Day Job + Freelance Design

I'm coming to a maybe temporary idea of what I will take on the design and/or work world. I don't want to work for another design workplace for long time. I want to take on the look of the town on my own with freelancing and hoping to further my success from there and one day start my own studio. Working for someone designing at least around here is a nightmare, I need design to be second and work be first. I need money to take care of my family, and I don't need to worry about losing my job over something stupid. I'll design like I want to with the training and constrictions of my past education. I don't want to have to worry about an uneducated schmuck telling me what I can and can't do. Working a day job and design of night is what I'm going to do. I want to have some exhibitions and zines out. Speaking of publishing, I'm writing a book and hopefully it will get published. I will of course design my own cover and page layout. If it does get published, you can buy it on this site.

Good Type + Bad Layout = Bad Desgin | Good Layout + Bad Type = ?

One can get away with a bad type choice if their layout ends up being awesome. The key word to that sentence is can; it can work, not it will work. I don't think any layout would mend the horrors of Papyrus or Comic Sans. Typefaces like Arial or Gill Sans are two typefaces that can work if using a killer layout. But you have to think if someone could think of a great layout would they know about the type they are using? I know that some people may have an inner knack with eye pleasing layout but either only have the typefaces that came on their computer. I'm not sure what the problem is but we may be able to look past a horrid typeface choice if the layout is great, but of course it would be much better with a firm typeface choice.

On the other hand bad layout will not look great even if using Futura or Helvetica. Type gurus will see the design and all they will get out of it is the fact that they can say, "Hey, that's Futura." but it doesn't go any further than that. I've seen Helvetica used in the most horrible ways even though I love the typeface I can't get across the bad design esthetics and most likely bad kerning, leading, or tracking. These designs were probably done when Helvetica was a default on PC and if those same designers did that design today they would use Arial or Tahoma.

Good designers, please watch the type you use to push your designs to an extra level. Bad designers, please stop centering everything; kern once and a while. Oh, and kerning and tracking are not the same thing.

Portfolio Is Uploaded

I am sure there are still mistakes and typos. Let me know any critiques and proofreading as you like. The more honest the better! Please note that the best way to view is by downloading it from your browser. If you don't have Adobe Reader you can get it here.

pro+gress

My portfolio is done all but being proofread a third time. I am going to make sure this one is nearly perfect. Once I get a new job I am buying some new typefaces that my computer lacks such as Helvetica and Futura in various weights. I'm ready for Linotype to finish their Windows version of the FontXplorer or I can just save up and get a Mac that would be ideal but money is a very big deal of course.

HVO denied my unemployment, which is completely bogus. I am now frantic to find a new job and knowing that I will not be compensated for my off time makes me sick to my stomach. I have a promises meeting with an employer on Tuesday. They have my resume and I will be getting them my portfolio once it’s done, as you all know it is still under construction. Wish me luck!

Gill Sans seems to be everywhere. I'm not sure why its not the greatest typeface ever. I am actually not a fan of any humanist. If I want stroke contrast then I'll just use a serif typeface. Go grotesque its chic!