We really have to thank portfolio alumni Sean Bacon for coming to class and jump-starting the 2010 portfolios. These tips and notes are from our session with Sean.
Printing: Suggest indigo printing at Blend but the maximum format is 11 by 17 [this includes bleeds]. If you want a larger size go with digital printing at Blend.
For your own printer at home: Prixma Pro 9000
Check on the ink costs first [upkeep]
If you are printing at home…start looking for inkjet paper. There is heavy competition for paper so plan ahead.
printmorespendless.com They have good deals on print cartridges.
8 by 18 was Sean’s portfolio. He had that printed on 13 by 19. If you get your book professionally printed [quantity is not the issue but set up]. Sean printed 6 copies.
Go to Kelly or Expedex to talk paper. Sean likes Expedex [Aero Drive] as you need to order your paper ahead of time. You need to know more or less the size you want it to be. Do you want it coated, glossy, matte-they will talk you through it. Don’t make the vendors an afterthought. Sean charted everything and made lists so he was really organized and it helped him by making a checklist.
Book Covers: Western Bookbinding and Golden Rule
International binding and Custom binding for rings
Pockets: Sean likes Scotch double stick tape for his pockets but you can also use spray mount. He made a custom jig out of cardboard to cut the shape. Desi made her pockets with a folded lip/tab at the bottom to make more space.
Sean likes the dynamic rectangles for layout best
Root 2
Start with a circle and a square. Put the square inside the circle so all the corners touch the circle. Extend the height of the square so that it’s new height is tangent with the top and bottom of the circle.
Root 3
Start with a hexagon and rectangle. All sides are same size, hold down shift when you make it. Put a perfect rectangle inside and this is a root 3.
Root 4
Start with root 3 and get that root 3 shape. Turn it on it’s side and draw a diagonal line from corner to corner. Take the line and straighten it out [it is just a tiny bit longer than that rectangle]. Add on that much more so that the width is the same length.
Root 5
Start with a circle and square. Take circle-divide it in half [dash line]. Put the square on center line and then draw the top line where it intersects with circle. This time you add the rectangles on the side. Pathfinder shape together and it becomes root 5.
Draw your dynamic rectangle grid first by hand, make it in illustrator .25 and an 80% gray and then put it on your master page so he is constantly looking at grid. You can right click it in InDesign and make it a non-printing item. Sean puts grid in background but ignores it first but uses the grid to clean up and then uses the grid as tool to make that consistency at the end. Work intuitively first then clean up with the grid.
SELECTING YOUR FONTS
Started with type specimen sheets-looked at it large, small and different orientations. Look for contrast between the two and unity like they belong together. Mixing type-Look at things like the letter a [are they both a double story a-they should be] look at the g [look at structural elements in both]. You might start out with one font you absolutely know you want and then go after the pairing.
You might want to just use Univers for the whole job.
There is body copy and everything else so establish a system [use one font for body copy and the other font for everything else]. Avoid display type in general. You don’t want the type to be more showy than the words-you want them to read your words.
Indices are good place to mix the two fonts. Example: Project description [one font] and name [the other font].
Like the Bauhaus you can put that grid in a smaller area.
The 30 typefaces for a lifetime by Rockport.
Classic fonts like Gil Sans Frutiger, Bembo, Garamond, Bodoni, Univers, Futura, Helvetica etc.
Great font book resources:
Adobe Type Library, ITC Library,
Free Font Index 1 [Buy this book]-they are not the workhorse fonts but great resource for projects.
Sudtipos [Alejandro Paul-a font designer from Argentina] check out this work
Exljbris Foundry [some serious fonts for free!]
FontBook [book of typefaces] expensive but wow.
Example Meta and Meta serif designed by Eric Spiekermann were designed to be put together.
Selecting typography
Sean used Stratum and Egyptienne
Suggest using workhorse fonts-a family with lots of options. You most likely will mix serif and sans serif. Look at the weights, sizes and styles you get, look at the form-purchase the font [it is your identity-invest in the craft-your promo materials everything]. If you don’t buy the font then use something that everyone knows like Universe or use something more obscure that is well drawn-be very careful. Many of the free fonts are not workhorse and are not kerned properly so you set yourself up for failure. Of course if you are mixing two fonts the key rule is contrast.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Resistance
RESISTANCE
Balance-lack of: Reassess priorities, task management, work smarter not harder
Critical of self: have realistic expectations, know that some things take time, look at your positives and not always your negatives, look where you are at this point of life and where you’ve come, get someone you trust who is supportive, look at good things you’ve done.
