Design Statement

I’m Cassie Selin and I’m an IT/Creative Industries student at QUT. As my double degree indicates, I’m interested in both IT and design. I’m fascinated by Human Computer Interaction and so far I’ve explored it through web and interface design, but as my IT Major is games technology I soon hope to approach the area from a games and entertainment angle. I still find web an extremely exciting arena for design, and outside of my studies I’ve been working on some web projects with japha.

My current skills are always broadening, but currently encompass a few key areas. In the area of design, I’m confident on the web but less in print, which I am continuing to work on. On the code side of things I love to work with HTML and CSS, and even further into the back end I have experience with Java, C#, C++ and good old Python. I also have experience in an ASP.NET environment, Javascript, and quite enjoy using Adobe Flash, especially ActionScript 3.0!

I would love to develop some more game development skills, on both sides of the IT/CI spectrum. As for web, I need to improve my AJAX skills and work on creating more dynamic, multimedia rich, interactive pages. So far I’ve done little outside the realm of static pages and dynamic sites with changing content, and haven’t had much experience with the whole spectrum of interaction opportunities on the web. I also want to keep improving my visual design skills, naturally! I need to work on my print and identity design skills especially. Ultimately I would like to be able to work at every level of interactive media development, from design to coding.

The upcoming design for this website that I’m soon to roll out is intended to evoke elements of my personality while also being an effective site that I can use to represent myself to future employers and other members of the creative and IT community. My IT and games influence is subtly referenced through the pixel-art damask background image. The pink highlight colour is fun and playful while also being extremely eye catching. The font I have selected for the site header, JustOldFasion, is unique in that it blends a very traditional type style with modern touches, including curves that come to points. This mesh of traditional elements and modern ones, with the header typeface being what it is and the damask contrasted with pixel art, is reflective of my tastes in design. I really enjoy traditional design elements but love seeing them adapted and reworked into new contexts and uses.

This aesthetic reflects my professional range and personality by incorporating numerous elements of good web design as well as some more complex elements of web development, with my portfolio intended to be displayed via a carousel interface with changing text and navigation. Personality wise it is colourful and interesting, has elements of pixel art, and showcases my blog posts and Twitter feed front and centre.