Class Review

1.

• Design and functionality of Artist's Professional Resources (Website, Business Card, etc.)
• Info on online resources (Blurb, Wordpress, etc.)
• Tutorials of Adobe programs
• Thoughtful review of designs, etc.
• Info on printing services

2.

• The Business card design and printing section
• Website design section

3.

• Heavier focus on website, business card, post card, etc. 
• Less focus on brand mark/logo
• More focus on programs and how to utilize them (what they're good for, etc.)

4.

        Functionality of Website and business cards

5.

       Example designs and existing ceramic artists' websites and business card were the most influential in my outcome this semester as knowing what is successful and viewed as "professional" in the ceramic craftsman's arsenal shows what to do and what not to do. Large, full bleed images of work, complementary colors, and simple text are used in many ceramic artists' websites and promotional materials. 

6.

• Advantages: The introduction to many online and printing resources was probably the most valuable part of this class for me, as those sorts of things are not often shared or taught. Along side this, the information on design and functionality (as ive previously mentioned) is very highly valuable. 
• Disadvantages: Some of the time spent producing a brand mark/logo seemed like a bit of a waste of time. For many artists I'm sure it's valuable, however for me, it was a little extraneous. It didn't seem like we spent enough time working on developing a great websites within the class - like we did the business cards - and I would have both enjoyed and appreciated that.

Revised Business Card Sketch

Business Card Sketches

1

2

3

Business Card Designs

 I am gravitating towards business card designs that are informative, simplistic but well designed and realistically affordable. A standard in ceramic artist business cards is to present your work (photograph) on one side and your information on the other.

I prefer round edged cards as they do no deteriorate as quickly as sharp edged cards - in wallets, pockets, etc. This allows my card to appear "crisp" longer, and i want my professional depiction to be crisp not deteriorated.

 

The idea of having cards with various images of my work on them is intriguing so that a small amount of special-ness is created between me and my audience. However the back side of these cards is a bit too bland for my tastes



Although the vertical design doesn't quite fit the photographs of my work, the graphic breaks between images is another way to approach showing my audience more of my work on a 3.5''x 2'' card. The available space for text however causes the type to be very small - not just well-seeing people buy pots.

Continuing with the photograph/info setup. This card however is too cramped on the front and similarly to the second design shown is too empty on the back side.

Opposed to the photograph/info template, this card is enjoyably clean - However it really doesn't give any indication to the quality of the artist or her artwork. For that reason, this sort of design is most likely not something I'd employ.

This card is interesting simply for its folded design. A folded card that is 3.5''x 4'' would allow for more depiction of my work while not shrinking my information. The added layer could also be used to employ a window of some kind.

Elise's Website

In general Elise's website is clean and functional. However, as previously mentioned, it is very much a square space website. As Elise's work aims to reintroduce the human aspect into weaving, I don't think an inherently computer generated website (highly gridded, stark, empty) positively accompanies her work. Along side this, the presence of her as the artist is also very void - even the about page only has pictures of her work.

The purpose of Elise's portfolio site seems to that of any other, to give a location for people to find, see, and learn about her work. This site does do that - Elise aligns all of her work with information about it. Her photos are also very nice and aids in her (apparent) purpose of presenting her work.

My only gripe about the functionality of the sight itself is the "home" button as it take you back to the welcome page (which contains no valuable information.

The Book Response

ImportantNew Aspects of a Resume as Outlined in The Book

• The order of given materials (I prefer Chronological)
• How the resume changes based on employer or professional experience
• Ensuring the use of action words in experience descriptors
• The quality of paper stock - I did not think about this
• Use of only one page to prevent information overload
• 1/2 - 2/3 text/page coverage

Self-Evaluation

Throughout the first half of the semester, my presence online has grown. What presence I did have before this class has improved (my website looks better), and I've begun documenting and posting my studio onto Instagram through a "professional" account to develop how I am seen as an artist. I've also learned what I like in a website builder (and what I don't) as well as what is, in my opinion, the best free website builder. I have also revamped my technical info/ceramic blog to keep a uniform design between all of my sites (of which, most of what I'm created this semester will be deleted). I'd rather not have my name connected to a site that I do not plan to maintain, often because I will not reach my desired audience That said, I've been shown multiple sites I plan to utilize in the near future/continue to utilize. That has been the most helpful part of this course - the showing of multiple online resources.

However, that said the requirement to sign up for many of the resources is a negative of the course. I want one artist website, one artist blog, accounts to the popular social sites, all cohesive design wise. I also want to spend time on creating an effective business card and the many ways of printing them. I'd also like to spend time focusing on one website and what it takes to make it as perfect as possible. That time could be taken from the production of a personal icon as for many artists, simply having an effective type face spelling your name (and possibly a sub title/header) is more than sufficient. As I'm not trying to make a brand it the same idea of a store or restaurant, I don't need a "logo"/"icon". 

Class Positives:

• information on an artist's online presence
• exposure to online resources/sites
• education on typefaces

Class Negatives:

• unneeded sign-up to redundant sites
• required icon (however, I understand the concept of this)

Personal Achievements:

• Improved website
• knowledge of typefaces
• knowledge of online resources
• increased sense of online design

Personal Short-Falls:

• lack of portfolio images
• uninterested in redundant web hosting services
• name connections to "dead-end" sites