Critical of others: know the difference between being critical and being cruel, compliment someone, not a personal attack but be constructive
Conformity: See a trend and run in the opposite direction and even if it does not work out you got somewhere that is different. Jump beyond trends and take risks. Look to other disciplines that are related like furniture, architecture, look farther back in history not to the latest design publications
Drugs/Alcohol: get abuse counseling, remember moderation, get family and friend support, seek help
Deadlines-fear of: have realistic expectations, don’t procrastinate, time management, set more achievable goals, digestible bite goals
Discipline-to work not play: time management, reward yourself for hard work, take breaks [regular], balance so make time for both
Distractions: know what kind of environment/workspace works for you, find good distraction [background noise], taking the phone and email out of your workspace, assess how you waste time by keeping a log
Depression-talk to friends and loved ones, writing in a journal, write a note to a friend [don’t need to send it], exercise, getting involved in something you like or enjoy, professional counseling, medication, meditation, get to the root of it
Exhaustion-making time for yourself, make a date with yourself once a week, stretch, get sleep, taking care of yourself, proper diet and exercise, see a doctor, take a short break or power nap
Fear of failure-think positive, realize it is not going to kill you, go for it, know that you are always learning, risks are worth taking, what is the worst that can happen? You are your own worst enemy
Fear of success-setting goals, prioritizing goals, talk to people in field
Grandiose visions of future-to be realistic, have patience, live in moment, enjoy present, focus on the short term
Guilt-ignoring loved ones- talk to them and get them on your side in advance, being clear when you communicate, set boundaries, make specific time for them, divorce yourself from their immediate reactions
Lack of reality-do something selfless, volunteering, talk to a professional
Loss of loved ones- managing your time and life here and think that they would want you to be doing what you want in your life, counseling, grief counseling, giving yourself the opportunity to feel sad and grieve, grab the glimmers of feeling good-try to find things that make you feel good
Laziness- Remove distractions that may lead you to laziness. Remind yourself of the bigger picture, of the end result. Partner up with someone that can motivate you.
Loneliness in life – Don’t isolate yourself from those around you. Reach out to others and surround yourself with those you have fun with or connect with.
Lonely in the portfolio process – Reach out to others in class. Create a group or partnership.
Motivation-lack of - Give yourself rewards for your accomplishments. Give yourself something to look forward to. Evaluate yourself and how strong your lack of motivation is and how often. Perhaps you need to re-evaluate what you are doing. Find something you are passionate about.
Overachiever – Evaluate your limits and set realistic goals. Plan out your process and use time management. This can help if you find yourself doing too much.
Perfectionism – Learn to let go and relax. Consult with friends or other designers and have them look at your work. Take a break and come back to your work.
Paralysis of thought and action – Take a break. Find or do something that inspires you.
Procrastination – Make a plan or to do list and follow it. Spread out your work so you don’t need to do too much at once.
Rationalize Things – Instead of talking yourself out of something, open up to taking risks and plan it out. Do your research before deciding something isn’t worth the time. “Trust that little voice inside your head that says, “Wouldn’t it be interesting if…” and then do it.” – Duane Michals
Scared of taking risks: Turn to someone who takes risks for inspiration. Start saying Yes to things you would not normally do. Start small build up your risk factor... travel and find new experiences
Self Doubt: Keep realistic goals. find the positive in your work. Seek reassurance from a mentor/ someone you look up to.
Lack of support: Build network, surround yourself with positive people, seek the advice of someone who is a fan or supportive of your work
Sadness: Read positive thinking book, Exercise or become more active/ productive to increase endorphins, take a weekend off or a spa day.
Not enough time: Make a schedule and stick to it. Make realistic deadlines.
Time management: (see "not enough time"
Fear of the unknown: Focus on what is happening right now. Do not look too far ahead. Travel to find the unknown. Further educate yourself to expand your knowledge.
