Producing a PDF Portfolio

A large task for the current PPP module has been to produce a succinct PDF Portfolio explaining our work, which can be downloaded from our website, and printed out for distribution to relevant parties.

I started by contemplating the recipients of the PDF. I don't have a specific target audience, as I am still forming my career aspirations, so it seemed sensible to produce a document which sums up my course, describes the projects which enthused me, and displays a record of my commitment to individual creative work.

I sketched a rough layout for the PDF, considering which projects to showcase and in what order, and what text and how much of it to accompany the images. This was helpful in terms of providing me with an inclination of size of images, and hence how much space their would be to make adjustments with.

 

Putting together the final PDF was a fairly staright-forward process. I decided to give more information over less – thinking that if a viewer is not inclined to read all the text, they can pick and chose areas of interest based on the images, but the information is still available for those who want to read in depth. I've had little to no experience in designing such documents, and Microsoft Word is certainly not the ideal software for such an artefact. But with a bit of wrestling I managed to get to a presentable standard. 

Here's a few pages from the final version.

Degree Show Organisation

Here is a summary of the roles and responsibilities I took on for the planning and instigation of the Photo Synthesis degree show (exhibiting in both Coventry and London):

• Secretary – producing agendas and minutes for our meetings. Keeping track of overall progress, what tasks still need doing. Keeping everyone informed of proceedings.
• Treasurer – managing a group bank account, collecting money from all members, planning out and sticking to a budget, being on hand to cover expenses. 
• Gallery Venue Liaison – meeting with owner of London venue, arranging and confirming booking of space, maintaining communication to support smooth running of London show. 
• Graphic Design and Marketing Liaison – between photography group and design team, to ensure deadlines were met, aesthetics suitable etc. Marketing link, turned out to be a crucial one, for preventing the printing of a erroneous catalogue.   
• Coordinator of Photography Works for Auction – meeting with auction organiser from Fine Art course to: arrange suitable submissions of photography pieces, collecting donated works from tutors, organising volunteers from photography students, writing press releases for local press, and flyering leaflets around the city.
• Inviting Exhibitors and Writers – sending carefully worded requests to established practitioners, success with a catalogue introduction from David Campbell.
• Draft Writing for Press and Promotions – making use of language skills, working collaboratively with Joanna Ornowska, for proof reading etc.

I've enjoyed the organisational challenge of undertaking these roles, and learnt many skills through the process, which I feel I could apply in a variety of future job positions.