Photography Blog

http://erintukuaphotography.com/blog/


Came across this photography blog that was very cute but yet professional and wanted to share.

Working on making the blog look more like my portfolio... getting there and need suggestions?

Wireframe... better example

Wireframes

Mood Board

Site Map

Content

Content Outline:

About Me
Portfolio
Contact
Resume


About Me:
I would like to write a description of myself giving the viewer a sense of who I am, the best way that could be portrayed via website, where I come from, what my goals are, my background stuff that wouldn't be included on my resume. Including my interest, hobbies, passions, life goals, etc. I would think that it would be a good way to introduce myself for the viewer before they enter into the site to see my work.

Portfolio:
I would have all of my pieces in this folder. I would organize it into categories:
Graphic Design
Web Design
Photography

Since most of you know that photography is one of my greatest passions, I will have to make that clear in my about me that I do at the current moment pursue my photography skills by photographing as a free lance side job hobby.

Contact:
This would be a site where they could fill in a bit of information and be an easy tool for them to inquire more about me if they are interested or want to leave comments. Also, it will provide information for a way of contacting me.

Resume:
I would have a visual of my resume and also a downloadable pdf file for people to use off of this link so that they could print it out, if need be.

More to come...

Photography Portfolios

So, since photography is my passion I have been looking at photographers and how they illustrate their work. Here are some links as to what I would think would be effective ways of photography portfolio.

Scott Piner
I really like at his welcome page he has the choice of blog, which is his more recent work, and then his website which is all his information, specific categories of sessions, areas he serves, client proofs, etc.


Aly Dart
Aly Dart's welcoming page is catergorized somewhat like Scott Piner's having her calendar, website and blog as all entry ways to her work. She makes it easy for clients and potential clients to view her work, information, etc.



Julie Chesire
This photography website is very clean and illustrates a good navigation for finding specific occasions of photography examples. It is easily to see the work and learn more about her as a photographer.

These are just a few of what I would think good photography portfolios would be..

Portfolio Reviews

Unsuccessful:

Little Flower Graphic Design:
http://littleflowergraphicdesign.com/default.htm
I felt that this web portfolio did not portray graphic designer to me. There is not much detail to the website, it is very plain and each page is very similar to each other. One of the features I did like in this web portfolio is how she cropped out a certain part of each of her work and once you clicked on that square it then showed the full image. The home page to this web portfolio needs more attention and needs to feel more welcoming. All is listed is what they offer and mentions looking at his work in the portfolio tab. Some imagery would be a good thing for this home page.

Attitude Designs:
http://www.attitudedesign.co.uk/
Ok, first the create at the home page is absolutely ridiculous but here's an a for effort. I like that the site tried to introduce theirselves in the home page but the layout chosen to do so is not productive and it just makes me want to exit this site without even looking at their work. When you go to the portfolio tab, it is a long scrolling page of their work. Not much organization. There is not much thought on the design process to this website. You reach this page and you don't even know where to start.

Carol Montoto Design
http://www.cmontoto.com/
This website's home page of course was the first thing that I came across and I thought it needed a lot of attention. You really have no idea where to start so I just started to move my mouse and found out that the small dots were rollover links once you had your cursor on the right part of the dot. These rollover links led to the resume, portfolio, etc. The work in the portfolio is listed individually with only one way to move from one to another. This website needs a lot more attention to detail and welcoming and easily accessible features.

Successful Websites:
PF Design Philip Fibranz Graphic Design Portfolio
I thought that this website was very welcoming with his intro video once you first landed on this page. I really found it creative of the designer of how he coincided his logo with his portfolio, about us, and contact links all in one. This logo all in one with links feature is illustrated throughout the website. There is a lot of personality throughout the website with the movement features. I like how this portfolio is displayed with the thumbnails and able to click and drag out the right tabs for information, design and color.

David Airey, Graphic Design
http://www.davidairey.com/
This website has a lot going on in the home page but it has a feel of a blog and website all in one which I found different but liked. The design throughout this website is very clean and modern. I like how there are many paths that are placed throughout the home page that will lead you to the same place. For example. Under his picture he has links to "About him and portfolio" and then on the top navigation bar he also has the same links.

Nate Smith
www.natesdesign.com
I really have enjoyed this portfolio website. It portrays a very clean, simple, easily accessed. One of the features I really enjoy on this website is while looking through his portfolio pieces he has a tab for info at the bottom and it gives you the option whether or not to view the description or not while looking at his design piece. This web portfolio is very short, sweet and to the point. It only contains the necessary information that any potential client would need to know in order to inquire about thi designer.

Websites

Unsuccessful Portfolio Websites:

http://littleflowergraphicdesign.com/default.htm
http://www.attitudedesign.co.uk/
http://www.cmontoto.com/


Successful Portfolio Websites:
http://www.pfgraphicdesign.net/
http://www.davidairey.com/
http://www.natesdesign.com/

Will post descriptions tomorrow.

