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oopenstein · May 31, 2002, 12:05 AM

'Ello everyone. I'm a 17-year old high school grad about to head off to the Academy of Art in San Francisco. If at all possible, could you take a look at my portfolio and tell me what you think? Thanks a bunch...and if any of you are currently based in San Francisco, please e-mail me! I'm currently living in Louisiana, so I have no friends/contacts in the Bay Area...Again, thanks.
<a href="http://www.unfit.nu" target="_blank">http://www.unfit.nu</a>

-Cody

Phranken9 · May 31, 2002, 12:22 AM

I don't know too much about art, so I cant really give a detailed analysis, but I think you have some really great material there. I really like some of the skate decks you have there. Good stuff.

funkboy · May 31, 2002, 01:29 AM

Wow, impressive. Has a very, very polished professional feel to the web site. (very Radiohead, too <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> )

As for the art critiquing, I don't know much, like the other guy. But it all looks very good, whether or not it has content - you'll do fine in the advertising field

tomra · May 31, 2002, 02:19 AM

Hi.

Nice pieces of artwork!!
Are you aiming to do "graphics - art" only or will you also do complete page layouts w/ text design and the works?

Another thing...how did you find a tucker in what seems to be a salvage yard?? I thought they where all locked up in museums?!

Tom.

splode · May 31, 2002, 12:59 PM

Hey.

Very nice. Makes me kinda angry, actually, but, I'll try and keep my cool. I'm not a designer (yet), but liked what I saw. The skate decks were great, if ya ever hear of a way to put custom grphics on the top or bottom of a snowboard, lemme know.

splode

Worst. Episode. Ever. · May 31, 2002, 01:29 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by tomra:

Another thing...how did you find a tucker in what seems to be a salvage yard?? I thought they where all locked up in museums?!
<hr /></blockquote>I'm not sure, but I think that is a Studabaker.

ambush · May 31, 2002, 04:10 PM

Very nice

ARENA · May 31, 2002, 08:35 PM

Man, your site have to be one of the best designs i've seen lately.
The whole concept of the web layout and the graphics are just awesome.
I also liked your design compositions, pictures and skates.
Congratulations.

Additionally, being a Radiohead fan myself i specially appreciate that style

One last thing, what camera you used for the pictures?

oopenstein · May 31, 2002, 09:57 PM

Thankya so much. I really appreciate the comments. I used a Canon Powershot A40 for the photos...the quality took me by surprise.

ARENA · Jun 1, 2002, 01:16 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by oopenstein:
Thankya so much. I really appreciate the comments. I used a Canon Powershot A40 for the photos...the quality took me by surprise.<hr /></blockquote>I guess i'm going a bit offtopic in here, but wtf...
I recently bought a digital camera (Olympus D-510, 2.1MP) and i can't seem to achieve results like in your photos.
What resolution do you use for taking the pictures? Do you take "big" pictures and then crop and scale them?

I always shoot in the "native" 1600 x 1200 resolution, but then when i scale the images down for web use to sizes similar that in your pics, the definition of the images noticeably decreases.

So i wonder if it's better to take the pics at a smaller size in the camera in order to get better results for small "web pics".

tomra · Jun 1, 2002, 06:52 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Worst. Episode. Ever.:
 <blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by tomra:

Another thing...how did you find a tucker in what seems to be a salvage yard?? I thought they where all locked up in museums?!
<hr /></blockquote>I'm not sure, but I think that is a Studabaker.<hr /></blockquote>Hi.

Yes...you are absolutely right!
I was "fooled" by the center headlight....which i believe does`nt belong there....right?!

Sorry....i should have looked closer

Tom.

Mac Guru · Jun 1, 2002, 10:00 AM

I'm guessing this isn't a portfolio to get INTO a university since you've stated where you are going. As a soon to be graduating College Design student, I must say that a design firm won't be too hyped about what you have currently. While you're in school, be sure to broaden your potfolio outside of the "skate" theme. You have some very nice work for an entering student. It has been screamed at us hundreds of times here where I go, to have a portfolio showing our skills in, 3D Design (sculpture etc.), Illustration (hand and digital), photography (preferrably 35mm, digital is still seen as a consumer thing), general design (ad layouts, corp. identities, lot's of logo's), and THE MOST IMPORTANT, Typeography. The number one compliant of design firms across the nation for graduating students is that they don't have enough typography work in thier portfolio's. Another note, which I'm sure you're already aware of... work on broadening your style. So many people I know design in ONE style and it locks your potential hiring situation down to a select few firms. You need to be able to create things much like the art you have in your portfolio, things simple and clean like Apple's ads, and things that are very retro, as well as very plain and simple. A lot of the art you have would have to be seriously reworked if it were an ad for a company running in a newspaper. Your designs need to be translatable to many different forms of media on the fly without much reworking.

