I have done this several times, with success, I think you'll be just fine. Make sure you have everything pre-loaded of course, nothing more awkward than waiting around for something to download or start up, good luck!

i think that could be hit or miss

if you know you are only meeting with someone one on one, then it could be ok. but if you meet with 2 or more people, it could be hard for everyone to see

i think the fact that it is to show animations though most likely will make it ok. If it was just drawings and renderings, it could be a little weird.


I think an investment in at least a hard copy of your portfolio for yourself to bring is something you should have though. Honestly, if you have the laptop with you, you dont need super high resolution, top of the line glossy paper prints on 11x17 pages or anything.
Simple, 8.5x11 prints highlighting your projects where if they generate any discussion, then you can bring up more images on your laptop should probably be acceptable to most employers

thanks --helpful advice

Part of selecting someone to hire is the figuring out the person's personality, how they react to questions, etc. It is difficult to have eye contact and "bond" over a computer screen. To me, it would seem that you were unprepared. I like to see an organized portfolio- it tells me something about the person. I think you could be successful with the computer, just make sure you have a presentation all set up, and shut it down after the viewing so you can go back to a discussion. And if you have EVER done anything close to construction drawings, bring those along full size. Contrary to what most students think, we want to see your design work, and 3-d work, but we want to see if you have any experience with what we spend most of our time doing: construction drawings. So even if it is some sections or details you did for a class that you think are boring, bring them.

LML- I prefer the lap top over a printed portfolio, it gives a more crisp looking to the presentation. Most of the interviewers don't mind it. A good organized 1 pdf file is good enough + bring if you have full size hard copy(s) of cd(s) set, as already mentioned by archie. But overall, do what make you feel more confortable. Good luck!

That's probably a fine idea, especially if you are applying for a job where you're doing animation work. Nonetheless, I would have something (even if it's just a few pages) printed to leave with them.

I agree with archie on this one...as I am typically involved in the interview and hiring process at the office I am at now.

There have been a few presentations on the laptop, but it does take away from the conversational tone that, I feel, helps you in the end.

If you are into animations, and the job posting says "we need someone who can animate" ...then by all means it is prudent to bring your laptop and show your stuff.

Otherwise, most people ...our office included...don't hire only on what you have put together for your portfolio / skill set. An ambitious..conscientious applicant that shows they can adapt and are willing to invest in the firm get the nod. We can teach you any program, but the 'other' attributes, you need to bring to us.

In my experience, when a candidate tries to use a laptop to display a portfolio, almost always there are problems ... typically fairly significant annoyances / sometimes total disaster.

I, for one, like to have the candidate's work in front of me, with me turning the pages. I know what I want to see and how much time I need to spend on each page. When the candidate tries to control the pace of the interview, there is a tendency for the pace to slow unbearably and the verbal explanations to expand to a painful level - something an experienced design professional generally doesn't need to endure.

When a laptop's involved, the problem described in the previous paragraph worsens. I know it's hard to justify spending the money to print your portfolio ... but, IMO, you need to take that step.

again, thanks to all for the tips

yea if you are going the laptop route have a physical portfolio that they can review whilst your stuff is loading up, and no matter how quickly you think it will go up and running Murphy's law will pervade.

interviewer: so... batteries.. dual core processors... you've come a long way.

laptop: yeah. but still.. people just wanna look at porn and surf archinect. hack, hack. it gets really old. wanna touch my 'q'?

Something that hasn’t been brought up are online portfolios. Its displays your artist talents and demonstrates additional qualities you mention (or not) during the interview. That is if you’re on a budget. Purchasing a domain name, server and such can get pricey but there exist free ones. But even so, there are problems on the other end such that the interviewer cannot view a video because they do not have the correct codec drivers. But it’s certainly helpful when I see online portfolios to get a feel for interviewee’s talent.

I have to echo what tuna has said. If you're planning on showing content that exists best on a computer screen, it's a good idea to create a website that displays that content in a format that you can set up. I always send my online portfolio information along to a prospective employer.

It also depends on what you're interviewing for. If the job doesn't involve the creation of dynamic content, then I'd be wary of bring a laptop along. Laptops don't add anything new to the experience except for the possibility of the computer not cooperating.

lml - can you set up a website (even if a rudimentary one) where the animations could be seen or pulled up in the office? i don't mind the electronic aspect of what you're doing, but as has been pointed out, it's much harder for me to have any meaningful dialog over a small laptop screen. however, if i can pull it up on a conference room screen or even my 24" monitor.

I interviewed for a position with a BIG name firm and brought only my portfolios and a set of CD's... They were interviewing muliple people at desks right next to each other and some other kids had laptops. I felt like I sort of screwed up not bringing my actually.... as a lot of my stuff is actually better understood through animations.

Since then I have had two more interviews. This time I put together a powerpoint (i know I hate powerpoint) that showed all my videos and stuff and it went really well. Plus I also brought along my portfolios.

I think it is best to figure out what presents your info they way you want to. In both interviews where I brought my laptop I talked to the interviewer for quite awhile prior to even showing any work so that seemed to work well. Another interviewer didn't seem interested in the laptop at all so I just showed him my work... I guess you just need to be flexible and read your interviewer.