I usually have a PDF with some samples from my portfolio to get them interested. I take it you plan on hitting up all the local ad agencies, etc? you want to get their attention quick. when I was an AD I would get resumes weekly. times I wouldn't have time to even look at them. so you have to remember this. I would have a PDF ready and mention it in your cover letter to these ADs. they will get back to you if they want to see it.

then have a full portfolio to show. Black board, pages, etc. Doesn't matter as long as it is NEAT. Be organized. that i=s what AD look for. If your port is all in shambels, they will suspect you would be also.
Another neat thing you can do is if you have a laptop wth a big enough screen you can do a slide show of your stuff. that would be impressive.

good luck, I was in your position about 5 years ago. I moved from boston to Orlando. It was fun. [img]/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

'I will become the most powerful Jedi ever!'

Hi Lisa, Welcome to the forum. A few years ago when I was job hunting. I made up a sample sheet and had about 20 good quality color copies made. I liked being able to hand something tangible to them at the interview that didn't require a computer to view. [img]/emoticons/cool.gif[/img]



'I used to be with it. But then they changed what it was. Now what I'm with isn't it, and what's it seems weird and scary to me.' Abraham Simpson

Post Edited (Kool) : 6/3/2004 6:08:39 PM GMT

Since I am an Art Director, I will tell you what I like to see: a small neat book. Those enourmous portfolios are insanely bulky and hard to get through!

You dont need to mount stuff (at least for me you dont) as I actually prefer to take things out and leaf through them. You can use print samples and just photograph things like tshirts or other strange objects [img]/emoticons/smile.gif[/img]

A website with your best work is a great way to show it. I prefer that over emailed jpegs or pdfs. That way, I can find out lots about you!

But a word of advice about websites that SHOULD be obvious but sadly, is not. NO OBSCENITIES! I actually receieved a resume with a link to a designer's website. When I got there, I was confronted with a bare ass and a lovely type treatment of ***** OFF! LOL! It was not directed at me, it was about his view of things, I guess but not appropriate for a portfolio. Obviously, he did not get a call!

thanks guys for the tips, every little bit helps!

Do a mini-book. I'd never heard of this term before coming to ad school but it's definately the way to go. Find a good, creative way to show your stuff in a small, neat package (as buns said). Most of the other students are doing something smaller than 8.5 x 11 and either binding it themselves or going to Kinko's. A few went to a place like Michaels or Barnes andNobel and are getting their blank books and 3M-ing their work inside.I saw onefor a copywriter that was on mini-clipboards, another copywriter designed his cover to look like an old school composition book.


BUT don't let your creativity in the manufacture of the book outshine the work inside of it,that makes it worse.


Basically remember that this, above all, is a communication piece about you. What do you want them to think about you when they see it? How can every detail you put into enhance that communication? Good luck!

i'd definitely have have printed on paper, which form ever. it just takes too much time or effort to look at it on a computer.


btw. nice little website you have there. (i love the way how you photographed you work)