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nycdunz · Mar 2, 2007, 11:53 PM

I haven't updated my portfolio in years, i have a pretty big one, its about 22" x 11", the thing is how do i get all my artwork to stay put? Every time i flip the page, all my stuff moves, sigh... and i really don't want to glue it, because i plan on adding/changing out stuff depending on the job i'm interviewing for, and plus i want them to be able to take the printed piece out and actually hold it if they wanted.

I am a graphic designer, so i've done pretty much everything from brochures, logos, tickets, flyers, posters, ads, billboards, cd packages, dvd covers, letterheads, envelopes, calendars, booklets, etc. I was wondering if I can get away with buying a smaller portfolio, something I can carry in my hand. I was even thinking of just showing only business cards, and forget the rest. What do you guys think I should do? I really don't like carrying such a big portfolio to interviews, is there a better way to do this?

Another thing, I have a lot of work that I want to show in my portfolio, except it hasn't been printed. Can I simply print at home on my inkjet printer, crop it and stick it in there, or do you guys recommend I spend the big bucks getting it printed on a press? I also have a lot of logo designs, can I just print them all on a piece of paper and put it in my portfolio, or again do you recommend something else. I just want to be sure I have the perfect portfolio before I go for my future interviews.

Thorzdad · Mar 3, 2007, 09:46 AM

I carry a 13x17" book and find it a good, usable size. You really need to show your work at a comfortable size. You're putting on a show, afterall. I find I still have to fix the pieces down to the sheets with double-side tape or something. There's just no way around it. Go for the low-tack stuff, though.

I would invest in a set of high-quality digital outputs from either the original files or high-rez PDFs. (I have a mix of actual finished pieces and digital prints) Find a print shop who does good, color-accurate digital prints (on good paper) and have them do it. It'll cost you a few bucks, but the results should be better than your inkjet. Unless you have a really good inkjet, of course. Personally, I'd love to find a used Tektronix office printer and use it exclusively for this.

I would not gang all my logos on one sheet...especially if they are really nice or detailed. You want to show the client the quality of your work. quality...not quantity. Ideally, I would limit the portfolio to between 12 to 15 of your best pieces. You can do more, of course. But, I've found that if you are talking about the pieces as you go, 12-15 makes for a good show that doesn't get boring. Again, though, only show your best work...and go in the direction of the kind of work you really want to do.

art_director · Mar 4, 2007, 10:01 AM

You think your book is big, mine is 25" x 19". So I know what you mean about schleping it 'round.

All my piece are individually laminated -- not in binded pages. To me this is preferrable. It allows the viewer to pick up the piece and examine it, to become better acquanited with it. I loathe binded books.

I generally bring along 19" x 12" wire-bound leave behind books. That way people can refer back to my work and have a ready set of samples. These I print on a Xerox 7700 DN Tektronix printer. ( a newer version of what Thorzdad is referring to.) It does a fine job.

art_director · Mar 4, 2007, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by Thorzdad

Personally, I'd love to find a used Tektronix office printer and use it exclusively for this.

A few years back I thought the same. Then I looked at the cost of maintenance on the older models, availability of parts, etc. and decided to get a new 7700 DN from Xerox. It was spendy (approx $7K) but it's for work so I bit the bullet.

The gamble paid off. By charging my clients for outputs the printer was able to pay for itself in just over a month. Now it's a profit center. Not to mention I'm not at Kinko's at 3:30am trying to fix their effed up printers to make a presentation.

If you go this route, or any other for that matter, be sure to look at the cost of your consumables (ie. paper, toner, fuser, etc.). In my case, to reload the four toner cartridges runs me approx $1K. Not cheap but, like I said, she pays for herself.

Thorzdad · Mar 4, 2007, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by art_director

...If you go this route, or any other for that matter, be sure to look at the cost of your consumables (ie. paper, toner, fuser, etc.). In my case, to reload the four toner cartridges runs me approx $1K. Not cheap but, like I said, she pays for herself.

Not meaning to derail...
So, are you saying the newer Xerox/Tektronix printers use toner now? The ones I used back in the day used those waxy dye sticks. Those things lasted forever and the color-accuracy was the best I'd ever gotten from anywhere.

art_director · Mar 4, 2007, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by Thorzdad

Not meaning to derail...
So, are you saying the newer Xerox/Tektronix printers use toner now? The ones I used back in the day used those waxy dye sticks. Those things lasted forever and the color-accuracy was the best I'd ever gotten from anywhere.

Yep, they use toner. And boy is it spendy.

The color is still quite good provided you calibrate everything properly. The environment (temp, humidity) is also important.

Thorzdad · Mar 4, 2007, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by art_director

Yep, they use toner. And boy is it spendy.
The color is still quite good provided you calibrate everything properly. The environment (temp, humidity) is also important.

No kidding. $1k for all four? 4 boxes of the wax didn't run that much (as I recall...the memory is fading these days) and they would last a good long time. If I remember correctly, each of the CMY boxes always came with at least one extra K stick, too.

As you say, calibration is always key. Those Tekronix units always had very superior PPD's as well as great ICC profiles. If I ever wanted to show someone how well a ColorSync work-flow could work, I always showed them my Tektronix workflow. Perfect results every time.

art_director · Mar 4, 2007, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by Thorzdad

No kidding. $1k for all four? 4 boxes of the wax didn't run that much (as I recall...the memory is fading these days) and they would last a good long time. If I remember correctly, each of the CMY boxes always came with at least one extra K stick, too.

As you say, calibration is always key. Those Tekronix units always had very superior PPD's as well as great ICC profiles. If I ever wanted to show someone how well a ColorSync work-flow could work, I always showed them my Tektronix workflow. Perfect results every time.

For example:

Cyan toner cartridge

art_director · Mar 4, 2007, 01:12 PM

One other benefit of the Xerox Tektronix 7700DN is that it doesn't have a tracking mechanism built into the prints.

I'm not into doing illegal laser printing (ie. countrfeiting gov documents, currency, etc.) but I am leery of a government agency that wants to track users via the printers they use.

Thorzdad · Mar 4, 2007, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by art_director

One other benefit of the Xerox Tektronix 7700DN is that it doesn't have a tracking mechanism built into the prints.

I'm not into doing illegal laser printing (ie. countrfeiting gov documents, currency, etc.) but I am leery of a government agency that wants to track users via the printers they use.

Totally in agreement with you on that one.

art_director · Mar 4, 2007, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by Thorzdad

Totally in agreement with you on that one.

It's just more government meddling in my mind.

alligator · Mar 6, 2007, 09:29 PM

Where does one get a portfolio book like this, what do you put in it, and where do you show it off?

Thorzdad · Mar 7, 2007, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by alligator

Where does one get a portfolio book like this, what do you put in it, and where do you show it off?

Any good art-supply store would have portfolios. Heck, I think I've even seen them at Staples.
You put samples of your best design work in it...Either the actual printed pieces or a digital output of them.
You show it to potential clients or employers during interviews.

andi*pandi · Mar 7, 2007, 09:48 AM

nyc, I use doublestick tape or tacky dots to hold down the pieces to keep them from sliding around, and have extra copies in the side pocket in case someone wants to hold/flip through a piece. I downsized from a big portfolio to a ~12x16 a few years back and it is much easier. The items that are larger I either take photos of or print out smaller. I found that it was mostly student work that was oversize, and once I had enough experience/samples from real jobs, the smaller portfolio was better.