A lovely site

For your enjoyment (if you like colors as much as I do)

http://design-seeds.com

New Google ad

In the mood for 3 minutes of emotional highs and lows? Why not check out Google's 2011 year in review.

Re: Design Portfolios

Ever since taking Advanced Web Development, I've had time to think about a design portfolio and what I would like it to include. For showcasing videos I've made, the default is to have a YouTube page or Vimeo page. But now I've taken more classes in the ID program, I have more to show in different media.

I agree with what a lot of people have been saying, about how the website should reflect the designer's style and easy to navigate through. Also having a blog is good. Hopefully these all can be incorporated into my portfolio.

Submitting work via Dropbox

Sorry for the lateness of this post, but I pretty much forgot about it!

To submit via Dropbox (Here is a link to get it if you don't - Dropbox )

If you have Dropbox on your computer...
First you need to create a new folder within the main directory. Then place the files to share in that folder. After they have uploaded, right click on the folder and hover over the "Dropbox" selection and select "Share this folder..." This will take you to the Dropbox site where you can put in the email address of who to share with.
And that should be that!

If you use the website...
First you need to create a new folder within the main directory. Then place the files to share in that folder. After they have uploaded, click the "Invite to Folder" button and input the email address to share with. And that should be that!

Hope this helps

Re: Portfolios

As a writer, I am constantly asked if I have a blog— both by colleagues, and in interviews (and I go on a lot.) I have several, because they are each specific to a topic, and my interests are always shifting. I’ll write for one every day for a month, and then not again for six. For example, I keep one about cooking/learning to cook, and another about running/learning to run (I am not a natural by any means..) and sometimes I'll go a few months straight training for a race, and then (like now) I'll go a few months without running. So, when people/potential employers ask about it, I often tell them about one and then RACE home to update it. Although the writing part is really fun for me, maintaining the blog(s) to a level I’d want a potential employer to see, and knowing that they are out there for anyone to check at any time, is a constant source of anxiety. The biggest thing is making sure that they are always updated, I’m always posting new things, etc. , and I’m sure the same will go for our digital portfolios here. Creating them sounds like a doosey of a task in itself, but the idea of keeping them up to date makes me the most crazy. And like blogs, I’m sure that once they are created, not only will the quality of your work be judged based on the content and design of the site, but your work ethic and diligence will surely be judged based on how dedicated you are to keeping on top of it, and adding new things as you go along. YIKES!

Re: Design Portfolios

Great post. I recently started thinking about my digital portfolio for next semester. It's interesting to see how other designer's showcase their work. I've also been reading Ignore Everybody by Hugh MacLeod http://gapingvoid.com/. He says everyone has a blog, so you should too. I definitely want to incorporate a blog into my portfolio site. There is just so much to think about!

Re: Design Portfolio

Nice post Anthony.

It is always important for us as designers to remember how to showcase our works.

I thought it was really interesting that the first body of work had a tag line, I never considered adding something like that.

The idea of adding an info graphic to the about section of a webpage is certainly a unique way to display the information as well.

Re: Design Portfolios

I think this is a fantastic topic. Something to consider is allowing your work to speak for itself by designing a very clean, plain portfolio site that really puts your work on display. A simple, grid based site with excellent typography might be easier for a someone with limited web experience to design and develop.

http://www.postmachina.com/
http://www.shyamagolden.com/

Re: Design Portfolios

I think about this all the time. And by thinking about it, I really mean freaking out about it. It will have been a year since I took Hypermedia when Portfolio starts, and I’m slowly forgetting bits and pieces. I am going to try to refresh my mind over winter break so that I’m not completely lost, but I want my portfolio to be awesome and I know that I need to step up my html game for that to happen.

I think a good portfolio is designed in that designer’s particular style. That way, someone isn’t looking at a site in one style and portfolio pieces in a completely different style. To me, that would be confusing and misleading. I also think simplicity and easy accessibility are both really important. A portfolio site should not make you dig around to find the designer’s pieces. They should be displayed in a direct, but creative way. 

Re: Design Portfolios

Anthony, I am so dreading coming up with ideas for my own digital portfolio! I'm graduating next semester as well. I have seen a ton of professional design portfolios, and I know that I don't have the capabilities to make mine look as great as theirs. On my list of things to do is to compile a collection of portfolios that I really admire, and put together a list of elements I want to include in my own. I really haven't even started thinking about what I want to do for mine yet, so I'm going to have a really great time in portfolio next semester.

