How do I make a physical portfolio?

Griffin McPherson

@StudioLooong this was so helpful, thank you! I didn’t even think about looking for scrap books but the michaels near me has the one you linked to so I think I’ll get that! I love that it lays flat so I can easily show spreads, that will be great.

Griffin McPherson

@StudioLooong oh I was also wondering how many pieces you have in yours. I have 19 pieces in my portfolio on my website but for sake of having a portfolio to show at a conference I think that might be a bit much so I was thinking maybe 12 at the most?

StudioLooong

@Griffin-McPherson My last go-around was 16 pages, ~24 pieces (a lot of those were spots arranged on a single page). It was the first in-person event I went to after COVID so I had a lot of new work I was excited to show. That was the biggest my book had ever been, normally I try to keep it to 10-12 pages. Sometimes if you pay for a critique they'll even say in the guidelines that they're not going to look at any more than 12-15 pieces.

Griffin McPherson

@StudioLooong oh, interesting. Maybe I should cap it at 15 pieces then? There won’t be any portfolio competitions or anything at this conference like they do at the winter and summer conferences. Maybe I’ll get the chance to show my portfolio to an art director but there isn’t anything specifically set up at this event for something like that

Edit: actually it turns out there is a portfolio showcase. I’ll definitely want to sign up for that and be as ready as possible but I have no idea how I should prepare other than having my regular portfolio. If you know anything about it please let me know!

StudioLooong

@Griffin-McPherson Just have a stack of postcards (50-80 depending on the size of the event) in addition to your book and be sure to read the guidelines for your particular portfolio showcase and follow them. For the MidSouth one, there was a maximum size in inches for your book when open and you needed to have your contact info somewhere on the cover of the book (I opted to tape a business card on the inside back cover).

Griffin McPherson

@StudioLooong I don’t have any postcards so hopefully that isn’t a requirement. Don’t know how to meet their requirements because they don’t have any information about it on the SCBWI page for it. I just emailed them about it but it’s really strange that they don’t give info on how to prepare for it before the conference

StudioLooong

@Griffin-McPherson no, postcards aren't a requirement, they're an extra take-away that people can use to remember the artists they liked after the event. You can also use business cards.

Usually all the books are displayed on a table and people can walk around and look at them at their leisure over the course of a couple hours. They allow you to put a stack of postcards next to your book so if someone likes your work, they can pick up your postcard to remember you. Having a postcard with your book will increase the amount of other author/illustrators who connect with you on social media after the event and can also help remind the editors/art directors/agents in attendance of your work after the event. I'd highly recommend putting one together if you have time!

Places like Walgreens or Walmart often have a 24 hour photo center that could turn around a small order of 4x6in cards fairly quickly and inexpensively. You can use their photo print option to save on cost - just make a one-sided design with your name and URL in a solid colored bar along the bottom of the image.

Griffin McPherson

@StudioLooong I’ll look into printing up some postcards at Walmart. You’ve you been so helpful, thank you!

Kristen Lango

@Griffin-McPherson I just printed mine on Blurb which I know someone mentioned isn't a good idea, but I personally think it's what looks most professional.

I don't think it shows inflexibility, and I think that's what volume 2, 3, 4, and 5 are for right? Isn't it the whole point of a portfolio to showcase your work from a particular moment in time.

I.e. the portfolio of Griffin McPherson Vol. 1 showcases work from 2020-2023 and Vol. 2 showcases art from 2023-2025, etc.

I don't know, but that's my two cents and how I understand things, but perhaps I'm wrong.

I'm also going to an SCBWI local conference this weekend in Austin, TX - I can't wait to hear how yours goes in New England. Can I ask where you're located? I used to be in the DC, Maryland, Virginia chapter with Cyndi Cliff and other great illustrators, maybe you'll run into them there - if you do, say hi from me!

Griffin McPherson

@Kristen-Lango I’m located in Saratoga Springs, New York so I’m not actually within this chapter so from that area will be new to me!