“Visual and Media Design (Part 2): Marketing, Managing, and More” extended our overview of visual design and animation from the perspective of marketing and managing media projects, and continued our exploration of digital portfolio examples.

Sowing, Cultivating, and Pruning Your Best Work
by Adele Sommers and Michael Raphael

In the second part of this series, we explored the topic of visual and media design from the point of view of carefully planning and pruning one's work to cultivate only the best elements. Bruce Mills, principal of Lone Pine Studio in Paso Robles, shared his unique perspectives at our June 23rd event.

Bruce introduced a bonsai pruning metaphor as a model for creating a portfolio, a marketing program, or managing any other dynamic system associated with one's life or career. Japanese companies often use such metaphors in the development of unifying themes for product development teams. This methodology can apply to any type of portfolio created in any medium.

After pruning some of his fruit trees last winter, Bruce said subsequent comparisons of pruned and not pruned trees showed “it was easy to tell which had vitality.” His observations suggested new ways to “overlay metaphors from other sciences to solve problems.”

Speaking in terms of portfolios, and how a portfolio “is a miniature representation of your life’s work,” Bruce further defined the online portfolio as a “dynamic system, a model vision of vitality and goal setting.” He also said it is a long-term project that may be enhanced, with “pruning off of non-useful parts”—electronic bonsai in action, so to speak. He also said taking action, and having a plan for action, is crucial, adding that pruning “is a sometimes ruthless process.”

Think of your portfolio as a dynamic system

1/Imagine your portfolio as a tool for visualizing and managing a dynamic collection of samples and problems solved. In the beginning, Bruce explained, the key is to save everything—this stage compares with sowing an abundance of seeds. Since you don't know yet what you'll want to cultivate, you should let a variety of elements sprout before thinking about thinning and pruning.

2/After “planning and planting, next cultivate for viability and vitality,” he continued. This stage offers an opportunity to “remove nonproductive, parallel, or competing elements, and eliminate the confusion of uncontrolled growth.” The use of cultivation and pruning principles will help ensure that your portfolio reflects only balanced and aesthetically pleasing structure, form, and content. Your audiences will then be able to see what you see.

3/Bruce recommends that you shape your portfolio to create a “showcase for your vision.” Think of the branches of your portfolio's tree as its navigational structure. Depending on your intended audiences, you might consider using a simple indexing or labeling scheme, for example, to quickly direct viewers to categories of samples. Alternatively, a series of paths might take viewers through entire problem-solving processes. Each approach offers unique benefits to visitors.

4/Finally, “maintain your portfolio by planting and pruning regularly,” Bruce advised. By harvesting the fruit and sharing your vision, you and your audiences will reap the desired benefits from your carefully tended orchard. Furthermore, your diligent trimming will reward you with easier maintenance in the future.

To download Bruce's presentation materials and site map, click here.

Panel discussion revealed more design principles

Our returning April 28th speakers Chloe Andresen and Justine Nielsen joined Bruce to share more visual and media design principles. During a second view of Chloe's Web site, the following observations emerged: