Portfolio Presentation

In this final week I will begin preparation of the presentation of my portfolio. The presentation will be aimed at informing people of what I do, and how I hope to use my portfolio in my career.







To present my portfolio, I will use the portfolio website itself (www.whbdesign.co.uk). The galleries and open ordered structure of the website will provide a fluid and attention grabbing format for my work.

I will structure my presentation based on the following format:

• Introduction to myself and what I have been doing recently
• Introduction into the concept of my portfolio and how it reflects my profession
• Walk-through of portfolio format
• About Me, Services and CV Explanation
• Portfolio display, showing Web, Logo, Icon, and Miscellaneous designs and gallery functions.
• Contact function display and Business Card handout
• Conclusion and Q&A.

After the presentation I would like the viewers to be inspired and curious about myself and my profession, and would hope that a lot of questions are asked.

Entry Into a Design Contest

I have decided to see if my portfolio website would be eligible in a design competition.

The competition I will look at is the monthly award hosted by the American Design Awards. I will enter this competition because the award is rewarded to "web designers responsible for designing creative or innovative websites for themselves or legitimate paying clients". I will enter my website under the 'personal' category. Here is my entry form filled in:



I believe that my website, being that it fits it's promotion and purpose so well, would be a great contender in this competition, and I would stand a good chance at winning.

Final Portfolio Adjustments

I have now implemented final adjustments to my portfolio website, and added some starting content to my portfolio.



This screenshot shows the 'temperate' desktop wallpaper I created to bring contrast to the icons and windows. The random wallpaper is no longer used due to the contrast being uncontrollable.



This screenshot shows the different windows in my website. They contrast well with their background and can be positioned wherever the user wants, as is found in real modern operating systems.

The only changes that will be made to the website now are adding portfolio content as and when it is made.

Portfolio Refinement

I have refined the "wallpaper" of the website's desktop to be a randomly generated image from my portfolio. The website retains it's uniqueness (a highly uncommon website format, let alone online portfolio format), however I can see problems arising with consistency and legibility of some aspects due to the contrasts of the different wallpapers. In my next revisions I believe I will have to create a wallpaper that complements the current colours of windows and icons.

Portfolio Mock-Up

Here is a mock up of the sketch created in the previous post...



The screen is designed as close to a 4:3 ratio as possible. The main desktop (shown) is the only screen in the website the user will be able to interact with. The desktop is a temporary picture at the moment (one that is designed to fit the colour scheme).

For ease of coding, only what is shown on the screen will be made in flash. The background/border of the monitor will be a static image in the HTML document, so that no matter how many changes are made to the flash document, it can always be overlapped on top of the monitor border.

Early Web Site Stages

Here is a brainstorm of what the portfolio is intended to look like...



I have chosen to create the portfolio that represents a computer operating system, as I believe this is most relevant to my skills that will be shown.

The website will be made in flash, shown on a single HTML page.

The website will have a mock 'BIOS' screen, and the pre-loader of the web site will be integrated into the 'boot' screen of the 'operating system'. After the website is loaded the user will be able to use the 'desktop' shortcuts to open what information they want, in a non-linear fashion.

Portfolio Revision

I have decided to revise what areas of my work my portfolio will demonstrate. The areas to be covered can now be summed up as "Branding, identity and interfaces on the web".

The website will have to demonstrate this in an attractive and contextual way. Being as most of my portfolio weighs on the side of interfaces, I will base my website around some kind of familiar interface like operating system or DVD menu.

Where it would be ideal to have an intuitive website that users could feel like they're browsing, I believe that a strong contextual metaphor would be a more effective arena for my work.

Portfolio Planning

Now that my statement is finished, it is necessary to create a medium to present it. In my case, the most relevant way to show my statement would be to create an online portfolio and display the statement in a section alongside my work.

This online portfolio needs to be made to the best of my ability and should have no visible errors so my skills are shown in the best possible light. It should also be technically accomplished to back-up my written statement when it talks about my technical abilities, but this should also be shown in a visually attractive and rich display, so as to project my design skills to the website's visitors.

A good place to start would be to think of what 'theme' and identity my website will have. Because I will be trying to project my skills to visitors, I will need to use styles and techniques that I will be using in my work that I would be doing in my jobs. Areas that should be covered are:

• Corporate Identity
• Interface & Web Design
• Animation & Illustration
• Icon Design

These topics will need to be shown in the website appropriately, so visitors see that I am able to do what I say I can.

Week 6 - Statement (Final)

Who I am
Hi! My name is William Hodgson - Byrne, and I am an Interface and Graphics Designer!

How I got into design
After spending time doing general IT in Secondary School, and then Programming in College, I wanted to get on my creative side and really make Computers my own.

So I decided to do a BA in Digital Arts at Thames Valley University. This course taught me that the technical knowledge I learned from my previous courses and experience could produce some amazingly practical creative work.

