Post by karmada on Jan 5, 2015 12:31:36 GMT -5
AWX ARTIST ALLEY PORTFOLIO ADVICE
Later this month, submissions for the Artist Alley at AWX will be starting up, in which I'll be having you all send me samples of the work you are doing. Just how exactly will that work, you ask? I'M SO GLAD YOU ASKED!
In the submission form, there will be a field where you can provide a link to a portfolio of your works. That's all I need for your portfolio! It'll be just that simple.
HOWEVER - I'm sure some of you still have questions, and I have answers! You see, I'm going to be going through each and every one of these portfolio links you send me, and I'd like to offer some suggestions on portfolios that work best for review! These are not mandates, they're not rules, but they'll make it easier for ME to view your work in a timely manner, and ensure the best review for everybody. Without further ado, here we go!
1.) What makes a "good" portfolio?
Having a portfolio for an artist alley sign up can be vastly different than a physical or digital portfolio you may be showing prospective customers, schools, or jobs. When it comes to an artist alley portfolio gallery, the best way I find to display your work is in a way that requires the least amount of clicking.
This means that I'm looking for a single page, with small images (thumbnail size - like 150x150, 200x200) so I can see several images at the same time (at least) on a monitor screen. The thumbnails should include a majority of the image to be seen, and when a user clicks on the image it would hopefully bring up a larger view of that picture. Below is a grayscale version showing an example gallery set up. The white rectangles would represent the artworks, photographs, or whatever you need to show your work.
Captions are nice, but not necessary, so don't worry! I'm more just wanting to see all your works in an easy to spot format.
2.) What type of websites work well for portfolios?
If you have your own website, feel free to place a gallery there. I happen to have my own gallery on my website (crashbanglabs.com/portfolio/), if you'd like to take a look. I use WordPress on my site, and I have a few plug-ins to let me have that sort of gallery set up. If you are curious about what I use, let me know!
There are plenty of free websites out there that you can use as portfolios:
And these are just five I know of. I have them set up in ease of use and linking purposes. Honestly, I find deviant art one of the easiest to use (and it's already set up in a portfolio format), but if you've already got a facebook page that might be the easier way to go. The last two are photo sites, but they can also store galleries of pictures for you to show.
3.) What types of websites would you NOT recommend using?
There are two types of websites that I've come across that just have NOT worked out well when it comes to portfolio viewing:
Don't get me wrong, they're GREAT sites. I happen to both have a Tumblr account and an Etsy store. However, in my experiences, it just hasn't worked out well for quick portfolio review. Hear me out!
Tumblr, while great for fostering community, showing works in progress and finished designs, and advertising oneself it's GREAT. However, for a quick look at your products... and I'll be scrolling forever. And Ever. Because it shows bigger pictures, instead of small snippets. Now, there are ways to make it a "gallery" and if you are ABSOLUTELY CONFIDENT it will look that way when I click on the link, then sure! Go for it. Double check the link. Triple check it. Have computer un-savvy people click it.
Etsy is also an awesome site. It's great for personal selling of your own crafts, artwork, and designs, however, it is fatally flawed as a portfolio. You see, when you send me that link, your store might be full of items. But then you sell a bunch of them before I get to your entry in the queue, and suddenly you're missing half your work. Use those etsy pictures in a Deviant Art or your own Personal Website! They'll stay permanently.
4.) What kind of artwork should I put in my gallery?
Preferably items you intend to sell, or examples of unique items you make for your booth. Do you sell prints? Place images of those prints on your website (You may watermark them, that won't offend me at all). Do you do commissions? Post a couple of scans! (Label them if you'd like too, so I can tell!) Do you make unique 3-D items that are one of a kind? Give me a few examples. I don't need a thousand pictures, but I need more than a few, if that makes sense?
Don't forget the 50/50 rule policy! Do you have fanart in your gallery? Make sure about half your items are original works in there. I'm not going to be counting exactly but if at a glance I can see about half Fan half Original, you'll be in good standing. If you have MORE than 50% original, that's cool too!
5.) What if I don't have 50% original yet?
Since this is a new rule I'm most likely going to be somewhat lenient on this year, but please don't take advantage of it. I know that people need to work on ideas and products for a con that'll be 8 months away, but you need SOME representation in your gallery. I can't survive on promises of "oh I plan on making 5 prints of my own unique characters they're just not drawn yet", so show me other works you do. Maybe they're not print ready yet, but if you're working on things or have examples of work that's what I need. Do remember: we will be coming by during the show to check out your booths! I'm just looking for a vague 50%. I'm not bringing a calculator.
6.) What if I have any other questions?
Feel free to post below here in response (I may even add your question to the list here!), or if you're really bashful, you can always email artists@animeworldexpos.com!
HAPPY PORTFOLIO-ING!
In the submission form, there will be a field where you can provide a link to a portfolio of your works. That's all I need for your portfolio! It'll be just that simple.
