Computer Arts Projects issue 136

Having talent isn’t enough: in a competitive marketplace, you need to sell yourself hard. Whether it takes the form of a beautiful black book, an eye-catching website or a sexy showreel, building a stunning portfolio is ultimately about doing justice to your work (and yourself) in a very short space of time.

We’ve covered all the media you need in this must-have issue, from an enlightening look inside some best-practice folios to an in-depth masterclass for building the perfect digital showcase – not to mention 60 essential dos and don’ts to avoid the classic pitfalls of self-promotion, and a rather useful snapshot of the best online creative communities to get your work seen by the right people.

We show you how to use Flash and Flickr to create a website that updates itself, and with Apple’s non-Flash-compatible touchscreen gizmos lining the pockets of creatives everywhere, there’s how to present your work on an iPhone or iPad too – so you can nail that impromptu pitch wherever you are.

Next issue we explore one of our most enduringly popular topics, with an issue packed from cover to cover with typographical techniques and inspiration. Whether you design using type, create typefaces or just love illustrating letterforms, it’s for you. For now, enjoy the issue – and good luck with that portfolio.

Nick Carson Editor

IN THE MAG

Project one: Tactile beauty

TCOL interview
After compiling a physical folio especially for us, The Church of London’s art directors explain what made the cut

Do it by the book
Peek inside the personal folios of a pro designer, an illustrator and a typographer

Pick the best portfolio
Our tips from Moleskine, Lost Luggage, Cowling & Wilcox and Pina Zangaro

Project two: Digital appeal

Digital folio masterclass
Top advice to tailor an online showcase to your needs – whether you work in design, motion, interactive or all of the above

15 ways to showcase yourself online
How to take advantage of the web’s countless creative communities

Power your Flash website with Flickr
Part one: create a simple but effective portfolio that can update itself

Build an iPhone-friendly folio
Part two: take your Flickr site where Flash can’t go for use on the move

Launch a blogfolio
How Changethethought pushed WordPress to its limits with custom CSS

Project three: Stunning showreels

Buck interview
Meet the motion graphics studio that operates on both coasts of the States

Create a slick motion reel
From aspect ratios to music selection: we walk you through the cutting process

Project four: Insider knowledge

60 classic dos and don’ts
We grill experts in physical folios, websites and showreels to compile this must-have resource

Ask the experts
Greg Burne at Big Active and Mainframe’s Adam Jenns answer your burning questions this issue

Regulars

Behind the scenes
An exclusive glimpse of our cover artist Salvatore Dell’Aquila’s creative process

Big question
What’s the most memorable piece of folio feedback you’ve ever received?

Showcase
Our monthly round-up of exciting work from around the world

Designer challenge
Florida-based illustrator Hydro74 lets three creatives redesign his folio site