Alex Atkinson Portfolio Review

As with Si Scott last week, today's portfolio review with Alex Atkinson was extremely beneficial and thought provoking in terms of how I could improve my portfolio in order to make it the best that it possibly can be. I again prepared questions that I felt I needed advice on, particularly in response to what Si commented upon last time around. This was mainly to do with the contextualization of design work and what the most appropriate way of presenting it would be. Essentially, am I presenting my work in an appropriate manner or do I need to work towards showcasing it in real life environments more than what I have done already.

As we went through the work brief by brief there were positive and negative (well, areas that could be pushed further) aspects for each. They were as follows:

Fedrigoni Paper

+ Nice, strong concept behind the brief.
+ Exploration of print finish is both relevant and well executed, especially for Fedrigoni.

- Your opening page is not the strongest image, so revise how you present the brief.
- As the concept is the driving force behind the brief then you need to show this more. To elaborate:

Condense the brief down to a single double page - you don't necessarily even need to present the poster. Mock up a real life interactive shop / showroom window and demonstrate how the networking event would operate. If time allows then also mock up another monthly event so that there is something to compare to the planes.

A4 Only Exhibition

+ The expansion of the original brief is effective and shows good appropriation skills.
+ Effective to have poster examples with you in addition to the photographs. This allows the interviewer to gain an insight into the process and the tangible qualities.

- Remove the stationery as it doesn't add to the brief much.
- Also remove the discs. This idea is a bit archaic. Instead propose a new forward-thinking idea whereby the guests may receive your digital deliverables via bluetooth - like 02. Or even a new technology that doesn't exist yet, be open minded.
- Include the photos you have from the exhibition itself. This context is important and allows the viewer to understand what the deliverables were actually designed for.

Typefaces

+ How they are presented is absolutely fine, you don't need to re-approach the delivery through a use of sentence in my opinion.
+ The smaller sentences in the corner are effective in showing how the type may read.
+ Belt Up Lad is really strong and lends itself to be used in a real life context.

- Take out the tools typeface as this has been done so many times. The Objectified DVD by Gary Hustwit (design by Build) sort of put it to bed as such.
- Also take out biscuits purely because it isn't as strong at the Belt Up Lad typeface.
- Take the Belt Up Lad typeface and use it as a springboard to complete a new brief. Something like an NSPCC campaign, something quite dark and sobering. A brief that will demonstrate that you have thought in depth about a cultural topic.

Creative Networks

+ Excellent to demonstrate a brief that has gone through to professional print.
+ Also excellent to include a real life version of the flyer.

- Include photos from the talk if available as they will boost the contextual referencing side of your portfolio.

Overall Comments

+ Strong portfolio, work well presented and professionally documented.
+ Good to include actual printed artwork such as the flyer.

- Condense your briefs down. One double page per brief.
- Add more briefs, but that will come over the coming month(s).
- Use first page as a title page as opposed to an actual project.