Box Creative

As I am visiting New York in November I thought that now would be a prime time to contact design agencies over there for their opinions on portfolio design and look at how they show their work on websites ect.

I came across a company called Box Creative, I was almost immediately taken in by the design of the website, it is very animated and although sometimes this can be a bit too " in your face" this one works well especially with the type of design work that they do.

I emailed over to Box creative and got a speedy response.


Here is what I sent over....


Here is the reply I received....


I can take alot out of the feedback I received about what to look at in the sense of a portfolio. Although Andy has aimed it more on a digital version of a portfolio. I get the impression a lot of agencies at the moment prefer this type of interaction rather than face to face with a physical portfolio. Being minimal is a main part of a succesful portfolio I find, as it shows your own work alot better.

I am going to try and stay in contact with Box Creative as I have liked the feedback I have got and I enjoyed looking through their website.

Wash Your Hands

I am currently working on a collaborative project at University for NHS awareness. The Brief is to make people aware how fast germs are spread especially on the hands. After doing lists and lists of words associating with things that you associate with germs, infections, hands and washing, then we thought about taking the words out of the norm and collecting words such as dangerous and violent. I find thinking of word lists is the best thing to do when you come to a mind block.

I have found this poster which I think is very effective. It has a sort of shock factor which is effective in this sort of advertisement.

After seeing this poster me and Amy ( the person I am working with) have decided that something we can associate with and also have a shock factor interlinked with the main idea would be the most effective. The idea needs to be flexible and should be able to be used in a variety of different medias. A good idea can be shown easily and effectively but a great idea can be shown again and again over different medias and be just as effective.

We are currently in the proccess of getting our ideas finalized.

An Exciting Showcase of 2009 Logo Trends

Every year the world goes through different trends, this is included in design and also in newly designed logos. I came across a website, Graphic Design Blog. This blog had documented new trends and logos that were predicted to come out of 2009, I found it very interesting.

1 # Classic Modernism Since late 2008, classic modernism is adapted once again. It shows some of the logos which convey the company name and message without portraying or saying much. At times it might seem complicated but designers always try it happily.
2 # Typographic Logos Typographic logos can never fade from the designer’s list of desisning elements as they are too attractive to miss. These logos consistently demonstrate definite message of a company with manners and purity.
3 # Psychedelic Pop Backgrounds These logos are believed to be an outcome of a romantic counter culture. Nowadays 1960s psychedelic background patterns are mixed with contemporary shapes to stir mood and emotion in the viewer.
4 # Puzzle Patterns As mostly new designers have no definite designing rules they try using complex vector graphics to intentionally veer away from the rules. These logos might seem appealing but their complexity make you ponder over them for a longer period.
5 # Arabesque Calligraphy makes the soul of a logo echo, especially Arabic calligraphy. With ample of harmony and connectivity, Arabesque logos are always appreciated. The Arabesque solution is the answer to a designer’s desire for uniqueness.
6 # Pictograms Sometimes we need the logos to be designed like a problem solving process. Strong trend is witnessed towards integrating meaningful icons which have the ability to convey the essential values of the brand, its message and its market position.
7 # Tactile Tactile means relating to touch or invoking the sense of touch and these logos present the material which can be touched. This process is a huge challenge even for the most experienced graphic designers as they have to work with a preferred software which allows them the traditional tasks of cutting, painting and pasting.
8 # 80’s Geometry This trend was introduced in 80’s with the only purpose of capturing viewer’s attention. Monster-like geometrical logos are mostly used by aggressive and self-centered companies to shout in today’s over-saturated market.
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9 # Origami Origami-based logos are a good choice for corporate monograms. Origami is the Japanese art of folding paper, but the goal is to use small folds and creases to bring about delicate and intricate objects. For such logos designers have to put in lot of effort and time.
10 # Street Art Street Art brings handmade graphics to mind, with hints of urbanism. When designers want to come up with something original and trendy, they opt for street art which we always find around.

