Chronicle Books Fellowship - RD2

Long long ago - aka when I stopped blogging in October... I kinda went on hiatus aka design mega over drive for a while. I worked on revamping a bunch of projects, pumping out a few new ones and dreaming up all sorts of crazy, like this box of goodness. I really don't have to much to say, because I DID NOT get the fellowship. However I am very very proud of how this portfolio turned out. It is a vast improvement from my 1st portfolio from when I graduated from Cal Poly and as much as I liked the outside of my 1st Chronicle submission "the guts" just don't stand up to this new portfolio seen in this new post.

The portfolio itself was done in the standard amount of time, roughly 3 weeks, because why plan ahead and give yourself a ton of time?!? Actually, it's because I just thought I would give it a shot one last time... I had tried in June and thought maybe they would remember me and see some improvements, which I fully believe it shows, my book has come far. The layout was similar but I worked on my hierarchy, order of projects (I had about 4 more editorial projects than the 1st time around), and uniqueness of presentation. Overall, my idea kept kept coming back to having a game board that included elements from all my projects. The final game board turned into my route/path to Chronicle... too bad that didn't actually work out. (The dice didn't roll in my favor?) The board game was the fun part and won't really get used ever again (I am kinda done with that idea), but the process book and portfolio itself could be reused with some tweaks and changes. The process book is standard, but included more detailed descriptions about the projects, showing sketches, rounds, compared to the final piece. The portfolio style was something I had dreamed up for my first portfolio, but I could never find large enough paper, as silly as that sounds. The format however worked out perfectly for the "required 8.5x11 page size" - although I guess I cheated a little having fold out pages that were bigger than that. It's all about loop holes though, or so I figured. And maybe, there I was wrong.

Each project gives the title, one line description, and category on the left page. On the right side is a environmental photo of the project (this also may have been my down fall), that page then folds out to show details and spreads of the projects in many cases. There are a few little details that I created; for instance the tab system that is on the left side - in my signature green, green ribbon to make it easier to remove the books, the compartments in the bottom of the box that were designed specifically for the "Feeling Lucky" cards, game pieces and process book... I could go on and on, but really the pictures explain it all fairly well. If you have any interest of what projects I included or anything about creating this wondrous blue book please let me know - I am more than happy to share.

The Box: Included - Portfolio Book, Project List (required element, including short descriptions, completion dates, materials), Game Board, "Feeling Lucky" Cards: chance cards, Game Pieces + 1 Die, and Process Book

Things learned... which I should have known by now. You can never spell check enough (command + i : inDesign). Never rely on your own eyes, employ an editor or if you can't, call your Mom, like me! (Just don't do it after the fact!) So my down fall, I will never know, however being that Chronicle is a publisher, pretty sure my 3 spelling errors didn't help me one little bit (palm + forehead or as Homer would say... "Doh!")

All and all, it didn't matter in the long run. I went out on a limb and tried for the fellowship, didn't get it of course, but then was given the fabulous opportunity that I have now! I really love my new job (see my LinkedIn) and already have enjoyed learning new design tricks, oh and pixal/photoshop land isn't so scary after all.

Please excuse any poor grammar - My editor was busy tonight! HAHA.

CP Portfolio Review.

Its been a blur of a last few days. They sorta all blend together, it was pretty much portfolio, portfolio, portfolio, but it all got done. Yesterday, was Cal Poly portfolio review which is mandatory if you plan to graduate and super helpful. I reviewed with 2 alums, both whom had good things to say, which was really exciting. I finally am feeling prepared and it's all coming together. So look out real world, i'm coming! Below are a few images of my portfolio, it is still def. a work in progress, but I think I am done with the layout and design. It is just down to getting the right pieces in there. I promise I will post all the spreads once I have locked in what is staying in there. I have 8 solid pieces right now, I had a couple more, but I am pulling a few after yesterday. They will be replaced before AIGA SF Portfolio review. They will be replaced with stuff that is in progress right now. Goal is to have 12 awesomely, amazing pieces. Yes I said that. Anyways enjoy, and sorry you can't see the type that clearly, the photos are just from my point and shoot.









