Meet the team: Clément Faydi

Who are you and what do you do at Behance?
Bonjour! I’m Clément, one of the three Lead Designers at Behance. As part of the “Product Team,” I’m involved in concepting new ideas and turning them into features and products. I am currently mostly focused on helping creatives discover more work and getting inspired. Things I do every day: discuss how to improve products, sketch wireframes, make them real in Photoshop, support our developers as they make their magic happen, and of course, what I’m most passionate about: moving things by one pixel.

What are three desktop tools you can’t live without?
1. Photoshop – I know it’s obvious for a designer, but it’s definitely the software I use the most and certainly couldn’t live without.
2. Rdio – The best way to listen to music on the internet! Beyond providing me with more music than I could ever hope for, they are at the forefront of UI design, and always take minimalism to a new level. I love what they do.
3. Alfred- Because it allows me to open Twitter in 1/4 seconds.

What have you worked on recently that you’re extra proud of?
I am super excited about the new Behance iPhone app that will launch very soon. We have incorporated some key features that will help creatives discover more work and showcase what they are working on to the world, from their phone. I’m also currently redesigning the way users find great projects on Behance and will hopefully be able to share a preview soon. Very exciting!

 What do you listen to while working?
Mostly jazz. I started playing piano when I was 8 years old and now find myself discovering a lot of subtleties I couldn’t hear before. I guess that designing makes me unconsciously listen to music in a very different way. Also, I really can’t focus on my work when hearing songs with lyrics!

What are some startups that you’re a fan of?
There are a lot of startups I follow, but I’ve lately been very impressed with what the guys at FiftyThree are doing. They always solve problems in a surprising, yet simple way, and that’s a very difficult thing to do. They recently launched a new tool called the “Mixer” for their app Paper and revealed their process and some of their secrets here. Quite magical, I love how obsessed they are.

Check out Clément’s ProSite, Behance portfolio, or follow him on Twitter.

Behance Curates: Describing and Categorizing Your Creative Work

This post is part of a series written in collaboration with the Behance Curation Team, the experts on staff who select projects to be featured in Behance’s main Gallery and 12+ Curated “Served” Sites. Click here to see the first post in the series.

After you’ve uploaded the meat of your project – the actual content – there are still important steps to take to round out your project and present a strong, cohesive work. First, choose the right creative field for your work and yourself. Then, provide context for your work by adding text and tags.

Choosing the right creative field for your work and yourself

1) Categorizing your work: When choosing the creative field for a project, select the creative field that represents your role, not necessarily the work as a whole.  If your project is a short film, and your role was in sound design, make sure you select Sound Design, not just Film in general, as the creative field. This is the opportunity to highlight the specific work you did.

2) Categorizing yourself: Think about your ideal role–what are the creative fields you’d want to be hired or recruited for? Those fields are the only ones you should list on your profile. You can showcase your interests in other fields in projects, but the profile should highlight your core skillset.


Providing context for your work

1) Specify your role: Take the time to explain your work: Why did you create this work? How did it come together? What does it mean? In some creative fields, explaining your work can be just as important as the work itself. Take the time to tell the story and process behind the piece.

2) Use the right tags and include your team: Tags help your work to be found. Including a few tags regarding genre, technique, or other elements will ensure it pops up in the right searches. Add credits or co-ownership for other members of your crew to make your project even more connected.

Behind the Project: Day of the Dead

In this series, we’ll look deeper into some of the projects on Behance.net that were especially admired in our community. This time, we spoke with John Rees, a photographer in Austin, Texas about his photo project “Dia De Los Muertos” – named for the Mexican holiday that remembers deceased friends/family, marked by unique costumes. With a great inspiration behind the work, learn more about his process and execution of these striking shots.

What was your inspiration for this project?
The inspiration for this was – quite simply put – my mother.  After her unexpected death, I was creatively paralyzed for quiet awhile – but I did this work for the sake of doing something creative again, and in that way it is a tribute to the strong will and sprit of my mother…

I worked with a fabulous hair and make-up artist by the name of Brittany Troche, whom I also consider a dear friend, and collaborate with on projects from time to time.  We both share an interest in “Dia de los Meurtos” imagery and what it celebrates.

Can you describe your process in creating this project?
It was all quite organic. I was in Salt Lake City doing client work, and both Brittany and the talent (the model Caitlyn) were available. It all came together quite naturally, which is what almost always happens when you surround yourself with such talented people. I’m fortunate to know so many generous, talented people.

