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What is a portfolio?
 Scrapbook
 View book
 Log book
 Professional diary
 Pitch book
 Showcase opportunity
 Training/professional development tool
 Organizational tool
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What is a portfolio?
 In the Graphic Design &
Illustration field, a portfolio is a very valuable tool to help you:
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 advance in your education/training gain acceptance into design school get an internship placement find employment as a full-time or part-time employee or as a freelance professional
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What is a portfolio?
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Why portfolios?
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Many schools require portfolios as part of admissions
Many employers ask for a portfolio of your work along with your application
The portfolio is a great way to keep a record of your work
You can use the portfolio as a resource for future works
Creating and maintaining your portfolio helps you build organizational skills
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What employers want
This website is an example of those used in the industry for job searches
 http://designjobs.aiga.org/publi c/jobs_browse.asp
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What schools want
These websites are examples of university programs that require a portfolio as a component of the application process or as part of the overall degree requirement
 http://art.unt.edu/studio-art.html
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 http://art.okstate.edu/prospective/index.php
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/ART/SOA/nav/undergrad/ degree%20programs/commdesign.php
http://www.finearts.utexas.edu/aah/students/under graduate/index.cfm
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What clients want
These websites are examples of organizations that support artists and promote art events:
 http://www.vastarts.org/
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 http://www.texasphoto.org/ http://www.tsos.org/ http://www.dsvc.org/ http://amoa-arthouse.org/
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Benefits of portfolios
 Structure and organization for filing projects and supporting documents
 Track work
 Track skill/knowledge development
 Identify areas that need attention to improve chances of achieving desired outcomes (job, acceptance into school, etc.)
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What do you want your portfolio to do for you?
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Method for documenting your work
Resources for future work
Tools for assisting others
Examples to use when creating new works
History of skill/knowledge progression
 Acceptance into post-secondary program
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Content elements to consider…
 Type of work to be documented
 Support document types
 File types
 Media required for storage
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Media required for viewing
Source vs. display files
 Filing structure for portfolio content
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Technology resources to consider…
 Computer
 Graphics software
 High quality printer
 Digital camera
 Storage media
 Existing format for examples of your previous work
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Let’s get started
 How would you sort or identify your work?
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Things to consider
How do you want to organize your portfolio?
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Date
Type of work
Customer/course
Materials used
Colors
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Size
Multiple criteria
(cross-referenced list)
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Organizing your portfolio
My Portfolio
Tracking document
Visual Work
Drawing
Graphics
Sculpture
Writing
Papers
Speeches
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Accomplishments
Awards
Certifications
Skills
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Organizing your portfolio
Visual Work
Drawing
Self-Portrait (specific project)
Photos
Portfolio Worksheet
Assignment sheet/work order
Awards or reviews
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How will you organize/name it?
Which is most relevant to your work?
Organized by:
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Type
(writing, technology, artwork)
Date
(month, year)
Subject matter
(school, student organization, work)
Primary purpose
(service, education, training)
Media
(graphic design, video editing, animation, fine art - watercolor, oil, 3-d, fiber, mixed media, pen/ink)
Develop a system that is meaningful to you!
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Worksheet Activity
1.Complete the digital portfolio worksheet for the three items you will use to create your digital portfolio.
2. List the steps you will need to take to create digital images that document your work.
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Supporting documents
 Assignments, projects, papers, syllabus, awards, evaluation rubrics, test scores, etc.
 Appropriate file format
 Converting documents to digital format
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Things to consider
What will you need to create the digital documentation?
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Original project/assignment
Graphics software
Digital camera
Storage media
High quality prints
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Creating digital images
Things to consider before you take pictures
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Type of work (painting, sculpture, etc)
Lighting
Size/shape of work
Color
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Materials
Resolution/quality of digital image
Background
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Creating digital images
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What do you think is better for photographing your work, natural or artificial light?
What background works best?
How can you minimize glare?
What resolution should your images be?
How many different angles should you capture?
How do you communicate size in the image?
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Creating digital images
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Take practice shots
How many do you need to adequately document your work?
Upload them to PC to review
Select the best shots & copy them into your work folder
Rename them based upon identification scheme you want to use, such as:
Painting_bluebonnets_Aug_13_2010.jpg
Award_SkillsUSA_Mar_15_2012.pdf
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Other documents to include…
 Certificates/Awards
 Certification documentation
 Standardized test results
 Industry-specific competency test results
 Transcript
 Copy of diploma
 Resume
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Portfolio assembly
 Create a binder with printouts of documents including worksheet, assignment sheet, and photos of your work
 Assemble binder in same manner as your digital portfolio with divider tabs
 Use sheet protectors if you plan to use your binder to share your work with clients, students, or peers
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Create your digital portfolio
 Using the works you have chosen, create your digital po rtfolio
 Print a screen shot o f the folder and contents f or each item
 Include the photos y ou use to document your w ork in a Word document and submit with the worksheet and folder screen shots
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Portfolio maintenance
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Once you’ve created a portfo l io, what then?
Benefits of regular maintenan ce…
Consequences of irregular m aintenance…
Timeline considerations …
 Recommendations for mainte nance
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Summary
Digital portfolios have many uses
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College program applications
Job applications
Participation in competitions/workshops
Marketing your work
Attracting new clients
Personal growth/development
 Training/helping peers
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