Inspiration: Designbum

Designbum Portfolio

Designbum is the portfolio space for Issara Willenskomer. His portfolio design is really well done. The multiple column layouts for each project work really well. Its rare these days to see project images and explanations united in a portfolio. The typography on the site is just as professional as the visual work. He does high end agency work and art direction for multiple disciplines, like vector design, print work, and video. His client list is impressive.

Designbum Resources

Designbum has custom element designs, vector studies, vector textures, and project source files available for download and study. I just opened up some of the vector studies and they are interesting. Abstract shapes, transparency, masking, and overlays are experimented with. These types of studies are a good way to expand your creative skill set. After creating experiments the next step would be to apply these techniques in your professional work.

While the vector resources available are impressive there is plenty available for pixel lovers as well. The downloads have some great photoshop docs. The four layered collage images available for download are massively cool. He offers the downloads separately, or you can download everything as one huge file.

Usage of Download Resources

The usage instructions for the downloads are really clear. Download this material and learn form it. Don't just copy and reuse these images in your projects. Read the usage instructions yourself on the Downloads page. I think the point isn't to troll the net looking for work you can rip, but rather to find professional successful designers to learn from. Resources like these downloads are awesome.

Language and Educational Beliefs

I love the language he uses on this site. The F-bomb gets dropped and all sorts of colorful expressions and corny sayings are sprinkled about. He did say "totally hecka sweet" somewhere on his site I swear. And the word "Shizzle" is used correctly.

Issara has strong beliefs in sharing the design knowledge one gains. Here is a quote from his statement on this subject from his downloads page:

It is my firm belief that when information is shared, everybody wins. In the design world, people often tend to practice the opposite. People hoard their design tricks and secrets like a dragon hoards treasure, often getting indignant when someone else copies his or her 'style' or 'look.' I call bullshit on that.

Well said Issara - with fist in the air.

New Toys to Play With

I downloaded everything and now I'm going to go play with these new toys. Have fun! Also, if you didn't get enough from his site then take a look at his old portfolio version as it has some stuff that hasn't migrated over yet. Its also totally hecka sweet, or something along those lines.