HOWEVER - I'm sure some of you still have questions, and I have answers! You see, I'm going to be going through each and every one of these portfolio links you send me, and I'd like to offer some suggestions on portfolios that work best for review! These are not mandates, they're not rules, but they'll make it easier for ME to view your work in a timely manner, and ensure the best review for everybody. Without further ado, here we go!
1.) What makes a "good" portfolio?
Having a portfolio for an artist alley sign up can be vastly different than a physical or digital portfolio you may be showing prospective customers, schools, or jobs. When it comes to an artist alley portfolio gallery, the best way I find to display your work is in a way that requires the least amount of clicking.
This means that I'm looking for a single page, with small images (thumbnail size - like 150x150, 200x200) so I can see several images at the same time (at least) on a monitor screen. The thumbnails should include a majority of the image to be seen, and when a user clicks on the image it would hopefully bring up a larger view of that picture. Below is a grayscale version showing an example gallery set up. The white rectangles would represent the artworks, photographs, or whatever you need to show your work.
Captions are nice, but not necessary, so don't worry! I'm more just wanting to see all your works in an easy to spot format.
2.) What type of websites work well for portfolios?
If you have your own website, feel free to place a gallery there. I happen to have my own gallery on my website (crashbanglabs.com/portfolio/), if you'd like to take a look. I use WordPress on my site, and I have a few plug-ins to let me have that sort of gallery set up. If you are curious about what I use, let me know!
There are plenty of free websites out there that you can use as portfolios:
- Deviant Art (www.deviantart.com/) - Free to sign up. Can create separate galleries of various kinds per your specifications!
- Facebook Pages (www.facebook.com/) - You'll need a facebook account to create a page for your art studio/artist name, and then all the galleries on there are public. It's also a great way to interact with potential fans/customers.
- Wordpress (wordpress.com/) - a free blogging website you can add pictures to!
- Flickr (www.flickr.com/)
- Photobucket (photobucket.com/)
And these are just five I know of. I have them set up in ease of use and linking purposes. Honestly, I find deviant art one of the easiest to use (and it's already set up in a portfolio format), but if you've already got a facebook page that might be the easier way to go. The last two are photo sites, but they can also store galleries of pictures for you to show.
3.) What types of websites would you NOT recommend using?
There are two types of websites that I've come across that just have NOT worked out well when it comes to portfolio viewing:
- Tumblr
- Etsy
Don't get me wrong, they're GREAT sites. I happen to both have a Tumblr account and an Etsy store. However, in my experiences, it just hasn't worked out well for quick portfolio review. Hear me out!
Tumblr, while great for fostering community, showing works in progress and finished designs, and advertising oneself it's GREAT. However, for a quick look at your products... and I'll be scrolling forever. And Ever. Because it shows bigger pictures, instead of small snippets. Now, there are ways to make it a "gallery" and if you are ABSOLUTELY CONFIDENT it will look that way when I click on the link, then sure! Go for it. Double check the link. Triple check it. Have computer un-savvy people click it.
Etsy is also an awesome site. It's great for personal selling of your own crafts, artwork, and designs, however, it is fatally flawed as a portfolio. You see, when you send me that link, your store might be full of items. But then you sell a bunch of them before I get to your entry in the queue, and suddenly you're missing half your work. Use those etsy pictures in a Deviant Art or your own Personal Website! They'll stay permanently.
4.) What kind of artwork should I put in my gallery?
Preferably items you intend to sell, or examples of unique items you make for your booth. Do you sell prints? Place images of those prints on your website (You may watermark them, that won't offend me at all). Do you do commissions? Post a couple of scans! (Label them if you'd like too, so I can tell!) Do you make unique 3-D items that are one of a kind? Give me a few examples. I don't need a thousand pictures, but I need more than a few, if that makes sense?
Don't forget the 50/50 rule policy! Do you have fanart in your gallery? Make sure about half your items are original works in there. I'm not going to be counting exactly but if at a glance I can see about half Fan half Original, you'll be in good standing. If you have MORE than 50% original, that's cool too!
5.) What if I don't have 50% original yet?
Since this is a new rule I'm most likely going to be somewhat lenient on this year, but please don't take advantage of it. I know that people need to work on ideas and products for a con that'll be 8 months away, but you need SOME representation in your gallery. I can't survive on promises of "oh I plan on making 5 prints of my own unique characters they're just not drawn yet", so show me other works you do. Maybe they're not print ready yet, but if you're working on things or have examples of work that's what I need. Do remember: we will be coming by during the show to check out your booths! I'm just looking for a vague 50%. I'm not bringing a calculator.
6.) What if I have any other questions?
Feel free to post below here in response (I may even add your question to the list here!), or if you're really bashful, you can always email artists@animeworldexpos.com!
HAPPY PORTFOLIO-ING!