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Careers: Arts/Portfolio Preparation

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Expert: - 3/14/2008


Question
How should I prepare my portfolio for drop-off if I will not be with the employer to explain some of my works? Should I include labels to explain that one of the pieces in my portfolio, for example, was a large 3-part exhibit?  If so, what is the best way to do this with a basic portfolio with plastic sleeves?
Thanks!

Answer
Hello Jessica!

Yes, if you're dropping off your portfolio, I highly recommend labels. First, the most important label that you should include would be your Name and contact information. I would include that at the beginning and end of your portfolio and you can incorporate it into it's own page (such as a title page).

Incorporating labels depends on how you're incorporating all your pieces into the portfolio, but printing up labels neatly and using removable double-stick tape to adhere them to your backing paper works well. The removable aspect is important so that you can rework your portfolio at any time without needing to purchase new pages.

As to labeling your piece that's a part of a larger piece, consider adding "Part One of Three" under it's title or even something like "Part One of Three of a 3' x 5' Exhibit" to include the actual dimensions of the full piece.

Here are a few things to think about including on your labels (you can choose all or just some, whatever is most important to you and to the person looking at your portfolio):
-Title of piece
-Dimensions
-Medium
-Purpose (who or what was it created for)
-Brief explanation of piece or its meaning

However, don't make it too elaborate or the portfolio will become too wordy and no one will be able to just flip through it easily and quickly.

Hope this helps!
Sincerely,
Gianina

Careers: Arts

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Gianina L.

Expertise

I can answer questions concerning most traditional mediums such as acrylics, watercolor, colored pencils, collage/cut paper, graphite, charcoal, and pen and ink. I also have strong, advanced knowledge of Photoshop, Powerpoint and Publisher; and beginner to immediate level knowledge in Illustrator, Freehand, After Effects, and Flash. In addition, I can cover miscellaneous subjects such as portfolio preparation, applying to art schools, art school study skills, color theory, basic design and drawing principles, basic animation techniques, working on personal art styles and exploring new artistic techniques. Topics such as the detailed legal aspects of art, web programming and Flash action scripting do not fall under my area of expertise.

Experience

Experience in the Area
I graduated summa cum laude with a double BFA in Illustration and Computer Art (specializing in 2-dimensional animation) from the Savannah College of Art and Design, where as a student, I happily tutored fellow peers in all aspects of art and created numerous illustrations for the school newspaper. For the past several years, I have been illustrating seminar books, designing numerous graphics, and creating short animation sequences for use in video. In addition, I work as a private tutor and am co-director / co-owner of a company that focuses on and promotes the local music industry. I assist with all the day-to-day operations of this company as well as manage all art direction and design.

Education/Credentials
Savannah College of Art and Design
BFA Computer Art, Illustration
Summa Cum Laude
Dean's List, GPA 4.0

Awards and Honors
Induction into Alpha Pi Beta honor society for art and design, 2002
Outstanding Achievement in Computer Art, 2002
Outstanding Student for the academic year 2001-2002
Awarded "Most Dependable" for District, the student newspaper, 2002
Who's Who Among American Colleges and Universities, May 2001
Better Business Bureau Honesty in Advertising Essay Competition, Merit Award, November 1998
Mary Renee Whelan Scholarship, Savannah College of Art and Design

Exhibitions and Festivals:
Embodiement; Myths in Animal Form, www.postpicasso.com, December 10 - January 10, 2005
SCAD Alumni Show, Stardust Café, Orlando, FL; December 2004
Finalist, International Juried Online Symbolist Art Show, www.dracoblu.com, May 2004 - April 2005
Finalist, International Juried Online Symbolist Art Show, www.dracoblu.com, May 2003 - April 2004
Senior Showcase, SCAD Pei Ling Chan Gallery, Savannah, GA; May 2002
2D or not 2D, SCAD Trustees Theatre, Savannah, GA; April 2002
Small Works, SCAD Exhibit A Gallery, Savannah, GA; November 7 - December 31, 2001; art was purchased
Magnanimata Animation Festival, May 1999

Publications
Quoted briefly in Animation World Magazine, "Predicting the Future of Futurama" (April 1999) and "Ed, Edd, n Eddy: A Unique Approach" (June 1999)

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