ps: It's best viewed in Acrobat on the "book" setting. Preview tends to have those annoying streaky lines through photos.

Cool! a non arch portfolio. Finally! I'm in the same boat. major in painting applying to UBC and U of T for MLA and march. although just march for u of t. Too concentrated on just urban concerns for their MLA.

Anywho, I don't think I'm really in any position to critique since I've yet to make a portfolio. Just offering my support and kudos to you.

One thing though. I spotted a spelling mistake on "Questions of Qualia" page. "peice" should be "piece".

Other than that, I think other people will comment on the black background not being a good idea. That comment has been made before.

Having trouble with the biographical statement for UBC as well. How to write resume in prose form. poop.

Good luck! Maybe we'll see each other there. I'll post mine up as soon as I buy a computer. (been using other peoples for now, but can't expect to use it to make a portfolio)

Nice to see another person in the same situation as me. What school are you at?

I rather like UofT's MLA program mostly because of their urban focus. Which ever program I get into I'd like to focus on urban design, in an environmental context. At least I have that much of a direction in my statements of intent.

Thanks for pointing out the typo. Embarrassing, but I tend to miss them. This is of course a rather rough draft. I've heard the comment about black backgrounds before, but I don't buy into absolutes. I feel like it makes the drawings "pop" compared to white, so there has to be a way to do it properly. We'll see though, I might ditch it as well.

Good luck to you too! Hopefully we see each other at school some day...but I'd never know who you are!

Thanks for the support

I graduated from u of manitoba. for MLA I'm interested in learning about land restoration among other things, and UBC allows 3 options for concentration so that'll be my first choice for LA. Actually for architecture too, for their focus on sustainability. And Vancouver is where I eventually want to live (I'm an outdorsy hippie girl at heart) sooo.....crossing fingers.

I see many strong pieces in this portfolio and I agree that the black background is a case-by-case decision. I think it's an appropriate choice here.

Something I found really distracting was the number of misspellings and typos. If your layout program doesn't have spellcheck, then it's good to paste it all into a program that has it. I know it's easy to miss things when you look at them all the time, but your titles and text are rife with errors. It's an easy fix and will allow the reviewers to focus on what you are saying.

Oh ok, I can't say I've ever been to Winnipeg, but the architecture program there seems pretty decent as well. How long have you been out of school?

UBC is definitely my first choice as well, particularly for arch., just because of their overall emphasis on environmentally friendly construction. I'd consider myself fairly outdoorsy as well (lots of canoe trips!). I know living there will be expensive, but I don't really care, I love that city...Toronto sucks, lol.

I'm sure UBC is going to be extremely competitive though, I feel like I'm setting myself up for failure. I have to try though.

btw, here is a version with all white backgrounds http://www.megaupload.com/?d=DIU6ZWFS

thanks oakley, this is why I need other ppl looking at my work, to point out all the retarded mistakes I make. I brought all my text over to Word and am checking it now...you're right, lol. and no, InDesign doesn't have spell check that I'm aware of. Spell check has made me forget how to spell apparently.

Are there any pieces you think SHOULDN'T be in there? Or any layout issues at all?

I'm going to be frank...take what you want from it...and I have time, so I'll write a lot.

The all white background edition is better...if you ask me white is always better, it is harder to work with, but looks much cleaner.

That being said, the first thing that jumped out to me was the post-depression dystopia page. The layout doesn't seem to fit with the overall layout of the rest of the portfolio. Something about the overlapping images that seems awkward...and all of the images look much to similar, to the point of being the same thing, except for the one that is in plan. If I were you, I would either take other shots, or axe the project completely. Getting rid of it could open up the opportunity to have the images on the left page of that spread be much larger.

In connection with that, the psychedelic mindscapes has similar issues, but the images are so good that I don't care. And I really like how big they are, and that there are different sizes of images (a technique I think the split images section could benefit from). And speaking of the split images section, the first sentence in the gray box below says the same thing as what you already wrote above, I would think of changing that.

In "a culture of fear," I would edit out some of the images, many of the thumbnails don't show me anything new or different about the project...and if I am being picky, the thumbnails are the only thing in the portfolio that don't have a rigid geometrical layout to them...just something to think about, but not really a problem. Just make sure that the staggered line they create is composed.

The drawing section is quite nice, I would play with the alignment of the right side of the spread though. It could be nice for the boxes to come from the right, that way you compose the spread instead of just the page (disregard that part if you are printing on one side of the spread). And when scrolling through it I got the sensation that some of the title text was bold, while others were not. That might just be something with my computer, but it threw me off for a second. (the switch happens between 'transcendentalism' and 'cathedral grove')

And finally (I know sorry for the long response, but again I was pretty bored), think about the very last image in your portfolio...right now it is that hummingbird painting, which isn't your strongest project...it's good, but not your strongest.

