Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Copy is one of the many tools that
can be effectively used to engage
the viewer/consumer. We utilize it
whenever possible to create the
link between our client's message
and their customer's needs.
—Rick Braithwaite
Artist statement
One of the few exceptions to the “less is more”
dictum for portfolios is for the portfolio fielded by a
fine artist. Fine artists' statements generally speak
about a recent body of work and its inspirations. It is
a big plus to have a statement that is both personal
and well written, but content is far more important
than form.
Although you should still avoid obvious blovia-
tion, there is some purpose to explaining your personal mission or artistic philosophy
or to discussing the inspiration for a series of images you have created. If you have a
long career or an impressive history of one-person shows, or you are creating your
online portfolio or disc because you are applying for an academic position, it's actual-
ly a necessity to provide some type of statement. Most important is to make sure that
your statement is clear, grammatical, and well proofread. If you have any doubts
about your writing ability, enlist a friend you trust or find a partner to barter with to
make sure you present yourself as articulate and clear.
Process comments
In disciplines where work evolves in stages, such as most areas of design, it
can be enormously useful not only to show examples of your process, but to annotate
your sketches with comments. What led you to your final color choices? What inspired
the form for your product design? Here, as in most other writing, avoid duplicating in
words information that a viewer can get by looking at the sketches themselves. Proc-
ess comments can usually be treated like captions—short, direct phrases are good.
Design brief
Because design work is done in response to a set of requirements and con-
straints—usually called a design brief—it can be very useful to take the extended
captioning one step further by including the brief, so the viewer can better under-
stand the route you traveled. Design briefs can be minimal—a capsule overview of the
client and their project—or they can be more complete explanations of the project
and its criteria. Just remember that in a portfolio, “brief” is the operative term.
Case study
If you decide to share a full analysis of the design problem and its solution,
you are writing a case study. Case studies should not be undertaken lightly, because
they require good writing and analytical skills. Because they are usually at least a full
page of text, you should give the viewer the choice to opt in. Put the case study in
its own window or frame, or separate it out entirely from your main portfolio by mak-
ing it a downloadable PDF.
