Five Ways Not to Introduce Yourself to an Art Director

[Irene Gallo]

I posted these on my blog last night. Tristan Elwell suggested posting them here, and when Tristan speaks......

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Five Ways Not to Introduce Yourself to an Art Director:

1) Don't give me your postcard and then take it back to cross out your web address because "the work there isn't good."

2) Don't let me flip through half a portfolio and then stop me mid way to say "the rest is older work, you're probably not interested, and it's not good anyway."

3) Don't show me one, and only one, image on an iPhone. In fact, unless you know I am very familiar with your work, don't show me an iPhone portfolio at all.

4) "Hi, my name is XYZ......We're MySpace friends." Followed by silence thinking I'm going to remember you off the top of my head. Hell, I can't remember the names of people I actually meet.

5) 35mm slides!? I didn't even think you could buy slide film anymore.

Guys, you’re at ComicCon. Chances of running into an art director are, well, high. You didn't just happen to run into the ADs for every major gaming, comic, movie, and publishing companies at a neighborhood barbeque, so get your ducks in a row before making that first impression.

[Vhan Juju]

Its proabley a good idea to never diss your own work in front of ANYBODY, its a good habit anyway.

[Saturns Gate]

Dont try to be too smart for your own good. I tried that once at an interview, and all that happened were long awkward pauses while I tried to remember the 'smart' word for what I was trying to say...hmmm, on second thought that may just be my problem

[Queen Nehalania]

Well boy am I in trouble...
I would probably do the second one right off the bat. xD

I am kinda self-conscious at times where I don't like the work I done in the past because I improved... Even though they do show improvement I just don't like them.
My sketchbook can be like a diary at times. Depends on my mood. xD

I'm a very silly person anyway.

I probably won't be able to attend one of those expo comiccon places because I'm so far away. Be fun though.

[Costau D]

Let other people judge your work, don't be so hard on yourself.

[Jason Snair]

Great post! good tips.

I've held a few interviews, myself, and my own little pet peeve is when the person getting interviewed hands me their "portfolio", which turns out to be a three-ringed binder filled completely with every ad, graphic, and piece of art they've ever made in their career. After the 16th page of "this is another ad I made for the Yellow Pages", my eyes sort of just cross over.

[Vhan Juju]

I just got this mental image of someone doodleing on napkins, back of recepets and the inside of foil gum wrappers trying to pass that off to you as a portfoilo....wow...

[jdeegz]

good tips!

[magicgoo]

6) Oh hai thar, A.D.!!!! I can haz job now pleaz? I liek art and I do it good I sware!!!

[Irene Gallo]

QN: You are right. A lot of this is just nervousness. No one means to come across poorly, but everyone gets anxious at times, or just isn’t "on".

I should admit that I was interviewed on video at ComicCon and I was TERRIBLE!!! I stumbled over words, didn’t know what I was talking about, started sentences that I couldn’t complete.....

We've all been there.


We've all been there.

[Meli Hitchcock]

It's like at Revelations during the portfolio reviews, every piece I showed had their share of flaws but I kept my mouth shut and let the person looking give me their thoughts and impressions. Cutting yourself down in front of others makes it look like you have no confidence in yourself or your abilities.

Though I have to admit, when Manley looked at my work I was nervous as all hell. I didn't know what to say, even though I had a lot on my mind in regards to something he said during one of the lectures. That and the reality that important people were looking at my piddly art hit me like a ton of bricks at that moment. It took a lot to prevent myself form rambling on like a buffoon or bursting into tears. That would have been even more awkward.

[Eric Lofgren]

2) Don't let me flip through half a portfolio and then stop me mid way to say "the rest is older work, you're probably not interested, and it's not good anyway."

I think a really good way of preventing that from happening, or help to keep it from happening at any rate, is to limit the number of pieces in your portfolio. 10 for example, or even 8. If you have a large number that you want to include, but have to edit a lot of those out chances are you've put a lot of thought into the pieces you have decided to inlcude and should feel happy with those that are included.

Good points to remember, Irene!

[m@.]

I agree.. put only your best work in your portfolio!

[nonie]

7) Show up as they're hurrying to catch a plane and give them a business card as they leave, hoping first that they don't lose it and second that they happen to remember to follow the link later.

Heh, maybe not so damning but not the best way to get feedback

[DavePalumbo]

A lot of this is just nervousness. No one means to come across poorly, but everyone gets anxious at times, or just isn’t "on".

my advice on this for portfolio reviews is, if you get nervous during a review, the best thing you can do is shut your mouth! And that goes double when the reviewer is giving you a crit. Listen, nod, take notes, DO NOT ARGUE!

And if you feel ahead of time that something in your book needs to be defended, you probably shouldn't have it in there in the first place.