Graphic Design | Illustration | Photography

I’ve attended a handful of interviews lately. I usually bring my laptop and show my portfolio in digital format. Since it is best to keep your portfolio as up to date as possible, digital portfolios are the easiest method. I also think that they are the most environmentally friendly option. However, sometimes you are asked to bring a printed portfolio.

I’ve previously used the Itoya portfolio to house my work. The casing is strong and sturdy but I had problems with the plastic pages* within.

*These clear, archival PolyGlass sheet protectors fit Itoya and all standard multi ring binders.

A texture free surface gives the appearance that you are looking through glass, making them ideal for displaying photographs, digital images, and artwork. They will not stick to inkjet, laser, or copier toner and are made from recycled polypropylene.

Each sheet contains a thick, black, acid free mounting insert.

This is an 8 inch X 8 inch piece that will be for sale at this years Whyte Avenue Art Walk in Edmonton, Alberta. It runs July 13th – 15th. You will be able to find me here, in front of Dyberg Insurance next to American Apparel. There just may be a couple others coming to make a set and cover all the traditional colours lovely ladies dawn on their heads.

I’ve recently delivered these wedding invitations that I made for a great couple.

“Hats off to Amanda Wall who did an AMAZING job on our invitations! I love them!!!”

I’ve finally had the chance to finish updating my photography portfolio. Don’t hesitate! Check it out right now!

I’ve recently come across a great article by Shaun Cowley over at The Society of Graphic Designers of Canada website. He offers a list of four easy tips for briefing a designer on your project.

Tips for briefing a designer

1. Think about the message of the design.
Offer guidance to help the designer marry the “look” of the item with the “voice” of the copy.

2. Don’t prescribe solutions.
You are paying for the designer’s ideas, so avoid the temptation to tell the designer what to do. Instead, be clear about what the item needs to achieve, so the designer can explore ideas. This is where you need the designer’s expertise.

It’s rarely a good idea to give a designer a mocked up layout – they will simply follow your instructions which are not necessarily making the best use of the space.

3. Do your scheduling before you brief a designer.
Make sure you schedule the whole project before you brief a designer, incorporating appropriate feedback and incubation stages. Ask your designer to inform you in advance if deadlines or set budgets are unrealistic.

4. Formalize design briefing.
Carefully word your brief in an email or as a front page to your copy, and use this as a reference point when you meet. Always brief designers face-to-face, or on the phone for smaller projects.

There are two video/songs that have been stuck in my head over the last week. Each video is artistic and serves as inspiration to creativity.

I’ve been invited back to the Community Voice design and production team. This invitation comes in time to prepare for the Community Voice Christmas Editions. I am however, still available for freelance projects.

The Community Voice is a newspaper located in Spruce Grove, AB that reaches many hamlets, villages, and towns in the Edmonton Area. It is a perfect advertising outlet for businesses that would like published print advertising in the smaller communities. There are three versions to bring location specific news and advertising to each zone.

Zone 1 is published weekly “Covering Highway 43 from Onoway to Whitecourt, including Highway 33 and Highway 633. [Including] Alberta Beach, Barrhead, Calahoo, Cherhill, Darwell, Glenevis, Gunn, Lac Ste. Anne County, Lake Isle, Mayerthorpe, Morinville, Onoway, Rich Valley, Rochfort Bridge, Sangudo, Spruce Grove and Stony Plain.”

Zone 2 is also published weekly “Covering Highway 16 from Carvel to Wildwood, including Highway 633 and Highway 759. [Including] Carvel, Darwell, Drayton Valley, Duffield, Entwistle, Evansburg, Fallis, Gainford, Keephills, Lake Isle, Lobstick, Magnolia, Parkland County, Pembina, Seba Beach, Tomahawk, Wabamun, Wildwood and Yellowhead County.

Zone 3 is published bi-weekly “Covering Highway 39 from Calmar to Breton, including Highway 616 and Highway 22. [Including] Alder Flats, Alsike, Brazeau County, Breton, Buck Creek, Buck Lake, Calmar, Carnwood, Devon, Drayton Valley, Leduc, Leduc County, Lindale, Mulhurst, Nisku, Sunnybrook, Thorsby, Warburg, Winfield and Yeoford.”

You can learn more about the Community Voice online.

You can now like me on facebook! The first twenty people to like the page will receive 10% off their next project. If you know someone that might need my services be sure to share the page so they can get in on the deal!

My brother introduced me to this little ditty, Graphic Designer by Electric Six. It’s my first encounter with this band and it’s the first song I’ve ever heard about graphic designers. If you’ve heard others, link to them in the comments! Enjoy.

I’ve just recently finished designing a program booklet for the Edmonton Chinese Garden Society. The Edmonton Chinese Garden Society is a charitable organization established in 2000. Their mission is to build, complete and oversee the Chinese Garden at Louise McKinney Park.

Featured above is the program booklet cover. Keeping in sync with the pre-event posters, I’ve used the same colours but created a simple typographic elegance to match the mood of the event.