Objective and messaging of my portfolio

My portfolio has the main goal of showcasing what I can do. I aim to make this portfolio show my audience my skills and style. This portfolio will have past projects that I enjoyed making and will show off the final products. Along with that, it will be a step forwards in my goal of becoming a designer, as it will add a level of professionalism to my portfolio.

My portfolio is branded under the name RMDEX, which is short for the ‘Ronan Mack Designer Experience’, as I wanted to be known under a brand while still branding my name. Having an abbreviated brand name like this also allows me to have a shorter domain name, which I prefer the look of. Overall I think that this portfolio will show others what I am capable of, which will hopefully lead me into a career that I can enjoy.

Reflection of the industry engagement event

I found the industry engagement event really worthwhile. I found that they all had really good tips for portfolios and career paths from their previous experiences. I find the thought of trying to get a job rather daunting, especially with my first portfolio. Listening to them all agree on contacting lots of companies at once about job opportunities was partially comforting, as they all had the same, or at least very similar experiences when getting their first jobs. 

Some of the things that I’ll definitely take into account when applying for jobs are their tips for when your application gets denied. Even if I get denied, I think it’s very important that I know why I got denied so that I can improve my application, portfolio, etc for future applications. Asking for advice on failed applications might not be a well known idea, but I think it is very valuable, especially in the context of portfolios, as these can be shared all the time, not just when you can be applying for a job.

Along with the advice given for failed job applications, there was also advice given on work expectations and work environments. If I were to have a job where I wasn’t respected by my colleagues, then I’m sure that I wouldn’t enjoy working there. I’d assume it would be a similar experience with a poor work environment as well. I think these are both really important when it comes to having a job, and I’m sure that the experts that were questioned during the networking event would agree with me. When I get into a design job, I want to enjoy working there, or at the very least, not dislike it.

Reflection of the unit

This semester’s unit contained lots of information on what design is, what different branches of designers do, and different scenarios that designers can come across. The unit started with the question “what is design?”, introducing me to SMART goals, design disciplines and different design principles. 

Next I was introduced to potential career paths which encouraged me to look at how design affects me day to day, and let me explore some job ideas. This module made me take a look at myself to help me look at my own unique traits and characteristics which might assist me at a future date. During this module I also looked at designer profiles which gave me a good idea of what experience designers have gained and what type of experience I could hope to gain.

The next few modules focused on professionalism and productivity. I was introduced to design codes and ethics, and took a look at job vacancies in my area, although I didn’t really find anything. I also looked at indigenous design ethics and their differences to normal design ethics, as well as issues that indigenous designers face. I also took a look at my time management, and took note of how long it took me to complete certain tasks.

Finally I looked at design business and practice, which showed me ways that I could make my online portfolio and profile and taught me how to interpret creative briefs.

Readings review

The first readings we were given were for study skills and recommended study habits. It gives tips on how to take useful notes and critically analyse given information to take the most useful information out of it. The second module provided a tutorial on how to create well-made SMART goals, as well as providing several design principles that help provide context on how most design processes play through. This was quite interesting as it was well laid out, and explained the design process rather well.

Next, we were presented with the “First Things First” manifesto, which was signed by Ken Garland, along with 20 other designers as a reaction to the society of Britain in the 1960’s. In the next module, we were prompted to read on time management and the best time for productivity, which explained that 11am was the best time for productivity during the day, along with monday being the most productive day of the week. It was said that people were most alert on Mondays, especially at 11am.

Module 7 talked about design communication. There were several readings given for this module, each talking about similar but different parts of design. The first is one of the most important parts of design, which is giving and receiving criticism. It’s hard to improve or help others improve without this. Other readings in this module included; building an online profile, how to perform an oral presentation, how to present designs to clients, and 50 design terms explained. The rest of the modules for this unit consisted of readings talking about design profiles, client relationships and business. All of these are very useful, especially in the context of business and freelancing.

Reflection on codes of conduct

The codes for designers usually revolve around responsibilities to clients, the public and environment. These codes can also outline how designers should interact and communicate with each other, as well as expenses, fees, honesty and competition. It is especially important that a designer knows how to interact with a client as the way you interact with clients can decide who hires you, and your effect in the industry. 

I think that it is important for designers to listen to and respect their clients, as they are important to any business as they are usually the people that keep the business afloat. Some designer responsibilities to clients that I think are important are confidentiality, professional responsibility and behaviour.

It’s not just client responsibilities that are important though. I think that designers also have their own code when it comes to interacting with other designers. Some of the really important parts of this code that I know include: fair competition, honouring each other’s work (respecting copyrights, trademarks, etc.) and equal effort when working with one another. No designer wants their work to be stolen, or their clients taken away from them.

Importance of the indigenous in design

It is fairly common for designers to use indigenous patterns without permission for their own commercial gain. When this happens, aboriginal or indigenous artists and designers are typically not contacted beforehand. If you are collaborating with an indigenous or aboriginal person and have gained permission to use their art for your design then it is okay. 

For use of aboriginal and other indigenous cultures, it is imperative that they are included in any design that uses their culture and art, as appropriation of their culture is heavily looked down on. It can be considered racist and theft, which is especially bad knowing large companies use this without the proper permission. It should be a necessity to be granted permission before using their art.