swichlacz@aii.edu
Monday & Wednesday 2-4pm
Present a compilation of 30+ images that represents your interests in contemporary photography. Show digital files in class and hand in a printed color contact sheet.
These questions are here to help you conceptualize, direct, conceive, and create one or more portfolios for your professional use post graduation. You will decide on a specialization topic, organize your best images, attempt to target your specific job market(s,) create a list of images to include (already shot or a planned shot,) consider unity with your other materials, and finally decide on a final presentation format. Use the categories below to create a proposal document.
Genre/Specialization
Define your chosen Specialization(s.) This can include Specialization/Genre Characteristics: Subject, Lighting/Light Types, Film/Camera types, Set/Setting, Styling (Hair, Makeup, Clothing, Props, Locations, etc...,) Tropes/Clichés. Compose a full paragraph and include visual examples.
Markets
Find Markets where you can sell or show your work. Markets could include magazines, galleries, advertisements, outlets, art directors, clients, etc... Include a list of places/clients to which you would like to sell or show your images. The book, Photographer’s Market, can help you find some market examples. Make a list of at least 10 markets/potential clients to whom you will target your portfolio(s). In a full paragraph describe what you think this market is looking for in photographs today?
Shot List(s)
Create a shot list for your portfolio(s) – first start with images from your current portfolios, these will become the “seeds” of your specialization. Remember that order matters – there should be a flow to the images (in subject, composition, color, etc...) and your books should only need to be turned once. Create ideas for images that still need to be shot; including a date denoting when they will be shot and finished.
Unity
Describe how your portfolio(s) will reflect your overall style – how does it match with your business card, webpage, etc… In a short paragraph describe how your portfolio(s) show off your personal style and how that style is/will be reflected in your other media.
Physical Description
Describe the portfolio(s:) Book type, paper size, paper type, print size, printer, etc ... You may include examples, sketches, or other descriptive elements.
Compose a typed page or two addressing the categories above (genre, market, shots, unity, and description.) Feel free to include any information you feel is important even if it is not specifically addressed in the categories.
Hand in a printed copy.
List the shots you will include in your specialization portfolio. Set out a shooting schedule for the rest of the quarter.
These questions are here to help you conceptualize, direct, conceive, and create a personal brand for your business card and letterhead. You will target specific job markets, select images representative of your current work, outline your design(s,) consider unity with your other materials, and finally decide on quantity, printer, size, etc...
Market
Create a list of places/clients to whom you would like to send your promotional materials. You have already thought about the markets you are planning on selling or showing your work. Markets could include magazines, galleries, advertisements, outlets, art directors, clients, etc... The book, Photographer’s Market, can help you find specific markets. List examples of the markets which you will target your promotional material(s,) give a least 5 specific examples. In a full paragraph describe how are you going to target these markets?
Descriptive Words
Make a list of 5-15 words that describe you, your work, your style, what it’s like to work with you, etc… These words can help you visualize what you want your branding to say.
Representative Images/ Shot List
Create a shot list for your promotional piece(s) – which of your images will have the most impact with your chosen markets? Select at least 10 of your strongest images and make contact sheets. Survey your professors, classmates, friends, and family – try to determine which of your images are most memorable. You may choose not use these images in your card or letterhead, but the images will help to set the style of your personal branding.
Logo
Create at least 5 sketches of your logo. Note some colors and font options.
Layout
Create at least 5 sketches of your business card and letterhead layouts. Note some colors and font options.
Unity
Describe how will your promo(s) reflect your overall style – does it match with your prior business cards, new webpage, etc… In a short paragraph describe how your promo(s) shows off your personal style and how that style is/will be reflected in your other media.
Printer and Printing Details
Describe size, printing method, paper type, quantity, etc... Make estimates. Find at least 2 printers and get an general cost estimate for 300 prints/copies.
Compose a typed page or two addressing the categories above (market, descriptive words, unity, and printer.) Feel free to include any information you feel is important even if it is not specially addressed in the categories. You should also start you mailing list.
Create your contact sheet and design sketches.
Hand in a printed copy.
These questions are here to help you conceptualize, direct, conceive, and create your professional webpage. You will target specific job markets, select images representative of your current work, hosting, URL consider unity with your other materials, and outline your design/layout, etc...
Audience
Create a list of at least 5 photographers' websites representing what you see as good design. Try to find photographers working in the markets to which you wish to appeal.
Representative Images/ Shot List
Create a shot list for your web galleries – which of your images will have the most impact with your chosen markets? Select at least 15 of your strongest images and make contact sheets. Survey your professors, classmates, friends, and family – try to determine which of your images are most memorable. Create at least 2 categories to divide your shots.
URL, Page Options, and Hosting
List at least 3 different hosting or creation options. Come up with an available URL for your site – try to make it easy to remember and spell. You will need to decide how to create and host your webpage. You may want to create the website yourself from scratch or use a site pre-designed for photo galleries.
Unity
Describe how your webpage reflects your overall style – does it match with your business card, logo, exhibition plan, etc… In a short paragraph explain how your webpage will show off your personal style and how that style is/will be reflected in your other media.
Layout and Design
Create sketches that give a rough layout of the front page and internal galleries. Choose a set of 3 main colors for you page’s color pallet – text, link, and background. Clarity is important – make sure the page design serves the photographs.
Resume, Biography, and Contact Information
Collect your resume and biography – revise if necessary, and decide how you would like them to appear on your website. Also consider how you would like to be contacted. You may also create a list of links (usually contacts in the photographic industry.)
Compose a typed page or two addressing the categories above (audience, page options, hosting, URL, and unity.) Feel free to include any information you feel is important even if it is not specially addressed in the categories. Include copies of your bio and resume (a link list is optional.)
Create design and layout sketches with color swatches.
Hand in a printed copy.
In the next two quarters most of you will be completing an internship. This project will help you locate and apply to potential internships.
Internship List
Create a list of 5-10 internships – most of the opportunities should be local. Attach printed details.
Letter
Write a generic or specific cover letter for an internship.
Application
Submit to at least one of the internships on your list.
Create a list of 10 competition/submissions. Attach printed details. Submit to at least three of the Competitions on your list.
Webpage with custom URL (minimum 2 Galleries, Biography, and Contact Information.) Email me a link to your site, include a note about the intended audience.
Full Size and Color Matched Proof of your Promotional Material (Cards, Resume, etc...)
Full Printed Proof (with at least 8 polished Shots) in a professional book.