What tools I use
Being as I come from a technical background, I use my own custom-built PC to do the majority of my work on. I also use a host of software to digitally produce my work (although I do sometimes like to pick up a pencil and paper!), this software includes:

• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Flash
• Adobe Fireworks
• Adobe Premiere
• Adobe Dreamweaver
• Microsoft Office Suite


What my work does
You're probably wondering how my work is different, aren't you? Well, it's technically informed and carried out to a professional standard. Something that is important to remember when being creative. I also pride every new piece of my work on being the best work I have ever done.

What do I mean by this? I don't like my work to be the result of a design mass-production line, just churning out item after item. I always put my mind to everything I do and always will myself to make everything I do the best thing that I have ever done. No one learns anything or breaks boundaries by doing the same thing over and over!

My style
I am not an artist and so can't associate myself with a certain style... and so as a designer I know my work has to be styled, and more importantly styled appropriately. Although I consider myself to be a bit different to other designers, I do like it when fashions in design pop up, and often like to try and see if I can create something that would fit into these fashions!

My influences
I don't really know of a specific company or individual that influences my work, however there is a media that I think influences me. Computer Games. Games always push the boundaries of their interfaces whether it be pushing hardware to its limits or introducing a new way to play, they are the pinnacle of the partnership between physical and virtual interfaces and are, I think, the best influence for graphics, interfaces, and styles that anyone could ever have!

My hobbies
As mentioned in the last point, I really like computer games, and feel that they are unbeatable in their interaction and design. However, I also mentioned that I come from an IT background, and this passion has not died out. I hinted already that I build my own computers, a lot of people don't realize how much design goes into a computer, and when building your own, you have a unique opportunity to really make your own "tool". I also create themes and custom icons to be used in the operating system, which extends the look of the hardware into a full, visually rich system scheme.

Having interface design as a hobby really helps when it comes to deciding the look and functionality of an interface!

Week 5 - Database of Contacts

To accompany my statement, it is advised to have a database of contacts that will give a starting point when looking for a job, technical expertise, or clients.

For example, in the contact database there could be "personal contacts" who are people I know that are experts in networking, databases and PHP etc. , who would be valuable contacts to have in my professional life.

Details of the contacts would include their name, phone number, email address, skill description.

There will also be organizational contacts that would be useful to have to put me in touch with the professional world, such as agencies of various types, and companies specializing in design, or with design departments.

Week 4 - Statement Draft (cont.)

Who I am
Hi! My name is William Hodgson - Byrne, and I am an Interface and Graphics Designer!

How I got into design
After spending time doing general IT in Secondary School, and then Programming in College, I wanted to get on my creative side and really make Computers my own.

So I decided to do a BA in Digital Arts at Thames Valley University. This course taught me that the technical knowledge I learned from my previous courses and experience could produce some amazingly practical creative work.

What tools I use
Being as I come from a technical background, I use my own custom-built PC to do the majority of my work on. I also use a host of software to digitally produce my work (although I do sometimes like to pick up a pencil and paper!), this software includes:

• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Flash
• Adobe Fireworks
• Adobe Premiere
• Adobe Dreamweaver
• Microsoft Office Suite

What my work does
You're probably wondering how my work is different, aren't you? Well, it's technically informed and carried out to a professional standard. Something that is important to remember when being creative. I also pride every new piece of my work on being the best work I have ever done.

What do I mean by this? I don't like my work to be the result of a design mass-production line, just churning out artefact after artefact. I always put my mind to everything I do and always will myself to make everything I do the best thing that I have ever done. No one learns anything or breaks boundaries by doing the same thing over and over!

My style
I am not an artist and so can't associate myself with a certain style... and so as a designer I know my work has to be styled, and more importantly styled appropriately. Although I consider myself to be a bit different to other designers, I do like design fashions and often like to try and see if I can create something that would fit into this fashion!

My influences
I don't really know of a specific company or individual that influences my work, however there is a media that I think influences me. Computer Games. Games always push the boundaries of their interfaces whether it be pushing hardware to its limits or introducing a new way to play, they are the pinnacle of interfaces and are, I think, the best influence for graphics, interfaces, and styles that anyone could ever have!

My hobbies
As mentioned in the last point, I really like computer games, and feel that they are unbeatable in their interaction and design. However, I also mentioned that I come from an IT background, and this passion has not died out. I hinted already that I build my own computers, a lot of people don't realise how much design goes into a computer, and when building your own, you have a unique opportunity to really make your own "tool". I also create themes and custom icons to be used in the operating system, that extends the look of the hardware into a full, visually rich system scheme.

Here is my current theme...



Having interface design as a hobby really helps when it comes to deciding the look and functionality of an interface!

Week 3 - Statement Draft

Who are you?
Hi! My name is William Hodgson - Byrne, and I am an Interface and Graphics Designer!

How did you get into design?
After spending time doing general IT in Secondary School, and then Programming in College, I wanted to get on my creative side and really make Computers my own.

So I decided to do a BA in Digital Arts at Thames Valley University. This course taught me that the technical knowledge I learned from my previous courses and experience could produce some amazingly practical creative work.

