MY LITTLEST STUDIO

DESIGNING A DIGITAL PORTFOLIO
CHAPTER 1+1=2
ADAPTATION



In your portfolio, you want to get more quality over quantity. First, because having a few great pieces means the person looking at it will choose to look at great ones no matter what. Most likely they won’t even look at your whole site, so putting your best digital feet forward means they’ll see them.

A good idea is to find out what you’re good at, and what you’re not. Otherwise known as: STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES. Knowing what you’re truly good at will help you focus on it and work more on it. At the same time, knowing what you’re weak on will help you avoid it (or perhaps work on making it better?) and have a happier and healthier portfolio showing your best work. ^____^

For example, you shouldn’t show all of your Maya work when really, they’re just awful. And your 3D cat looks like 3D crap.

Create your portfolio with a sense of P-U-R-P-O-S-E. Don’t just make one to put your work on the Internet. Put it up to show the world who you are, and what you’re good at. And as a side note: YOU WANT A JOB!!

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HOW TO BE A GRAPHIC DESIGNER WITHOUT LOSING YOUR SOUL
CHAPTER 3
BEING FREELANCE



Freelance work is a good substitute when one can’t find a job in a design firm. Shaughnessy explains that this type of work fits best with two types of designers.

1 – THE KNOW IT ALL
You have specific skills with certain programs and truly have an overall knowledge of the program.

2 – THE LONER
The lone artist who can’t have other people invading his “PERSONAL CREATIVE BUBBLE”. Someone who is comfortable working alone, and creativity works best when alone.

If you happen to come up with a problem in creating your work you can always ask your fellow co-worker for….OH WAIT - THERE WON’T BE ANYONE THERE. You’re all alone in this. Freelance work does have its downsides. If you come across a problem, you better have a good network of tech savvy friends to help you out when Maya is just having ‘one of those days’. Also, it might be hard to keep a steady flow of work.

Freelance does seem like an attractive line of work, but I think the insecurity of a steady flow of work would definitely make me feel uneasy.

However, the benefits are pretty spiffy. You can work at home, and save a bunch on not buying a studio, don’t have to commute anywhere, hours are very flexible, and you designate when you work. Also, once you’ve been freelancing enough, you might get the same clients coming back on a regular basis.

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HOW TO BE A GRAPHIC DESIGNER WITHOUT LOSING YOUR SOUL
CHAPTER 4
SETTING UP A STUDIO



This is probably different from my studio apartment with a bed, kitchen, and everything else crammed into one room, huh? Well, not that different. Instead you can have all your design tools and projects crammed into one room. Studios are meant for one to create in and be surrounded by I-D-E-A-S and A-R-T :D :D :D

A studio brings out a feeling of freedom. You have the privacy and space you need to work on your projects.

You could of course throw that freedom away and work in your studio with a partner, or partners. Which really isn’t such a bad idea for people who creatively work better in a community. This does of course mean that you have to split costs, income, and space. Be careful of who you choose. You want them to have similar ideas in how you both want to use the studio and what to spend money on. You don’t want some funky ‘Odd Couple’ thing going on where one of you is super neat and cranky and the other is crazy and a mess.

Having multiple business partners can work very well because you can each be in charge of a different aspect. For example, creative direction, clients, financial affairs, design, coffee supplier… you know, the important stuff.

Money is a big issue. You don’t want to over borrow or over spend. Basically take a good university economics course for $1,000 and learn how… to save money. Managing your financial situation is key to expanding and getting real profit.

Naming your studio is pretty important. Be sure not to pick something you’ll get tired of or regret later.