Week 9?

It's sad I've lost track of what week it is! But even though I missed blogging for a week, I certainly didn't take a break from designing (though it was probably needed!)

CRITIQUE:

Let's see....

About 2 weeks ago I worked on designing a new set of covers for Vox. This set is about a play called "The Verge," which focuses on the psyche of the woman, what women want, etc. Being in the mood that I was I tried to do some unconventional things although the original plan was to make it a photo cover. I think I probably went a little overboard with the dominatrix idea but I think it was fun and poked fun at the feminist ideal behind the play. I also really liked my vegas show girly cover which pretty much had NOTHING to do with the assignment..but I will definitely keep this around for future inspiration. I think this covers helped me realize an edgy/sexier design style beyond my typical "cute" and "girly."






I worked really hard over break on designing a logo to "brand" myself. I wanted something I could put on my resume, website, business card, etc. I wanted to LOVE it and have it embody "me." From the feedback I got from my classmates they all really seemed to like the final product. I may tweak it a bit, and I have done some flash work with the lines for my website. But, overall I like the feel of it.



My website is a work in progress but www.jenaleneanderson.com is a working site! Now that I've battled the dreamweaver and flash demons, I'm actually really excited and eager about improving it and advancing my skill in these programs. While it's not so fun to necessarily tackle all of the technical that comes with the programs, seeing the finish product makes up for it and let's me give myself a pat on the back for learning something new!

Speaking of WEB, I also worked on our countryhome.com project over break. It was certainly a challenge (I tackled this before my own site, so this is where I did a lot of my learning). To be honest, I'm not that proud of my "designs," I think I was getting too caught up in the web and making it work. This week I will be going back (after working with the other designers and publishers) and doing some re-working.

While on break I worked on another "Look of the Month" and "Shopping Page" for Inside Columbia Magazine. The theme of May's issue is travel so I went with an outfit easy to travel in (wrinkle free!) and a shopping page of every possible bag you could ever need when you travel. I'll be designing those next week. Here is the image we will use for the LOM, just to give you a sneak peak.



Oh ya, and I redesigned a redesign for my portfolio.

Response>>The Industry

Over the last few weeks in editing we had some guest speakers come in to 1) help us learn how to get in the industry and 2) other publications to think about working for. To address the second point first, I had never really thought about alternative weekly's. Even though thats what Vox is for the most part, I didn't really realize I suppose that other cities had those. I was excited to hear about the editorial flexibility they have and therefore hopefully, art flexibility. I've also decided after some thought that working at a smaller more flexible publication will be more for me. The thought of sitting behind a computer and being constrained to a template every week would drive me crazy. I also know that designers have to pay their dues but at a smaller publication the chance of moving up faster is certainly more likely.

To address the other point, a J-school professor at MU, Amanda Hinnant, spoke to us about her experiences at Glamour and Real Simple. Her tips were helpful as far as what is expected when we enter the professional working world. I think we are often quite catered to as far as--well I was sick so I didn't come to class--or I was so stressed I didn't do my best on the project--and her lecture helped me to realize those days are over. I also learned that while our portfolio's are REALLY important, networking is the most important and getting yourself noticed. I think for me that will be the hardest as I tend to be a bit shy around strangers. Time to man up! (That's sexist, I know-sorry!, but I can't think of any other way to put it!)

You Can't Miss>Logo Pond

I thought this would be helpful this week since we are all redesigning our logos this week. It's full of awesome logos for companies of all kinds. It is also a chance to get your work out there. You can pay a fee to submit logo designs, but there are also awards for the logos that win. Below is a logo that one last year. The logo is for Fido Computers.



There are two different sites...the main site is.. and the awards are featured on

Hope this helps!

CRITIQUE>WEEK 8

CRITIQUE:

This past week I designed another spread for the art department of Vox. It's not being published until 3/26, so I'll put it up after that. The story was about album cover art. I had a little fun with the placement of the album art, and if I could go back I probably would have wanted to have a say in what album art was chosen just because it was a chance for the art department to shine and not just have an everyday photograph.

