interview

not sure how many of you can help me, living in the uk and all, but i have an interview for one of the top uk universities to do a media arts course, they said i can take a portfolio of work down and i'm putting all my web work into one, has anyone ever had to present a portfolio in a face to face interview, and what tips can you give me etc, what info should be in the portfolio, cheers, empty

Power Point slide show :P JKing... not sure....

I'm a kid, you don't have to take this from me, but we had to do a big pass or fail project in 8th grade to graduate. Anyhow I did portfolio too, and for each work I explained the significance of each piece of work. Ex. This multicolored image was the initial start of my career, it took many inspiring things. Just... examples... don't have to take it.

Emptyspace.. burn it to cd :D
or maybe just put ur art in presentation :D
but I'm sure you'll do fine

i had to present a portfolio for the upper division of my graphic design major, i had all real print work though... didnt show any of my digital art stuff. i dont know. if you can print it all out thats how i would probably be the best. but burning it on a cd may be a good way to go if digital is all you have. power point might not actually be a bad idea, since it is face to face and you are presenting your work. but anyway good luck

If it's web work, I would just leave it on a web site. They will have 'net access at the university, and web sites look stupid printed out on paper. Not to mention they look totally different when printed.

If it's graphic design work... I would put together a nice portfolio of printed materials...

If it's video or animation, put it in Quicktime on CD or something. Just use the appropriate medium for the appropriate uh... media.

It sounds like one of the key questions, empty, is will you have a laptop with you?

Believe it or not, I have seen someone present a portfolio of graphic art and web stuff via PowerPoint--I didn't care for it personally.

If you won't have a laptop with you, call ahead to see what kind of 'equipment' will be available to you. PC, Mac, digital overhead projector, 14" monitor, etc. That way you can be prepared. Even if you do take your laptop, have a full backup of your presentation on CD or some other media just in case.

i have my laptop but i'm not going to take it, i think i'm going to print details of my work out onto photo gloss paper and put three titles underneath, title, programs used, brief, and date, oh and does anyone have a professional looking cv i can look at for the layout?

hi my name is charm. i used to post here many years ago! my advice is always the best...

don't assume they will have a computer with internet connection. if they say they do, don't assume it will work! burn stuff to a cd as backup.

if you are confident in your work then you should not be worried. relax and have fun!

Use the K.I.S.S method and you won't go far wrong. Don't bother with fancy cd-rom presentations or the latest i-crom etc... as has been stated unless you have previously arranged a presentation medium don't assume one.

Your best bet is a traditional leather bound portfolio, if you don't have one get one! they can be expensive but try and get the best one that you can afford, whilst it may be shallow, it is a fact that if you look like you take pride in your work then they will be more impressed.

Always start with your killer piece, this sets the tone for the rest of the portfolio and as you might expect always end with a show stopper too, this makes sure that the 1st and last thing they see of yours are quality pieces.

Sort the wheat from the chaff, look at your portfolio logically, don't fall into the trap of placing items chronologically unless that is the best way to present them, instead look for themes and transition periods of your work, seperate print from web etc.... try and show more than one style also, it will look better if you can present more than one way of working. It never harms to have a style of your own but don't confuse this for being a one trick pony - ability to adapt and adopt are always a key factor in design.

Chuck out anything that is mediocre, if it's alright, it isn't!

At the back of the portfolio include a resume, this will in all probability be ignored but it is often expected (who are we to question the Gods of Design?;) )

If you think the situation calls for it also take a cd-rom with you, this can be left with the panel after your interview, even if they never look at it, you will be one step ahead in the game.

Be prepared to leave your portfolio with them, remember to make copies and backups of all the work in the portfolio, often it's common to have more than one folio for these occasions.

Play to your strengths.

I will try and think of any other folio tips and I will reply if insipiration hits

(oh and charm you have been deposed in your absence as the king of good answers, whilst you have been away we have all been living in design land:p)