Portfolio Basics

A portfolio is a collection of your best workthat you can show to prospective employers or clients. Portfolios are primarily used by visual and literary artists, but any professional can benefit from having a portfolio. It is best to use a black leather or vinyl binder with clear acetate pages (10 X 12). This allows you to put in 8.5 X 11 pages as well as 8 X 10 pictures. Larger binders tend to allow things to move around and get lost. It is also important to target the information in your portfolio to the job for which you are applying. The VSA arts site, Gallery Sectioncontains detailed portfolio information specific to the visual arts in the technical assistance area for visual artists.

Depending on your profession, a portfolio can include the following items:

• printed materials you have designed or written
• copies of monographs or reports you have written
• slides of your work
• professional articles you have written
• performance reviews of your work
• clippings concerning your career
• photographs you have taken
• educational transcripts, certificates, or diplomas
• letters of recommendation
• credentials and licenses you hold
• honors and awards you have received

Even students can begin to assemble an impressive portfolio of work they perform as school assignments or during apprenticeships and internships.