Posters

Heyo. So I adjusted a few things on my posters, including desaturating the background on each poster. Amy suggested pulling back the color of the background to make the things in the foreground pop out. I'm not sure if I like the desaturated look, but let me know what you guys think.

Oh, P.S., some weird white lines popped up toward the bottom of the posters on the PDF, so don't pay attention to that.

Re: Design Portfolios

Great blog topic Anthony - I've been thinking about this as well. I think personality is very important. I got my first bit of writing experience in Words and Images, and paired with what I learned in Writing for the Marketplace, I feel like I was able to sit down and express myself via my site. The fact that my personality shows a bit has been brought up to me professionally.

I know we've been talking a lot about Jessica Hische lately, but her portfolio site is very cool, and I think it shows off her personality as well.

http://jessicahische.is/awesome/

Design Portfolios

I'm commandeering the blog this week and jumping ahead to what I have coming at me next semester. It'll be my final semester in the Publications Design program, so I'll have to prepare my portfolio. I've been kinda preparing by looking at my past projects and creating a starter portfolio website in my other class, Advanced Web Development. I've also been scouring the web looking at other designers' portfolio sites, trying to get a sense of what makes a good, great, and fantastic portfolio.

So far, I've discovered that most designers have a logo and/or tagline throughout their website. This helps brand the designer and gives viewers an idea of what their skills are right away. Collin Henderson, a Canadian web designer, has an informative and fun tagline:

I also found that you have to show what you can do, not just say what you can do. And if you can do it in a way that reflects your personality, giving viewers a sense of what kind of person you are, that's even better. Deidre "Deda" Bain has an awesome "About Me" section that shows off her personality, her skills, and her experience:

The other common thread that I've found throughout most of the designer portfolios that I scanned is a blog. A blog allows you to constantly keep visitors updated about you and what you're doing. It also shows that you have a sincere interest and dedication to your work. Jacob Cass has a pretty good blog where he posts his reflections on design, gives helpful tips, and links to other insightful articles:

What are some things that you guys think should be part of an online design portfolio? What makes a portfolio good and what makes a portfolio great?

Re: Title Sequences

That Versteeg video was great, Matt! Also, it's a shame that the oscars don't recognize title sequences but it's great that the Emmys do.

Pixar often use their title sequences as a way to do some different forms of animation as opposed to their super-polished CG animation.

Monsters, Inc.


Ratatouille end credits. (This is not the actual music... I couldn't find the real one.)


They're really cool, it gives the animators a chance to do something a little different.

Great topic Kat! Looks like a lot of the usual suspects have been named (Madmen, Dexter, Catch Me if You Can)but of course there's a million more. I didn't realize there's an Emmy award for best title sequence which the Oscar's have chosen to ignore.
Here is a graduation project by Dutch Jurjen Versteeg that gives a clever and brief history of leaders in the field.

A History Of The Title Sequence from jurjen versteeg on Vimeo.

RE: Title Sequences

Interesting post! I was in Principals of Design with Amy, and I too became a huge fan of the "Catch Me if You Can" title sequence. Beautifully done. I also immediately thought of the "Mad Men" intro, as Hannah pointed out. And from a totally non design perspective, I am a huge fan of the intro to "Workaholics" (a crass comedy). It's super short, but fits the tone of the show perfectly.



To the contrary, I DESPISE the intro for "Suburgatory"

Title Sequences

I really had to think about this one, because I HARDLY EVER see a title sequence. If I am watching a movie or television show, 9 times out of 10, I will just fast forward the DVR through the opening. But something that I like is when the title sequence of the movie actually has plot or character information, something to keep me involved. This is one of the few that I can recall:




From a graphic design perspective, I like the treatment of the Kiss Kiss Bang Bang opening sequence:

Re: Title Sequence

Well, since I was literally about to post the opening to Dexter, and then noticed that Steve beat me to it, I will not be posting that anymore. I love when title sequences are clever, like the Dexter sequence, because it gives the show or movie just that much more interest. I know that the Simpsons opening sequence isn’t a title sequence (most of the titles come after) but I do always look forward to whatever little clever scene happens at the end of the sequence. Anyone who has seen the Simpsons knows what I’m talking about. In May, comedian/actress Kristen Schaal was wrongly credited as "Kristen Schall” and the Simpsons cleverly corrected it using the opening sequence. I think this is really clever and as Kristen put it, classy.