Renovated Home Page

Poster w/images..

..needs suggestions for names

So, I've been working on a different style leave behind as a post 4x9 post card to show my various photography and then on the back show images of my print design. I have put more work into resume, service project so this is all I've got... But It's an idea and you can see where I'm going with it.

I am reposting the About Us/Career page because I read Aoife's comment after the fact of posting .. so here it is left justified compared to centered justified.

Updated Pages

I have been working on my homepage for my MADD website. Just let me know your feedback.

Poster

So.. here is what I have for the poster..... feedback please... I have been looking at it for hours now so it needs new eyes!! Thanks!!!

The homepage needs more work but the secondary pages are informative pages branched off of the about us page.

Christmas Designers!

Just was scrolling through some Christmas Stationary designers and came upon this designer in particular and really caught my eye.

http://www.jamieschultzdesigns.com/

Content

The MADD organization is a non-profit organization advocating the facts of drinking and driving. This means that it will be full of information!

home page - current information, links to more information, statistics
about us- mission statement, purpose of being, history of madd, and contact information
volunteer- how they can sign up(the process), where they sign up and can volunteer at, why the would choose MADD to give their time to, and help by donating
victim services (offers resources to survivors and people who are trying to learn their way without depending on alcohol) - support, how to stop by taking action, honored survivors where all can unite
drunk driving - statistics, eliminate the number of drunk drivers, programs to help stop this action, laws to learn more about the legal restrictions, resources of information

Wireframes

M.A.D.D.

The next project for my design for the screen project is to re-design a website for a non-profit organization. For my non-profit organization I have chosen M.A.D.D. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) As many of you know drinking and driving is a very important factor in my life and I enjoy using it in my design any way I can. This organization promotes the danger of drinking and driving and to aware the public.
My re-design content of this webpage will include a Home Page that will include: their mission statement, links of the following: About Us, Donation, Where they can go to help. The goal for MADD is to promote and advocate the danger and harm in drinking and driving. MADD's website is full of facts that are not always uplifting but reality that we as driver's need to think about everyday. They always say worry about others on the road more than yourself because you never know what another driver's circumstances are. The audience that will view this site are families that have been affected by drunk drivers who want to reach out and advocate the cause and more so adults than children.

Mpix

Here is the printer for the canvas',etc...



www.mpix.com

Will be photographing bar and hope to capture an image of this style.

Will be photographing bar and hope to capture an image of this style.

1st Variation

WireFrames

Three fields of design that I would like to pursue are book design, advertising and branding, and information design. I believe that these three areas of design triggered my interest because these are all areas that I have found through class that I have thoroughly enjoyed and tend to put my time and interest towards. I find book design very interesting because it is the first impression to the audience as to whether or not buy the book. Also, you get to read the book before the public, hopefully, to enhance the atmosphere of your design and to portray the story the best you can visually. I would love to visually give the audience the feeling to want to pick up the book especially when they didn't know anything about the book. Advertising and branding is another point of interest that would be as of interest to me to pursue. I feel like any kind of design is a aspect or branch of some type of advertisement. How cool would it be to see your design on a billboard of a major interstate?! Branding is giving a company an identity and helping them get on their "feet" and create a personality for them. Everything and everyone needs a personality of their own to separate them from the rest and the norm and to be a part of that would be fulfilling as a designer. When I take surveys a lot of the last questions are "how did you hear about us?" and almost always one of the options is advertisement. Information design is also another area that I would like to further advance my experience. I am really interested in wedding invitations because I cannot find myself not looking at wedding invitations at least once a day and that is definitely important information for at least one time in a girls life! Also, I enjoy doing brochures and information packets.

Some company's that I would be very interested in:
The Paper Company - Wilmington, NC
Wedding Designers
Modular Graphics - Wilmington, NC
GHL Designs - Raleigh, NC
Wedding Designers

Bad Websites

1. gopack.com
NC State's athletic webpage is very busy and confusing. The interactive graphics and motion banners is a bit much for a university athletic page. I believe that this could be portrayed in a much cleaner and more organized way. For example, I would think that the ticket link would be one of the major attributes of this page and yet it is at the top of the page in a very small text.

2. http://www.kyledesigns.com/category/13_unique_gifts.bookmarks/
Well, this is a design website and it is horrific. I was searching unique bookmark design and this was the first option under google. So, I clicked on it and long and behold this is what popped up. To say there is too much going on is a understatement.

3. http://www.cfnc.org/
I hate this website. When I was looking at colleges, I first came here to sign up and make an account. I have never been so confused in my life. This site's design could use a massive improvement but also some cleaning up. The information is scattered among the homepage and is very hard to maneuver around.

