Generate Value

What are the best (and worst) art portfolios you've seen? What makes them great or trash worthy?

I'm in the process of revamping my art portfolio and I'm trying to figure out exactly what to do. Should I bound it, keep it in clear sleeves, add text descriptions, design a background template for each page? I've seen very few art portfolios and need some direction in making my own. I want to know what others have done to land their design job or what hiring professionals find interesting in a portfolio to bring back that interviewee. I'm currently a junior designer and to get the job I used a black leather, zip binder with clear sleeves inside to hold my artwork. The artwork was printed on regular 8 1/2" by 11" white paper. So a lot of white space was seen. At the time, I liked my portfolio but now looking at it, I find it very weak presentation wise. I doubt it will help me get to that next level if I keep it the way it is. I want to make it stand out but in all the RIGHT ways. I hope to work somewhere that will let me make art from scratch and eventually as an art director.

Public Comments

1. I think it looks best bound. A really good one I saw was bound and organized into sections. Each section had a theme and at the beginning of each section they told a little bit about it. The portfolio had a lot of variety--some ads, some illustration stuff, work with typesetting and I don't remember what else. She was a senior graphic design or commercial art major, I don't remember which. Because it was well organized it looked very professional and made her look organized and competent and because it had variety it showed off all her different skills. Just some ideas, best of luck to you!
2. Personally I take super duper pricy portfolio with dread because it usually means they will be pretty bad. Let your work speak for itself with a clean, clear professional approach. It’s true that sometimes the white border can be harsh if you have a piece that relies a lot on colour and subtleties. Cut your artwork to get rid of the border and contact glue it on a neutral gray sheet to fit in your portfolio. As you probably already know, put ONLY your best work in there and any piece you’re not sure to include or not, don’t. You’re judged on your WEAKNESSES and not your strengths… Your best piece should be first, second best should be in the middle and third best should be last. Worst portfolio that ended up on my desk was full of pretentiousness and to top it all of had a plagiarised piece in it. Blacklisted name and dead-boxed portfolio. :(
3. Best - Emily Carr Worst - statues outside in Vancouver BC
4. not sure but i like pic of the streets because they are real
5. don't no