IDENTITY SYSTEM PROGRESS

For my stationary system (and identity system as a whole), I wanted to incorporate my interests in both design and printmaking so that I can use it when applying for a wider range of jobs... and hopefully to create something a little different and eye-catching too! The circular "C" logo is a woodcut image that I printed in two parts, scanned, colorized, and layered digitally. I don't think I'm completely satisfied with the system yet, but it's gone through so many changes in the past few weeks that I need to just post it here officially and maybe leave it for a week or two to marinate a little.

Edit: The white borders around the pieces were added by the blog! All my stationary has a bleed for the texture. Also, the funkiness with the line texture is a result of the PNG files--the printed texture should be even and regular.

Business card back. Not sure about this one yet, but I do like featuring the logo at a larger size.

Business card front.

Cover letter (and template for any other pages needed). No, there's no real text in there yet (I'm sorry!), but as I start to get organized and begin applying to places, I'll have an actual letter to put in soon.

 Letter-sized envelope exterior.

 Resume.

 Thank-you envelope exterior.

Thank-you card (unfolded) exterior.



















Thank-you card (unfolded) interior. For the thank-yous I switched up the system a little bit and used the textured bar on the side instead of along the top. This was how I initially wanted to use it on everything, but the letter-sized papers seem to work a lot better with it across the top. I like to think of the textured bar as being versatile and movable, and I think this vertical bar will make another appearance in my leave-behind.

PROJECT 3 BRIEF

Project 3 Brief

Overview: This project involves expanding the designer’s personal and professional development through participation in a number of different activities. The designer should plan ahead as much as possible and tailor these activities to suit personal goals and interests.

Requirements:

The accumulation of 200-250 points’ worth of activities over the course of the semester. All activities must be design-related and clearly documented on the designer’s Practicum blog. This documentation should follow the prescribed Activity Notes Format and include photos, paperwork, receipts, correspondence, etc. Upon the completion of all activities, the designer must write a summation of the experiences and if/how personal goals were met.

Target Audience: There is no specific audience for this project; instead, the designer will be engaging with others and presenting herself as a developing professional in the realm of design.

Objectives: The designer should participate in activities that will aid the most in personal growth and learning, as well as those that will be the most enjoyable and worthwhile.

Timeline of Potential Activities:

January 29 – Introduction to projects

January 31 – Review of projects

February 5

February 7

February 12 – Briefs complete; Chrystal Stanley resume workshop

February 14

February 19

February 21 – Speaker presentation

February 26 – ADAI Student Exhibition Deadline

February 28 – Speaker presentation; AIGA Iowa Passion Projects Critique

March 1 – ADAI speaker at Grandview University

March 5

March 7

March 9 – AIGA Iowa Get A Job Bootcamp

March 12 – Speaker presentation

March 14

March 19 – NO CLASS

March 21 – NO CLASS

March 26 – Speaker presentation

March 28 – Printer tour; Drake GD Portfolio Night @ Olmsted

April 2

April 4

April 9

April 11

April 12 – Opening of Group 1 BFA Thesis Show @ Anderson Gallery

April 13 – ADAI Student Exhibition

April 16 – Portfolio reviews ongoing

April 18

April 23

April 25

April 30

May 2

May 7

May 9

May 14

May 16 – All work due by 9:30am

PROJECT 2 BRIEF

Project 2 Brief

Overview: This project is centered on the development of a personal stationary set and a distinctive identity system to unify all pieces developed for both Project 1 and Project 2. In addition to the design and production of these stationary pieces, the designer will develop a group of related writings that support these documents in a professional and productive way.

Requirements:

One professional resume.

One professional cover letter.

One personal design statement for use on portfolio website, as a basis for cover letters, and as a set of guiding principles.

One thank you/follow-up card.

One personal business card (separate from Project 1’s leave-behind).

Any other related items, as deemed necessary.

Documentation of process and completed pieces on personal Practicum blog.

