Business cards, CVs.... its all down to delivery.

When confronted with how to make ourselves known as an individual voice within the industry, it is apparent that design must cover almost all aspect of our presentation and delivery. Especially business cards, as they are the vessel of information and presentation that will either spark interest or be put into the bin. 
These are just a few cool cards I found that should give me a bit more of an edge when considering making my own. Interaction seems to be key, as it gives the client/agency a sense of innovation in design and not just conventional methods.

The focus is on finish, substrate, and interactivity. Overall the cards in some way represent the designer, eg good substrate means they may have a keen eye for stock and paper types, likewise with die cut parts, or an interactive piece boasts the craft element of their work. This is something I will have to consider, may incorporate something into my CV as to not bore the companies or people I will be sending it off to.

Flashy....

A CV needs to be something that makes me stand out, and ultimately makes a potential employer be interested in what I produce. Without looking at my work beforehand, making a first impression that will stick with them, making them want to see my online portfolio, website or blog. I found some particularly good examples of presenting work in an original way.

I found a website designer, who uses flash to present his work, which also includes photography and some samples of his work. The website flows so fluidly, with a mini news feed, similar to a blog which he uses to keep you updated on what he is up to.

The most credible of his talents is how organic everything feels, even the transition between the numerous animations needed to go through before you get to his work makes the task of looking through his work really entertaining.

The websites he designs are interactive and seem quite tech, but the way his work is presented, such as the picture viewers he designed would be a perfect way to present a portfolio.

Here are some examples of good online portfolio's he has.

Banners - Left Aligned

http://www.murphycobb.com/

http://www.ev2.co.uk/ev2.html

http://www.a-to-s.co.uk/home.php

Another brilliant example of presenting work in a no-nonsense format is Designer Ben Barry,
using navigation techniques to help narrow down your viewing selection. The design of the folio lends itself to the size also, by clicking the icons, it highlights the sort of work you wish to view. This would come in handy, especially when needing to quickly present your work to a client, or to an employer.

Prep for group tutorial

What is professional / industrial experience?

 
- Gaining an insight into how a company/agency works.
- How to benefit financially from my skills, and how to best apply them
- To generate a contact list/networking which would be beneficial to me and my career after the course.
- Gain an understanding of the difference in work ethics of a variety of agencies/companies.
- To see how the pros present their work.

Why is professional / industrial experience important as part of PPD?

 
- Prepares me for the big bad world of graphic design
- Aids me to work to my full potential in a field I am confident in/would like to be a part of in the future.
- It will give my potential future employers something relative to look at in my portfolio
- As a fledgling designer, it helps me to find out what is required of me as a practicing professional.
- Gain an invaluable list of designers/creatives that will give me a head start in the industry.

How do you gain professional / industrial experience and what form does it take?

 
- Ask alot of questions
- Get some visits in schedule as to view a working studio, or office, or printers to see how industry clicks.
- Live briefs/competitions to stick to deadlines and how to tackle restrictions.
- Feedback from professionals on personal portfolio.
- Aquiring a vast web of professional contacts.

What should you aim to gain from professional / industrial experience?

 
- To see how professionals do their own work and how I fit into the scheme of things.
- Focus of where I want to work after the course.
- A decent portfolio.

- Contacts.
- Growing confidence as an individual designer.
- Finding out costs of print jobs/processes