Weakness turning into strength: Research your weakness and focus on the strengths you possess within yourself
Balance-lack of: Reassess priorities, task management, work smarter not harder
Critical of self: have realistic expectations, know that some things take time, look at your positives and not always your negatives, look where you are at this point of life and where you’ve come, get someone you trust who is supportive, look at good things you’ve done.
Critical of others: know the difference between being critical and being cruel, compliment someone, not a personal attack but be constructive
Conformity: See a trend and run in the opposite direction and even if it does not work out you got somewhere that is different. Jump beyond trends and take risks. Look to other disciplines that are related like furniture, architecture, look farther back in history not to the latest design publications
Drugs/Alcohol: get abuse counseling, remember moderation, get family and friend support, seek help
Deadlines-fear of: have realistic expectations, don’t procrastinate, time management, set more achievable goals, digestible bite goals
Discipline-to work not play: time management, reward yourself for hard work, take breaks [regular], balance so make time for both
Distractions: know what kind of environment/workspace works for you, find good distraction [background noise], taking the phone and email out of your workspace, assess how you waste time by keeping a log
Depression-talk to friends and loved ones, writing in a journal, write a note to a friend [don’t need to send it], exercise, getting involved in something you like or enjoy, professional counseling, medication, meditation, get to the root of it
Exhaustion-making time for yourself, make a date with yourself once a week, stretch, get sleep, taking care of yourself, proper diet and exercise, see a doctor, take a short break or power nap
Fear of failure-think positive, realize it is not going to kill you, go for it, know that you are always learning, risks are worth taking, what is the worst that can happen? You are your own worst enemy
Fear of success-setting goals, prioritizing goals, talk to people in field
Grandiose visions of future-to be realistic, have patience, live in moment, enjoy present, focus on the short term
Guilt-ignoring loved ones- talk to them and get them on your side in advance, being clear when you communicate, set boundaries, make specific time for them, divorce yourself from their immediate reactions
Lack of reality-do something selfless, volunteering, talk to a professional
Loss of loved ones- managing your time and life here and think that they would want you to be doing what you want in your life, counseling, grief counseling, giving yourself the opportunity to feel sad and grieve, grab the glimmers of feeling good-try to find things that make you feel good
Laziness- Remove distractions that may lead you to laziness. Remind yourself of the bigger picture, of the end result. Partner up with someone that can motivate you.
Loneliness in life – Don’t isolate yourself from those around you. Reach out to others and surround yourself with those you have fun with or connect with.
Lonely in the portfolio process – Reach out to others in class. Create a group or partnership.
Motivation-lack of - Give yourself rewards for your accomplishments. Give yourself something to look forward to. Evaluate yourself and how strong your lack of motivation is and how often. Perhaps you need to re-evaluate what you are doing. Find something you are passionate about.
Overachiever – Evaluate your limits and set realistic goals. Plan out your process and use time management. This can help if you find yourself doing too much.
Perfectionism – Learn to let go and relax. Consult with friends or other designers and have them look at your work. Take a break and come back to your work.
Paralysis of thought and action – Take a break. Find or do something that inspires you.
Procrastination – Make a plan or to do list and follow it. Spread out your work so you don’t need to do too much at once.
Rationalize Things – Instead of talking yourself out of something, open up to taking risks and plan it out. Do your research before deciding something isn’t worth the time. “Trust that little voice inside your head that says, “Wouldn’t it be interesting if…” and then do it.” – Duane Michals
Scared of taking risks: Turn to someone who takes risks for inspiration. Start saying Yes to things you would not normally do. Start small build up your risk factor... travel and find new experiences
Self Doubt: Keep realistic goals. find the positive in your work. Seek reassurance from a mentor/ someone you look up to.
Lack of support: Build network, surround yourself with positive people, seek the advice of someone who is a fan or supportive of your work
Sadness: Read positive thinking book, Exercise or become more active/ productive to increase endorphins, take a weekend off or a spa day.
Not enough time: Make a schedule and stick to it. Make realistic deadlines.
Time management: (see "not enough time"
Fear of the unknown: Focus on what is happening right now. Do not look too far ahead. Travel to find the unknown. Further educate yourself to expand your knowledge.
Weakness turning into strength: Research your weakness and focus on the strengths you possess within yourself
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