Hello, my name is Matt

[MHardgrove]

I really dont know what else to do here for right now but introduce myself. I am currently waiting to hear back and find out if I can be a part of the designing team, I am over anxious to begin brainstorming so I am just introducing myself. My name is Matt, 19 years old, ambitious and ready to get to work. I recently just got my certificate for visual communications from the gibbs college in piscataway, NJ and will soon recieve my Associates Degree in an applied science from the Gibbs College in Montclair, NJ. I have several programs I like to work with, I like to think I have a special hand in Photoshop, Image Ready, and Dreamweaver, but I am always looking to up my skills and learn more. I also know how to use Flash, Director, Quark XPress, Lightwave, and Illustrator. I want to learn in the future more programs to better round myself, programs such as: After Effects, GoLive, Fireworks, FreeHand, and any other programs I think would help me in my future. I really would like to start desiging here to better build my portfolio and to maybe get a better feel for the industry. I also know HTML, and know Javascript..somewhat. I, just the other day, purchased 4 books: One on Perl, one on Java, one on Javascripting, and one on PHP. I dont even know where to start I only know I have a craveing for knowledge. And want to be the person that people can goto to get everything done that they need. :tup: I just sometimes am not to sure if I am going to be able to be able to reach my expectations of myself... :huh: Well that is about it, :D

[Michael]

Welcome to DO Matt..

Good luck with the application.


Michael

[MHardgrove]

Was thinking maybe I could get the ball rolling with a lil representation of my portfolio...

Made in Lightwave, first thing I ever did with the program:
<img src='http://ourworld.cs.com/PimpnHardGrove/3D-Office.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

Created the Cereal Box in Illustrator to full size, then decided to make an add for it to, done in Photoshop, and the Logo was created in Illustrator as well:
<img src='http://ourworld.cs.com/PimpnHardGrove/Artic-Blast.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

Everything created in Photoshop:
<img src='http://ourworld.cs.com/PimpnHardGrove/Car-Show.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

Logo Created in Illustrator, then layed out in Photoshop
<img src='http://ourworld.cs.com/PimpnHardGrove/DirectMailLayout.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[MHardgrove]

Some more:

<img src='http://ourworld.cs.com/PimpnHardGrove/Hardgrove-CD.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
<img src='http://ourworld.cs.com/PimpnHardGrove/liquid-squared.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
<img src='http://ourworld.cs.com/PimpnHardGrove/lottery-ticket.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
<img src='http://ourworld.cs.com/PimpnHardGrove/KG-banner.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
<img src='http://ourworld.cs.com/PimpnHardGrove/motorcanada.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[MHardgrove]

sorry about it being cluttered, I probably should have put some spaces in there :-/

[Hypnosis]

Nice artworks, welcome, I'm lookingforward to see you on the team officially soon
Hey!

[MHardgrove]

Well Hypnosis I recieved word from Palmer the team is quite full right now and I do not have a great portfolio, but no fear, I am gonna work on it for awhile, and when the time is right I am gonna come back to Palmer again and see what I can do, because this site has good people here, and is well organized, its just too good to not want to join.

[Michael]

That's the spirit Matt, took me a couple attempts to join the team but got here in the end keep working on it and we might see you soon.


Anyway how easy is Lightwave to use, got Cinema 4D as freebie on a magazine would really love to get into 3D, bring some of my characters to life. If I had the spare cash then it would have to be Maya or 3D Max, check out 3D Total.com (http://www.3dtotal.com) they have some amazing submissions and tutorials.


Michael

[Hypnosis]

I didn't have a portfolio at all, I showed Palmer a few sample of my work, built it up into a port folio and only then I was invited. Took me 2 attempts too, but you got talent, I can't think of any reason why DO would miss that... You got the spirit, keep trying, you won't regret it!
Hyp! :tup:

[MHardgrove]

:tup: You guys are awesome! Thanks a lot for the confident remarks hyp I was a lil pissed at first but gonna work at it. I think I am just gonna use some of the contests as like works I can do for my portfolio, I dunno watcha think? Anyway since you guys are so awesome I figured I would ask these questions... because I am 6 months from getting my associates degree so I am a little nervous. So anyway my questions are as follows. (I learned a lot of this kinda stuff in school in business classes but want your feedback)

How many years have you been in this field?

-Portfolio-
How many pieces are in your portfolio?
What sort of pieces do you have?
If you have web layouts do you print them out to put in your portfolio?
Do you bring a digital portfolio with you?

thats about it any more pointers you wanna give me is cool! :D

[Luc]

Hey MHardgrove, I sense that you are very eager and passionate with designing business and that is good :tup: . I like your attitude! I've been there, I worked hard, and now im a proud member of the design team! Keep working! We are all looking forward to see you on the team.

I would like to answer the question in your last post.

I think I only have 18 clients but payments are pretty decent. I've only started doing business last March.

Sorts of pieces..uhh..templates,weblayouts,header designs. I'm no good at logos! :(
I don't print them out, I mean the weblayouts (though im planning too for some business reasons). I just post the designs at my site.
Well if you are seeing a client, a laptop would be good to show your designs.
Keep it up!

[Hypnosis]

As you can see, we're all on your side, so keep it up frend! Ok, here are some answers to your questions...

Experiences in the field: Nearly 4 years
How many pieces are in your portfolio: Wow, I dunno, maybe about 65 or so
What sort of pieces do you have: Mainly advertising and design material, I'm not yet a web guy
If you have web layouts do you print them out to put in your portfolio: I would, specially if it goes along a advertising campagne
Do you bring a digital portfolio with you: Yes, but bare in mind that some - most of creative directors still prefer to see your work on paper, unless it's web stuff, then they love clicking everywhere to what happens and how creative the site is...

Well I hope that helps... Can't wait to have you on board.

PS: Working on the contests is a good idea, actually that's what I did and that's how I got the invite. The cool thing about it is that when you get to be a DO design team member, you can create a gallery with your work but only the work done on the contests (the artworks that won the contests or not).So can include these to your gallery later...

Hyp!