Making a digital portfolio ARCH672 Masters Urban Design Studio November 15, 2004

Lecture outline The main intention of this lecture is to outline the questions you should be asking yourself while making a portfolio with special focus on the digital format Reasons to make a portfolio Tips to making a good portfolio Demonstration of making the simplest website – from start to finish using word Sample website – my portfolio Questions and discussion

Why make a portfolio? To apply for work To have documentation of your work To see your personal progress over time To show off / Memoir of works (photo album) To fulfill a requirement of a class

Save time, think ahead Plan your portfolio in a sketch/ outline format –Determine the format, size, colors, images, projects, and the message you want to come across –Try to lump work or find programs that do the work for you … but make sure you don’t let the program make the decisions for you –Allow for some flexibility

Is digital better than paper? Digital portfolio does not replace physical portfolio. Digital portfolio should supplement the physical one. –Use a digital portfolio only when using a physical one is not an option.

Why use a digital portfolio? Extensive publicity – especially with websites Multi-media capabilities Updatability and success tracking (websites) Economics – reproduction, shipping, size of contents Interactivity – non linear disclosure and quick overviews (thumbnails)

Physical Digital Physical vs Digital

Digital advantages to exploit Digital images can be low resolution – smaller files Scan once at high resolution and reduce image size Use the depth that the digital format allows – don’t put too much on each page Have fun with the main page but focus on clarity on following pages

Possible formats Digital images – slideshow Powerpoint – slideshow HTML – compatible with internet Flash / animation – compatible with internet

Making a good portfolio The Right Type Skills Range Ambition That Special Something

Remember Resume + Portfolio = interview not job Assume that the intended audience has little knowledge in computers or digital media and that you won’t be there to explain. –Use Autorun and self explanatory media (don’t put images expecting the audience to take initiative to open each file) –Make sure the images/ pages flow easily

Requirements for end of term The portfolio is really for your benefit –Each student should hand in one CD –The portfolio will used to grade your work so make it self explanatory –The digital portfolio is not going to be printed so it is recommended to have low resolution images