Building A Digital Portfolio: Part 1; Strategy

A) I think that when family, friends and art schools are looking at a digital portfolio they are mainly looking to see many art pieces you have created in a variety of styles.  I also think they will be looking to get a sense and a feel for who you are through the style and through an “About Me” section.  However, some people will have different reasons and intentions for looking at a digital portfolio.  For example, an art school would be looking at the portfolio they would want it to be neat, organized and contain a future plans section.  This would differ from what when family and friends look at, since they may be looking more for self-expression and fun animation items.

B) One thing that would make a digital portfolio stand out from the crowd would be to make it more personal and connected to your life.  Including photos you have taken of a favourite place, your home environment etc., would be one way to make a digital portfolio personal yet still be professional.  Something that would surprise the audience and make a portfolio stand out would be to include interesting animations or soft music in the background.  If the portfolio is specifically for an art school, you could catch their attention by creating a very professional portfolio, showing your skills and abilities in and interesting and appropriate way.  Although if the portfolio is specifically for family and friends you can catch their attention through fun animations, pictures etc.

C) My audience’s world is very chaotic, busy and stressful, so for these reasons I would like to create a calm, relaxed mood for my portfolio.  I would like to be able to create a mood where people viewing my digital portfolio can relax, let off some stress and maybe even have a little fun.  I think that having a calm and relaxed mood for my portfolio will help people to really enjoy looking through everything and possibly have some fun with the animations and photos. 

D) My audience operates in a realm where the craft and quality of the work would be held above clear communication.  I think that my audience would be looking more to see the quality of the work because they understand that art is supposed to be something available to different interpretations so a message should not always be clear.  The audience that I am trying to target will not be looking for something to the point, they will be looking for something that will make them think.  I am also trying to target an audience that will be looking at the quality of the techniques and materials being used, not how effectively a message is being portrayed. 

E) For my intended audience I think that originality will be more important than following others and what they have found successful.  With this in mind while creating my digital portfolio I will incorporate as much of my own photography and ideas.  I will also make my portfolio personal and self-expressive to help make it more original and creative.  I think that by making my digital portfolio very personal and connected to myself it will make it more creative and original, which will make it more appealing to my viewers.