Talented graphic designers are a hot commodity. Especially here in Chicago with it's large commercial clientel. However, Mike Wencel of Wencel/Hess, says that many emerging designers often overlook package and brand design as a career option. As a company that specializes in brand and package design for major consumer food big wigs such as McDonald's, Willy Wonka Chocolate, Nestle, Quaker Oats and more, Wencel/Hess knows a thing or two about branding.
Last week, Mike interviewed six potential designers at the Portfolio Center and was pleasantly surprised that half of them were ready to work for him. His impression was partly determined by their talent and partly by the presentation of their work.
What Mike likes to see: Print outs beautifully mounted on foam core or boards. Books are okay but designers should present their work to potential employers as if they were presenting to a client. He also enjoys seeing different variations of a design concept. This gives him a glimpse into the designer's process.
What Mike doesn't like to see: Business card and letterhead designs. This type of work doesn't show how the designer would represent the image of a particular product. Basically, a nicely designed business card isn't going to sell laundry detergent.
The main point to keep in mind when presenting your design portfolio is show work that is relevant to what the company specializes in.
I'll admit it, I'm a 30 something with a MySpace account. I have fun with it, connect with a few friends and some of my favorite celebrities, (Ohhh...isn't it cool that I'm friends with Stewie Griffin!) but there's two things I don't do with my MySpace page. One, I don't put anything up I wouldn't want my boss (or Mom) to see. Two, I don't pretend it's an acceptable replacement for an online portfolio.
Yes, I too have heard all the stories about MySpace as a networking tool and how bands have made it big from their MySpace profile - etc. Connecting with people, however that happens, is (almost always) a good thing. Job hunting is different.
In the creative fields the employers read into the way you present yourself to them. Any business that hinges on selling creative ideas to clients or customers is largely about effective presentation (sure, creativity has something to do with it too...). The Portfolio Center emphasizes presentation in many of our programs for exactly this reason. When guests visit to look at student work, they often comment, "The work was good, but your students need to up their ability to present it."
So how does this relate to MySpace (or am I just ranting)? MySpace is the easy way out. Sending your MySpace page along is like writing a 10 page paper the night before, they're gonna be able to tell. There's no shortcut here. Online portfolios are the wave of the future and are already the norm in many fields. If you're not a proficient web designer already your options are to get crackin' learning Dreamweaver, to partner with a talented IAM student, or, if you're approaching your last semester at Columbia, ask us to produce a website you can be proud of. If it stops you from putting your work up on your MySpace page, you'll be doing yourself a favor
I came across this article recently and thought back to last fall when a prominent ad agency in town called and asked if we had any students who wanted to write ad copy that would work as part of a video game. I thought for sure we would find lots. I was wrong. We couldn't find one. And this was paid freelance work too with a blue chip client.
We did get the agency to visit and look at copywriting portfolios, and during their visit they told us the next big movement in ad/marketing creative would be the creation of game content that both worked as a game and as a marketing vehicle.
Looks like they were right. So here's our (the humble Portfolio Center staff) challenge to you. We're looking for good game design students and some good copywriting students...and, we're looking to pair those students together so they can help each other produce a next-generation piece of work that will make an impressive portfolio piece. Who knows, if we find the right people, the Portfolio Center may just get involved and contribute a little something to make this happen.
Interested parties can contact me at mgreen [at] colum [dot] edu. Start your engines.
Commercial Production Assistant Seminar
So, you want to work in the film business? (Learn how to get a job, make a few connections and start your career.)
DATE: Saturday, July 29th
TIME: 9:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.
PLACE: Essanay Studios, 1346 N. Northbranch, Chicago
Meet the following working members of the film community who will tell you how they got their start and share tips on how you can "get into the biz." [Executive Producer, Director of Photography, Line Producer/Production Manager, Assistant Director, Art Director/Production Designer, Wardrobe Stylist, Gaffer, Key Production Assistant]
As well, you will learn practical information that will help you get your first job and be successful. Representatives from the following film industry vendors will be on hand with helpful tips:
Schumacher Camera
Essanay Studio and Lighting
Rolling Stock Rentals
Please call (312) 266-2900 and ask for Jonah Mueller to reserve your spot at the seminar. Alternately, you can e-mail lisa@radarstudios.com to do the same.
Seminar registration cost: $20 - includes a continental breakfast and lunch.
Just FYI, AICP is the Association of Independent Commerical Producers. Here's my two cents: There are bound to be great contacts at the event. If you attend, be sure to ask about developing a portfolio. Heck! You should even take your developing portfolio with you. You may have the opportunity to receive some good feedback!
"The "Weakest Link" principle reigns supreme. Especially when looking at portfolios from young artists just out of school a couple of years. I need to know that you are in complete command of your craft. If you have seven paintings that you really like and three that you're not fond of, sit down and paint three more pictures. An AD will always fear that they could get you on a bad day. ADs don't want to take a chance on new talent, they want to feel comfortable and excited about working with new talent."
We pulled this from the blog of Irene Gallo, an Art Director for Tor/Forge and Starscape Books. This is just a tidbit, so read on for the rest or her sound advice for illustrators and traditional animators.
Is it the green river on St. Patrick's Day, the temperamental weather, the four schools of architecture, or the lively singles scene maybe? Time Out Chicago Magazine wants to know: What's your favorite thing about Chicago?
Show them in their first-ever photography contest. Send your best original photos illustrating your favorite thing about our city by July 31. They'll publish the results online and in an upcoming issue and award the winners fabulous prizes (watch the pages of TOC for details). Send digital photos (300 dpi or higher resolution) to photocontest@timeoutchicago.com; prints and CDs with a printout of the images may be sent to: Photo Contest, Time Out Chicago, 247 S. State, Chicago, IL 60647.
Please only five entries per person. TOC is not responsible for any submission, and entries will not be returned.
Good luck!
Attention alumni: here is an opportunity to recieve funding for being an artist. Gather your materials and be sure to read all the details before applying for the September 1 deadline.
In order to be eligible to apply for Artadia's Grants in Chicago, artists must fulfill the following requirements:
-Be a visual artist living and working in Cook County.
-Have resided in Cook County for at least one year prior to the application deadline.
-Are not currently enrolled in an art-related degree program, nor planning to attend an art-related degree in the coming year.
-Are not related to Artadia staff or directors in any way.
-Have not received an Artadia Grant for $10,000 or more than in the past.
For more information, visit www.artadia.org
