Tagged: themes

the physical portfolio: inspiration

Portfolio research/inspiration

I began researching into the presentation of physical portfolios to think about how I want to present my work physically. I have never wanted to use a typical portfolio folder, binder or box as I feel this better suits two-dimensional work or image-based pieces. The work I want to include in my graduate portfolio includes a selection of zines and booklets I have created, as well as some photography and other print-based work, so I want my portfolio to reflect my love of materials, printing and tactility. I started to look at innovative packaging for portfolios, for example, envelopes, bags or obscure packaging.

We Sow is a project by French graphic designers Léa Beaubois, Marion Cachon and Paul Faure, who ‘sow’ packages of printed matter throughout Lyon and Ghent, of reworked pieces of text in the form of pamphlets, flyers, zines or little scrolls of paper. The packages of risograph prints will be left on streets or in public places, or hidden and left to find by passers by.

“We Sow is an independent self-publishing initiative which was launched in Lyon, France in summer 2016 by Léa Beaubois, Marion Cachon and Paul Faure. Created in response to the current socio-political state of affairs in France and beyond, the project seeks to sow seeds in the minds of its readers, in a thoughtfully designed and printed form that also offers the group a chance to flex their design muscles.”


Other forms of packaging that have inspired me include >>Robynne Redgrave’s portfolio<< which has a similar aesthetic, placing all elements of her portfolio and documentation into a transparent package, almost like an evidence bag or important piece of mail. I like the idea of using bulldog clips or other basic stationery fastenings, to allow the recipient to take apart the portfolio and look through it in whichever order they like; being able to look at items up close, touch them and turn them over.

>>This stationery packaging I discovered on Pinterest<<, (but unfortunately cannot find the original source or designer) uses playful links to food and eating, packaging a notebook in what looks like a takeaway box or lunchbox with a branded cardboard band around it. Linking this to the food/fashion concept of my final major project and where I would like my future work to go, I like the idea of using food packaging within a visual portfolio. (Even rolling up a CV or cover letter like a napkin could add to this effect?)

portfolio: creating an identity

(a collation of a few selected images of my work, with recognisable colour and theme similarities)

After examining our current collections of work as a group in Daniela’s workshop, it was easy for me to spot repetitive themes, styles and colour palettes in my work that help tie it all together. This helps me recognise that I do have a personal style and identity to my work, for example I often feature pastel or feminine colours in my images, as well as experimental text and textures.

My work is more centred around still life and art directed shots, as well as creative collage and illustration in my more tactile pieces. There are also recognisable themes and concepts in my project, including topics of femininity, sexuality and wellbeing/mental health.

I recognise my portfolio of work as quite young and contemporary, often commenting on youth culture, lifestyle trends and attitudes towards sex, the body, social media, nature. I was pleased that this is clear in my work as I often worried that my interests within fashion communication were quite broad, and that it isn’t clear where my interests lie – but when looking at my work laid out next to each other it is obvious that I do have themes and ideas I return to and enjoy working around.

This has helped me to think about forming and developing my own visual identity for my portfolio, online presence and promotion of myself/my work. The repetition of pink and feminine qualities in my images mean there is a simple starting point for an aesthetic that would compliment my work, and the contemporary nature of my images mean that I can start thinking about designs for my website, portfolio and promotional material that complement this.