Flash is Dead

Its about that time again: to update my portfolio site. Its quite an undertaking when you consider a few of the current circumstances. My site is designed primarily in flash, I have about 5 projects I need to shoot, and I'm wondering if its not a bad idea to start fresh. New identity, new photos, a new selection of my best and most current work, and new site. When you are a CCS alumni, no design project is ever easy. There is a nagging little voice in the back of my head saying things like: "Have you considered the semiotics of your imagery?" or, "Explain the concept to me and how you plan on executing the design?" or the classic, "Are you looking at the whole? I see the pieces, but have you considered the whole?" There is always a lot to think about.

The Identity

So my current identity consists of my own Sharpie sketches of everyday design things. Robots, exacto's, and spinning wheels. The design really says three things to me: I can illustrate, I have an understanding but somewhat sarcastic idea of design, and my skills are diverse. I love this design, and the printed teaser was a great piece that got awesome feedback from some reputable creative directors. The Sharpie was printed on Kraft paper, and looked like it was all hand-drawn on. I loved/love this piece. Could stand to keep it.

The things I don't like about the current identity is that its not that sophisticated. I don't know if I want to appear to be all sophisticated, I don't think that's me right now. But I don't want to seem as student-like as the identity kind of connotes. Maybe keeping some elements while adding more sophisticated elements to the mix is a way of refreshing it.

The Pieces

So as of my last job hunting, I made the following pieces that will need to be a thought of as part of the update: Identity Kit of Parts ("logo" if you will, but really it is so much more than that if you do it right), Business Cards, Resume, Teaser, CD labels, Portfolio Page Design, Website, Thank You Cards, and miscellaneous other self promotion.

The Future

Some of these things will need rethinking - like the teaser and CD, which was originally used for sending a PDF portfolio. I think the printed teaser is an important piece for a Creative Director to receive, since deep down we designers are all really tactile in nature. So sending a clever but humble piece is always a good idea. There needs to be some thought about green design, sending emails instead of a printed piece? But how does that same tactile quality come across in an email? How can you get that great feeling of some beautiful looking and feeling paper in a vehicle that is normally used to send annoying Costco updates or bank statements? I feel like some serious innovation needs to happen here, and it isn't about an email blast that looks like Apple designed it.

I'm not sure what the future of self promotion is, but it has to consider everything a printed piece has and more. It has to be smart, smarter than what we've done but still capturing the greatness of what we've done. I am thinking that this whole thing might end up along the lines of blogging, social networking, getting updates and invites in a way that is designed and appealing. Like, what if employers got a little teaser on their ichat? A well designed little image pops up saying, you have a new applicant for your graphic design position, click here to view more images from their portfolio. I also keep thinking there needs to be a site where they can sign up for this feature, where employers and the unemployed meet in a visual way. Its all very iphone, web 2.0, but i think this is how the cutthroat world of design (or any profession in the current economy) will have to surpass the masses to succeed and continue to bring good design to the world. (Kelly, I will never stop fighting for the design of things, its the design is the vehicle for the message! It has to be clear, and the only way to achieve that is with design.)

So I want to keep thinking what the short term, not setting up a design social networking system, solution would be to this green/smart/tactile teaser. I think there is something feasible there, but my mind isn't there yet.

I love Marian Bantjes site (she's personal design hero for saying "Fuck Ya" on the stage of the AIGA National Design Conference in 2007) for its simplicity and artful use of pixels. Its really great, and I did a little research into her host, an online content manager. I have some reading to do still about it, but it seems a lot like a blog, which I like.

I haven't come right out and said it yet, but flash is dead and I'm going straight HTML for this next site. MUCH easier to update, not half the load time of some heady flash, and frankly I'm ready for some simplicity.

So this has been my rant, my rambling thoughts that the blog forces me to put out there and re-read later. I am excited to design a site and photograph my work again. I always love having the updates of life to keep me on track and never forget Frency's little french voice saying "Danieeeeeee, guuurrlll, you need to UPdate that PORTFOLIOoo. TSK TSK, there is no slacking! You don't want to get behind, you have to UPdate because you NEVER KNoooWWW..." Thanks Phillipe and Jenn for always being there to bust my balls when I have no motivation.