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About 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)

You are here: Experts > Arts/Humanities > Visual Arts > Careers: Arts > Portfolio

Topic: Careers: Arts

Expert: Gianina L.
Date: 9/20/2007
Subject: Portfolio

Question
This might sound bad to you, but I am in some need of advise!

I am a fourth year architecture student at Texas A&M University and am in need of starting an internship in January. In order to do this I have to interview with many firms and should have an impressive portfolio. I have been given guidance a couple years ago as to what I should do, and have not forgotten most, but my problem is that I do not have time. I work a 40 hour a week job and spend about 80 in the studio. The rest is sleeping when I can.

I have talked to my roommate and he has access to Adobe Photo shop CS3 and enjoys working with Photo shop, just has never done anything for professional levels. I am asking his help to create me a portfolio giving him a 3 week deadline. I will be able to supply him with an endless amount of renderings, projects, pictures, etc. so that he would be able to complete the task. I planning on leaving most of the decisions up to him and he would come to me for a final proof.

My question to you is about pricing really. Because he has never done anything professional, i.e. for profit, how much should I charge him? I am not sure what to expect and he is not either. I think he is talented but questions himself as we all do. I also do not have a lot of money but am willing to spend some to get a portfolio and saving me time from having to do it. How should I charge him? He suggested hourly but I think it could get to pricey and do not want to be paying for dishonest work (paying for the time he just sits and does nothing). I was thinking more of a flat rate and it would be more or less based on the level of satisfaction that I get.

This is going to benefit the both of us in more ways than one but I really have no clue where to start! My three weeks starts today because I need this no longer than October 10...so the time is ticking! Do you have any suggestions? Also, do you have any suggestions at all as to how I can get the portfolio layout? I.E. landscape or portrait, color or black and white, bold statements or subtle, use as much space on the page as possible or more modern with lots of blank wasted space?

PLEASE help me where you can and I thank you very much for your time even if you cannot help!

Darryl Rubscha

Answer
Hello Darryl,

First, take one large deep breath. Everything will turn out just fine.

Let me tackle the issue of pricing at first. This is always a difficult subject, and since you are working with a friend, I would handle it with the utmost care. How much money do you have available for this project? This will give you a starting point. I do not suggest you pay your friend hourly, but estimating the amount of hours he will use to finish the job is helpful. Either ask him to do so, or estimate how many hours of work he's saving you, and apply a fair rate to that and come up with a total. For example, if you estimate it will take him five hours and would like to give him eight dollars an hour for it, then the project total would be a $40 flat-fee.

Now, as to the actual portfolio, no hard and fast rules exist to its construction. Whether you go black and white, bold or subtle is up to you. Choose what reflects your style and your personality the most. Whatever style you choose, be absolutely consistent with it. Always make sure it is clean, neat, easy to flip through and gather information from. Be sure that it includes your name and desired contact information in a place that's accessible. I suggest you start off with your second best piece and end with your best, as that will be the lasting impression.

I hope all this information helps.
Good luck!
Gianina

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