an eye out for the TV ad if you haven't already seen it. You will see what I mean.
Wednesday, 20 June 2007
Will my luggage arrive?
Look at this campaign created by AdmCom within the Venice Airport for the Venice Casino. Great use of an alternative media space, however since they use a concept based on luck and fortuity, I wonder what's the real means: come and play at the Venice Casino or rather "Will I get my luggage"? Given a recent experience of airports, I'm kind of biased...
Guinness: Double vision
Specially-designed cans were distributed to pubs for use as part of an "enjoy responsibly" campaign.
I really like this idea. But if you didn't know it was a advertising campaign, you will feel pretty confused and will slow down your drinking as a result. Could be the way to tackle binge drinking? Make drinkers feel really drunk even when there not. When they leave the pubs/clubs they're actually sober. Would cut crime and violence down.
Britney ‘total nut job’ billboards come down
We all find it hard to look in the mirror sometimes.
You know - during those moments of self-loathing where you've said something really stupid to someone, or made a really embarrassing mistake in front of your work colleagues, or killed your third hooker of the day and forgot to burn off her fingerprints before you buried her.
Imagine, then, if someone took a picture of you in a less-than-dignified moment and used it for a witty advertising campaign. That'd be pretty bloody annoying, right? And you know what would make it even more annoying - if you were the vagina-flashing hitmaker behind Oops I Did It Again, that's what.
A Florida radio station has been in a spot of bother with young Britney Spears and her lawyers, mainly due to the fact that they used a big picture of her during her recent snarly shaved-head phase for comical effect on a bunch of billboards. Which actually quite worries hecklerspray: if the lawyers are cracking down on people who find Britney's insanity hilarious, then we're pretty much up shit creek without a paddle. Or canoe. Or water wings.
The billboards apparently featured:
… three identical pictures of Spears, apparently snarling, next to radio station WFLZ's logo and a picture of talk show host Todd Schnitt. Along the top of each picture run the logos: "Total nut jobs," "Shock Therapy" and "Certifiable."
Britney's law firm were immediately on the case, sending out a stern letter demanding the billboards be taken down:
"Clear Channel was already exposed to substantial liability for its offensive, unauthorized commercial exploitation of my client's photograph on the billboards. Once again, we demand the immediate removal of the billboards, confirmed by documentary evidence and verified under penalty of perjury."
… three identical pictures of Spears, apparently snarling, next to radio station WFLZ's logo and a picture of talk show host Todd Schnitt. Along the top of each picture run the logos: "Total nut jobs," "Shock Therapy" and "Certifiable."
Britney's law firm were immediately on the case, sending out a stern letter demanding the billboards be taken down:
"Clear Channel was already exposed to substantial liability for its offensive, unauthorized commercial exploitation of my client's photograph on the billboards. Once again, we demand the immediate removal of the billboards, confirmed by documentary evidence and verified under penalty of perjury."
A bit of a misfire all round, really. Except, of course, for Britney Spears herself, who can now no doubt cruise around in her open-top, safe in the knowledge that she'll never be confronted by a gigantic image of her own mad bald head, become foam-mouthed at this chilling reminder of her lurking insanity and end up convulsing in the freeway fast lane while screaming schoolbuses crash into each other trying to avoid her. Or something.
Monday, 18 June 2007
Disturbing adverts
I saw the latest Oasis advert the other day and it really disturbed me. Im not a big fan of clowns anyway, but this advert has stayed with me. I guess that means the advert has been successful in a way. Overall though I really wont be drinking any Oasis before bedtime.Try and think of some disturbing adverts that still make you kringe. I can still remember a really weird Playstation tv advertisement with a girl with a odd shaped head with eerie music in the background, remember that one?
I wonder if a good idea would be to scare the target audience into hating the advert and trying not to think about it. This is another effective way to imprint a brand / product into an individuals head. Furthermore causing a ripple effect as they ask who else has seen it.
Strangely I still watch the Oasis advert and don't turn over, and I wonder if it disturbs other people too.
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