Design portfolio feedback in The Live Hub – Part 2

The Live Hub runs in a quarterly content format and each quarter we access a macro trend theme with three design trends stemming from it. Each quarter our members have access to pre-recorded video and live and interactive work feedback streams with the Make it in Design team and guest experts.

Today, with kind permission of our members we bring you a snippet (part 2) of these sessions to see just how invaluable the truly are!

Natasha Webb

“I was so surprised and pleased that my work was critiqued. You were both really helpful and really gave me some great feedback. The suggestions Jo and you made were absolutely right; I could see looking back with fresh eyes, where improvements or additions could be made to my designs or taking a design to the next level. You had some great ideas for my product presentation page to as in using a motif shape for the colour pallet.

I was glad to hear that you liked my yellow signature logo as I’m just putting together branding, a website, Instagram etc.and haven’t run the logo past anyone yet.

It’s really helpful to see how other Live Hub designers take subjects in a completely different direction and also their ingenious ways of presenting mood-boards and product ideas for their designs. I’ve never created mood-boards or product placements for designs before. It was my first submission for review as my Miami Vibes was submitted far too late!

I was a printed textile designer 20+ years ago for women’s fashion; long before digital design. I’m eager to re-ignite my passion for surface /printed textile design but really had no idea of the current market or working digitally (which has been a massive learning curve). Joining the Live Hub back in March this year has really helped me immensely. I’ve found a kind, inspiring and diverse design community that has given me confidence, encouragement and thoughtful, honest feedback. The Live Hub constantly motivates me through its on-trend projects, inspirational videos, guest speakers, practical classes or motivational Monday emails which are all very down-to-earth and accessible. As a self-employed designer, working from home can often feel isolating; Live Hub offers me a community of friendly, like-minded creatives that I can rely on for anything design related, be it practical or ’creational’. Thank you guys”.

Rosie Cheer

“I’ve been a member of the Live Hub now for a few years and it’s really helped and supported me on my surface pattern design journey. I originally trained as a Graphic Designer but have always enjoyed textiles and patterns so over the last year I’ve actually started to build a surface pattern design portfolio and am now about to do my first local market selling totes, tea towels and cards.

I wouldn’t have been able to do this without the Hub! I try to submit my work for review for each creative assignment and it’s so helpful to have the feedback and also be inspired and connected by other designers that are following the same path as me.

The Hub is like a happy global tribe and when you are working as a freelancer alone at home it really lifts you up and keeps you motivated”.

Simone Carr

“I’m a relatively new member to the Live Hub after taking part in some of the other Make it in Design courses. I’ve have been a member for the last 3 months.

The hub is full of inspiration from live chats with guest experts, to exciting briefs to get your creativity flowing.

The picnic brief was the first time I had challenged myself to try designing a surface pattern collection. It was such fun having a project to work through and the community was really supportive when I needed some help”.

To have my first collection reviewed by Joanne Cocker was such a privilege and her positive feedback really gave me confidence to try more collections and send my portfolio off to prospective clients. Joanne gave me some great tips on where I could improve my work to make the collection even stronger. I can’t wait to try another project soon and submit my work again”.