comatose Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 What res is ideal for a portfolio? is A3 size adequate and should the images take up all the page? Also, how many images are ideal for a portfolio? thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter M. Gruhn Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 It depends. Render some sample work at varying sizes (don't just resize in PShop as its resize won't be the same result as you rendering) and print them out on whatever you plan on printint on. See what you can get away with. Some ballparks to get you started: 60ppi is too small. 150 should be adequate. 300 beyond this you mayn't see any change. I suspect that different times/places/industries have different expectations of size. Where I am, standard letter is normal/expected. How you design your pages is a design question. Full bleed can cost more and be a hassle. And can look real nice. And tawdry. Everybody knows that a proper book makes good use of whitespace and doesn't hide stuff in the gutter. And whitespace overpowers and objectifies your work. ... There are enough pages but not too many. My most recent was 130 or so and large but within standard parameters (barely). I have a hard time editing and verbal concise. But my field requires multiple pages per project. Maybe your field requires only a dozen of your best pictures. Let's see what other people have to say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Schroeder Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 Your number isn't compared to quality. If you have 2-3 outstanding pieces, only use those. Do not, above all else, think that more is better. What is your portfolio of? Renderings, CAD? That'll depend too. A little different industry, but same concepts apply: http://www.game-artist.net/forums/spotlight-articles/415-general-your-portfolio-repels-jobs.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BVI Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 What res is ideal for a portfolio? is A3 size adequate and should the images take up all the page? Also, how many images are ideal for a portfolio? thanks Hi Comatose. An A3 porfolio is probably your best bet in terms of quality and portability. A2 would be great but its a pain to carry around and gets damaged easily. As to your other questions you should choose several of the best images from each of the areas that you are trying to pimp ie. Interior, Exterior, Product and so forth. As mentioned don't go for lots and lots of images, choose your best and then the best from those. Good Luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kippu Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 after getting a tablet i have stopped printing out images , just carry it around and let them be shown , of course if you want print 2 or 3 and leave it with them when you come out.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comatose Posted September 27, 2011 Author Share Posted September 27, 2011 thanks for all the suggestions. i will print a few select A3 images when I finish making them.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Homeless Guy Posted September 27, 2011 Share Posted September 27, 2011 I would be wary if there were only 2-3 pieces unless your resume listed extensive experience. I think 6-9 is a better range, and diversity is project type is nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Schroeder Posted September 27, 2011 Share Posted September 27, 2011 I think it depends on the pieces. Any place you'll look at for portfolio advice will always tell you that less is better if that's your best work. You'd never want to buffer the good pieces with the not so good pieces just to get more images in front of the person. As long as your best pieces are in the front, that's what matters. Those will interest the person looking that them to want to know more. Ultimately, I really think it comes down to what portfolio you are using and when. The initial job application packet should be precise and simple. You have to assume that this company is going to get a large amount of applications and they certainly won't go through all of your pages just to find the best work. The initial submission packet should be no more than your cover letter, your resume, and 3-4 of your absolute best works and a link to an online portfolio with more work there. Just a link to an online portfolio isn't enough as most places won't look at it. You should submit examples to get them interested to go to your website. Keep in mind that many places have upload restrictions on portfolios. Some are crazy small, like less than 500k. So you've got to pick and choose. Other places have larger upload limits around 5mb or no limit at all. So that's the initial online submission packet. Also, your best bet is to keep this one at legal size. Standard 8.5x11 paper. Again, you can't assume that the HR person who initially looks at this has access to a printer with larger paper or even that a company would be willing to print your portfolio on larger paper sizes. Legal size also helps if you run into upload size restrictions. Then, in the in-person interview you should for sure bring more work if you have it or larger prints. If not, then 3-4 just outstanding pieces of art still stand a better chance then 10 so-so pieces of art. Diversity is great as long as it's to the position or company, so if the place your applying for only does interior design then a portfolio with exterior shots isn't the best to use. Using a tablet or laptop is fine as long as your images are directly accessible on that device. Never assume that the company will have wireless access in the room or that they would give you access to it. Some will, some won't. Just don't take that risk. However, paper never fails. It never crashes or goes corrupt when you don't want it to. It also never hurts to have multiple portfolios for different occasions. One super streamlined if you need it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BVI Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 after getting a tablet i have stopped printing out images , just carry it around and let them be shown , of course if you want print 2 or 3 and leave it with them when you come out.. Hi Maria - yeah, I've also been doing this. the 1024px Res of the IPad makes everything look