All in all I think you have a lot of strong work...but remember to edit out anything that doesn't seem really strong. A portfolio of 10 amazing projects is better than a portfolio of 20 decent projects. Good luck...

NoNameNum3 makes many good points regarding the layout. Particularly on the Post-Depression project. I don't think you need all of those images and the overlapping is too busy. I would pick one strong one and really refine the text. Don't be afraid to edit. Just because that project is more architectural than some of the others does not make it essential.

Will this be printed as facing pages? I'm not sure if I'm viewing it correctly, is page 7 is a continuation of the Culture of Fear project? I think page 7 has some powerful images, but could benefit from some editing. For instance the one black and white shot stands out. I would pick the best shots and give them prominence.

Regarding layout, I think some of the most successful pages are 1-2, 3 and 9. More image, less box. very nice.

Now I'm flip-flopping on the black background. I was thinking about it in the context of the Culture of Fear page, in which the images could benefit from some pop...but really all of your other images can stand alone on a white background and it would have a much cleaner look. The layout feels a bit too templatey, I think it's all of the text boxes.

So much of your work has a strong color component that ties together nicely throughout the portfolio. I feel like the hot pink title block detracts from the warmth of those colors. This might be my screen skewing the color, but it would be good to pick up on a color that's a common thread in your work but not so loud.

I'm just throwing it all out there, but you're moving in the right direction for sure! It's difficult not to get married to an idea or a layout, but freeing yourself up can produce a better quality product, something that is authentically you. Best of luck.

Man you guys are helpful. This is why I love getting outside perspectives, especially from ppl who've never seen my work before. I keep trying things out as we speak, and a lot of it is working. I'll admit that I might have fallen into the trap of including the dystopia project just because I thought they'd like something more architectural, but I guess the one after it could be sufficient to show my interest and initiative.

With the black, I think the magenta was nice....but I've gone to mostly white background now, and the gray text boxes are working too. I kind of wonder if it's too dull a shade though.

I was also thinking of cutting out the hummingbird painting, or just putting it somewhere else. I like having the two paintings at the end because it adds more variety. However I do know they're not my strongest, I just don't know which other order to put them in.

And yes, they are all facing pages. Number 6 and 7 are the same project. I realize it's kind of weird to have drawings in the photo section, but the project is really more of a multimedia thing, and I tried to explain the connection sufficiently at the bottom. I'd agree that 1-2 and 9 are the strongest pages. I do think "split vision" could benefit from larger photos and two-page spread.

Definitely good advice guys, that's exactly what I was hoping for. Solid, honest, constructive crit. This actually makes me quite happy.

I'll post a revised version (spell checked and all!) at some point soon.

NoNameNum3: Do you go to UBC? I sort of gathered that from other threads but I'm not sure.

Also, thanks for the positive feedback on the work itself.
really appreciate it.

Nah, I got in to the program, but I ended up at Berkeley instead...though sometimes I think I should have gone to Canada for the free health care. Looking forward to seeing the next iteration...

Hey everyone thought throwing mine up on this thread might get some more feedback

I am applying to MLA 1 programs for 2010


quick facts:
I graduated with a BS in biochemistry from santa clara with a decent GPA (3.3) being a chem major. I am taking the GRE next week, but have spent most of my time putting together this first attempt at a portfolio. My hopes are to get into a program where I can apply some of my science background and pursue sustainable design. I am currently working for a residential design/BUILD landscape and pool company in florida. I emphasize build because there is a lot of fun construction and crazy rock work, very hands-on. http://www.lucaslagoons.com/

anyways would appreciate some feedback, everyone seems very helpful
here is the link to the portfolio draft 1

http://drop.io/ziuboky

thanks

Ok, so I'm back like I promised. School is crazy crazy....but I managed to squeeze a folio edit.
Thanks to ppls advice I have:
-dropped the last painting
-Added a recent architectural drawing (the st. peter's one)
-Expanded Split-Vision to two pages
-Added another photo series
-Spell checked again (lol)
-Re-arranged the dystopia project.

A few questions: Should I just get rid of the dystopia project, or keep it?
-How do the new additions seem to fit in?
-What about the title page? too simplistic or just right?
-Are the descriptions adequate?

I want to print this out pretty soon, so these will be final adjustments (eek!)
still sooo scared.

Portfolio download:http://www.megaupload.com/?d=9LMDM5AB

note again: best viewed two pages at a time, with the title page one it's own.