I got this flyer in the mail for this one National Portfolio Day that’s going on in Maryland. People from all over the country will be flying in. Fortunately for me, I won’t have to do any of that because I live about an hour’s drive away from B-more.
So I’m getting all excited about it as I’m reading about how college representatives from all over the country will be there and how we’ll get tours of studios and we’ll be able to bring in our portfolios and show some of our best pieces to the reps. But then, I realized, that I don’t have a portfolio set up
I was wondering if anyone here could help me put one together. I have lots of questions. This National Portfolio Day is taking place on Dec. 3, so I need to get this done as soon as possible. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
A few questions I have:
What should I get to serve as my portfolio (like big folder or something? where can I get one from?)
How many pieces of work should I put in my portfolio?
What else should I include in my portfolio other than artwork?
Phatima, what sort of art work do you have?
Have you ever competied in any art competition?
WHat is you philosophy of art? What do you like about art? What is your inspiration? What kind of art do you like and why do you like it?
The first thing to your portfolio should be your introduction to the world of arts. You can make it semi text and semi pictorial.
You can be very creative and not buy a folder, instead make a folder with construction paper. The size depends on the size of your work and how you would like to present your work.
Choose what kind of work you would like people to see? Was there any specific theme or purpose behind that work?
yes phatima..
wat kinda 'art' portfolio review is it? like is it fine arts/architecture/interior design/interior decor/ landscape design/graphic d/ industrial d/film media?? like there's a gazillion sub categories, n id suggest u prepare ur portfolio in relevance to that.. that way u sail on the safer side and know what they wanna see /hear from you before they put out their questions/interview/review..
Lusi - No offense, but...construction paper?! I think I'll settle for a plain black folder or something.
Most of the art I want to put in my portfolio is photography (I'll probably get prints about the size of a sheet of paper). There are also a few drawings (regular paper size).
I have entered some of my work in competitions, but for that all I had to do was submit it within a certain size limit to our local representative.
Anyways, so I guess I have my own 'style' when it comes to art/drawing. There's lots of techniques and specific functions used in the photographs I've taken. Every picture has a specific story to it. I could go on talking about them. I think I should have like a few lines (kind of like a caption) for each of the pieces talking about what inspired me, where it was taken, etc.
Should I include a resume in my portfolio? (past jobs/community service/organizations) ...or would that be irrelevent for an art portfolio?
Ya explaining a little bit about your photographs and paintings would be good, maybe you want to mention your techniques aswell.
Don't put a detailed resume, just a summerized form.
Construction paper comes with all different colors and using other material with it, you can actually make a beautiful folder but ya you just go with the regular folders. I would prefer three ring binder. Get sheet protectors. Attach your photos on construction paper and slide it in the protector ( I am saying construction paper because it is thick and more durable). Keep the photographs in variety of sizes. Divide your portfolio in different section like create themes.
^ Good idea with the themes yea. Or maybe categorize them by seperate styles... (black and white, color focus, etc.)
How many prints do you think I should have? I'm thinking around 20-25?
I'm going to look around and find out where's the best (and cheapest) place to get prints done because the pictures are digital. I'll look for some sort of paper that I can mount it on, although the brochure I recieved said not to waste time on mounting/framing because the Reps were going to be more interested in the work itself.
Around 25 sounds good, just make sure it represents all the work you have done in terms of techinques, themes, etc. Keep the color of the paper neutral and consistant through out the folder, like decide on one or two colors that you are going to use throughout the folder. Maybe in the beginning of every section, give a little intro, what that section is about, etc.
Thankyouuuuuuuuuuuuuuu I’m so glad I have someone to help me out with this. My sister is at college and I haven’t been able to get in touch with her (and usually I ask her to help me with this kind of stuff). Anyways I was just really stressing out about this because I only have a few weeks to get everything done…but I feel much much better now! Thankyou so much!
[FONT=Verdana,Monaco,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif] Personal work in any medium (15-20 pieces) may be submitted but must communicate sensitivity to design, imagination, style, diverse subject matters, and commitment to creative experimentation. Evaluators prefer photos that applicants have processed and printed themselves, but commercially prepared work will be accepted. Work need not be related to fashion or advertising, but should reflect personal interests and should be presented in a neat and careful manner.
I’m so glad I have someone to help me out with this. My sister is at college and I haven’t been able to get in touch with her (and usually I ask her to help me with this kind of stuff). Anyways I was just really stressing out about this because I only have a few weeks to get everything done…but I feel much much better now! Thankyou so much! 