FARM GROWN CD'S

DESIGNING A DIGITAL PORTFOLIO
CHAPTER FOUR
FORMAT



In this chapter, Cynthia Baron describes the different mediums you can use to present your portfolio.

ZIP DISKS
I’m so happy she agrees with me…
ZIP DISKS WERE NEVER GOOD (EVER) NOR ARE THEY GOOD NOW
Maybe ten years ago a handful of people owned zip drives, but even the people who owned them didn’t like them.

Here are their contributions and ways of helping you save your data:
The disk its self is HUGE.
Very fragile.
If you save it on one operating system, it will not work for another.
Sometimes saves, sometimes doesn’t. Unrelyable.
A single zip disk costs about $10
You don’t own a zip drive.
No one owns a zip drive.



CDs
Much better than zip disks.
Can save more data.
A bit fragile, but for the most part durable.
A single CD costs less than a dollar.
You own a CD drive.
Everyone owns a computer with a CD drive.

"I recommend that you keep your template on a CD-RW to make it easy to update as you complete new projects."

I totaly disagree. CD-RWs are very unrelyable. It’s a bonus that you can constantly rewrite on them… but its happened to myself and a lot of my friends where the data becomes corrupted on one of the rewrites. Also they’re more expensive. You’re much better off just buying a thumb drive or just use multiple CDs.

WHY USE SOMETHING IF IT ‘MIGHT’ NOT SAVE.
It’s like using a parachute that might not open. If you want to take that chance, have fun on the way down.


MINI CDs
Awww! So cute!

Pretty much the same as CDs, you can even use them in a normal CD drive. The only way they differ is that they hold less data (and smaller and cuter). Which is fine becuase you are just submitting a portfolio and most likey will fit on one of these.

ONLY PROBLEM: And its a BIG problem: they won't work in older slot loaded drives. Most likey they will actually destroy them.

YOU: "Have you had the chance to look over my portfolio?"
EMPLOYER: "It destroyed my CD drive."
YOU: "Did it explode?"
EMPLOYER: "Yes, yes it did."

So your best bet is to stay with the good old NORMAL CD. Not a crazy CD-RW or Mini CD like all these damn hipsters are using today. Just the good old CD like they used to make back on the farm.




DVDs
Holds more data.
Can be played on a DVD player.
Great for a portfolio which focuses on motion graphics.
Way cool way to present your portfolio.
Shows the employer you know how to create DVD menus (A project in itself! :D)


LAPTOP
Holds as much as you want.
You controll the presentation.
No question to what the employer sees.

ONLY PROBLEM: It sets high expectations - so you better live up to them. Actually, make that TWO PROBLEMS because you have a very old and slow laptop, it will only add frustration to the employer.


E-MAIL
Great to send a single example of your work as an attachment.
Everyone and their grandmother has e-mail.

PROBLEMS: Its a poor second to having a website. Especially if most of your work is web based. Also, not everyone has a lot of space allotted to their e-mail and may not be able to recieve the attachment.


WEBSITE
You control what goes up there. Works as a project in itself.
Shows your personality.
A must if most of your work is web based.

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THE PDF VS THE JPEG

PDF
^Controlled image
^Hard to steal
^Most people have Acrobat Reader
^Can be scaled to fit any monitor and window size
^And the most important-- It's more fun to say
vMight need a different version of Acrobat Reader
vToo many pages is annoying

JPEG
^Great for photos
^Common format
vCan be stolen easily
vThey don't scale to fit a window

So really, depending on what you're presenting should determine what format you chose.

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HOW TO BE A GRAPHIC DESIGNER WITHOUT LOSING YOUR SOUL
CHAPTER 7
CLIENTS



"I never allow myself to forget that designer and client are locked into a marriage that, like a real marriage, has to be an equal partnership if it is to last and produce any worthwhile offspring."

You cannot be the main one controlling the project, nor can the client. You both have to work together to create the finished product. It needs to be what the client wants, but not so much so that the client is doing all your designing for you.

Shaughnessy sugessts to treat the client with upmost respect but also like a friend. You should always respect their ideas, however, don't be afraid to suggest your own in a polite manner.

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HOW TO BE A GRAPHIC DESIGNER WITHOUT LOSING YOUR SOUL
CHAPTER 8
SELF PROMOTION



Becoming well known, and well liked is vital to any designer. When applying to any job, being already known by the employer is a step in the door.

Shaughnessy states that "...if you have too much fame it boils over and scalds your feet." For anyone reading this book, I don't think we have to worry about that.

Another point made was to keep contact with other designers. Which... really isn't hard if you've made friends in your IDD classes.