[Adamant]

I've been posting a lot lately, asking about all sorts subjects from hardware to software and for that I'm most greatful to those that have offered helpful suggestions.

Currently I'm assembling a brand new portfolio of work as I have a few options up ahead for study and/or work.

I have the chance to attend an animation, graphic design, illustration, film and multimedia school and I also have the chance of doing an internship style job with a game company and a film company.

So my question is what would be the best imagery to include within my portfolio?

My idea is to encompass as much as possible such as...

Vehicle design,
Costume design,
Character development,
Environment design,
Architectural design etc...

I'm planning on doing in the vacinity of around 100 - 150 images for my portfolio, to show my versatility. Is this too much?

Thanks everyone.

Adam

[Ian Jones]

Hi fellow Aussie! Where are you planning on studying?

I don't have any specific advice for the content of your portfolio, other than actually contact the institutions and actually ask them what sort of content they like to see in a portfolio. They should be happy to help you and appreciate your enthusiasm and interest in them.

As for the number of items in your portfolio, you are thinking way to big. Most portfolio's consist of 20-30 pieces (standard graphic design example). It does vary depending on what sort of design you are going for, eg concept design may need a few more items to show you have many skills and are flexible. Show them what you are capable of, but don't bombard them with unneccesary and seemingly limitless variations. Pick a broad range of items, research the target of your portfolio and adapt it to each interview. For example a web design company would obviously like to see a bit more web design than traditional design. This can even go further to the content of your portfolio. For example if you can get an idea of the 'house style' of a company.. then you will know what sort of design will attract their attention.

Make sure that you have some concept and development sketches to show your process of design. Some ppl like to see your process even more than the end results. I have been told that I should not include these in the main portfolio, but instead bring them along in a folder and pull them out of my bag if they are interested in seeing them.

Put your best work at the start, middle and end... fleshing it out imbetween. The first and last impressions are the most important imo. You need to leave a lasting impression.

This is advice I have been taking in recently, because I'm also assembling a portfolio.

Hope that helps.

[Adamant]

Hi Ian,
I'm thinking of going down to study at the university of canberra. I'm still thinking about it though. I'd prefer to be working though

Thanks for the advice, very helpful indeed. After doing a far bit of reading on the net 100-150 is too much for a portfolio. I'd still like to aim for that target just for practice and I'll place my leftovers on my site when it's done.

I found this little nugget over at conceptart.org which I thought was pretty useful too...
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?s=364b2856d6216a93a8c42c6115193c42&threadid=120

Thanks again

[spooge demon]

I remember when I was using a forklift to take my portfolio around. I had tons of stuff. This was before digital. It seemed to work well, as most things were different enough to maintain interest. But a hundred drawings of the same pose with minor variations of boot design would not be It.

Show your portfolio to a lot of people and be sensitive when they are really interested or just being polite when thumbing through. Prune where indicated.

I remember saying this once here, maybe not. A really shiny well organized portfolio says -insecure anxious newbie just out of school- A bunch of coffee stained things bound with twine says -too busy doing real work to polish turds- But it can also say the opposite -sloppy work habits and bad attitude to standards-

The trick is to find out who you are going to interview with. If it is a human resources type, go spit and polish. If it is someone in the trenches, go with the casual approach.

good luck!

[Ian Jones]

Something else I just remembered about some advice we had been given for an interview situation. AGDA (Australian Graphic Design Association) suggests to students and its members that if in an interview situation you are turned down and they are not interested, make sure you ask them why. Ask them how they think you could improve. They should be professional about it and give you helpful suggestions. Your interest in their opinion also flatters them and may help you down the track if you decide to have a second crack at them.

find AGDA's website, you may be able to get some mroe info. I don't know the URL off by heart.

Hope that helps.

Spooge: "Polish Turds" I like that one.

[Adamant]

Thanks guys. Most helpful.

I suppose a baseball bat could come in handy too for the purposes of really getting some attention paid to your portfolio. But I guess Spooge could use his forklift

[Torstein Nordstrand]

Very interesting reading, thanks