So make sure you stockpile EVERYTHING you generate in EVERY class you take related to art or else you'll sit there, weeks from graduation freaking out trying to slam together a portfolio like so many of my friends did. A fat portfolio isn't a bad thing. You don't want to shortchange yourself.

Mac Guru

Camali · Jun 1, 2002, 10:39 AM

cody,

you're going to blow your instructors away (and makes the other students a little envious

)

it's really great work!

Good Luck in school!

Worst. Episode. Ever. · Jun 1, 2002, 12:26 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Mac Guru:
and THE MOST IMPORTANT, Typeography
<hr /></blockquote>Word. The first question our company asks a potential designer... "That's a great looking portfolio, but can you set type?" Typesetting the is bread and butter of many a design shop, publishing house, etc. Don't overlook its importance.

SwarmyCurve · Jun 1, 2002, 03:58 PM

The site is very nice. It reminds me of Six Feet Under's Title Credits. (HBO show)
Some of the artwork is very impressive. You do the whole gritty complex art thing very well. I too am seventeen and working on a portfolio. I am visiting colleges (in only a junior in HS) and have enjoyed the ones I have seen so far. Since Im on the east coast, I won't be looking into the AoA in San Fran. My only wish from what I saw of yours would be to see some larger images. I run 1600x1200 on my main monitor and its always nice to at least have the option of viewing artworks in high res and high pixel dimensions. Very nice work!

buffalolee · Jun 1, 2002, 08:44 PM

The graphics are good. I do like the graphics and the creativeness.

The flaw to this site is the usability. You can have the greatest looking site, but if it is difficult for users, it is worthless. I have to resize the window to find the links.

Don't forget usability in your design. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

RGB · Jun 3, 2002, 02:02 AM

The Academy of Art in San Fran. has always intrigued me. They are the only school I know of with an automotive design major. Ever since I was little I've been sketching cars on pieces of paper, and it's really a passion of mine. I have thought of attending there, but consider the automotive design dream a little too narrow-minded. Seems like a cool school though, nice portfolio, good luck!

godzookie2k · Jun 3, 2002, 08:06 AM

Yeah, usability is a bitch, no offense. I'd like to see some kind of visual feedback on the buttons, as well as some sort of.."I've clicked here already" history system. I won't rant about pop up windows being a bad navigational cop out though. Sites actual *design* is nice though, types a little blurry but thats what you get when you use graphical type. The work that is up is nice, well thought out and implemented, but I'd like to see more "real-world" stuff, even if its not for-client. Maybe choose a brand and design some stuff along the brand. Type excercises are always good for a young designer to do/have in their portfolio.

gud luq

oopenstein · Jun 4, 2002, 01:32 PM

Maybe "portfolio" was stretching it a bit. I don't consider myself a designer...that's what I'm going to college for...I like to see my work as art (that might be stretching it even further, however...). At 17, I really don't have any client work to show, because I have yet to do any real client work. I plan on releasing a new site very soon that will feature the rest of my work.

godzookie2k · Jun 5, 2002, 08:21 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by oopenstein:
Maybe "portfolio" was stretching it a bit. I don't consider myself a designer...that's what I'm going to college for...I like to see my work as art (that might be stretching it even further, however...). At 17, I really don't have any client work to show, because I have yet to do any real client work. I plan on releasing a new site very soon that will feature the rest of my work.<hr /></blockquote>No, but "fake" client work is still good practice. Not to claim that "This is a piece I made for Wrigleys spearmint gum" but taking an established brand and doing an "ad" for the brand (or whatever) still makes for good practice and shows potential employers your capabilities with real world stuff.

theoden · Jun 10, 2002, 12:46 PM

I'm a junior looking at heading into the same field after graduating next year. Some really, really nice stuff you have there. Good luck @school <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

elucid · Jun 10, 2002, 02:13 PM

hey,
is really nice for where you are in your life right now(17)
i am ten years older and going back to art school after having dropped out so i find it inspirational
when i was going before i would have nothing to do with design because let's face it graphics is not "real" art (ouch that hurts i know) but this doesn't have to demean graphic design, i've grown to love some but everything has it's place. like the radioheadish stuff is beyond design for them because it starts to deal with issues addressed in their aesthetic meaning, it almost starts to become autonomous. (sidenote-ibelieve when they were recording the artist hung out in the studio the whole time working next to thom and i think it shows)
anyways like they say everything in it's right place like the skate decks , fabulous, they are what they are (and they'll look interesting after a few rail slides(i think, been a ling time since i skated but i still have my gator and mcgill)) and design should be design , we all have to earn a living,
any advice would be to walk that line between "fine" and "design". do both but be aware of the distinction. you have a voice so learn to speak with it to say what "you" want to say
be open to the new as well because the stuff you don't understand now will probably be the stuff you really get into later and vice versa-the stuff that really visually gets you off now will probably become boring and predictable

