CHAPTER 5 & 7 Organizing your Design Work Constructing a Printed Portfolio

Creating a Storyboard  A visual plan that guides the reviewer through your portfolio  Types: Linear or Nonlinear  Linear layouts include projects that are presented one after another in a predetermined sequence.  Nonlinear layouts allow the reviewer more freedom to navigate (ideal for websites)

First Pages  Title  Personal Logo  Contact Information  Table of contents – states the categories that will organize your work (skill set or project)  Use page numbers  Could include close up images of your work

First Pages

Table of Contents

Organization  Avoid chronological arrangements where your simplest work is first.  Begin and end with some of your best work.  First piece will set the tone and hopefully create a positive first impression  Use section dividers – may include an explanation or summary of the design challenge and how you solved the problem. May include schematic drawings.

Quantity versus Quality  You will be judged by your weakest link!  If you feel the need to make an excuse or are embarrassed by something, you should not include it or you should rework it.  How many? 7 – 10 quality projects

Group Projects  Good to show a project that was done as a team.  Identify your role in the project  Don’t take full credit for the work  Give credit to team members

Time management  Creating a portfolio is very time consuming  Make it a priority  Creat a time line (refer to course agenda)  It will take you twice as long as you think!  Remember, the time and expense you put into your portfolio is an investment in your future.

KISS  Keep it simple, stupid  Avoid overly complex graphics  Avoid too many images on a page

Review Design Elements/Principles  All pages should have some elements of consistency to them – Unity  Your knowledge of elements and principles will become evident in your layout.  Alignment and balance  Positive and negative space  Use of color

Size and Layout  Work in a manageable size  11 x 17 is too large  8 ½ x 11  Unconventional sizes  Portrait or landscape – be consistent – avoid having the viewer rotating the portfolio  Butterfly folds  Two page spread – In Design or photo book  Should be viewed as one page – not two pages

Sketch your layout  Natural tendency to read from left to right  Use as much of the page as possible  Use full bleeds for large images  Large images should be on the bottom (balance)  Proximity: related items should be grouped closely  Don’t go overboard on extra design elements  Avoid cute designs – not scrapbooking  Too many elements and variety will be distracting  KISS  Make sure you can add to it next semester (ID 490)

Text  Some explanation is required  Identify the main design problem/ challenges and how you accomplished them.  Should stand alone  Identify skills and design processes  Check grammar, spelling, capitalization  Don’t use too much text.

Text  Text should not be an afterthought.  Consider location, size, appearance and color  Large amounts of text such as a project description could be done in columns  Be consistent in the placement text  Choose a great font that contributes to the look and feel of your portfolio  Use only one or two fonts  Make sure font is readable – avoid large amount of cursive or elaborate fonts

Text  Set a hierarchy for text  Titles: 14 or 16 pt  Project descriptions 10 – 12 pt

Papers and printing  Double sided requires special papers  Make sure you have coated paper  ID cannot provide ink for your portfolio – Use a professional printing company  Vellum creates a nice divider effect  Matt board or cardboard can be used for covers  Frosted white covers  No photo paper with logo’s on back  Background colors should be neutral

Book Portfolios  Most popular  Should lay flat  Avoid comb, 3-ring, velo binding  crew post  Use photo book services like blurb.com    

Portfolio Cases  Part of your professional presentation  Protects your portfolio  Should be slightly larger than your portfolio  Don’t settle for something standard  Custom Made  Aluminum, wood, leather  Pockets for CD’s, Resume  Printed or etched  Investment

Portfolio cases