Looking for simple portfolio ideas, and what size is best?

[Rosger]

Hi, I'm a design student. I've been learning about design all year in an intensive 1 year program here in Vancouver Canada and need to wrap it up with a portfolio. I'm really having a hard time deciding layout and paper and though I would ask for your imput. Here are my biggest two questions:

Question #1: Size Matters?

I have the day to put together a portfolio containing 8 peices. Most of my work are 11x17 posters, but I have one 22x22 and a few web pages that I'll take screen shots of and lay out.

I was thinking of just getting a 8.5x11 portfolio book, but I also saw a 14x11 out there that will maybe be better. Do you think I should go with the bigger size?

Question #2: L(inks) and Paper

Does anyone have some simple portfolio examples for inspiration? This is a printed portfolio btw.
I'm also thinking of getting my work done on photo quality stock. I thought something done on laser with some nice photo stock topped off with a nice pearl finish (http://www.ilford.com/en/products/galerie/classic/classicMediaPearl.asp) .

Please help! Deadline tomorrow!


Thanks!

[CkretAjint]

My portfolio binder is only 12"x12". Each page has a viewing area of about 10.75"x10.75"

[Rosger]

My portfolio binder is only 12"x12". Each page has a viewing area of about 10.75"x10.75"


Whats the average format of the work your displaying? Any details lost or compromised?

[CkretAjint]

Nothing is lost in my mind. I even have some SUPER detailed pieces in it. You can view some of the pages here (http://www.flickr.com/ThomasMaxson).

[Rosger]

Nothing is lost in my mind. I even have some SUPER detailed pieces in it. You can view some of the pages here (http://www.flickr.com/ThomasMaxson).

Ok, nice stuff! How long have you been in design?
That looks great, and no, nothing seems to be lost. We only had 6 days (on top of 4-5 other end-of-year projects) so even though I wont get that far today its great to aim for something like that.

The best I can do is start off with the proper format and layout. That way I can keep building on it. If I treat it like a done deal then whats the point.

Cool, thanks!

Anyone else?

[CkretAjint]

Ok, nice stuff! How long have you been in design?

4 years.

As far a format and layout. It's what ever you want. Just remember that it resembles you as a designer and should show off your best side, not the "I gotta get it done side"! ;)

[Rosger]

4 years.

As far a format and layout. It's what ever you want. Just remember that it resembles you as a designer and should show off your best side, not the "I gotta get it done side"! ;)

haha, true enough.
Well, my instructors will get the 1st draft. I didnt mean to keep it so last minute, but what I give to potential clients will be something a lot more polished off.

[CkretAjint]

So tweak it now... not later. trust me! My portfolio took about 6 months to finish off. I went through 4 versions and numerous edits and tweaks until it looked remotely decent.

[Rosger]

So tweak it now... not later. trust me! My portfolio took about 6 months to finish off. I went through 4 versions and numerous edits and tweaks until it looked remotely decent.


Wow, 6 months and 4 versions?
Oh, it wont be sloppy. This will be a tweaked "first version" so to speak....something pretty but not quite official.
It's insane one gets caught up in details hey? Hours and hours.

[CkretAjint]

Yepp.... 6 months. That thats not including rebranding myself. First I wanted to redo my portfolio and keep up with it. Then I realized I need to redo my resume. But in order to do my resume I needed to have a letterhead. In order to have a letterhead I needed/wanted to update my logo.

So... new logo > new stationery kit > new resume > new portfolio.

I've spent a good 10-11 months working on everything on and off in my spare time. It's quite time consuming! :p

[Rosger]

Yepp.... 6 months. That thats not including rebranding myself. First I wanted to redo my portfolio and keep up with it. Then I realized I need to redo my resume. But in order to do my resume I needed to have a letterhead. In order to have a letterhead I needed/wanted to update my logo.

So... new logo > new stationery kit > new resume > new portfolio.

I've spent a good 10-11 months working on everything on and off in my spare time. It's quite time consuming! :p


Well do you use whatever you have on hand for any potentail clients to look at? I mean, its a work in progress but you have to be happy enough with it at any given time because you might need to show it right?

[Schmitty]

I would say simple is the best route. Consistent type among all the titles of your work. I would stay away from crazy, ornate backgrounds, let the work speak for itself.

A lot of students use this site to make it easy (its a bookmaking site, really nice stuff in the end) http://www.blurb.com/?ce=google_gen&gclid=COXTyZzts5MCFRJxxwodH135Cw

Or the traditional route would be a screwpost portfolio found here www.pzdirect.com (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/www.pzdirect.com)

As far as paper goes, a nice cover stock would work well in the screwpost portfolio.

Hope that helps.

[Rosger]

Thanks for the links!
So do you suggest the actual book format as a complement to the screwpost binder format ? You can probably get a book done at any major printer couldnt you? Or is this site THAT GOOD?

[Schmitty]

Its just an alternative, mainly because its easier. Theres a portfolio section at blurb.com thats give you some ideas. Plus presenting a book could possibly stand out from the rest. Plus at blurb you can design your own pages and theyll layout, bind and print your book.

[budafist]

I like the idea of a hardcover book to present a portfolio too. I'm planning my next portfolio to be a hardcover book by blurb.com or lulu.com.

Only thing about a book is unlike a folder it is not easy to update. You have to reprint and rebind the whole thing.

[Rosger]

Thats true.
Maybe just update the book every 2 years or so and do a different layout each time. That way you could eventualy show the 3 different layouts after 6 years and add your portfolio layouts to your portfolio!
Haha

But really, I love the idea of creating a book.
I think having both is nice. As a 1st year student that will be updating quite often, and thats still working on an identity, I think I'll start with the binder and try the book next year once I have some more stuff.

What kind of format do you like to go with? 11x17? 11x14?

[Schmitty]

Ive got the frosted cover 11x17 landscape. Plenty of room for easy to read text and larger images. But really, 11x14 is fine. Just have an idea of your layout before you purchase to make the best decision.

[Rosger]

If you have an 11x17 landscape, does anybody put their 11x17 portraits sideways or is that taboo forcing someone to rotate the book? I just worry about shrinking it so much.

[Schmitty]

Mine has 12 pages. Ive taken all my projects and laid them out on an 11x17 page. At the bottom right of each page is a title of the work, client, size, media and any other important info on the work. Sometimes its also a good idea to put a brief about the work(short summary of the description of the work; why you did what) You wouldnt want them to turn the book so you could just scale your photography proportionally.

[Rosger]

Nice.
Well I've always liked the idea of having that extra bit of breathing room on the side to lay out my info. Dedicating the whole page to my work is nice, but it really does come down to an overall design hey?
Looking forward to sweating through this ongoing project!