1. artist's portfolio preparation
intro

2. Which one should I use?
intro
physical portfolio digital portfolio

3. intro
• all portfolios are digital (at least in part).
• digital is more flexible and portable.
• physical portfolios are useful when there is
human interaction. (conversations are better
when mediated by objects rather than screens)

4. intro
• create your digital portfolio first.
• create a physical portfolio if appropriate.
(consider it especially if you are dealing with
clients or on-site interviewers.)

5. number of artworks
• a typical portfolio consists of 10 to 20 examples.
• selecting fewer good examples is usually a better
strategy than diluting the quality with more but
weaker work.
• if there are published criteria for a specific
application, follow them to the letter.

6. artwork selection
• tailor the selection of artworks to the purpose:
• college/art school/university applications
• galleries/exhibitions
• grants/residencies
• clients/employers

7. artwork selection
A few common strategies: college/art school
• categorical criteria
• observational art- technique and skill
• personal art- passion; focus; concept
• home exam- specific artwork(s) required by an
institution for all applicants

8. artwork selection
A few common strategies: college/art school
• breadth/depth criteria
a selection based on work that demonstrates a
range of experiences, techniques, media and
also evidences sustained investigations or
engagement with media, technique or ideas

9. artwork selection
A few common strategies: college/art school
• breadth/depth criteria
a selection based on work that demonstrates a
range of experiences, techniques, media and
also evidences sustained investigations or
engagement with media, technique or ideas

10. artwork selection
A few common strategies: gallery/exhibition/grants/
residencies/employment
• expertise criteria
a selection based on work that demonstrates a
mastery of technique, a consistent body of work
and/or a sustained investigation of a concept

11. artwork selection
A few common strategies: client/employment
• experience criteria
a selection based on work that demonstrates
flexibility, responsiveness and consistent quality
over a range of media or experiences

12. presentation
presentation principles:
• clarity- large, focused, well exposed images
no distractions, minimal text (but include
size, medium, date & contextualization)
• professionalism- clean, gimmick free
• ease of access/use- simplicity, ubiquity and reliability
of interface

13. presentation
common formats:
• adobe pdf
• microsoft powerpoint
• browser based (simpleviewer)
• web based
• social (flickr, picassa, pinterest)
• custom
• proprietary (slideRoom, café)

14. presentation
adobe pdf
• the new "gold standard"
• ease of authorship
• ease of use
• ubiquity
• reliability, small size
• doesn't require web access

15. presentation
microsoft powepoint
• ease of authorship
• ubiquity
• doesn't require web access
cons: buggy, version incompatibilities, slow, big files

16. presentation
browser based (simpleviewer)
• slick, professional interface
• doesn't require web access (can be hosted)
cons: complex authorship, displays differently on
different browsers; not very portable

17. presentation
web based: social (flickr, picasa, deviant art)
• ease of authorship
• accessibility
cons: not very professional, requires web access,
slow, changes with browser size

18. presentation
web based: custom (wix, squarespace, yola)
• accessibility
• customizable, professional
• variable ease of authorship
cons: requires web access, changes with browser
size, ongoing cost

19. presentation
web based: proprietary (slideroom, café)
• ease of use and management for institutions
cons: limited or single use; expense

20. image prep
• follow guidelines if supplied!

21. image prep
• follow guidelines if supplied!
• resize to 72ppi for digital, 250-300ppi hardcopy

22. image prep
• follow guidelines if supplied!
• resize to 72ppi for digital, 250-300ppi hardcopy
• 12 inches in the longest dimension

23. image prep
• follow guidelines if supplied!
• resize to 72ppi for digital, 250-300ppi hardcopy
• 12 inches in the longest dimension
• crop to image edge with no border

24. image prep
• follow guidelines if supplied!
• resize to 72ppi for digital, 250-300ppi hardcopy
• 12 inches in the longest dimension
• crop to image edge with no border
• adjust levels for maximum value range
• subtlety sharpen after resizing (unsharp mask)