What tools do I use?
Being as I come from a technical background, I use my own custom-built PC to do the majority of my work on. I also use a host of software to digitally produce my work (although I do sometimes like to pick up a pencil and paper!), this software includes:

• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Flash
• Adobe Fireworks
• Adobe Premiere
• Adobe Dreamweaver
• Microsoft Office Suite

What does your work do?
You're probably wondering how my work is different, aren't you? Well, it's technically informed and carried out to a professional standard. Something that is important to remember when being creative. I also pride my work on being the best work I have ever done.

What do I mean by this? I don't like my work to be the result of a design mass-production line, just churning out artefact after artefact. I always put my mind to everything I do and always will myself to make everything I do the best thing that I have ever done. No one learns anything or breaks boundaries by doing the same thing over and over!

What is my style?
I am not an artist and so can't associate myself with a certain style... and so as a designer I know my work has to be styled, and more importantly styled appropriately. Although I consider myself to be a bit different to other designers, I do like design fashions and often like to try and see if I can create something that would fit into this fashion!

What are your influences?
I don't really know of a specific company or individual that influences my work, however there is a media that I think influences me. Computer Games. These games always push the boundaries of their interfaces wether it be pushing hardware to its limits or introducing a new way to play, they are the pinnacle of interfaces and are, I think, the best influence for graphics, interfaces, and styles that anyone could ever have!

Week 2 - Statement Planning

This week I noted down important points my statement will need to cover. Also this week, I had topics recommended to me that were advisable to cover in my statement, I picked the most relevant topics and will include them in the list below...

• Who am I and what do I do?
• How did I get into this work?
• How do I feel when my work is going well?
• What are my favourite things about my work?
• Key words that describe my work. What are they connected with?
  
• What tools do I use?
• What am I capable of doing?
• Any patterns/styles in my work?
• What do I do differently from which I am taught? Why?
  
• How do I begin a piece?
• When do I think a piece is done?
• What do I want people to do with my work?

I intend to spread these points thinly throughout the body of my statement so that readers do not get bogged down with unnecessary information or get 'bored' of reading. I want my statement to be a good indication as to what I do, why I do it, how I do it, and why this is relevant to the reader (possible client).

Research
I thought it would be highly beneficial at this stage to do some research into what other artists and designers' statements look like. Here are links to, and my thoughts on, my favourite ones...

Larissa Meek

www.larissameek.com

Larissa uses a style that greatly appeals to me. She writes her statement as though she is answering questions in an interview for a job or from fans, which is a style I think reduces 'boredom' amongst readers.


Elliot Jay Stocks

elliotjaystocks.com

Elliot uses a very brief and down-to-earth style, that sounds like he is having a conversation with you. This style is very good in the fact that readers wont skip chunks of text or the entire document, but instead will feel more encouraged to read all of it as it looks easy to manage.


Dache (David Pache)

www.dache.ch

David provides a brief and professional description in his statement, that also has summary lists of what skills and tools he can use. He also manages to give titles and 'his view' on his work in what is rather a small amount of text.


After looking at these statements I feel much more capable of writing my own. They have provided me with what style I would feel most comfortable using. I now know that my statement should be written in first person, in the present tense, phrased in a way to seem like I am in the room with the reader, be rather concise to avoid 'overloading' and putting off readers, and still remain professional by avoiding slang or colloquial words and phrases.

Week 1 - Artist Statement

This week I was introduced to the task of creating an "Artist Statement" for myself. An artist statement is described as a short description (1000 words) of yourself, your work, and your methods. I feel it would be a sort of hybrid between a CV and a short Biography, where it must be descriptive, but also have positive advertising for yourself. I think this task will grant a valuable skill that would be necessary to create a professional portfolio, what the best questions to ask yourself are, when you are writing about yourself.

The most difficult aspect I think I will have with writing my statement, will be not using language that would be found in a CV, but still advertising myself as skilled and able. I also think that the content of my statement will have to be personalised to not sound boring or like any other statement a potential client or employer would read. Another factor that may add difficulty to the task is keeping the content out of the realms of traditional artist's statements or "Fine Art".

Research
In order to keep up with trends and produce material relevant to clients, I subscribe to various technology news websites, so I am always 'clued in' on the latest hardware and software developments. This is important as it offers an insight into where trends are going in computers (and sometimes print), so I have the knowledge what clients (and their clients) will be using, and what I should design for. These articles also give data that I can use to predict upgrades to my own tools (computer, peripherals, etc.), so I can keep producing higher quality work, faster and more efficiently.


Image of AMD Phenom II from: www.hexus.net

Hexus is a UK based technology-news website that covers a huge array of platforms and hardware. It is an excellent source of information and statistics. This website reviewed and praised one of the newest CPUs from AMD, and I was convinced enough to make a decision that this CPU will be my next upgrade.

I feel this is worth mentioning as my custom built PC is my main tool in the work I do, so it will have to be mentioned in my statement.