Published September 29, 2008 by

Ability Scrutiny

I am interested to hear on designers on this one – if any do read this. About pressure relating to ability in the realm of design. There is a lot of work showcased out there (leaning heavily towards illustration) and it sometimes get a little overwhelming because there are individuals out there with freakish talent.

As a design student who struggles with illustration specifically what are great ways to explore other mediums when your drawing hand isn’t so strong? AND what are great ways to explore illustration when you’re low on time.

I will, when time permits explore a class or short course in illustration because it is a skill I want and need to improve.

Design Life

ability communication design Design illustration questions

Published September 25, 2008 by

Tunes for ears

Thought I’d share several musical loves.

armini

I first heard Emiliana Torrini when I was on a young adults camp… someone was playing it through their Ipod and I was compelled to find the person who could tell me who it was (since I couldn’t locate the Ipod). That person was Geoff, back before I really got to know him…

Cutesy romantics aside, it’s lovely stuff and the new, Me and Armini is stronger than Fisherman’s Woman.

Check it on MySpace.

ura244Holly Throsby, let’s give it to the Aussies, this is some clear, unrefined happy stuff for your ears. I am in danger of over playing parts of it.

It has the potential to be annoying in the Australianismness, but sits in that space of being different enough that it passes.

I’m also a fan of the cover art.

Check it on MySpace.

froufrou-detailsFrou Frou. An older favourite. Thanks to Garden State (oh my what a movie for musical introductions!).

Must be played when the weather is fine and things are nice. Car trips up the mountain for enjoyable days alone pretty much require this one. Must be Dreaming is bliss.

Check it on MySpace.

Music

Published September 23, 2008 by

Future thinking

The past two days of my so called ‘mid semester break’ have been taken up with a compulsory intensive subject aptly titled: Careers in the Curriculum. For the most part it was like being back at school (but worse)  the woman in charge would haven been better off teaching kiddies who don’t understand what it means to be patronised instead of adult university students, however there were some exceptional industry speakers.

The designer from BlueBoat was fantastic- by the way, they have a glorious website. A really interesting small firm with photography components, web etc.

One of BlueBoat’s specialties is school branding. I was hoping my heart out to find more school related branding online other than the one shown during the presentation. Alas, no luck. I shall continue to search for inspiration elsewhere… and hope that I can bring life to all the mini sketches that I am filling my train rides with.

I am 90% sold on a membership for the DIA (Design Institute of Australia) in order to have a professional organisation behind me once I finish up my course, it seems regardless whether I go to work in a design firm or later freelance, that it would be an incredibly useful backing. And a great standard for ethics and professional practice.

And I am really regretting that Swinburne didn’t take us through more of this stuff (not the resume writing, but future thinking) earlier. Personally, it gives life to assignments and intention for study. I need the bigger picture and it seems lately that I’m not always the best at chasing it for myself.

So, the take aways have me another assignment (Cover Letter/Resume etc), and the unmarked push to work out what exactly I’m really good at and what kind of designer I want to be. What’s my brand? I am inspired.

Realistically speaking, I am physically unprepared for Industry Placement (Work during 3rd year uni as part of your course) in regards to folio – as I was quite certain up until recently that I didn’t want an extra year at Tertiary level. However I have also discovered a post-3rd year means of doing honours in a more exciting way – there are 160 Communication Design students and only 10 places. It might just be time to get off my butt.

It now feels like I can get there*, even if I pick the less conventional path … I like picking the less conventional path.

*wherever, but for here lets say, ‘being a designer’.

Design Life Uni

BlueBoat communication design DIA future honours swinburne university the future

Published September 22, 2008 by

JBP Live

I forgot to mention that James Burke Photography is live.

I like it (I made it by the way) but it has let me realise that I still have a lot to learn about web design. Not sure if I’d do some things quite the same next time around.

It was an enjoying spare time filler … if only to have some of that now.

My most recent freelance ‘project’ is a resume unfortunately due to the confidential nature of resumes, it lives under wraps.

Create Design Photography Web Design

experience james burke photography web design

Published September 17, 2008 by

Realign vs. Redesign & SEO

I’ve been doing some reading up on SEO – Search Engine Optimisation for work and also had a conversation with my boss the same time about looking at how we can change things for the better for Ergo online. Where the initial idea was to have a brochure equivalent web presence, things have now evolved through the blog and what not and it no longer holds the prime shelf placement. (That and it could do with a new look, but that’s my own prerogative* seeing as I made the thing in the first place).

There is a very interesting article on Realign vs. Redesign over on A List Apart. It is making me rethink my blog overhaul (which hasn’t happened, clearly) and making me lean in the direction of small change, same feel… it could potentially make my life a lot easier, so it’s win-win.

I’ve been reading about SEO over on SEOmoz, it is putting into words what I think I subconsciously know.

*or opinion

Blogging Design Web Design Work