Target Audience: The intended audience for these pieces are potential future employers within the realm of graphic design. The pieces should reflect well on the designer and help to leave a lasting impression on those who encounter them—this might include professional designers, art directors, or non-design employers or clients, so the appeal must be as universal as possible.

Objectives: The identity system should be consistent across all pieces and they should form a comprehensive set of personal stationary. All writing must be clear, professional, and representative of the designer’s personality and objectives. The design of the pieces should complement and enhance the written communication without overwhelming or detracting from it. Pieces should be practical, economical, and easy to alter and reproduce.

Timeline:

January 29 – Introduction to projects

January 31 – Review of projects

February 5 – Rough draft of design statement and resume

February 7

February 12 – Briefs complete

February 14

February 19

February 21 – Photography of current portfolio pieces complete (updated as semester progresses)

February 26 – Draft of identity system design (colors, elements, grid, varying layouts)

February 28

March 5 – Designed drafts of resume, cover letter, design statement

March 7 – Group meeting; drafts of thank you/follow-up card, business card

March 12

March 14 – All drafts (written and designed) posted to blog

March 19 – NO CLASS

March 21 – NO CLASS

March 26

March 28 – Website complete

April 2

April 4

April 9

April 11

April 16 – Group meeting; all stationary finished

April 18

April 23

April 25

April 30

May 2

May 7

May 9

May 14

May 16 – All work due by 9:30am

PROJECT 1 BRIEF

Project 1 Brief

Overview: This project involves the design and production of three different versions of the designer’s personal portfolio: an emailable PDF, a web-based online presence, and a physical presentation portfolio. The design and execution of these pieces should be closely related to the concurrent design of the pieces in Project 2 (see Project 2 Brief).

Requirements:

One emailable portfolio in PDF form, consisting of 8-12 strong and current pieces of design work. This PDF should be 5mb or smaller, and should be formally related to the design of the pieces in Project 2.

One personal portfolio website coded by hand and live online. This will include both design and fine art work to play a more flexible role in the designer’s entry to the professional realm. No more than 8-10 pieces of each will be featured on the website.

One interactive presentation portfolio and related collateral items, or “leave-behinds.” This portfolio should be content-flexible, easily portable, and representative of the designer’s strongest work.

At least two portfolio reviews and completed review sheets.

Documentation of process and completed pieces on personal Practicum blog.

Target Audience: The intended audience for these pieces are potential future employers within the realm of graphic design. The portfolios need to be flexible enough to accommodate a number of possible employment goals, since the designer is open to a very wide field of work.

Objectives: All three portfolios and additional collateral should be clearly related, and also have a strong formal relationship to the design system developed in Project 2. Consistency, organization, and clarity across all three pieces is important. Included designs should be representative of the designer’s strongest pieces to date, and all photography should be high-resolution, well-lit, and present an accurate reproduction of the original work. The website should be functional and simple-to-navigate, and the presentation portfolio should be accessible and easy to interact with.

Timeline:

January 29 – Introduction to projects

January 31 – Review of projects

February 5

February 7

February 12 – Briefs complete

February 14

February 19

February 21 – Photography of current portfolio pieces complete (updated as semester progresses)

February 26 – Draft of website design complete, begin coding

February 28

March 5

March 7 – Group meeting

March 12

March 14 – Emailable portfolio complete

March 19 – NO CLASS

March 21 – NO CLASS

March 26

March 28 – Website complete

April 2

April 4

April 9

April 11

April 16 – Group meeting

April 18

April 23 - Presentation portfolio complete; reviews ongoing v v v

April 25

April 30

May 2

May 7

May 9

May 14

May 16 – All work due by 9:30am

STARTING OUT

This blog will be a record of all my activities related to my Design Practicum class this semester. My main experience with blogs has been through my design classes here at Drake, and I'm not exactly proficient in all the ways to build and customize them, but I think for this class it might be useful to know a bit more. I'm going to try and set up several different pages to organize the projects and activities, and once I have my identity system planned out I'll choose a more fitting appearance for the blog itself... til then, I guess I'll just start adding posts and see how this all goes!