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