A new year brings new opportunities. Make sure you are ready for them with an updated portfolio! Follow the 6 steps outlined by Behance’s Chief Designer, Matias Corea and you’ll be in tip-top shape. 6 Steps To Creating a Knockout Online Portfolio
Posts Tagged ‘Design’
Freshen up your portfolio for the new year
Friday, January 20th, 2012Design Culture Does Not Require Designers
Tuesday, September 13th, 2011
Around here we keep our eyes peeled and an ear to the ground for companies that really value good design and support a culture of innovation. (Those companies tend to also be the ones that value their employees and keeping them fulfilled and challenged.) The common thread seems to always be that the decision makers at the top incorporate design and creativity into every aspect of their business. Fast Company’s Alissa Walker recently wrote up a profile of the surprisingly small team running Tumblr. Despite having only a single designer on staff (for now), Tumblr has placed emphasis on good, simple design at the center of all their offerings.
How Tumblr Created A Design Culture With No Design Team
This Looks Familiar
Tuesday, December 14th, 2010Ahhh PDX… the little, big city. Big enough to provide some big city shopping for this Christmas season (can I get a hell yeah for H&M?), yet small enough you almost always know someone meandering down the other side of the street. More than once, this little-big city effect has poked it’s head into 52′s conference room. While walking through a portfolio from one person, I recognized some work from the other side of the street…. er… from 
someone else’s portfolio. Though the two portfolio owners had roles on the project that were obviously different, they both used the same photo to represent the work. In this case, the two folks were fortunately very clear to point out their roles in the project and that the photo of the work was the only one the company they were contracted with had provided to them. That explained the duplication of the photo in multiple books. However, if they had not both been so clear, an interviewer could have mistook them for telling tall tales. Below is one recruiter’s account of an interviewee who fibbed about whose work was whose… and how to avoid giving the wrong idea if you happen to find yourself in such a situation.
I am very trusting, especially when it comes to portfolios. If you are showing me your book and there’s a load of work inside, I assume it is yours. I trust it is yours. Why would I doubt otherwise?
Am I too trusting? Are there recruiters out there who keep an ounce of doubt wondering whether every piece inside is actually truly that persons? I never, ever would have thought so.
Until today.
There is a crazy story circling the internet today about a not-at-all-junior creative who has be outed for putting creative work he did not do on his portfolio site. Un-capital B-believeable.
Lots of thoughts are swirling through my mind:
why in the heck would someone do this?
have I been looking at bogus work from other people?
how will I ever know what is truly legit or not?
how many other people do this?
why in the heck would someone do this?
Guys, this is never, never, never ok.
First, let’s just say you get hired off a bogus portfolio. Day one on the job you’ll have to prove your creative chops and when you come up short, you’ll be found out anyway.
Second, let’s say someone finds out (a la not-so-junior-creative referenced above). And not just someone, a large portion of the advertising community finds out. Well, you can kiss your reputation and hire-ability goodbye. And I will tell you, that is never going to be worth it.
Some advice: Be very clear on attributing who else worked on the pieces in your book. Be very clear about your role on the work. Be clear about what is your original idea and what is not. Be clear about whether you worked fulltime versus freelanced. Be clear on your title and role. Be clear about your salary (that’s a whole other blog post by the way).
Be clear. Be clear. Be clear. And, god forbid, do not steal another person’s creative work.
Written by Cecilia Gormon and originally posted at: http://www.creativerecruiter.blogspot.com/
What’s so Wrong with Comic Sans?
Monday, November 29th, 2010Comic Sans, that unassuming jaunty typeface lurking inside millions of computers, has become the target of an online hate campaign. Simon Garfield explains why normally mild-mannered people are so enraged by its use. Originally posted on bbc.co.uk
How did schools ever advertise their Christmas fairs without it? Has a homemade birthday card ever looked so friendly written in anything else? Have type lovers ever found anything they loathe as much?
If you wrote these questions in Comic Sans you’d have something that was warm, inoffensive and rather 
unsuitable, a typeface that’s gone wrong. And you’d also have something guaranteed to provoke a howl of protest.
