Category: Portfolio

Asking for feedback I realised the images were all over the place and needed the most work. However I was still not certain on the front cover and gallery page.

I updated the cover image to more look like an English garden with a banner image. Next I decided the gallery pages needed the images to be the main focus and pushed for the banner feel. Changing it to green and removing the pink overlays means that it links to the work pages and cover image. I updated the images to add curiosity and they better represent the projects within.

The back was a simple change to link to the first page with the logo.

With the feedback I cut back and looked at what the images meant. I took out the images that weren’t the best. I focused onto the main point of the project. I removed the captions for if an image cant be self explained what is the point in it being there. I spread out my images so they can breath so I have given them more pages with each page having a clear set out purpose.

I am happy with this outcome and feel I have refined my portfolio throughout my pages.

First I wrote out the brief and solutions of each project that was a requirement then added the ones I want to show off. This gave me a platform to build and to select images from.

Being constant, I used the CV stying at first to be developed on later which sets the tone and gives my styling first.

I needed a navigation so I kept it simple and added a sheen over the top of the images to make them look more cohesive.

I kept the ending contact page simple and to the point in the same stylings as before.

I decided I needed a constant through out my designs so took the bar/ column idea forward. Within this there is hierarchy and space to breath which I have struggled to manage in the past. All images are labelled and have equal spacing.

 

https://fionafrasergraphicdesign.wordpress.com/

The best way for me to explain what I have done is for you to experience it for yourself.

Watching the tutors tutorials helped a lot as I had no idea where to start or how to.

I struggled most with the main banner (left column on a desktop). I knew I wanted my logo at the top and then I added my name in different fonts. Experimenting with this my name in the design took away the simplicity of it. Taking it away looked neater and better; however I still needed my name somewhere and getting feedback they said it was needed.

I made sure there were several links to my instagram. I embedded some within a project as the project is on my instagram. I added my favourite insta images to both the contact page and about me page.

Using my logo, I created a basic template. This includes all that is necessary and is very straight forward.

Discussing this with my tutor, he immediately said you want the words to speak – don’t let the image get in the way. I needed to experiment with the image for the best result. Also looking into the paragraphs he said I need to add onto who I am as a person.

 

My last portfolio, although was cohesive, it didn’t have a brand. At this point I have yet to created a logo to show off who I am. With the 100 ideas being over 100 miles away from me, I decided to recreate some and add new thoughts and experiments. From what I remember my 100 designs were not the best and I mainly only used my name in different orientations. But what I want to do is have a symbol that can be used and used again.

As I like the outdoors and camping, I went with a sunrise (or set) I draw several and these were my favourite.

I digitalised my favourite 2 and then developed from there.

I started to play around with colour, texture and spacing.

Asking family and other students they felt this design worked the best. Asking a tutor what they thought, they felt that the type needed work and a hierarchy system. I am still not sold on the type at the minute but plan to try more variations. Or just remove it all together.

Week of the 3rd June – Independent study 

Monday 20th May – Independent Study

Moving on from my first mock up I retrieved all my work so far and placed them in order, being the best at the start and end with a few others in the middle.

Using InDesign I developed a simple aesthetic using only 4 colours that are not over powering. My first thought was to have the paragraphs over the top of the work however I needed that work to be the main focus as future agencies are most likely not read the text, meaning that the design should be clear and straight to the point of my work.

For my work I also had to create work that could be seen in context such as the app. this resulted me searching for a non-copy righted photo for the app to fit into. I also printed the editorial work and photographed it in the photography studio (which we were shown a few weeks prior). This makes the portfolio more commercial and professional.

CLICK ME – 1st mock up of portfolio

 

Monday 20th May – Portfolio Speed Surgery

I spoke with a tutor that had not seen any of my work previously so had to explain the style. I found this incredibly difficult as all my work has been so different though out the year. Luckily some of the group had seen some of my pieces and they describes my work as playful, structured and modern. This was a new idea to me with my work being two opposing styles – having a childlike free flowing story leading the eye in a playful manor but still having structure and a mature presence with the placement. The layouts so far have not been showing it off as well as it could have, so moving forward I will take out the added in lines as they don’t represent me. I will keep to the lighter tones to keep it bright and open allowing for the work to be seen as bolder and more in charge for that balance.

When talking with the group the tutor used a an example, being that in a CV you would not write Curriculum Vitae as the title you would use your name. This means that it is more personal and straight to the point of who you are. In the context of the portfolio, I need to make it more me and have my name as the front, allow my own work and style to shine and not to be generic.

He continued to discuss how everything we design is a representation of us at that time and how we need to take this on using our skills to communicate what we want. For example I would show off my skills of the software used and over exaggerate my best work almost hiding and removing what I’m not so good at.

The tutor also mentioned to have all the work within context. Implying that my app should be on a phone held by someone and my editorial piece to be printed and have a photo of a magazine style.