Questions from Reading#1

1. What does the concept of visual balance compare to in concept of physical balance?

2. What is one of the most common methods that web designers use to unify layout?

3. What is the native accent of "rule of thirds" that may be a helpful tool for all of us to remember?




answers:
1. seesaw
2. continuance
3. "rule of turds"

3 Successful Websites

I have been surfing around the net to many different websites, mainly ones that I am not visiting daily. One these sites I tested the "3 click rule" to see just how easy they were to learn.

1) apple.com
I have found that with the many products that they offer it is still easy to find what you are looking for in a matter of just a few clicks. I love how that at the top of the main screen of apple.com it is categorized by product and from there into even more detailed categories. Apple is a very clean, non-cluttered website that offers many different purposes such as retail, information on products, and technical support,etc.

2. potterybarn.com
Pottery Barn is a store full of variety and many different items for sale. The online version I have found much easier to use than to actually go into the store and buy. It is categorized at the top of the website by detail. Pottery Barn is also categorized by room, material, and price so that is easier to alter your needs a few clicks away.

3. att.com
AT&T compared to other cell phone provider's websites is very simple and easy to use, to me. All on the homepage is options to browse plans and phones, sign in to your personal account, pay your bill, etc. It is not cluttered like most I have seen lately. Very simple and to the point and not hard to find what you are looking for.

Straight.. edits on kerning...

now if I can only get the text right.. and the message.. and what to say..




hmmm...??? any help?

Working on it..

I know it's crooked.. and it needs work... but it's the start of the idea..

Will show progress tonight.

TEKILLYA!

I still have to make "still drive" in the same red as "kill". But I filled in the Tekillya on the bottle.. what do you all think??

Restoring Old Photo

My mom sent me this picture of my Dad's old band and this picture was taken back in the 60's and she said, "fix it!" Well, I remember looking at tutorials about restoring old photos so I took the chance to use this photo and do homework!

Here's the link
http://psd.tutsplus.com/tutorials/photo-effects-tutorials/professional-photograph-restoration-workflow/

BEFORE




AFTER

Rainbow Flag

http://psd.tutsplus.com/tutorials/designing-tutorials/create-rainbow-logos-with-warped-grids/


I chose this tutorial so that I could better myself with the gradient overlay tool using variety of colors besides black,grey and white. I found it very useful.

Tutorial

http://www.mickm.com/tutorial/126-andy-warhol-effect


I found this through PSDTUTs and enjoyed the effects. I've always wanted to learn how to do that strong white and black effects with a color overlay.

Tutorial Link

Curve Balance


Face Retouching




Retouching Photo

Link to Tutorials...

All of my tutorials came from..

psd.tutsplus.com

tutorial

Another one using layers which has helped me because I have found myself to absolutely ignore layers... why? I have no idea..

facial retouching

since my post cards are dealing with photography of children, I thought that a facial retouching tutorial would be beneficial in some cases. I found it easy using the different brushes, tools, and filters to create this image.

color balance..curves

I did a tutorial adjusting color balance using the curve method rather than different filter, etc. I found it somewhat easy but much rather do it through filters, saturation, hue, etc.

Tutorial

I really enjoyed making this photo pop! It was quick and easy and have always wanted to learn those steps and never thought that what I did in PS would make this much difference! It is also a good way to get familiar with different layers, filters, and color overlays.

Photoshop Brushes

Here are some of the websites that I found that had the brushes for photoshop able to be downloaded, for free!

www.pixelsandicecream.com
www.brushking.eu
www.myphotoshopbrushes,com
www.qbrushes.com
www.psbrushes.net
www.brusheezy.com/brushes
www.getbrushes.com/brushes/photoshop

Photoshop Brushes

Well.. there is a lot more to photoshop brushes than I thought. I was overwhelmed when I searched it in Google. Two sites that I found most helpful were www.bittbox.com and www.myphotoshopbrushes.com. Both were very informative and offered tutorials as well as brushes made by other designers available for personal and cooperate design. Later today in class I will explain how to create your very own brush, load other's brush designs and give you some places to go and look for different types of brushes.

Postcard Designs

In this design I will be using 12 words (expectation, facade, panacea, john, moot, gear, clever, indecision, red, twenty, archaic, and clean) for the emphasis of 12 individual postcards. Half will be connotative, the other half will be denotative. I have made a list of these words along with their definition so that I have it's full meaning. I would like to use multiple photographs of my own in order to make this design process work.

Photoshop Tutorials!

I have been browsing some photography and have found a helpful blog that have step-by-step tutorials on creating textures, conversions, and a lot of other neat little tricks!

Alexis Miller Photo Tips

Project Number One

This project was all about process. The first part was generating five sketches of any object we wanted. From there we created a company and did a promotional board to advertise the company. I chose a book which led to a children's bookstore, Pages. I chose to design a business card, gift card and post card promoting story time.

Photography

As many of you may or may not know photography is my passion and I found myself looking at photographer's blogs/websites for hours on end. I am going to post under my links some of my favorite sites to visit and check our their latest work.

I'll explain what I feel their work presents later..

First Post

First post of many! Enjoy!