Comic Sans is unique: used the world over, it’s a typeface that doesn’t really want to be type. It looks homely and handwritten, something perfect for things we deem to be fun and liberating. Great for the awnings of toyshops, less good on news websites or on gravestones and the sides of ambulances.
Last year it stuck out like an unfunny joke in Time magazine and Adidas adverts, and even the BBC wasn’t immune, choosing the font to promote its Composers of the Year during the Proms.
What can be done? One can buy the “Ban Comic Sans” mugs, caps and T-shirts, and help finance a documentary called Comic Sans, Or the Most Hated Font In The World.
Black-tie do (not)
Holly and David Combs, the husband and wife cottage industry behind bancomicsans.com, argue that the misuse of the font is “analogous to showing up for a black tie event in a clown costume”. Some of what the Combses have to say is tongue-in-cheek, but it is hard to disagree with their claims that type – used well or badly – has the ability to express meaning far beyond the basic words it clothes.
But why, more than any other font, has Comic Sans inspired so much revulsion?
Partly because its ubiquity has led to such misuse (or at least to uses far beyond its original intentions). And partly because it is so irritably simple, so apparently written by a 
small child. Helvetica is everywhere and simple too, but it usually has the air of modern Swiss sophistication about it, or at least corporate authority. Comic Sans just smirks at you, and begs to be printed in multiple colours.
Perhaps the most comic thing about Comic Sans is that it was never designed as a font for common use. It was intended merely as a perfect solution to a small corporate problem.
It was created in 1994 by Vincent Connare, who worked at Microsoft with the title of “typographic engineer”.
Creative How-To: Forget Brainstorming
Thursday, September 30th, 2010What you think you know about fostering creativity is wrong. A look at what really works.
Written by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman and originally posted at newsweek.com
Brainstorming in a group became popular in 1953 with the publication of a business book, Applied Imagination. But it’s been proven not to work since 1958, when Yale researchers found that the technique actually reduced a team’s creative 
output: the same number of people generate more and better ideas separately than together. In fact, according to University of Oklahoma professor Michael Mumford, half of the commonly used techniques intended to spur creativity don’t work, or even have a negative impact. As for most commercially available creativity training, Mumford doesn’t mince words: it’s “garbage.” Whether for adults or kids, the worst of these programs focus solely on imagination exercises, expression of feelings, or imagery. They pander to an easy, unchallenging notion that all you have to do is let your natural creativity out of its shell. However, there are some techniques that do boost the creative process:
Don’t tell someone to ‘be creative.’
Such an instruction may just cause people to freeze up. However, according to the University of Georgia’s Mark Runco, there is a suggestion that works: “Do something only you would come up with—that none of your friends or family would think of.” When Runco gives this advice in experiments, he sees the number of creative responses double.
Get moving.
Almost every dimension of cognition improves from 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, and creativity is no exception. The type of exercise doesn’t matter, and the boost lasts for at least two hours afterward. However, there’s a catch: this is the case only for the physically fit. For those who rarely exercise, the fatigue from aerobic activity counteracts the short-term benefits.
Take a break.
Those who study multi-tasking report that you can’t work on two projects simultaneously, but the dynamic is different when you have more than one creative project to complete. In that situation, more projects get completed on time when you allow yourself to switch between them if solutions don’t come immediately. This corroborates surveys showing that professors who set papers aside to incubate ultimately publish more papers. Similarly, preeminent mathematicians usually work on more than one proof at a time.
Reduce screen time.
According to University of Texas professor Elizabeth Vandewater, for every hour a kid regularly watches television, his overall time in creative activities—from fantasy play to arts projects—drops as much as 11 percent. With kids spending about three hours in front of televisions each day, that could be a one-third reduction in creative time—less time to develop a sense of creative self-efficacy through play.
Explore other cultures.
Five experiments by Northwestern’s Adam Galinsky showed that those who have lived abroad outperform others on creativity tasks. Creativity is also higher on average for first- or second-generation immigrants and bilinguals. The theory is that cross-cultural experiences force people to adapt and be more flexible. Just studying another culture can help. In Galinsky’s lab, people were more creative after watching a slide show about China: a 45-minute session increased creativity scores for a week.
Follow a passion.
