BRAND STRATEGIES: 2nd Portfolio Reflection

Gabriella Godeliva Adytanthio
0324170
Graphic Communication Design
Year 2, Semester 3
Brand Strategies


Reflection Piece
Post-2nd Portfolio




The second portfolio presentation mainly focuses on how we apply the brand we have established and proposed in the first portfolio into the five creatives we have decided on. It undoubtedly involves more technical skills of design, from picking the right size to the nitty-grittiest things like kerning and leading and so on. The presentation was held on a Thursday, 17 November at Taylor’s University classroom BG14. Apart from students who are taking this module and Ms. Natasha, Mr. Vinod was also present to give additional advice.

While we were told to talk about the struggles we encounter while dealing with our client, I feel that most of my struggles are with myself instead. Our client seems to be either very agreeable with whatever idea we present or does not care about what we are doing and leaves us to our own devices—I would like to think that it is the former, but we cannot know for sure. That aside, the manager we liaised with assured us that we can proceed with our schedule when we showed her our 1st portfolio presentation. She expressed her agreement about white being a clean color to be used in the food and beverage business, and she had no qualms with using the proposed logo that went through the litmus test.

Throughout the second portfolio I was quite indecisive, especially because my partner is also indecisive and we are both okay with anything. I realize that we don’t have much guidance design-wise from Ms. Natasha, so we should constantly ask our other lecturers for practical advice. We consulted a lot of times to Ms. Whay Yin about the logo and the typeface to the point that I feel scared we are bothering her too much with our indecisiveness. I still feel it is difficult to make decisions on our own, and when somebody says ‘yes’ I feel like that’s the end of it.

Before the actual presentation, we took the time to show Ms. Natasha our progress thus far, and me and my partner already have quite a lot prepared. We just have one creative left to be done to complete the second portfolio. This is where my biggest mistake lies: when Ms. Natasha said the ones who already have most of the presentation prepared can even proceed to print, I immediately did so without considering the presentation and the changes that may happen after the guest lecturer’s advice. So we printed the A2 signage and T-shirt and business card and coasters, but at the end we need to change our logo again as suggested by Mr. Vinod. We spent quite a lot of money for the signage and the shirt, and now I feel guilty for rushing and forgetting about the presentation. I don’t know what to do with the signage and the T-shirt now.

After the presentation and everything, I feel that somehow somewhere we forgot to finish the details of the creatives. Maybe it’s because we don’t have someone to guide us along the way design-wise like we did in Brand Corporate Identity. Maybe I was too distracted by other assignments or other issues that I am facing.

Please keep in mind that this is written while I am not in the best condition, which is why there does not seem to be a point in this whole reflection. Everything mistake that I can think of right now is immediately redirected to be thought of as my fault, and that guilt only adds to the pile of feelings I have right now. I can only wish that Ms. Natasha can give us feedback on these little things Mr. Vinod is so keen on, but then again, we all might be expected to get out there and ask other lecturers about those things.

Maybe it’s because the semester is ending soon, but regardless of the reason, I can say for sure that I’m tired and all I hope is for everything to end now.