The Chicago Portfolio School

editing away!

The HOW Design Live conference was great! I learned quite a bit…including the more awesome an event, the harder it is to remember to pull out your camera and film it so you can vlog it! But a vlog recap is coming — I’m working on it now and it’ll be up this week! I’m trying to use that amazing creative energy I picked up, working on designs and even getting back into some creative writing pieces. So I’m going through all my conference notes and swag to keep feeding that energy! (As you can see from the photo, there was so. much. swag. I think I pinched a nerve carrying that Neenah Paper bag full of paper sample books! What you can’t see are the 2 other bags I was also hauling around, also full of swag.)

Many thanks to CPS and the HOW Brand for making this opportunity available to me! All this rambling to say, a vlog is indeed still forthcoming!

Photo by Jennie Li.

how else do you celebrate?

Last week we celebrated the end of the quarter, and what better way than the traditional stand up comedy night? A group of mostly hilarious, sometimes awkward, 4th quarter students put on a good show.

It was a great show to watch, but at some point in the night all of us 1st quarter students looked at each other with wide eyes with the realization that before we know it, it will be us up on that stage. Yes, I am definitely nervous. However, I know I’ll be in good company, so I guess I’ll be okay.

With the end of quarter party, came end of quarter reviews. Just like the stand up, I had no idea what to expect. However, I left feeling encouraged and ready to push on. Time to work better and harder, in Royal Rumble and in the next quarter.

But before that, I’ve got the HOW Design Live conference. I’m going to try to tweet as much as possible during the event (you can follow me, on my personal account which has no affiliation with the school, at @erinichristine). And assuming I don’t get too wrapped up in all the design-nerdiness, check back here next week for a vlog on the event. I spent two days putting together swag bags for the event with 3 other students, and despite the paper cuts and exhaustion… I’m super excited. If you’re attending the event, be sure to try to find me and say hi!

All photos by CPS student Jennifer M.

mind the gap. (the best advice I’ve gotten)

(Ira Glass - on storytelling. Click through for the full quote.)

Early on in my Design Fundamentals course, my instructor shared this interview with Ira Glass. The interview was about storytelling, and this bit really gets into what’s it’s like at the beginning for anyone in a creative field.

I’d like to say it’s the best advice I’ve gotten and truly gets to the core of what our school’s about (if I can be so bold to make such a statement). You’ve got to keep pushing through. One of my biggest frustrations so far has been that what I want to be making and what I’m able to do just don’t line up. And there’s only one way to solve this problem, one way to get better — do more work.

As frustrating as it can be, and as much as you sometimes want to quit, you just can’t. If you love this, you just can’t quit. It’s this advice that’s gotten me through my first quarter… and I’m pretty sure I’ll have the full quote put on the cover of my binder. And on my fridge. And next to my mirror.

I’m very grateful for my first quarter instructors for pushing us so hard. It was a good first quarter… I can’t wait for summer quarter to start in July. Luckily I’ll have Royal Rumble to keep me busy!

Retro, Chocolatey Goodness.

Via the Dieline.

I love old stuff like this.

However, I’m a bit embarrassed by my love for stuff like this.
I’m sure I’m not the only ad student who feels a lot of pressure to exude trendiness when it comes to design & technology. And that means embracing the flavor of the month, not the flavors that have passed their expiry dates.

Still, I can’t help myself. I want to share these old candy boxes with you. I hope you like them.

PN9. A Memoir.

Every year, a bunch of creative directors share their wisdom/opinions/insights/scathing criticism with a group of wide-eyed, aspiring creatives. This is referred to as ‘Portfolio Night.’

The event transpired last Thursday, and I participated as a member of the wide-eyed clan. It was fun. And enlightening - some of my campaigns are already much improved as a result of the feedback I received.

Some of my other campaigns are dead. Sniffle.

Leo Burnett hosted the event, which was great. I like Leo Burnett. Their Sydney office made these ads, and their Chicago office made these ads.

More marinade!