Response: mini portfolios

I suppose that I forgot about our mini portfolios, or I just tried to block it out because it stressed me out. I'm slightly even more stressed after looking over the samples that Jan brought to class yesterday, because it seems as though the possibilities for what you can do with your mini portfolio are endless. I'm pretty sure that I'm going to stick with something traditional, something that can be printed at the bookstore, granted that they have the time to do so before next Wednesday.

The next thing that I'm trying to decide is what to put on the cover. The cover is one of the most important parts, in my opinion - it's the first look that a hopeful future employer gets at you, almost like the first steps into the interview room or the introduction on a telephone interview. I'm toying with the idea of putting my colored pencil parrot on the cover, because people seem to really like that, even though I've only presented two of my art pieces, out of about 25. Maybe it could have a talking bubble with my name in it? It would also be an interesting way to incorporate that piece without having to put it in the actual portfolio, and it may serve as a nice talking piece. It is one of my favorite pieces. What would you all think of me putting that on the cover? If you haven't seen it, check it out here.

Critique: Home Canvas iPad app

The iPad is a world of headaches, but designing the app for Home Canvas wasn't THAT bad (after complete redesign number three I began to calm down a bit). Since many of you have yet to see my designs, and they have been completely revamped since the last time I posted screen shots, tonight I bring you the finished product. Overall, I'm very happy with the way that it turned out. The screen shots don't quite do it justice, though, because much of it is scrollable and interactive. But check it out and let me know your thoughts!

     

 

You can't miss: an exciting game of chess

Maybe it's just me, but ever since I was little (and seeing Beauty and the Beast definitely added to my lust), I've always wanted a huge library - complete with rolling stairs and a gorgeous, custom made chess set. If you've never layed chess, don't knock it until you try it! It's challenging and fun, not all of the nerdy stuff that TV shows make it up to be. Plus, there are some insanely cool chess sets out there!

This week, Eye Blog talks chess. (They must have known that I was an avid reader.) The chess set that they discuss, picture to follow, is associated with Bauhaus. The set is simple, composed of stained limewood in the shapes of circles, triangles and squares.

Eye blog says, "The figurative designs of most chess sets allude to the old world order of pre-capitalist societies and are often based on peculiar national characteristics – king and queen (originally a man, the ‘adviser to the king’), knight, bishop (the fool in France and standard bearer in Italy), rook and pawn (soldier, citizen).

Hartwig’s abstract pieces represent the essence of the game by pointing to the unique method of moves they make on the chessboard."

This is an interesting way to think of the game of chess, and is much different than most chess players are used to. It is kind of astonishing to think that many more people did not think of changing the chess pieces to represent the moves that the pieces make in the game.

Via//Blog Eye

Response: the last few weeks

Since we have been working mainly out of class for the last couple of class periods, I don't have a specific topic to discuss. I do, however, have an image collage of how I feel (courtesy of a Google search of "frustrated woman"):

Mainly, I feel like the women with their computers. Is it a coincidence that so many of these photos have pictures when I simply searched "frustrated woman"? I think not, computers are so frustrating. Especially when you have a large InDesign document that makes your whole computer move at the speed of a turtle.

However, as stressed as I am with all of the Home Canvas and Modify business going on (on top of Vox business of course), I'm so anxious to see the outcome and to see all of our hard work pay off.

You can't miss: Map talk

Eye blog generally talks about things that I can expect from a design magazine: posters, fonts, events, etc., but today, they posted about Google maps. Upon reading the headline, I wondered what in the world Google maps had to do with a designer like myself, but after reading the article it is apparent that it has a great deal to do with the design world. Google maps is highly designed and is useful and relevant information for the user. However, Bing's map service and other maps are coming up on Google maps' tail. Eye blog suggests, "Perhaps the next great moment in information design is just around the corner." Maybe they're correct about that!

Designing maps seems to be quite a hard feat to tackle -- so many lines, so so so many lines. But realistically it is sort of like an infographic, because it does provide information in a graphic way.

Check out these map photos provided by Eye Blog:

OpenStreetMap's map

Map from Bing Maps

One advantage to Bing Maps is that they allow you to overlay multiple maps, to make the map custom to you.

Is it true, then? Google may not be taking over the whole digital world?

Critique: Modify

 After the not-so-wonderful first rounds of critiques, we basically did a complete revamp of Modify, but after all of the struggles, I'm pretty happy with how everything is shaping up. Some of (okay, most of) my stories were cut, so I've been assigned new stories, but a few have remained the same. I'm still trying to push myself to think outside of the box, so let me know your thoughts! But be gentle, many of these are DEFINITELY still in the works, I just wanted you to get an idea of where I'm heading here:

Criqitue: Vox feature, Home Canvas iPad

So, this week has been quite the design week for me. I've been balancing both prototype projects (one for print and the other for iPad), the 20/10 assignment and the feature that will be coming out tomorrow. Since you've already seen most of my print prototype designs and my 20/10 assignments, I'm proud to show you my feature and a couple screen shots of my iPad prototype so far (which may be completely changing come tomorrow):

First of all, the ladder isn't on fire in print :(. Sad day, I know. But BIG thanks to Katie for helping me set it on fire! And thanks to her computer for not hating her!

 

I've still got a few pages to design, and lots of things to add. They look way better on the iPad because they are interactive! Let me know your thoughts about these, please!