Crafting Cohesion: The Power of Creating Work in Collections
Do you ever find yourself crafting a piece of work that you're proud of, only to realize it sticks out like a sore thumb when added to your portfolio? It lacks cohesion with the rest of your creations, leaving your portfolio feeling disjointed and lacking a unified theme. This scattered approach to showcasing your work can be frustrating, especially when trying to convey a consistent narrative or style.
Fortunately, there is a solution to this common problem: creating work in collections. By grouping pieces around a central theme or idea, you can add depth and coherence to your portfolio. This approach not only streamlines the creative process but also infuses your body of work with greater significance in a world often characterized by superficiality. Additionally, curated collections offer visual variety, enhancing their appeal across different applications and enabling clients to effectively communicate a story.
Transitioning to this method revolutionized my creative approach. I now break down my projects into specific components, ensuring each collection is rich and cohesive. For instance, I aim to include at least three of the following elements in each project - design assets, a set of patterns, typographic compositions, a custom-made font and a logo tailored to the project, with variations in color schemes to provide flexibility.
This structured approach has streamlined my workflow, allowing me to delve deeper into chosen themes and maintain consistency across my work. By sourcing inspiration once and immersing myself in a topic, I can produce more comprehensive collections effortlessly. In essence, adopting the practice of creating work in collections has transformed my portfolio into a curated showcase of cohesive and meaningful creations. For anyone seeking to enhance the coherence and depth of their portfolio, I highly recommend embracing this approach and exploring the vast possibilities it offers in artistic expression.
Five tips for working effectively in collections:
Define a Clear Theme: Start by defining a clear and specific theme or concept for your collection. This theme will serve as the guiding principle for all your creative decisions and ensure cohesion throughout the project.
Plan Your Collection Components: Outline the different components you want to include in your collection, such as design assets, patterns, typography, and any other elements relevant to your theme. Planning ahead will help you stay organized and focused during the creation process.
Maintain Consistency: Consistency is key to a successful collection. Ensure that all elements within your collection, including color schemes, styles, and motifs, align with your chosen theme. Consistency will help create a cohesive and unified look across your work.
Experiment with Variation: While maintaining consistency, don't be afraid to experiment with different styles, techniques, and compositions within your collection. Introducing variation will keep your work interesting and engaging, while still staying true to your theme.
Seek Feedback and Iterate: Throughout the creative process, seek feedback from peers, mentors, or clients to gain valuable insights and perspectives. Be open to constructive criticism and be willing to iterate on your designs to ensure they align with your vision for the collection. Feedback will help refine your work and elevate the quality of your collection.
For those seeking inspiration to embark on an African-inspired project, I'm thrilled to share my comprehensive list of 365 African Drawing prompts with you. With such a vast array of references at your disposal, you'll undoubtedly have an abundance of elements to craft a rich and captivating collection centered around this theme.