Last week I also spent time designing a cover for a photo story about women in traditionally men's work roles. The cover won't be running because the photo story is no longer taking place but I had fun with this cover so I will still post them! The Kick Ass Women one is my favorite with the muddy boot and the typeface. I think it's strong and would work well as a cover. The other one is more typical and if I revise it I may not use the "lipstick" typeface.




WHAT'S NEXT:

This week I'm revising 3 logos. Everyone liked the black and white one that looks like a maze, which was also my favorite. I'm going to play with making the lines smaller and choosing a better typeface. There were a few ties between others that were well liked, so I haven't made a decision about the other's to revise. I will be posting the revisions soon.

I am also working on a new cover taking the place of the cover that was scratched last week. It is about a play called The Verge which is about what women want. The cover is supposed to be a photo cover but we are allowed to stray from that.

I finally, over spring break, will be working on my own fashion spread from the photo shoot for Inside Columbia, putting together slideshows and department pages for the Country Home project and hopefully getting a big handle on my own website.

Response>>MAP

I attended the MAP session by Photo Editor of 417 magazine, Edward Biamonte. I have a love for photography and often see myself going down that path one day. So, attending his session was helpful and it also helped me get a feel for the magazine (a place I may apply). He talked alot about the work that goes into great photos and how important it is to know the technical aspects of photography. I took a photojournalism class last year and learned a lot of the technical aspects but I am a little rusty. I also know absolutely nothing about lighting but I do plan to take a class someday. His lecture made me want to get out there and take more photos so if any fellow photo enthusiasts ever want to get together to shoot let me know. It's fun and motivating to look at a professionals photos and think (I could do that!...with a LOT of practice, of course), but still it seems a reachable go which makes you want to get out there and do it.

I also learned how important photo selection is for a magazine--it truly gives the magazine its style and edge. I'm going to use that knowledge when working on countryhome.com & when putting together my "mock" feature spread from the spring fashion shoot.

Here are some of edward's photographs. His website is...www.edwardbiamonte.com.. check it out!

You Can't Miss>>Killed Ideas

There is a new blog I learned about from the blog I follow designerswhoblog.com. It's being headed by Steve Hall of AdRants. He is looking to have a blog with all of those great ideas that have been axed. I think it's a great tool for us to look for inspiration. We also can submit our axed ideas! It is also a MAJOR encouragement to keep that stuff that maybe isn't quite there yet in some type of binder to go back to. A great idea is a great idea, even if it doesn't work in a certain situation. It seemed with the logo assignment there was a lot of negativity (myself included), so keep your chin up designers, as they would say in grade school, there are no bad ideas! (Even though there are, haha, but, you get what I'm saying!) There is an application on the site. There is a focus on the site more so for advertising ideas..but it's also worth a shot. The deadline is March 31st at midnight & submissions can all be made online. The website is killedieas.com

Week 7

This past week I didn't do much for Vox. I worked on some logo designs and finally have the results of my Inside Columbia spring fashion shoot.

CRITIQUE:

My logos..well, they are okay. I tend to wait til the last minute to design. It's when I produce the best work, usually. But, if I'm not feeling creative but I have to pump something out it can get difficult. I like to use words to brainstorm and often look at google images, too. But if my creative juices aren't flowing and I find images I like, its hard to move past those images and further them as my own. So, I struggle with that and look forward to redesigning your favorites!







I also finally got the proofs from the spring fashion shoot for IC. A quick reminder that I didn't do this design or pick the photos. I styled this shoot--i.e. pick out the outfits. I LOVE how it turned out.. it's my most sophisticated fashion spread yet. The geometric look is my favorite and I think it offers alot of choices for our readers. I think it also gives some encouragement to try a look that's not necessarily "you," our model, Brynn, felt that way with the country look. I also was given all of the photos from the shoot and will be photo editing and creating my own spread for my portfolio--it will be up soon (i hope)!








I haven't brainstormed about what I will do with the design..but, we will see.

WHAT'S NEXT:

I just got through working on the Vox 4/2 cover about women. I will be posting those next week so stay tuned. I will also be working on my art department design this week that is about famous album cover art. I am trying to think of a creative way to show the amazing covers. I will also be working alot with flash this week/end to put together slideshows for our project with countryhome.com. I will also be trying to work on some redesigns and my own website. Oh, to sleep.