A4 Portrait Books
4pp Cover onto 300gsm Silk
Matt Lamination to outer
44pp text onto 120gsm Uncoated
Four colour throughout
Trimmed, collated and wire stitched
The “Self Promotional Portfolio” by Joshua Kinugawa is a masterful blend of modern graphic design aesthetics, with a clear emphasis on personal branding and professional presentation. The booklet has been produced with high-quality print specifications that elevate its impact, conveying professionalism and creative prowess.
The cover design is an immediate standout, with its use of a subtle gradient blending shades of green and blue. The centre graphic—a geometric yellow shape—draws the viewer’s eye, creating an intriguing yet minimalist focal point. The combination of colours gives the booklet a fresh, contemporary look while maintaining a professional tone. The printed cover features a matt lamination, which adds a refined finish to the visual presentation while providing a tactile experience that speaks to the high production values.
The portfolio opens with an inviting table of contents on the right-hand page, paired with a geometric green texture on the left, setting the tone for a clean and organised layout throughout. The choice of typography, “Univers LT Condensed” for headers and “Caslon Italic” for subheadings, is excellent—balancing modernity with a touch of classical elegance. This thoughtful pairing of typefaces reflects Joshua Kinugawa’s own design sensibilities: sleek yet approachable.
The colour palette is consistently vibrant and well-coordinated, extending from the cover through the internal pages. Joshua’s skill as a designer is highlighted in sections showcasing brand identity concepts for different projects like “Dolce Stone” and “HEAL”. Both of these identity projects feature carefully selected colour palettes and logo designs, which are then broken down and explained in detail, showing both creative depth and attention to branding fundamentals.
The overall aesthetic of the booklet is modern, geometric, and crisp. The design heavily incorporates polygons and crystalline shapes, which serve as metaphors for clarity and structure. These geometric elements tie in nicely with the book’s theme of precision in design. The clean lines and precise use of shapes create a visual language that speaks to the author’s abilities as a graphic designer, capable of producing refined and structured work.
The internal pages feature an interesting juxtaposition of stark white space with splashes of vivid colour, allowing each project to shine in its own right. For example, the spread for “Dolce Stone” contrasts a colourful, multi-faceted jewel with a clean white background, focusing the reader’s attention on the vibrant logo design. The interplay of colours and typography achieves a striking balance that is both visually appealing and easy to navigate.
The booklet is wire-stitched, which is typical for smaller portfolio pieces and allows for easy flipping through the pages. The wire binding is subtle and does not detract from the aesthetic, providing both functionality and a smooth reading experience. The A4 portrait format is ideal for showcasing Kinugawa’s design work, as it offers ample space for both text and visuals.
In terms of layout, the portfolio is neatly structured. Each project is introduced with a title, a brief explanation, and accompanying visuals. This systematic approach makes it easy for the reader to follow along and understand the rationale behind each design decision. Joshua’s typographic choices further enhance readability, with consistent text hierarchy and plenty of breathing space around each element, reinforcing the professional tone of the portfolio.
The typography plays a significant role in reinforcing Joshua Kinugawa’s brand identity. The use of “Univers LT Condensed” brings a modern, sleek feel to the headlines, while “Caslon Italic” provides an elegant contrast for subheadings and detailed explanations. The inclusion of a typography sample section, where these fonts are showcased, further demonstrates Joshua’s expertise in typeface pairing and usage.
The colour palette throughout the portfolio is bright yet harmonious, using greens, yellows, blues, and pinks in various sections to evoke different moods and energy levels. The colours are not overwhelming, but they maintain visual interest and guide the reader’s eye to key areas of each page. The palette shifts subtly between projects, ensuring that each section feels distinct but still cohesive within the broader theme of the portfolio.
By maintaining high production standards and employing a sophisticated design language, Joshua Kinugawa’s portfolio stands out as an exemplary piece that showcases his skills and potential as a graphic designer. Future self-publishing designers can draw inspiration from this thoughtful approach to presentation and branding.
