Portfolio questions

[Pitman]

First off.. Hello! My name is Brian Pitman and this is my first post. :)

I just graduated with a MFA and I am working on a Portfolio so I can teach as adjuct to earn some cash.

I was wondering if anyone had any tips. It is going to be digital, in a powerpoint presentation format. It is mostly sculpture, and some 2d work but my 2d isnt as strong I feel.

I will include resume and artist statement. oh and a cover letter. this sound good to everyone? :confused:

[GaryR52]

Welcome, Brian. What you've said sounds okay. I'm just wondering what kind of an MFA program you went through that you didn't emerge with a portfolio already? I went through a 4 year B.A. program in graphic design and everyone had a portfolio of their work by the time they graduated.

Gary

[Merlion]

I would also like to know more about writing and compiling a good artist's portfolio. Useful to know although I am not going commercial in a big way.

Based on a search, I found these guidelines which seem to be suitable. http://art-support.com/portfolio.htm

[realsculpt]

cool ideas, i too, have a powerpoint portfolio, I interviewed for alot of teaching jobs, also and was the interviewer at my last teaching job as a dept head , so i love the CD idea its not a common method, so it stand out.
but i have found to also have each slide as a JPEG, seperate also in case they dont have the program, (it happens alot) or if they have a MAC make sure it is cross platform (it may be). Include all installers that are needed, or free version of powerpoint if needed. i have a little quicktime presentation so i also put in the quicktime install program, which has saved me at interviews. remember not everyone has a computer where you are meeting them, or some have just said they want photos because they are oldschool. again that happend to me a few times. i also had people say they did not want computer viruses....i still love the CD idea.

also get good buisiness cards, i used a place called www.overnightprints.com for less than a 100$ i got 2 sided fullcolor photo cards with UV protection, basicall they are my artwork on thick card stock, they did mess up the first run on the color but they did replace them with supprisingly no hassle. if you do them at home make sure the paper is thick and no perferations from where they pull apart. or at worst an office depot or something.

Just keep in mind that the CDROMs are great, i love them and get alot of compliments, but i found especially with teaching jobs, or well any interview people have no attention span so keep the slide times fast, they can always pause, and send at least 3 to 5 of your best work as a hard copy for them to keep, take the JPEG or GIFF to a drug store and get some photos printed (great for a cd cover) , that way they will want to put in your cd. even if you are in the room with them you will see that first they will look at you photos, or cd jacket, then they will zip through your portfolio within 3 sec,. making a decision to look at it all and then they may read your resume, and usually not all of it.

BUT they will always have your CD and photos on file, people usually wont throw away photos with the CD, i get calls from people i gave photos and cd's 5 years ago, they still kept them.

you may also not want to put your 2-D if it's not 100% the best or your best, or only put the 1 or 2 best, it is better no 2-D than almost your best. i found alot of people if they see something they dont like even as a matter of taste they stop looking at your work.

anyway good luck oh avoid giant portfolio books alot of the sculpting jobs i interviewed at they told me they hate thos giant books.

any good luck hope this ramble was helpful not stupid...

[FireBeach]

Great reply realsculpt. I am almost in the same position as Pitman except im preparing to start my student teaching and then will be interviewing for jobs in the spring. Thanks for the help!!

[Julianna]

Getting another person's opinion is also helpful because they may see something that you didn't. If you don't know anyone who is willing to or can give you a second opinion, keep in mind that many local or regional arts groups/councils offer portfolio reviews. You may want to call a few of them to see whether they offer the service. When you do, be sure to ask about pricing because some of them are free and others charge a fee depending on whether or not you are a member.

Good luck!