Re: Title Sequence

So, I am not a movie person at all (in case you couldn't tell), but last semester we watched a series of title sequences, I think in Kate Talent's principles of design class (is that right, Rich? I wish Blogger had a tagging feature!). Anyway, one of them was the beginning of Catch Me if You Can. I am OBSESSED with it. I'm not sure what it is I love so much, but I was totally bored with the presentation of them until we watched this one, and ever since and I've become more and more interested. I can't sit through the rest of any movie, but I ALWAYS pay attention to the the title sequence.

I actually even suggested to Stephanie Gibson that they make a class for it eventually. I would love to take it!



(PS I can't remember who already posted it, but I think Casino Royale's is pretty cool too!)

Title Sequence

I love well done opening credits, note the well done part! One of my favorites is the Dexter opening.



I find it a nice play on the subject matter of the actual show.

Re: Title Sequences

I've been interested in title sequences since my sophomore year in undergrad when my instructor gave a lecture on them. I like when filmmakers take time and effort to make an enjoyable and interesting title sequence.

I agree with Sarah about the Bond films having great title sequences. My favorite from recent years is the one in Casino Royale. 

I love everything about this title sequence including using the symbols of playing cards as other things like bullets, blood, and throwing knives. And now that I've seen the Mad Men title sequence, I definitely see some similarities between that one and this one.

Re: Title Sequences

I never tire of the Mad Men title sequence -

you can view it here (sorry, embedding has been disabled):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcRr-Fb5xQo

I always stay for the end credits, partially because I like watching them scroll and seeing whatever graphics are in place, and partially because I want to make sure there's not a hidden scene at the end of the credits. The latest Twilight movie, for instance (judge, I'm fine with that) had a hidden last scene, and I was super glad I stayed. I feel like the Marvel Comics movies always do as well.

Poster Series

Sorry to take away from your topic Cat, but I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions/feedback on my posters. I hand drew the font for Nancy Meyers, and then edited it in Illustrator to make it look more uniform and nicer. I also made the objects larger and made all of the fonts smaller. I know the locket poster is hard to read, but it's also unreadable when I make the text white. I still think the placement of the text needs work, but I don't know what to do with it. Feedback is greatly appreciated!

Re: Title Sequences

One that came to mind right away was the LOST sequence. It's so simple (it's just type!). I think the music also has to do with why that title sequence works so well too. I also always enjoy the Tru Blood title sequence.





I do try and stay for the closing credits for almost all movies. You never know if they are going to throw something in at the end like a preview of a sequel or an alternative ending.

Re: Title Sequences

Bond, James Bond

The movies that popped into my head after reading your post are the entire series of James Bond movies. The title sequences for these movies take the time to display all of the credits with interesting visual effects. It makes you actually want to read the names of the people that worked on the film. Of course, the title sequences all end with the famous gun barrel sequence that James Bond is known for, which features Bond shooting directly into the camera, and then blood streaming down the screen. I really like the title sequence that features Sheryl Crow's song. The graphical treatment is great. You can watch it here.

Title Sequences

I wanted to share with you two resources that showcase film and television title design. Art of the Title and Watch the Titles

I'm always interested in seeing if the films or TV shows take the time to create imaginative and memorable title sequences. The good ones can put me in the exact mood the director wants me to be in before watching the movie. The better ones can stand alone as it is without the movie. Occasionally, they're better than the movie itself.

Sometimes I feel cheated when films and television shows put the titles during the movie or TV episode, so you’re less likely to pay attention to them. Even some movies include creative closing credits, which I appreciate as well. Last semester in Advanced Motion Graphics class with Sarah Verville, one of our assignments was to create a title sequence for a book we've read using After Effects. While difficult, it was extremely rewarding to complete. I was always a big fan of title sequences, but that assignment just made me appreciate the art even more.

Some of my favorite title sequences are
LOST
Chuck

Forbidden Kingdom

and Catch Me If You Can

Saul Bass is one name that is thrown around in class a lot. The book "Saul Bass: A Life in Film & Design" was just released and a fan put together a video of some of his most celebrated work. Thought you all would enjoy this.

What are some of your favorite title sequences? Do you pay attention to them at all? Do you stay for the entire closing credits? Have any of you attempted to create a title sequence?