Joshua Kinugawa, a talented graphic designer, approached Ex Why Zed to produce his self-promotional portfolio—a sleek A4 booklet designed to showcase his creative expertise. This collaboration was centred around bringing Joshua’s vision to life in a high-quality, professional format. The project involved careful planning, attention to detail, and a focus on both aesthetics and technical execution to ensure that the final product matched Joshua’s design standards.
The first contact occurred when Joshua sought quotes for printing his portfolio. Ex Why Zed promptly provided options for both pricing and print specifications, offering insights into how to best prepare the artwork files for an optimal result. The proposed print setup included an A4 booklet with a 300gsm silk cover, finished with matt lamination for a premium feel. The inner pages would be printed on 120gsm uncoated paper, with a wire-stitched binding that allowed for ease of use and a professional presentation.
Joshua’s unique design, featuring geometric patterns and vibrant colours, required precise reproduction to maintain the integrity of his artwork. To ensure his files were correctly prepared, Ex Why Zed recommended the use of detailed guides on setting up wire-stitched booklets and properly managing image bleed and file setup. These guidelines not only helped Joshua fine-tune his files but also streamlined the production process, reducing the likelihood of errors during printing.
Once Joshua submitted his files, the artwork was reviewed by Ex Why Zed. The team was impressed with the quality and design of the portfolio. Ex Why Zed’s communication was both appreciative and professional, commenting that the portfolio “looked superb” and would be equally striking in print. The feedback underscored Ex Why Zed’s commitment to ensuring that Joshua’s creative work was accurately represented in the final product. This supportive and encouraging tone helped foster a strong working relationship between the client and the production team.
During this phase, Joshua made a slight change, sending an updated PDF version of his portfolio for printing. Ex Why Zed promptly acknowledged the update and reassured Joshua that they had used the correct version of the file. This level of attention to detail and flexibility in handling last-minute changes demonstrated the team’s dedication to ensuring the client’s satisfaction.
Once the final files were confirmed, Ex Why Zed moved swiftly to production. The print team aimed to dispatch the booklets by Friday, ensuring delivery to Joshua by the following Monday. This tight turnaround time highlighted the efficiency and professionalism that Ex Why Zed brings to each project. The communication regarding the dispatch and expected delivery was clear and proactive, giving Joshua peace of mind that his portfolio would arrive on schedule.
The booklet was produced using four-colour printing throughout, ensuring vibrant and accurate colour reproduction that matched the digital artwork precisely. The combination of a matt-laminated cover and uncoated inner pages provided a contrast in textures that enhanced the tactile experience of the portfolio. The binding choice, wire stitching, was practical and unobtrusive, allowing the booklet to be easily handled and flipped through without compromising its durability or aesthetic appeal.
Joshua was highly satisfied with the final product, expressing his gratitude for the seamless communication and efficient production process. The portfolio was completed to a high standard, with the vibrant colours, geometric designs, and sleek typography translating beautifully from screen to print. The balance between professional quality and creative expression made this portfolio an effective tool for Joshua to showcase his design skills to potential clients and collaborators.
This project exemplifies Ex Why Zed’s ability to handle creative portfolios and deliver high-quality printed materials that meet the specific needs of designers. The expertise provided by the Ex Why Zed team in file preparation, print recommendations, and project management ensured that the final product was visually striking and professionally finished. Joshua’s portfolio stands as a testament to his design abilities and Ex Why Zed’s dedication to bringing creative visions to life.
In conclusion, Joshua’s self-promotional portfolio was a successful collaboration that highlighted Ex Why Zed’s ability to work closely with clients, ensuring their artistic intent is realised in the printed format. The high-quality production values, attention to detail, and client-centric service fostered a smooth and efficient process, resulting in a final product that both Ex Why Zed and Joshua were proud of.
