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!