cait's design mind: January 2011

So, I've been reading my new book for my portfolio class and its called No Plastic Sleeves. I've written down some good stuff to know before I really get started on my portfolio, such as "keep a sketchbook of inspiration as you search and explore, and try to be aware of the various visual things that you are drawn to: patterns, signs, graphics, images, films, typefaces, or anything else to which you feel a connection."

These are facts about me that I think will help me understand how to better design my self-promo piece in order to show everybody who I am in a single package.

personality: unique, creative, outgoing, energetic, easy-going, daring, playful, imaginative, vivacious

work ethic: fast, steady pace, focused, and determined, organized

sense of style: fun, vintage, girly, rocker

strengths: drawing, and illustrating, layout, and typography

attitudes: determined, confident, headstrong, loyal, enthusiastic

work you enjoy making: collages, layout for magazines, advertising, illustrations

vintage (texture, paper choice, color, fonts)
Alice in Wonderland (book and movie)
illustrative (alberto ceriteno)
unique type (hand job book)
a key to lock open wonderland (reningers)

"Now you have to decide what image you want for your brand. Image means personality." David Ogilvy

What kind of work do you like to do?

illustrative, typographic, advertising, layout, logo and branding.

What kind of work do you do best?

illustrations that are scanned in and hand-done typography

Was there a particular project you really enjoyed working on?

an audrey hepburn illustration (india ink)

How would you define your talents and skill set?

My talents are great in drawing and I think that's what gives me skill in my projects, that illustration sets me apart from everybody else's projects.

How would you describe the styles, forms, and concepts with which you prefer to work?

the cute, sort of vintage style. I love to work with doodles and swirls, and black and turquiose.

How would others describe your talents and the work you do?

unique style: distinctive style where they say, "thats so caitlin".

What does your body of work say about you?

creative and fun
clean and organized space
unique and different

Is there something missing from your body of work that you think you need?

I think I need more texture in my illustrations and different color choices other than blue and pink. I would also love to learn how to screenprint so I could put that in my porfolio.

How would you describe yourself as a creative professional?

I know how to give and get good feedback in critique, and I know the dos and don'ts of design.

How would you describe yourself in general-your personality, work ethics, beliefs, etc.?

I'm a very spontaneous person that is always up for new things. I like to have fun and make people laugh. I'm a loving, caring, and hardworking individual. I believe in change if it's for the better. I believe in God and my faith comes first before all things. I like to see the good in people and I like meeting new people and hearing their stories. I'm very happy, and I try not to let stress and anxiety get in my way, but unfortunately it does from time to time, when I have too many things to handle all at once.

Are these qualities communicated through any of the pieces you've worked on?

I do see a lot of myself in the pieces I've created, because it's very creative and fun just like myself.

What do you have to offer a company or client?

I have a positive attitude with spontaneity to keep the work place fun and upbeat. I have strong, hardworking time management skills, and I listen very well to what the client desires.

What types of experiences engage you?

new and exciting things to do or see such as movies, or old architecture, or antique shows and shops. Places I've never visited or artwork I'm intrigued by seeing online or anywhere else in the world.

What do you find most interesting about this world around you?

Art is everywhere I look and turn and new things that are inspiring, excite me everyday.

What do you find most interesting about photography, art, or design?

I love the thought process about how a certain design came about and the final outcome of how it looks. I love all kinds of design in this world. Color is my main love, so if a design has a great color scheme and layout, it's probably going to be something I love.

Whose work influences, attracts, and inspires you? why?

Alberto Ceriteno: I love the way his illustrations seem to come to life with the wonderful wood grain textures he uses. His illustrations are also very cute and eye-catching.

Tad Carpenter: I love the way his illustrations seem to be so happy. He always uses bright colors for his designs.

Jessica Hische: She has wonderful skills in illustration and typography and her work seems to remind me of my own work.

What kind of work do you want to do?

magazine layots, illustration, advertising, logo and brand identity.

What kind of creative do you want to be?

I want to be a unique and different creative, that everybody automatically knows "that's caitlin elmore", because of the style I pertain.

Are you doing the kind of things now that you want to be doing in the future?

I am doing schoolwork that I enjoy doing for something I could be doing in the future. I wish I could be in a company where I'm doing a little bit of everything I love and not just one thing.

What kind of client or company do you want to work for?

I would love to work for a company that I love their work just as much as well. That would be such an opportunity for me doing work for a company that I'm already inspired by. I can see myself working for a fashion or wedding magazine doing their layouts and illustrations. And I can also see myself working for Disney designing logos and drawing illustrations for movies, hotels, or attractions. I'd also love to make print advertisements at a well known company, that I would see all my designs in all the largest well known magazines. I want to work for a client that understands my creativity and trusts my input, and sees my potential.

What kind of company would fit your lifestyle?

I think a company in New York would fit my busy lifestyle, and I'm up for the challenge, but I'd also love to have a family and keep a strong marriage and I feel that would interfere with time management so I could also see myself working somewhere locally that isn't so busy.

Where do you see yourself in one, two, or five years?

One- starting to be grounded in a full-time design position with a firm in graphic design.

Two- I see myself buying a home for myself and possibly further pursuing my bachelor's degree.

Five- I hope to be married by then and have started a family. Possibly I'd hope to move up to a higher standard of position at my firm or greater opportunities in the design world for myself.

Visual components for self-promo

logotype
color palette
stylization of imagery
typographic selections

-distinct
-meaningful
-memorable

"Good design is all about making other designers feel like idiots because that idea wasn't theirs."