Ben Schlitter: Geo + Info Postcard Project

Geo

I recall the very first time I ever came across Ben Schlitter’s work. I found a link somewhere to his set of icons for the Mac. I immediately became a fan, and have followed his work ever since. There’s something just “right” about his designs. They are typically vibrant, playful, simple and yet they always leave a lasting impression. I discovered that he worked with Vonster, (who wrote a great article here) and long story short, Ben gave some insight into his latest project. Here’s Ben:

Geo + Info Postcard Project
The Geography + Information: Distribution Project happened quite organically. I created the original design and concept for a geography themed poster contest. My entry consisted of a poster made up of individual postcards for viewers to remove, complete and mail to friends. I envisioned posters disappearing piece by piece as people sent their geographic details and stories. Read the rest

Tips: Promoting yourself while giving gifts

Ideas for thanking your clients, but it’s also another chance to promote yourself, as well.

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Tips: Presenting your portfolio

Here are some tips about how to present yourself, and your portfolio, over at Vitamin.

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Great roundup of business card designs

One of my daily stops in the blog world is CreativeBits. They have a great roundup of unique business card designs.

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More Pop-up ideas

This site has some sample pop-up forms that can be incorporated in books, brochures, or even business cards. The site might look a little “crafty”, but the techniques can be applied to so many interesting self-promotional ideas. I’m thinking of ordering these soon:

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Pop-up Photography

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A simple but inventive process for turning a simple photograph into a 3D pop up.

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Sussner Design’s self-promo brochure

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Graphics.com ran a small story about a brochure designed by Sussner Design. They used a velo-bind book, tang fasteners and a simple in-house laser printer for the inside pages.

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Computer Arts Magazine: A great place for detailed techniques

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If you happen to come across Computer Arts (or Computer Arts Projects) magazine at an actual bookstore, you were probably going to buy it until you saw the price. Here in San Francisco, the typical price for the magazine is $18.45 at the checkout. The higher cost is a result of being a UK-based magazine and being packaged with a CD that has various shareware, fonts, links and tutorials, etc. Personally, they should just lose the CD completely (or make a digital version available for subscription). At first glance, the magazine itself seems very flimsy (around 100 pages per issue) for such an expensive magazine.

That is, until you open up the magazine. Then, if you’re like me, you end up buying the darn thing every single time.

Almost each month, there is a detailed technique or article that completely justifies purchasing it. Not to mention, the magazines are getting very inventive with their packaging, which is seldom seen here in the U.S. For instance, the August edition of Computer Arts Project came inside a clear plastic zip-lock portfolio. One or two issues ago they packaged a stencil kit based off a font they made for the magazine. Great stuff to have around to add to your creative juice. Not to mention, they give new designers a large amount of press that unarguably gives their careers a well-deserved boost.

But the coolest part of Computer Arts is that they make their best tutorials available as downloadable PDFs! There’s a lot of good stuff on the site, especially for new designers. Sure, the tips may use Freehand instead of Illustrator, and talk about mailing through Royal Mail, but I’m sure you’ll adapt.

A few Brand Peel favorites:

    Build your own customized box to send your portfolio.
    Make your own paper container
    Making custom packaging templates using Illustrator CS
    Great tips for making your first brand package
    Create a self-promotional book
    An usual article about making a typeface 3D (it’s not what you think)
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Presenting your portfolio

CommArts has another viewpoint about the evolving portfolio. Even thought it’s a couple years old, I tend to agree with everything she says.

“The new paradigm is the e-portfolio: a PDF file that can be e-mailed, printed out as a booklet and printed out in a larger presentation format for interviews. It is the delivery system for the 2000’s: flexible and fast. Every page tells a story, and you can breeze through it in a few clicks. Who has time for drop-offs any more? If there’s a job posting on craigslist or Creative Hotlist, hundreds of rĂ©sumĂ©s arrive via e-mail within 24 hours. The smartest of them will have—not a link to a URL, which also makes people do too much work—an attachment of two or three PDF pages, kind of a portfolio synopsis that, if it fits the job, can put the applicant right on top of the pile.”

I can attest that when I review designer portfolios that are sent to me online, those that have an expanded PDF version (with samples!) not only shoot up the list of prospective hires, it skyrockets them, officially knocking off three that don’t. In fact, I’m pretty militant about rĂ©sumĂ©s. If they aren’t designed at all (think basic Word documents), I instantly put them at the bottom of the pile to possibly revisit later. I know, most big corporations are requiring basic word docs, but when I request online samples, that is a pretty good indication I can handle an email attachment over 1MB. To me, if a designer doesn’t take the time to design his or her own rĂ©sumĂ©, and that’s the first thing I’m going to see, they already missed a huge chance to catch my eye. Thoughts?

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Jewelboxing: Better jewel cases

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I bought some of these CD packages when they first came out, just to have them around for future projects. If you need short-run but high quality DVDs or CD packaging, I highly recommend using Jewelboxing. The hinges are sturdy, and come with the insert booklet, disc labels, tray and tray liners. The templates are spot-on, and come prescored and perforated. If you have larger runs, they have options for that as well. Check out some design samples.

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How to present your porfolio: Submit your story

Another AIGA story about how to present your portfolio. What was your experience showing your portfolio or self-promotion project?

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AIGA updates ethical brochures for designers to use

AIGA has updated their series of ethical brochures available for designers/artists. “The intent of this series is to develop content that is useful to designers, as well as being a resource to educate clients on standard practices and legal requirements faced by design firms.” The brochures cover  the use of fonts, software, illustrations, and sales tax/copyright information. Download them here and use them in your proposals.

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Envelope heaven

Action EnvelopeAction Envelope has pretty much any type of envelopes you could want for a general mailing. It’s worth looking at the different papers and sizes when you are gathering ideas for your next project.

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Technique: pop-up letters

Via Balloon Tales: Check out how to make 3D letters pop out of a fold. Great for simple or complex shapes, especially on a business card.

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Great portfolio/binder store

Paperhaus has a great selection of cases, stylish 3 ring binders, portfolio books and more. You can get the pina zangaro cases I love so much.

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