How to create a portfolio

If you are applying to an art school, often the college will require you to submit a portfolio of your works but...
WHAT IS A STUDENT PORTFOLIO?

A student portfolio is a compilation of academic work and other educational evidence for the purpose of:

- showcase student's accomplishments and works to show your talents;
- evaluating learning progress and academic achievement;
- determining whether students have met learning standards or other academic requirements;

A portfolio is basically a collection of accomplishments and work in an area of talent/interest you have pursued.

The portfolio gives a sampling of your talent and the type of work you take an interest in doing and should show your personality and your own way of looking at the world.

"Nothing kills your credibility faster than a portfolio full of grammatical errors and misspellings.”
Designer Eric Noguchi.

⇒ Assessment portfolios, which usually include specific pieces that students are required to know, it is a collection of samples their work to demonstrate their understanding of concept.
⇒ Working portfolios, which include whatever the student is currently working on
⇒ Display portfolios, which showcase the best work the student produces;
Most important a Portfolio is a placement/entrance requirements for art' school, college, univeristies and private schools.

Porftolio can be eletronic/ digital or hard copy.
Digital portfolios are great because they are easily accessible, easy to transport and "easy" to make and with digital knowledge you might be able to express yourself in the best way. However, you can create something special using hard copy too, such has the Portfolio from Alex J Fowkes.
Just be intentional about your choice.

Although there is no single correct way to develop portfolio, in all of them the only purpose is to show your talent and commitment. It is vital that students also understand the purpose of the portfolio.

What should be included in a portfolio?

- Who are you? What you like? Your focus, your skills and your motivation....
- Portfolio includes at least two or three pieces of your work and descriptions ( but check the requirements if you are applying for a school. ) . What are your thoughts and feelings about each piece? Does it represent your best work or the improvment ? Why you have choosn these particular pieces?
- Go for quality not quantity, remember that the person who will evaluate your works and skills might not have the time to watch all the works!
- Showcase the process.
- Get a second opinion: You've looked at these pieces too many times times, get someone else's reaction and opinion.

Let's do it!

→ First of all, you want to make sure that you give yourself enough time to put your art portfolio together. Many art students take at least a year to create the right one.

→ Get inspire and check some other portfolios but remember to use these examples only as a guide; it’s important your portfolio reflects your own talents and interests.

→ When starting the portfolio process, remember to keep it simple. Start with a single unit. Determine your goals and purpose for the portfolio but remember, you want to differentiate yourself from all the others!

→ It is important that you get a teacher to help with the evaluations. That ensures that your assessment is reliable.

→ Be thoughtful about what you include, don't add everything you've ever created, select something that reflects not only the work you've done, but the things you'd like to do in the future.

→ Stick to the highest quality images/videos for your portfolio.

→ Stay updated! Trends, techniques and technology change quickly, so don't include anything that's is too old!

注意事項 Notes

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