More Cargo development

I wanted to make my cargo site as personal and individual as i could within the parameters given so i tried to replace the navigational text on the home page with my own images.

Had to change the wrap and overflow to make the images fit. 

This was in the 'help' page and was quite simple to follow, i just had to re-write it myself with different variables. 

I found out what coding i needed and managed to get the images on there with relatively little hassle (!) but it seems that the icons do not actually work as links to the pages they are set to. I know this can be fixed with the CSS inspector but i just can't find the right bit so for now i have left it until i can find out how to do it properly.

Looks good i think but needs a bit of work to make the images active links. 

Evaluation

To promote myself digitally, I created three very different websites. Firstly, I created a portfolio website which is running on Cargo. I am using this as a professional space where I can host my best work and where I can direct people when I am looking for commissions etc. I chose to create my cargo website in a similar style to the ones I had researched, using a plain white background to complement the images but with extra hand-drawn elements to keep it individual and stylistically similar to my artwork. I also took into account the usability of other artists’ portfolio sites: the navigation was simple and easy, the layout enabled visitors to have a glimpse of different works with the ability to then enlarge the image and find out more. I have changed my Cargo site recently so that it fits in with the self promotional material I have created, leaving potential clients with no doubt as to whose site they have arrived at and what kind of illustrator I am. I plan to keep my portfolio site up to date as I create more work and use it in my future practice and hopefully upgrade to create my own URL as I become more established.

My second site is in the form of a blog. I use Tumblr to share not only my finished artwork but also some of my sketches and thought processes behind the work I produce. I have found that Tumblr is a more personal platform for promoting artwork and I am really enjoying the social aspect of it too. Following other artists on Tumblr keeps me up to date with what they are making, keeping me constantly inspired to create more illustrations! Although the aesthetic is different to that of my Cargo website, I think that the artwork and colour palettes help to identify my Tumblr page as Mine. I wanted to keep my blog looking different to my portfolio site anyway so that when people visit one they can see what I make and when they follow the link to my blog they can see why I make it, which I think is important for potential clients/employers to discover.

My third site is a ‘page’ I have made on Facebook. This is less formal again but I have found it very useful. It is really easy to use and relatively easy to get your work circulated. ‘Sharing’ and ‘Liking’ enables a broader audience, allowing friends of friends to see and share artwork. I have been selective with the work on Facebook, even though it is not as formal a platform as Cargo, I still think that potential clients can see this and it is important for them to see me as a professional. The only thing with Facebook is that, at the moment, you cannot personalise it much, so aesthetically it may not fit in with my other digital sites but I think that the images on there, and the banner, makes sure that people recognise the page and I think there is a cohesion between all three sites which reflects me as a person and my illustrations.

Website Implementation

I have created one of each of the websites I have researched; a portfolio site (running on Cargo), a blog (running on Tumblr) and an illustration page on Facebook. Check it!

 http://cargocollective.com/charmainemcdonough

I use my Cargo site as a professional space to show my best work. I have not included any sketchbook images, development or anything but I have included a link on there to my blog so that if a client was interested more in how I work then they could see my stuff in a more casual way. This site is primarily for potential clients and I have tried to keep my images cohesive too so that when someone visits my website they know who I am as an illustrator and what they would get if they hired me.

I have recently changed my Cargo website, the banner and layout in particular, so that it compliments my artwork better. I have used the same colour scheme as a lot of my other self promo material and tried to incorporate some of the other aspects of my work/style such as the typography and patterns. 

http://www.facebook.com/charmainemcdonoughillustration

My Facebook illustration page is quite simple but I use it quite a lot. Its great for sharing artwork I am working on and getting some opinions. My work is shared between friends mostly but then other people can see it as it gets shared more. It has been surprising to see how far my work can get on a social media site and I was recently contacted about a commission through Facebook so I am definitely glad that I created the page!

http://charmainetheillustrator.tumblr.co.uk

I am really fond of my Tumblr page. I share all sorts on there, my finished work, my sketchbook images and my inspiration. Like Facebook, when things get ‘shared’ on Tumblr, they spread fast, reaching lots of people. Tumblr is also a great way of finding other artists and seeing what they are up to and what inspires them. The ability to ‘follow’ people is good too because you can keep up to date with what other illustrators are up to and with other things happening in the broader illustration community.

So, since writing this i have updated my Tumblr page...again! The pumpkins, although cool, have been on there for ages and i just feel that all of the work i have been producing doesn't really fit in with how my blog is looking. Now it looks like this...

I think it looks much better now but still needs some work. The patterns may be a little too 'in your face' and i need to get my own typography on there for the title. 

Website Research

The internet is a great way to get work out there, to be seen and meet new clients. However, the internet is flooded with artist’s new portfolio websites so it is important to stand out and create an effective self-promotional platform. Another good thing about having an online presence is the ability to connect to other people from all over the world; Social networking can be an effective means of meeting other artists as well as potential clients.

Portfolio Sites:

The most effective portfolio sites I have found are the simple ones. With white backgrounds, reminiscent of gallery spaces, and easy navigational tools, these sites focus solely on the artwork of the illustrator.

For example: 

Blogs:

Sites such as Blogger and Tumblr are great for artists to share their work and gain followers but in a less restrictive environment than a portfolio site. Blogs allow you to add artwork that may be not be finished yet, work you are doing for personal use or for collecting inspirational images from other artists. Although this wouldn’t be the primary site I would show a potential client, I recognise that it would be a great way to show thought processes etc and other things you may want to communicate to a client but wouldn’t necessarily be able to on a professional portfolio space.

Social Media Sites:

Websites like Facebook and Twitter are a great platform for meeting new people. Not only are friends on Facebook but also more and more professionals, agencies and artists are using these sites to communicate and, sometimes, talent scout. The ability to personalise these sites is greater now and it is an easy way to collate some images together.

A good thing about Facebook Pages for illustrators is the ability to leave comments on work etc. It’s a good way to see what people are responding to and what images they like: an easy way to do a bit of market research! Also these sites, as well as blogs, allow people to ‘share’ artwork and pages that acts like a ripple in that your work just grows and spreads, reaching people who you may not have been able to reach before.