Rena Subotnik, a researcher with the American Psychological Association, has studied children’s progression into adult creative careers. Kids do best when they are allowed to develop deep passions and pursue them wholeheartedly—at the expense of well-roundedness. “Kids who have deep identification with a field have better discipline and handle setbacks better,” she noted. By contrast, kids given superficial exposure to many activities don’t have the same centeredness to overcome periods of difficulty.
Ditch the suggestion box.
If you want to increase innovation within an organization, one of the first things to do is tear out the suggestion box, advises Isaac Getz, professor at ESCP Europe Business School in Paris. Formalized suggestion protocols, whether a box on the wall, an e-mailed form, or an internal Web site, actually stifle innovation because employees feel that their ideas go into a black hole of bureaucracy. Instead, employees need to be able to put their own ideas into practice. One of the reasons that Toyota’s manufacturing plant in Georgetown, Ky., is so successful is that it implements up to 99 percent of employees’ ideas.
I’d Like to Ask the Audience, Regis
Thursday, August 19th, 2010I’m reading this article on Wednesday at around 4:30p. Between the nearing end of the day haze and the sugar induced brain 
goo brought on by 4 mini candy bars, I’m not sure if my brain is firing on all cylinders… so I figure, heed the article’s advice.
It’s a pretty quick read so I buzzed (literally after that much sugar) through it. After reading Dan 3.0′s description I set back in my chair and said, out loud which made everyone’s head swivel, “huh.”
What a brilliant thought. Ask the people! Not a new idea for sure… today IS the 90th anniversary of women’s right to vote, you know. I think the novelty of the idea is in how the feedback is used. In the below companies, it seems to be used directly… not really edited or diffused, or at least minimally so.
Then I start thinking about the what-if’s. What if 52 incorporated some form of this? Like, um, events. We ask folks what they want to see, or learn about, or who they want to hear from. Then…. we do it! Again I say, “huh.” OR… and this is kooky so bear with me… but what if a “gig” is posted. Say a client needs a poster with xxxxxx copy on it, and xxxxxxx graphics incorporated, to be used for xxxxxx application, and whatever else we know. Then if you want to work on it, you do, then upload your work directly to that client’s ‘profile’ for them to review. Then, in the end, if the client uses your art, you get the “prize.” In this case probably money.
Ok, I’m sure there are major flaws in this 35 second idea but really though, sometimes it’s tough to get started in a field, or a new city once you’ve moved, or even if you wanted to change careers. Something like this could provide a break-in chance.
“Huh.” These are just my sugar flooded braincells banging together. Here’s the article originally posted on Spring Wise. Thoughts?
Five Businesses That Look to the Crowds for Content
by Stefan Grimm and Jim Stewart
Tapping the crowd for creative input can provide a double-sided benefit for businesses: first, it unleashes a huge resource of ideas, often at little or no cost. Second, it’s a powerful marketing tool, providing information about who potential customers are, and about what they like. Here are five recently spotted enterprises that make use of content from the crowd:
1. NAMING FORCE — Naming Force crowdsources name ideas for businesses, websites, and products. Clients sign up for a package of suggestions and provide a brief description of what they want named. The incentive for the community of namers is a cash prize of USD 100-500, paid by the client to the person whose idea is chosen. If the client doesn’t like any of the suggestions, they’re refunded the prize money. (Related: Name This.) (more…)
2010 Creative Resolution: Fail
Thursday, August 5th, 2010
John, a brilliant writer and good friend of 52, contributed this piece in December of 2009. How do you think these methods have stacked up so far in 2010?
I thought up a wish around Christmas 2008. (You remember, this was when the economy fell into a well, only to crawl out in an algae-soaked stupor around mid-year.) By the end of 2009 I got some of the stuff I hoped for: Cool projects. Money. And I made some great new relationships with passionate professionals. I was lucky. But some things never came. That’s the era we’re in.
IMHO, 2010 isn’t going to be the year of getting back to the big getting that we sometimes enjoy. (My stimulus package is pretty much BOGO at the 
supermarket.) Sure, Obama’s president. I have hope. But the economy remains iffy. Building brands will be fun but no less exacting than 2009—given lean budgets, challenged clients and the speed of change. But you’ve got a great secret weapon. It’s called: an idea.
