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How to build an art portfolio?
What should be included? When will I need it?
4 answers
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Ellen’s Answer
Hi Yili,
You will need a portfolio at different stages of your art career. You'll need one to get into art school or art programs, and then you'll need one to get internships, and finally to find employment in your chosen art career. A portfolio is an ongoing record of your artwork, and it can be a physical or digital, (ideally both), and it should be updated with your best artwork, as you improve your skills and abilities.
A portfolio to gain acceptance into educational programs is often determined by the art schools or universities you are applying to. They usually will list what you need in terms of number and types of artwork, so you can check them out at their respective websites to see what you need. A portfolio for employment should show your best work, and it should match what the employer is looking for. For example, if you are going for a job in graphic design, your potential employer will want to see mostly your graphic design examples.
As a high school student, you should be keeping your best artworks together in one place, either in a physical portfolio or online. As you create more artworks and your skills improve, you can weed out your portfolio. Many schools and art programs like to see your thought process too, so include some of the sketches you used to create the finished works, and any other activities you did for that artwork, such as brainstorming activities, research, artwork that inspired you, or however you got your ideas. Don't worry if your created artworks in your portfolio are not "perfect", remember you are still learning and improving your art skills and ideas. Art schools and art programs are looking for students who are open to learning and to improving their art skills and abilities.
Be sure to talk to your current or past art teachers about your plans and your portfolio; show them what you have and listen to their feedback. They should know you and your artwork and interests. Many of them probably have their own portfolios and can share their experiences with you.
Best wishes!
You will need a portfolio at different stages of your art career. You'll need one to get into art school or art programs, and then you'll need one to get internships, and finally to find employment in your chosen art career. A portfolio is an ongoing record of your artwork, and it can be a physical or digital, (ideally both), and it should be updated with your best artwork, as you improve your skills and abilities.
A portfolio to gain acceptance into educational programs is often determined by the art schools or universities you are applying to. They usually will list what you need in terms of number and types of artwork, so you can check them out at their respective websites to see what you need. A portfolio for employment should show your best work, and it should match what the employer is looking for. For example, if you are going for a job in graphic design, your potential employer will want to see mostly your graphic design examples.
As a high school student, you should be keeping your best artworks together in one place, either in a physical portfolio or online. As you create more artworks and your skills improve, you can weed out your portfolio. Many schools and art programs like to see your thought process too, so include some of the sketches you used to create the finished works, and any other activities you did for that artwork, such as brainstorming activities, research, artwork that inspired you, or however you got your ideas. Don't worry if your created artworks in your portfolio are not "perfect", remember you are still learning and improving your art skills and ideas. Art schools and art programs are looking for students who are open to learning and to improving their art skills and abilities.
Be sure to talk to your current or past art teachers about your plans and your portfolio; show them what you have and listen to their feedback. They should know you and your artwork and interests. Many of them probably have their own portfolios and can share their experiences with you.
Best wishes!
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
Yili
Updated
Amy’s Answer
I'm a Recruiter for a company that hires artists often and what I usually see is an online portfolio and they will have different sections for their different skills. For example, it could have sections on Landscaping, Animation, Lighting, Gaming, Traditional, etc. Our hiring managers review the portfolio based on skill, presentation, and level of experience using the different applications we use specifically. That being said, I also ask applicants to provide me with any social media sites they may use to also display their art, so a lot of times I'm also reviewing Instagram and TikTok pages as well.
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice.
Yili
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Hi Yili! Great and important question! Building an art portfolio is a complex task, and designing it and deciding what to include depends on the industry you're intending to work for. When I was in art school, I made several different ones targeting different possibilities for jobs. How you will showcase your work is a very important decision and endeavor. I suggest that you research articles and youtube videos on the subject. Learn all you can about the subject first, and then you can make decisions that fit your own needs! Have fun with this, it's your opportunity to showcase and shine!
Thank you for taking the time to help.
Yili
Updated
Alejandra’s Answer
i´m not work in this industry but i suggest define your portfolio what kind of portfolio do you want to build? select your portfolio and define their concepts, their composition and do chronological tree :)
Thank you!
Yili
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