Did you expect it to be as popular as it’s been on The Behance Network?
I didn’t have any expectations about this body of work.  It was pure catharsis and I didn’t have any real intent beyond that.  Creating just to create again.  So, yes I’m surprised that it has received any attention at all.  Since I posted it on Behance, It has been published in Mexico in a publication called, Origama, I have had request for other uses as well.  It’s really nice that there is movement around work that is so personal to me.

Did you go through many versions and iterations before coming up with these final pieces?
No – I shot them all in one day, We just kept mixing things up as we saw fit throughout the process, adding things and subtracting others as we saw fit.  It was purely an emotional response to how things worked or didn’t

Read more →

Macys Day Parade Photos on Gothamist

Behance’s very own Navid Baraty was featured on the cover of Gothamist last week, with his unique photographs of the Macy’s Day parade from 30 stories above 6th Avenue. Navid told Gothamist ”As always, I took them by leaning over the edge!”

Full article here

More photography by Navid Baraty can be seen on his Behance portfolio 

Most Appreciated Projects on Behance

Appreciations are a way to send genuine kudos to another creative professional on Behance. This is our community’s way of curating the network, so that the best projects gain the most exposure. Here’s a look at two of the most appreciated projects on Behance this week:

L’Enfant Extérieur, a photo retouching project on Behance, was born from the notion that there’s a young, innocent, naive core in all of us. This visual exploration is as thoughtful as it is playful – and one of this week’s Most Appreciated projects. Take a look!

The Nanjing-based art museum Sifang is well-constructed with simple, elegant architecture – so when it came to crafting a brand identity the same principles had to be applied. An identity that leaves white space alone, playing with subtle typefaces and angles instead, is a crowd favorite. See the full identity here.

Pantone Announces Color of the Year for 2013

Yesterday Pantone, the world-renowned authority on color, announced their “color of the year” for 2013. Emerald, described as “lively, radiant, lush… a color of elegance and beauty” will play a big part in the new year for creatives everywhere. Check out the Pantone site for more info on Emerald, and visit Pantone Canvas to sort projects by other colors too!

Fun fact: the developers over at Pantone used our new API to create this widget of emerald Behance projects!

New Guest Curator: JWT Amsterdam

From time to time we invite respected curators, brands and cultural organizations to curate a collection of projects to be showcased on Behance. Check out our full list of current guest curators here: http://www.behance.net/galleries/collections_curators

We recently teamed up with JWT Amsterdam, an advertising agency built on the belief that our complex world calls for a new way of working, and they’ve created a unique collection of  projects that span architecture, photography, UX and graphic design. JWT defines the way they do business in three simple words: Think, Do, Make – a philosophy that we at Behance can stand behind. JWT’s collection will also appear on the company’s homepage, a space they’ve dedicated to serving up a daily dose of the unexpected. Check out their collection here.

181 Events Later…Behance Portfolio Review Week Recap

The second ever Behance Portfolio Review has officially wrapped up – and was even bigger and better than the inaugural Portfolio Review Week last May. We’re so proud of our community for making it happen, and to help bring like-minded people together around the globe to share their work and get feedback.

  • Events Worldwide: 181
  • Countries: 56
  • Communities Formed (interested in hosting): 487
  • Percent of Events Outside the USA: 72%
  • Number of People at Biggest Event: 400 (rome!)
  • “Appreciation Coins” Awarded Worldwide: 925
  • Tweets posted about #BehanceReviews:2,900
Check FLICKR and PINTEREST for many more images!

Behance Hackathon Recap

Last week Behance held an in-house Halloween Hackathon (one month later due to Hurricane Sandy). This day was filled with some amazing ideas, collaboration and participation from both the Behance team and some special guests.

Here is a list of some great ideas that came to life:

  • BeSpoke: A gallery of work tailored to your taste 
  • Comments Analysis: Analyzing how positive or negative your comments are on Behance 
  • Advice by Behance: A mentor finder- connecting established and emerging creatives, to share knowledge & collect feedback
  • Bēgin: A simple way to use Behance for a daily dose of inspiration
  • Inspiration Pill: What you take is what you make
  • Behanceroids: Asteroids Game
  • Roundtable: An easy uploader for students to post work in progress, evaluate & critique 

Most Appreciated Projects on Behance

Appreciations are a way to send genuine kudos to another creative professional on Behance. This is our community’s way of curating the network, so that the best projects gain the most exposure. Here’s a look at two of the most appreciated projects on Behance this week:


Finland-based photographer Mikko Lagerstedt explores foggy settings in his appropriately titled photo project, “Infinity.” Take a look!


These designed, bespoke, customized  invites are a favorite among members. Check out their solid attention to detail, right down to hiding the recipients’ names!