If I, you—we—do nothing this year but die for our ideas or the ideas our brand teams come up with, you’ll make it to 2011. People will admire you. Will want to work with you. And if you play it right, they’ll pay you well. What’s truly thrilling is how powerful ideas can be now. As in: effective, gorgeous, persuasive, cash-generating, transforming, life-building, whatever.
(more…)
Client vs. Designer: The Missing Feline Poster
Friday, June 25th, 2010Reposted by Ashley Diehl, account manager 52 PDX (Thanks Malia)
This post was recently forwarded to me by a friend. She thought since 52 works and places folks in the advertising, marketing, design field it may strike a chord with us. Generally I don’t take the time to read through longer forwards, but I did spend 5 minutes on this one… it proved absolutely worth my time. If you’re in this field, and have ever had to deal with a difficult client or designer, it’ll be worth yours too.
Warning: If you’re prone to spontaneous weeping when forced to laugh hysterically, you may consider scooting the Puffs Plus box to an arm’s length before beginning.
Here Goes:
_______________________________________________________________________________________
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.15am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Poster
Hi
I opened the screen door yesterday and my cat got out and has been missing since then so I was wondering if you are not to busy you could make a poster for me. It has to be A4 and I will photocopy it and put it around my suburb this afternoon.
This is the only photo of her I have she answers to the name Missy and is black and white and about 8 months old. missing on Harper street and my phone number.
Thanks Shan.
________________________________________________________________________________________
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.26am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Poster
Dear Shannon,
That is shocking news. Luckily I was sitting down when I read your email and not half way up a ladder or tree. How are you holding up? I am surprised you managed to attend work at all what with thinking about Missy out there cold, frightened and alone… possibly lying on the side of the road, her back legs squashed by a vehicle, calling out “Shannon, where are you?” Although I have two clients expecting completed work this afternoon, I will, of course, drop everything and do whatever it takes to facilitate the speedy return of Missy.
Regards, David.
________________________________________________________________________________________
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.37am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Poster
yeah ok thanks. I know you dont like cats but I am really worried about mine. I have to leave at 1pm today.
Doughnut Day, Turkey Lovers Month, Iced Tea Day, and Internet Week
Thursday, June 10th, 2010There seems to be a day, week, or month for everything. If you look up Obscure Holidays, you’re Google-ometer will read off the charts. Thankfully not all of them are completely worthless.
This week in NYC, 52 LTD is attending Internet week. Internet week is a festival of events celebrating NYC’s thriving internet industry and community.
Check out Internet Week’s Happenings
Located at Metropolitan Pavilion, Internet Week HQ features two main areas: Interactive Playground of 12,000 square feet of exposition space. This space will be both a place for attendees to meet, greet, and get a little work done, as well as hosting arts, technology, media and entertainment exhibitions and social events.
Topics range from Custom Silverlight controls, to a day dedicated to “IAmEffed.” All this and more.. including parties galore scattered throughout various venues across Manhattan.
Epic.
Monday, June 7th, 2010
Watch it here: Nike Football, Write the Future.
Those who are not Football (or Soccer, as most folks in in the US of A tend to call it) fans yet… here’s a brief glimpse into the passion that exists for this sport. This is an amazing spot that really lays out the love of the sport for us laypeople, through the eyes of those all over the world that live and breathe football.
The folks at Motionographer.com write:
“Although this film has only been bouncing around for about 24 hours, it’s already been garnering claims of one of the most epic spots of all time. This World Cup Anthem features Drogba, Cannavaro, Ribery, Rooney, Walcott and Christiano Ronaldo who even cameos in a Simpsons episode within the spot. Who else to bring it to you but Nike and the folks at W+K Amsterdam who brought in the heavy hitting leadership of Alejandro G. Iñarritu (Amores Perros, 21 Grams and Babel) to direct.
Since the birth of the swoosh, Nike has always been about the big and simple idea. As they’ve evolved, the executions may have become more elaborate, but the ideas have remained universal and pure. This spot is no exception. W+K Amsterdam examines the phenomenon of single moments changing the world. In sports, these moments literally resonate through the hearts, eyes and minds of millions in a single moment.”