Motion Graphics Project - "Listen"

I am quickly approaching graduation from Quinnipiac University and am now in the final legs of this race we call college. It's finals week here in Hamden and as the entire campus stresses out I am no different. I have completely 1 final project with alot more to go. Below is the video project I completed for my Motion Graphics class:



Description: the goal of this project was to create a motion graphic film, between 30 and 60 seconds. The subject of the project was a word and that words wikitionary.com definition. I was lucky enough to be assigned the word "Listen". I decided to use music in my project and then synced the treble and base of my music with the velocity and movement of the particle strands. I then used simple arial font for text and had that text appear as if it was escaping or trapped in the audio wave. Hope you enjoy.

Technical: The video was developed using Adobe After Effects and the Particular plug-in from Trapcode. The music is from, one of my favorite bands, Jimmy Eat World's "23".

10 - Considering the Alternative

Upon conclusion of Eisenman’s Building Design Portfolios I find myself once again looking at my alternative portfolio. Attempting to now sound redundant I explore the various possibilities of alternative portfolios such as the ones provided by Eisenman in her book.

The first alternative portfolio to stand out in Eisenman’s collection was that of German designer, Christian Steurer. Steurer prints his portfolio on newspaper. While he doesn’t do news print design the newspaper printed in some color allows Steurer’s work to really jump off the page. Steurer mailed the rolled up newspapers to potential employers giving him an edge over other designers.

The portfolio of Eramos Tantos design studio in Mexico was the next to grab my attention. The artwork inside the portfolio varies in style as it is all encapsulated within a bound ringed book. What makes this portfolio alternative and interesting is that the portfolio is that the bound book is place inside of a recycled film can. The film can ties into the work that the studio produces and adds a nice touch to the already beautiful portfolio. To top it all off, the film canister is shipped inside a cardboard box which contain movie related stickers on the outside, tying together the entire package.

When considering an alternative package for my own design work my goal is to develop and interesting package that allows me to combine all my interests; music, photography & design. Kristie Downing combines similar interests in her alternative portfolio. Package in a retro (vinyl) Record Box, Kristie displays her work on record sized boards. The packaging is interesting and unique and allows employers and other design to gain more insight of Downings interest and personality.

An alternative portfolio may allow a designer to show even more of their creativity. One major downfall to these alternative portfolios is that they often cost more than a struggling design student can afford.

9 - Hello [Again]

Yet again my weekly readings have brought me to the topic of print portfolios. This week it is Sara Eisenman’s book, Building Design Portfolios, which I find to be the most engaging on the subject. While few words are written in the 50 pages I was assigned it is the pictures of professional print portfolios and student portfolios that grabbed my attention and focus this week.

Stoltze’s Design portfolio was the first professional portfolio to make an impression upon me. Simple yet elegant, the portfolio simply features photographs and thumbnails of the designers work nicely balanced against the white space of the portfolio pages. The balance against the white pages causes the artwork to really jump off the page. The pages of the portfolio vary in size as many conform to the 5.5”x8.5” dimensions of the metallic binder, while other extended beyond the binder using conveniently placed folds. As I just alluded to, the entire portfolio is encased in a metal binder. While slightly expensive the binder is sure to last long and protect your work. Stoltze Design goes even further with their portfolio by their content into three separate metallic binders based upon the subject for which the work was performed.

The second designer’s work to grab my attention was Deborah Norcross’s. Her portfolio is also simply designed and maintained within a metallic box similar to Stoltze. While her portfolio I s fantastic it is her promotional piece which engaged my attention. Deborah Nocross has been designing CD covers and album artwork for Warner Brothers for year now so the majority of the work she has been doing, and is known for, is relatively small. In order to effective display her work she created a promotion package filled postcard pieces of her portfolio. The package is very simply but it allows for each one of her pieces to gain proper attention while correctly presenting herself as a designer.

As I continued through Eisenman’s book I came across the student portfolio of Sophie Nicolay. Nicolay’s portfolio was in no way unique in design. I am not attempting to say her work was anything less than excellent but instead I am commenting on Nicolays casing of her portfolio. Nicolay's portfolio casing, while not cheap, can be purchased at any art store. The organization of her work within the casing was done extremely well and made her portfolio look very professional and impressive.

Lorenzo Geiger’s student portfolio commanded my attention immediately. As you may have noticed I am a fan of simplicity and Geiger’s portfolio is simplistic yet intricate at the same time. His portfolio is simple, small, and slender. Used as a handout, his portfolio contains exquisite pen and ink drawing for CD’s, labels, and stickers. His portfolios looks similar to one I wish to accomplish at the completion of my portfolio class. Until I reach this point of completion stressing out is my new profession.

Interesting Links:
Art Supplies - Hulls New Haven