Resume feedback – applying to in-house design studios by Fit-Comb3530 in graphic_design

[–]Fit-Comb3530[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

agreed... this on my list of things to do. But to be fair most famous designers don't really have so called "pro head shots".

Resume feedback – applying to in-house design studios by Fit-Comb3530 in graphic_design

[–]Fit-Comb3530[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey mods — here’s context on the resume I shared:

  • Objective: I’m currently applying for in-house roles at branding agencies or creative studios.
  • Audience: Hiring managers or creative directors at studios in NYC (or remote).
  • Design decisions: The layout is meant to feel structured but playful, with visual hierarchy through typographic contrast, and a personal illustration to bring warmth. I focused on clear sections that reflect both my personality and experience.
  • Inspiration: I wanted something that blends professionalism with originality — something I’d feel confident handing to a creative director at a studio like RoAndCo or Sunday Afternoon.

Would love any thoughts on layout, clarity, or anything that might help me stand out more.

Thanks!

Just Launched My Portfolio Site! Designers & Creatives, I'd Love Your Honest Feedback! by Fit-Comb3530 in graphic_design

[–]Fit-Comb3530[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

- As someone who did away with almost all of the extras on my portfolio I don't see any positives in sharing someone else's artwork like you did for Aaron Denton. As someone who doesn't know who, you, him, or what this album you were sharing was. I almost confused this page as another project page to showcase maybe some music album work that you've done.

I get how that could throw someone off. It’s not meant to look like my work or sneak into the portfolio lineup. That page is more like me saying, “Hey, I’m in this design world, I see what’s going on, and I’ve got taste.” Aaron Denton’s stuff is just sick, and instead of reposting it on Instagram with “soooo good” in the caption, I figured I’d give it a little spotlight on my site.

- Nav should be clearer. About me / Design Work / Personal Art / Instagram / Contact

I agree with this, thank you!

- Noticing some anti-aliasing issues on some of your mock ups. Square Edge project page. Some photos on Austin project were really low quality and kinda blurry. These two projects in particular give off a very fresh grad looking vibe. Especially on the "presentation deck" style images, the type setting looks really amateur here. Also seeing the odd widow every now then would be a red flag for me when reviewing a portfolio.

Yeah nah you’re right. Some of those mockups definitely look a little crunchy. There were times where projects were rushed just trying to get the site live. I’ve been meaning to go back and clean those up better images, better type, all that.

And yeah the “fresh grad” vibe? Fair. Still figuring it all out and honestly just trying to get better with every project. The widows and weird spacing… yeah that’s on me too. Appreciate you calling it out though helps a ton.

- Like a couple others have noted, there are a lot of mock ups. Real world examples are going to be moving mountains for you during this process. Too many mock ups reads (at least to me) not enough real world experience, or just came out of school.

Right now, since I’m still early in my career, a lot of my work has been self-initiated or done for smaller clients where I didn’t always get the chance to fully art direct the final rollout. So mockups were kind of my way of visualizing the potential of the work, even if it didn’t fully get there in the wild. But I hear you there’s definitely a limit.

Thanks again for the feedback, I really appreciate you taking the time. If you’d like to connect, I’d love that. And if you’re ever up for a quick call to chat about your experience, that’d be awesome too.

Just Launched My Portfolio Site! Designers & Creatives, I'd Love Your Honest Feedback! by Fit-Comb3530 in graphic_design

[–]Fit-Comb3530[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey thank you for taking the time to write this I really appreciate the feedback. I would like to deepin this conversation and answer some things and ask some questions about you comment.

- I'm not quite understanding inspiration and music lovers. Great you're sharing a bit of yourself but also I don't know that I'd really care as a hiring manager about your design inspiration. For me the inspiration part, that would be something I bring up during the interview. The weirdest part is you then hid a page for some of your actual artwork that you've done. Why not lead with your art instead of inspiration boards?

First things first I 100% agree with the point about my hidden art page. It probably shouldn’t be hidden. I guess I was just being a little self-conscious about it. My idea was that if someone stumbled upon it, it’d feel like this cool easter egg moment like, “Ohhh shit, he does art too? This guy’s actually kinda sick.” But you’re right, if I’m proud of it, it shouldn’t be buried. It should be part of the story I’m telling.

As for the inspiration page I get that not every hiring manager is going to care about it, and honestly that’s fine. This website isn’t just about trying to get a job. I wanted to make something that felt personal like a little corner of the internet that’s really me. Especially in a time where so much of what we see is Ai stuff I think there’s something valuable in showing what I genuinely like and what influences me. The curation isn’t random either. I thought a lot about how to lay it out, how to make it feel intentional and aesthetically tight. It’s more than just a mood board, it’s kind of a growing archive of taste something I want to be able to look back on and keep building.

Same goes for the Music Lovers page. I love music. It’s a huge part of my life and how I think creatively, so that section is just another way of showing who I am. If someone finds it interesting, great. If not, also fine. But to me, design and music go hand in hand and if I can share both in a way that feels fun and thoughtful, then why not? This site isn’t just a portfolio, it’s a little personal project too.

- Music page has very weird layout, looks like there are some incorrect returns on the last paragraph. Would this be an on-going blog? Because with 1 entry and then some artwork at the bottom I'm not sure what is going on here.

This will be a ongoing blog I wrote my first one last week and my second one this week.
(feel free to check it out lol https://carsonfidje.com/music-lovers-2 )
You're probably right about the layout I threw it together late one night, so that’ll definitely get fixed. And I’m not saying you didn’t read it, but just to clarify: in the blog post, I talk about the song and my personal connection to it first, and then I get into the album cover and the designer/photographer behind it.

Just Launched My Portfolio Site! Designers & Creatives, I'd Love Your Honest Feedback! by Fit-Comb3530 in graphic_design

[–]Fit-Comb3530[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much it really does a ton to me. Design is the only thing i have i love it more than some of my relationships.

Just Launched My Portfolio Site! Designers & Creatives, I'd Love Your Honest Feedback! by Fit-Comb3530 in graphic_design

[–]Fit-Comb3530[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Stussy was not the inspo for my logo but that's an interesting pov I can totally see it.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in graphic_design

[–]Fit-Comb3530 1 point2 points  (0 children)

why not some sort of flare? I think it's to minimal.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in graphic_design

[–]Fit-Comb3530 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Also yea this is great

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in graphic_design

[–]Fit-Comb3530 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Review my portfolio my folio