awesome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Homeless Guy Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 (edited) I still feel there printed pieces lend the feeling of quality to work that hasn't yet been matched by laptops or tablets. There is just something about holding a high quality matte print that makes the piece feel more valuable. If you do go the printing route,spend the time and effort to make sure they are high quality professional prints. Run of the mill printing will hurt the work and presentation of the work, but high quality prints can enhance it. I have wanted to send prints out to a high quality photo print service and have 11x17 matte prints done to see how they look, but I have yet to actually do this. This type of print would be more for portfolio pieces, and not daily production pieces. Edited September 29, 2011 by Crazy Homeless Guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brodie Geers Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 Why matte? I use epson and I've never had great luck with the matte paper. I prefer the gloss to give it that quality enhancement. I really like the semigloss to avoid reflection issues but they don't make an 11x17 for some reason. -Brodie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Homeless Guy Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 Why matte? I use epson and I've never had great luck with the matte paper. I prefer the gloss to give it that quality enhancement. I really like the semigloss to avoid reflection issues but they don't make an 11x17 for some reason. -Brodie I suppose it is subjective. I feel matte lets you see the detail of the image to a greater degree, and actually helps pull you mind into the image more. I feel that the gloss of glossy prints actually creates a barrier by the reflections they create, and therefore create a barrier to 'feeling' the image as well. As for matte vs glossy print quality... I have had mattes that stand up very well if not equal to the color saturation of glossy prints. You have to make sure to be using very high quality matte paper, and to be properly calibrated. Maybe I am just being biased, but I haven't used a glossy monitor, or had glossy prints that I enjoyed as much as the matte equivalent in both categories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padre.ayuso Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 Maybe I am just being biased, but I haven't used a glossy monitor, or had glossy prints that I enjoyed as much as the matte equivalent in both categories. Try Satin Paper, it is not 100% glossy, but it gives great quality print. I think you can find it if you look for "uncoated bond paper". And yes, there is none of that glossy, reflective look that is sooooo annoying when you are trying to present your awesome work to someone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brodie Geers Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 Matte monitor? I'll have to check the quality of the paper. I've got a good calibrated monitor and use all epson products for printing but I think i've got the 3 star paper. I try some of the better ones and see how that works. Currently the color representation is pretty crappy. -Brodie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Homeless Guy Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 (edited) Matte monitor? Matte or Anti-Glare, whichever you want to call it. I prefer matte because anti-glare suggests that it was glossy, and a film was put over it to make it non-glossy. Again, it is personal preference. It is easier to have richer colors on glossy screen, but a solid quality matte screen will produce equally rich color without the glare. If you do have a glossy monitor it is best to work in a nearly dark room because you need to reduce reflections to actually see everything in the image without light or reflections glaring of the monitor. I also fall into the camp of belief that starring at a glossy screen where you can see reflections causes eye strain and will make you feel tired at the end of the day. Edited September 30, 2011 by Crazy Homeless Guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Homeless Guy Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 (edited) Back on the paper topic... I don't really print much anymore so I am far from even a moderate expert, but you may start to find info by doing a google search on 'high gamut matte paper.' It may be that you need a coated matte paper in order to acheive the color gamut that can be reached with glossy paper. You will also need to have this paper properly profiled for your printer, so you will need a profiling tool. http://www.google.com/search?gcx=w&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=website+automatically+logs+me+out#sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&source=hp&q=high+gamut+matte+paper&pbx=1&oq=high+gamut+matte+paper&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=8921l15720l10l15869l47l45l20l13l3l0l328l2884l0.1.7.3l12l0&psj=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=9441c9e3bb40875d&biw=1402&bih=786 Edited September 30, 2011 by Crazy Homeless Guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter M. Gruhn Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 Glossy has a great way of presenting a surface behind which the image sits. Even hides. I suspect "glossy means good" is some sort of throwback to mid-20thC photographic printing technology. Some people like the glossy. Maybe it really is good. Maybe they just think they like it because society says they should. I am in decades long lust with the Epson matte inkjet prints. That tactility and richness are sexy. One might argue it makes the ink more of a thing and the image less real and that the glarey surface of a glossy makes it look more like you are looking into a real space through a window. My portfolio is on the matte and it looks great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brodie Geers Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 What particular epson matte paper do you tend to use Peter? I've been using the 3 star because I didn't seem to see much improvement with the 4 star. I've ordered a box of the 5 star (ultra presentation matte or something) to try that out. -Brodie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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