Self Promotion

I have been busy creating a few self promotional print outs to send to possible clients, using some of my spare posters prints, with a few new layouts.

The key for self promotion as an illustrator is to keep it unique yet simple, and creative yet fairly cheap.

Instead of printing off a load more spreads for a booklet, I instead folded up a few of my prints left over from my exhibition and combined them with a few new layouts in a limited edition style book. I bound the folded pages together with coiled coloured wire and made an insert for my business card to add a handmade touch. The pages can be pulled out and put up as posters or flicked through as a book.

The one bit of advice I was given about self promotion is to create artwork the clients can put up on their wall, as Art Directors like tangible and accessible art.

Creating coiled wire to bind book 1.

Example of pull our poster and centre fold in book 1.

A3 double-sided, pull out folded poster. Printed on Bible Paper so is extra thin and great for folding, could be printed up to A1 for a greater effect. This piece works as a small booklet or as a poster, and can be given out exhibitions or sent to possible employers.

Book 2 used the same technique as book 1, using old posters and new layouts, however with this book I attached a business card on the front cover with an eyelet, again for a unique, handmade feel. I always admire the small touches on items such as these, so feel that it is very important to focus on every little finishing touch.

CV Design & Update

I updated my CV with a few new details as well as taking out any irrelevant ones, and updated the whole look with my new logo and typeface used as part of my self branding into a new layout. I kept it simple ans straight to the point.

Business Card Design

For my new business cards I have simply printed a chosen image for the front and a new logo and personal details for the back. I have re-branded myself with a logo and typeface that will feature on all of my promotion, including my portfolio, CV, website, and mail outs. This is to show a strong sense of style and to sell and represent myself as a package.
These will be given out to possible employers and contacts and exhibitions etc.

Logo + Rebrand

I have illustrated my use of typography and geometric shapes in my work through simplified, abstract forms created in Adobe Illustrator using a downloaded font called Caviar Dreams.

The top 2 logos are my preferred designs and will be featured on any promotional work I now do, including my website, business cards, mails outs, portfolio and CV. I will using this logo and typeface as a brand and will make sure to keep it as an overall package in anything I send out.

CV Research

Here are a few examples of some successfully designed creative CVs. They are bold, unique and visually aesthetic, as well as including all the important personal information. I think that as a creative designed it is important to consider the visuals of my CV just as much as the content. I would like to experiment with layouts and designs that involve folding/booklets/posters, just as my work does. By doing this I am showing my personality and my style of work as a message through my CV.

Tips and advice on creating a creative CV

The Artist CV is primarily used by fine artists although can be used by other creative practitioners from other disciplines. Artist CVs are sent to galleries and exhibitions for the purpose of showing your work, and are designed accordingly. They are different from standard CVs in several ways however the main difference is that it primarily focuses on artistic training and achievements. It may take the form of a booklet or folder, including a larger number of images than recommended in a standard or creative CV. Sections recommended for inclusion are:

• Personal Details
  As described in a standard CV
  
• Artist Statement
  this should be a short and clear statement of your work and thoughts as an artist. Feel free to use relevant industry terminology as you will most likely be dealing with industry professionals. Statements can include information on the themes of your work, the direction it is heading in, its meaning, etc.
  
• Professional Artist Training
  Include information on relevant artist specific education and training such as your BA or Foundation Degree.
  
• Artistic Achievement
  List your achievements, starting with the most recent including things such as awards and reviews.
  
• Art Related Employment
  List your related employment such as teaching and commissions. Include any placements if you do not have any employment.
  
• Agent
  If you have one.

Further information can be found at this website, where I initially found this information.

Content
1. Make It a Summary
2. Keep It Simple and Understandable
3. Leave Some Details Out
4. Make It Perfect
5. Use a Grid
6. Make It Printable
7. Link to Your Online Projects
8. Don’t Use a Template
10. Show Your Personality
More information on these tips can be found on the websites below.

• http://www.internationalgraduate.net/cv-layout.htm
• http://content.monster.co.uk/14697_en-GB_p1.asp
• http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/05/30-artistic-and-creative-resumes/
• http://blogof.francescomugnai.com/2008/09/the-20-most-creative-resumes-ive-seen-in-a-long-time-pure-inspiration/

Important factors to consider are:
- Typeface/size
- Page format/size
- Content

Portfolio Research

As I will be producing a printed portfolio version as well as an online website, I have been looking at existing portfolio designs by a range of different artists and designers including graduates like my soon self.
I have also been researching some tips and advice on what to include, what order, what to write and just general guidance. This advice can be seen on a few of the websites listed below.

• http://www.adigitaldreamer.com/articles/graphic-design-print-portfolio.htm
• http://www.artschoolstoday.com/careers/10-tips-for-a-creating-a-strong-print-portfolio/
• http://www.graphicdesignblog.org/impressive-graphic-designer-portfolios/
• http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/11/26/50-beautiful-and-creative-portfolio-designs/

Portfolio Designs
Here are a wide range of portfolios, the things to remember when designing mine is to make it as professional yet informative as possible, and only include relevant content, around 10-12 of my best images and the difficult part is that there is no right or wrong way to design a portfolio.
The more unique, clean and innovative the finished outcome the more likely I am going to benefit from it.

Other points to consider for my portfolio are:
- Must be up to date
- Must be easily updated and interchangeable
- Mustn't be too over worked or cluttered
- Must show who I am, what I do and what I want to do.

These designs use portfolio boxes, binding, folding, bold typography, white/negative space and individual design traits such as logos and stylized layouts.