The Portfolio Showcase runs all day Saturday. Illustrators setup their portfolios first thing in the morning and retrieve them at the end of Saturday. To be included in the Portfolio Showcase, you must sign up for it when you register for the conference. There is a small fee depending on premium/regular status. When you sign up, you are automatically entered into the judging for the Illustrator Awards. Email [email protected] with questions.
What is the portfolio showcase?
The portfolio showcase happens the Saturday of the conference. It’s a way for illustrators to show their work. Portfolios will be out on tables for all conference attendees and faculty to check out. Each portfolio has about 10 - 15 pieces, showcasing the illustrator’s best work. We have comment cards out for attendees to write encouraging notes about the portfolios! The showcase is out all day on Saturday.
Why participate?
It’s a great opportunity for people in the industry to see your work in person. There are prizes! And, it is also a great experience to show your work alongside your fellow illustrators.
Am I ready?
If you don’t feel ready, that’s ok! Illustrators absolutely attend the conference and do not submit a portfolio. However, if you feel you are close to ready to show your work, the conference is a great deadline to push yourself to have work ready to show. You should have at least 6 pieces that work together in a portfolio to show at the showcase. If this is the first time you’re showing your work, know that this conference is where many of us also showed our work for the first time.
What should I show?
Pieces that are relevant to the children’s market, ranging from board books to YA book covers. You should have at minimum 6 pieces, with the sweet spot of 10 - 12 of your best pieces. Please try to not have more than 16 pieces. Less is always more!
Details and qualifications:
- Your images must be displayed in an actual “portfolio” - this can be as simple as a 3 ring binder or a basic plastic sleeve portfolio. No loose pages please.
- Portfolios are dropped off Saturday morning at the portfolio table BY 8am.
- Portfolios can be no bigger than 15” high or 32” when open. A reminder that most picture books are not larger than 14x14. Having your work displayed no larger than that size is the most relevant to see how it would look in a PB.
- If you have a dummy, you may include one dummy along with your portfolio. Please make sure the dummy is attached to your portfolio in some way.
- Your portfolio (and optional dummy) must include your full name and your contact info.
- We recommend you have some sort of promotional materials to place along with your portfolio - items like 4x6 postcards, small stickers, or business cards to put out with your work. (These are great to trade as well!) Please limit yourself to 2 types of promotional materials.
- Your portfolio and materials must be picked up at the end of conference day Saturday. We are not responsible for any portfolios or materials left at the end of the day.
- No Originals: Bring high-quality copies or prints only.
- AI Policy: All artwork must be human-created; AI-generated images are prohibited.