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luvaboi217 · Feb 9, 2004, 06:39 PM

I'm a student currrently, and I am applying for an internship. I was asked to drop off my resume and a portfolio personally at the employer's office. I have a wide variety of works that also range in size. I'm wondering what are you guys thoughts on what size case and any brands you guys like. It's mosty poster designs that are the bigger peices(which i can print smaller). My main question is, should i get a very standard compact size like 8.5x11 that would fit most work, but very tightly, or an 11x14 that might seem a little bulky but give my work more breathing room. Also, any other comments or suggestions are GREATLY appreciated. Thank you in advance.

art_director · Feb 9, 2004, 07:34 PM

if you're shooting at an ad agency...

over the past few years the smart yet well-designed and compact books have come into favor. the package isn't as important as what's inside.

design shops tend to favor bigger design ideas wrt portfolios.

what ever you do don't buy the pia zangaro (sp) cases. they've been way over exposed.

godzookie2k · Feb 10, 2004, 12:43 PM

i have an 11x14 very battered and worn book thats served me well over the years. Its a good size. Not nearly as bulky as you think it is. I wouldn't go leaving it at an employers though. For something like that I'd make it way smaller. I'd suggest boards over pages, even though they are more expensive, they present much better. I'm currently preparing to change my entire book over to boards from pages, something I should have done from the get go.

art_director · Feb 10, 2004, 06:26 PM

Originally posted by godzookie2k:

i have an 11x14 very battered and worn book thats served me well over the years. Its a good size. Not nearly as bulky as you think it is. I wouldn't go leaving it at an employers though. For something like that I'd make it way smaller. I'd suggest boards over pages, even though they are more expensive, they present much better. I'm currently preparing to change my entire book over to boards from pages, something I should have done from the get go.

PAGES BLOW. i would strongly urge against the use of them. when a person is looking at your book you want them to be able to get intimate with the work. you know, to hold it like they might a magazine or a newspaper. pages make that impossible.

also, when you put your book together a prospective employer or client can see your campaigns as a family rather than one page at a time.

luvaboi217 · Feb 11, 2004, 10:47 AM

I'm really sorry for the questions, but I'm not quite getting what you mean. Do you mean mount them on boards like mat boards rather than insert my peices in the pages that come in those portfolio cases?

Thanks art_director and godzookie2k. Your time and help is appreciated.

godzookie2k · Feb 11, 2004, 01:04 PM

a case for carrying boards is pretty much a black box that opens like a portfolio, but inside is yes, a stack of your work mounted on matte board. much easier to pass around.

andi*pandi · Feb 18, 2004, 05:34 PM

If you have large posters I have a 18x24" case (with sleeves) in good condition. PM me or some such.

I switched over to a 11x14 size when I found most of my real-world portfolio was smaller print pieces, not posters. I did find the larger pages were handy for putting "family" pieces together on the same spread.

Question for those who do boards: what do you do if, for a magazine, brochure, etc, the interviewer would prefer to hold the actual piece, or see the back cover? If you've adhered it to a board that's kind of difficult, eh?

Currently I can just slide it out of it's sleeve and hand it over. I have a few pieces I've adhered down so they don't slide around, but I have extra copies of those in the side pocket to hand round.