CV Developments
My CV is being developed alongside my portfolio, using the same style as used in my portfolio, however, the CV allows me to create an aesthetic, faster. Only needing to make one page it allows me to experiment with different techniques and aesthetics in a smaller amount of time than it would take to create an entire portfolio.
One part of this that I like in particular is the inclusion of a border logo, it does not take focus away from the hierarchal system and also allows me to input a more structured format into my CV, This style could be put into my portfolio, having the logo cascading down the entire project and forming a border that interacts with the images used to display my work.
While I have included the option to use a photo within my CV, I do not think that I will include a phot given my previous experimentation sand how unsuccessful photography was proving. However, It is noteworthy that I do think the interaction between the simple geometric shapes and the detailed photographs are very modern and would perhaps be more appropriate in another project sometime in the future.
While only three colours have been used (Including the paper stock). The work still appears nice and varied with the interaction of the three colours, chunky underlines that offset the text work to give additional emphasis to the titles and also guide the eye away from the titles correctly down towards the body copy and subheadings. The Large shapes and lines seen on the left are useful to fill empty space while still leaving some blank space to allow the elements to breathe.
Using Mockups
Perhaps the most important part of creating a portfolio is showcasing your work in an attractive and dynamic yet still informative manner. The use of mockups allows me to place my work into context without the need to print/publish the projects. While in normal circumstances I would print my work and then use the photography studio within University to photograph my work, due to COVID-19 I am required to use mockups found online and input my digital work into then, this does effectively imitate printed and digital matter, however it does lack the personal touch that I would be able to implement if I were to photograph the work myself.
Quickly being able to learn the correct way to use mockups allowed me to create flowing and intuitive portfolio experimentation. Able to slightly ignore the verticle restrictions of a printed portfolio I can give priority to the more successful outcomes in a project while still including some of the less successful but still essentials parts of the same project.
Mockups also allow me to display my work in ways that I previously was unable to. Created apps are normally difficult for me to display, while only including the home page does not give enough insight into the app, and including the entire wireframe is often oo overwhelming/time-consuming to input into a single portfolio page, A mockup allows me to layer different devices on top of one another and concisely yet effectively display what the functions and aesthetics of each of my digitally created material are.
Portfolio Experimentations
My first draft of my portfolio utilises mockups in the previously mentioned way, using a combination of both Adobe Acrobat and an iPad allowed me to extremely efficiently make visual notes directly onto the PDF itself. This would create a sort of visual to do list, I can now take the Pdf back into Indesign and make each change, one by one and then repeat the process alongside experimenting with different colours.
The colours that I have chosen to use here are effective, originally I wanted to have a lighter background however much of my work seems to contrast niceer with a darker grey background. Some project sit on a dark background and because of this the portfolio background blends into the designs and makes the brighter colour pop more effectively and yield more impact, something that is extremely desirable within my portfolio.
The Length of the portfolio does concern me, even with the initiative style of the portfolio whereby whenever the viewer is looking at a piece of work in the centre of the screen, the top of the next piece is previewed on the bottom of the page,m promoting them to continue scrolling, the portfolio does still seem quite long in places, this would need to be cut down, even if it is not done for the actual look of the project, the file size may become too large in order to effectively port the project over to potential companies/clients, this does present a problem. However this could then be amended by reducing the file size in Adobe Acrobat, large amounts of file size can be saved with only a minimal amount of image quality loss.
The text style that I have opted for allows the viewer to focus more not eh visuals that are being presented as well aw allowed me to experiment more with how the mockups would interact with each other, describing the entire project at the beginning of the portfolio allows the viewer to enjoy and appreciate the stunning visuals to follow just that much more. It also allows me to make hero images larger and not have to worry about where the text will sit. While some headings and sub-headings are still included these are simply to describe or present project titles, exhibition names or taglines, these text elements are necessary to translate how logotype/typography or what the colour schemes are within each individual project.
Aidan's Graphics Blog 