oh, also... if you look, the band on the left pages indicates where you are in the portfolio. it moves up and down and is in 10 different spots, because there were 10 projects in my portfolio. the second to last image shows how it works pretty well. lastly because I have been asked in the past, the portfolio book is made completely by me. the covers are made with binders board, fabulous book cloth from Butterfly Book Binding, and end sheets i made myself - aka my own pattern printed out for them. bookmaking skills have really come in handy this year.

portfolio.

this evening my friend :: Eric Herrmann :: helped me with his awesome photography skills. we reshot most of the work in my portfolio, all on black. this is the first time i have really photographed all my work, well at least the pieces i want in my portfolio. there were a few things i didn't photograph because it will show better as a digital file, mostly posters. anyways here are some of the shots of my work and the first real appearance of the Obama book and spreads of The Unconventional Oddities of San Luis Obispo.

the unconventional oddities.




confetti.


perez.
poster will be shown digital. this was 1 of 500 buttons made.

chronicle books fellowship.

soo... most people that know me, know i have a thing for books. i prefer the ones with pictures, but reading is ok every once and a while. my love for books has led me to pursue the publishing world. currently i am learning that it never hurts to try, in this case, the bar can never be set too high. i have being lucky and gotten to visit : chronicle books : twice now because of the Art and Design department at Cal Poly. i have to say they have the most beautiful workspaces of all the studios i have been to. they have this fabulous lounge space with furniture i dream to have in my own space someday, also being there are books everywhere. being surrounded by awesome books and designers all day, um, hello,- sign me up! so i did just that, signed myself up aka submitted my portfolio to Chronicle Books for the Publishing Group Fellowship. i was very torn, because the industrial designer position sounded very cool too, but alas I stuck with what i know. i have some really high hopes, mostly because i am in love with the final presentation. i was really hoping to at least be a little different, and by the look on the receptionists face when i dropped it off, i did just that. she flashed me a smile and had this look of "this is a little different" or maybe she was confused and thought i was delivering a postal package. anyways - i like it and it shows me. me in a box, inside a book if you will. so now i sit and wait. i would love an interview and i would love the job, but lets shoot for an interview first. keep your fingers crossed!

these are a few shots of the box as it opens and the books
(portfolio and process)

pixar.... do you see me?

so as many of my readers know, i have a dream to some day work for Pixar Animation Studios. so again this year I am knocking on their door! After finishing the toughest quarter of my life in school, which included many all nighters, very little sleep, and no social life, I took on one more thing... handmaking my crazy portfolio book just for Pixar. It took me about 4 days of finding all the files I needed, lots of formatting and a spur of the moment photoshoot, but I got it done and the book arrived at Pixar yesterday at 9:10am.

This is my shout out to you Pixar! This is my third year applying for an internship and I am hoping this is the year, because there is a Graphic Art position! I am hoping it is destiny calling, because I am graduating and my dream job finally is up for grabs. So, hey Pixar, I am the one you want, I will work my hardest everyday, please give me a shot? At least an interview? The portfolio, (that I sadly will never see again) is me in a book, hopefully it was enough to knock your socks off.

Oh and yes, I know the book is intense, but it shows I am driven and it was supposed to be overwhelming, maybe a little crazy is good. Shows I want it!

portfolio for Pixar.

so i am setting my bar high, which most of you already know i tend to do, and apply to PIXAR for an internship. this is my beautiful - one of a kind, never to be repeated - mini (5x7) portfolio that will never be given back. sadly. i whipped up the little box and now i want to keep it. yikes. but, sometimes it is better to make something that will give the extra "oooo...." factor. keep your fingers crossed, and maybe i'll get lucky and at least get an interview. here's hoping the box will show i can think out of the box?