I find it interesting how it can be predicted what is to come out of a year - purely in design. I found number 9 very interesting as I can relate to this logo as I did a piece of design work for a paper mechanics convention on one of my briefs but they have used this paper folding technique for a logo that obviously has nothing to do with the subject. (milky bar)

Visit to A to M

Today I went to see Mike Fallows of A to M in Manchester. I found it to be a great experience and also found the feed back very useful. I find it is very important to have a look and visit different types of design agencies to give yourself a bigger view and more variety on deciding the type of agency more suited to yourself. A to M is a small company - only a small group, but that doesn't mean the work is on a smaller scale.

Mike had a look at my portfolio and overall had a positive view on it but he explained to me what agencies look for in a portfolio. Whilst looking at my magazine piece he liked the quality of the images and the layout but when looking at my double page spread asked my reasoning behind what I had done. Although there was a reason for it his feedback on it was it is a weak point to my magazine design as the shapes look a bit too random to have a meaning. I am glad he told me this as it has made me have a look back at that piece of work and think about his reasoning's behind it.

Another piece of work we discussed was my typeface, I explained how it was done and why I had one letter on its own and then when turning over the whole alphabet was revealed. I am not sure that Mike liked this as when he looked at the letter on its own he asked where the rest was. Maybe I should consider a different layout on this and also where I have used the typeface in context should be experimented a bit more with as Mike asked me where the typeface would be used if created? and after thinking it wouldn't really be used effectively in a bus stop just as a quote.

Again like with Anthony from Music Mike liked mt Heals piece and thought it was a great way to finish off my portfolio. The way it is set out is enough to just look at and understand without needing to explain. After the third time of hearing that although the book is good a box is better I have decided to re design my portfolio and present it in a box form rather than a book. I have been persuaded.

Design by Music Visit

Today I went to Music to show Anthony my portfolio. I found the visit very useful, before looking at my portfolio Anthony had a chat with me about how I was finding my course and which elements of graphic design I get more enjoyment from doing. I found this a great question to ask me as it has definitely got me thinking as im coming up to my final year, this is the best time to have a think about things like that and also maybe new things I would like to try. He also commented on the recent bus stop tour that the third years from my BA course have done and asked my opinion on the idea. I do like the idea, in fact I think it was a fantastic idea and I am really looking forward to when its my turn to do that.

Overall Anthony liked my portfolio. He did advise that I get myself a box for my third year as it is a lot bigger space to work with and also is easier to edit. I do agree with this, I am glad I did the book first as I think that it would be nice to have this to accompany the box portfolio. After speaking to Anthony I felt that maybe I should consider the layout of each piece of work a lot more, this would be a lot better when designing the spreads for my box. The advice he gave me about the spread which had my alphabet on was really good. He told me that if I am going to show my font being used (like I have) then it is advised that I put it in some sort of context where I would like to see it being used in. Anthony liked my Heals end sting, the way it is set out I find that it is easy to understand without seeing the animation. It works well as the last piece of work in my portfolio.

I enjoyed the visit and took alot from it. I am looking forward to music getting their website up so I can look at their work alot more. I have looked at it when Anthony and Craig came in, and look forward to seeing more of it. I will keep in contact with Anthony as I found everything he said very useful.

Below I have published a piece of work by Music that I really like.

Portfolio Visit

Now I have my Portfolio finalized I wanted some feedback about it. Unfortunately the design company I was taking it to had to cancel as they had a last minute meeting with a client. Which is fully understandable. Fortunately I was able to see Thoughtful at such short notice. Stuart and Chris sat down and looked at my work with me. As I had designed a booklet instead of a box they were a little concerned but after speaking to them about my reasons we decided that it is a good idea to have as a sort of leave behind as well as a portfolio box.

As far as my work was concerned they seemed very pleased with it, they advised that I had a good body of work and it was laid out well. Stuart added that the book was very simply laid out and felt clean and light weight and was nice to look at. Small things they both picked up on was the leading and positioning of the type I had used to explain each brief. I have taken this into consideration as they made it obvious me to that the small things will be picked up on and noticed more than the work itself.

Overall I was very pleased with the feedback I received from Stuart and Chris as they have given me confidence in my work and also made me think that everything needs to be checked over and over again to ensure that no mistakes are made. I am hoping to get more visits over the summer so I can get more feedback from different people.

HD designs

Here is my contact report with HD designs

I have recently had a reply from him telling me he had had a hectic week so he will email me next week to organize a visit.