you are going to have so much fun and i sincerely wish you the best

msc1974 · Jun 11, 2002, 06:42 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Mac Guru:
I'm guessing this isn't a portfolio to get INTO a university since you've stated where you are going. As a soon to be graduating College Design student, I must say that a design firm won't be too hyped about what you have currently. While you're in school, be sure to broaden your potfolio outside of the "skate" theme. You have some very nice work for an entering student. It has been screamed at us hundreds of times here where I go, to have a portfolio showing our skills in, 3D Design (sculpture etc.), Illustration (hand and digital), photography (preferrably 35mm, digital is still seen as a consumer thing), general design (ad layouts, corp. identities, lot's of logo's), and THE MOST IMPORTANT, Typeography. The number one compliant of design firms across the nation for graduating students is that they don't have enough typography work in thier portfolio's. Another note, which I'm sure you're already aware of... work on broadening your style. So many people I know design in ONE style and it locks your potential hiring situation down to a select few firms. You need to be able to create things much like the art you have in your portfolio, things simple and clean like Apple's ads, and things that are very retro, as well as very plain and simple. A lot of the art you have would have to be seriously reworked if it were an ad for a company running in a newspaper. Your designs need to be translatable to many different forms of media on the fly without much reworking.

So make sure you stockpile EVERYTHING you generate in EVERY class you take related to art or else you'll sit there, weeks from graduation freaking out trying to slam together a portfolio like so many of my friends did. A fat portfolio isn't a bad thing. You don't want to shortchange yourself.

Mac Guru<hr /></blockquote>Great work, but I echo Mac Guru (finally somebody talking some sense)

MinivanH8R · Jun 11, 2002, 10:15 PM

Well I don't have much time, but I'll give a brief critique your work and not the web design since that has already been stated.

Your compositions are great. Use of negative space is fantastic. Color is used nicely.

Things I think you need to work on (or show more of) are your hand-drawing and composition skills. Since you're applying at an art school, these are very important. Sure, we live in the year 2002, but that doesn't mean computer design talent is more important than traditional skills.

Definitely nice work though, good job and good luck.

Vanquish · Jun 16, 2002, 10:33 AM

very nice pictures for a Canon actually (yeah sorry, i'm a Nikon-guy myself

) (did you do a lot of Photoshop on those pictures?), but my tip is: go 35mm (or even better 6x6 or 6x7 if you can afford it) instead of digital, because analog is still considerd more "ART" than digital. I can't say anything on other artforms, because photography is my area of expertise. Personally I don't really like the skate thing, but the art is nice. About the first picture (the blue wall), I think the composition is not that good, you're not in front of it your not at a straight angle but that's not such a big thing actually. I hope I haven't criticized you too much (if so, feel free to say so or give any comments).

-Vanquish

tramahound · Jun 18, 2002, 11:09 AM

I minored in art history, which isn't to mean I know much of anything, but hey maybe you'll appreciate my comments more <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />
I think you are very talented, and as a result I am very jealous and angry (grr). I wish I was as young, and as talented.

Anyway, all jealousy and anger aside, what you have is very nice and shows great potential. As others have said you can definitely stand to broaden the scope of your work, but I’m sure you will once you dive into school. In my opinion the college experience greatly changes a person especially when you move to an entirely different part of the country. You will no doubt grow exponentially as a person, and it will surely come through in your work (not to say your current portfolio is lacking in maturity). I love your use of color throughout. It’s a nice contrast to some of the darkness/gloom in some of the art examples. The negative space (especially in art-5) is very powerful.

The photography is good as well. You have some nice textures and good composition, but I agree with a previous poster in that you should definitely get into 35mm at least. I’m sure you'll take a class in that once you get to school though, and only build on your already impressive skills. Black and white would be a good start since you're already obviously good at color use. b&w can only help you in forming more powerful images without relying too much on the color.

That’s about it for my opinion. Hope it helped you in some way.

oopenstein · Jun 20, 2002, 01:55 AM

Here's my latest site:
<a href="http://un.unfit.nu/" target="_blank">http://un.unfit.nu/</a>

It is a visual journal for my summer in San Francisco...

-Cody