<p>I’m in the process of putting together portfolios for several b.arch programs. These are traditional (not electronic) portfolios that are to be mailed to the schools. I know that I need to put photographs of my work in a presentation binder… but should I design the layout (i.e. put a border around the actual work and leave a space for brief description/comment) or should I fill the whole page with the work and label it on the back? I’ve heard that presentation really matters for these portfolios… which seems more professional?</p>
<p>First step is to read the portfolio instructions carefully from each of the schools. Several have very specific requirements about size, presentation type and binder, what should be in included in the label for each work, where the label goes, etc. </p>
<p>I think that either of your formats is fine, as long as it is done cleanly, neatly and with precision. Maybe some of the works will look better if they bleed off the page, and others with a border. But for someone looking at a portfolio, it’s usually better to have the label on the facing page or below or above the work, so that you can look at them both at the same time without turning the page. A label on the back can be annoying. The label should have the original size of the work, the medium (pencil on charcoal paper, etc.), when it was done, and, if relevant, why it was done. </p>
<p>Some schools want a brief paragraph about the work…i.e. your intent…and also want to know whether it was done for a class or on your own.</p>
<p>Some schools require a brief essay statement at the beginning of the portfolio. Some want your name and your applicant number on the outside, some don’t specify.</p>
<p>Yeah my daughter had an insert on the facing page describing the piece, a title, medium, original size, a few words about why she did that work. Those schools that take portfolio usually count that as 1/3 of the weight of acceptance.</p>
<p>Just keep it very simple and let the focus be on the work. A descriptive page on one side and the photo of the work on the other. No frames around the artwork, just some reasonable amount of white space, or a full bleed. No logos, extra lines, or other graphic flourishes. Just some really well photographed and printed artwork in a simple black portfolio. No funky fonts, can’t go wrong with Arial Black for titles and Arial for the text body. Pay attention to the line spacing and the overall composition of the page.</p>
<p>For my USC portfolio (I just mailed it out a few days ago!) I used the entire paper for my photo, full bleed. For my description, I just put it on the opposite side on a separate piece of paper. When people look at my portfolio, they will see my image on the left page, the description on the right page. And like Rick said, keep it simple, no borders, fancy stuff, it will attract their attention away from your content.</p>