A visual portfolio is a curated collection of your work, showcasing your skills, achievements, and experience. It serves as a powerful tool to present your abilities to potential employers, clients, or academic institutions. Here's a brief guide on creating an effective visual portfolio, including various formats and their uses, with a focus on treatment portfolios in the conservation field.

What is a Visual Portfolio?

A visual portfolio is a compilation of visual representations of your work, such as photographs, sketches, or digital designs, accompanied by descriptions, project details, and outcomes. It highlights your expertise, creativity, and the impact of your work.

Options for Visual Portfolios:

1. PDF Portfolios:

   • Pros: Easily shareable, maintains formatting, can be printed or viewed digitally.

   • Cons: Limited interactivity, file size can be large.

   • Use: Ideal for emailing to potential employers or clients, providing a polished and professional look.

2. PowerPoint Presentations:

   • Pros: Interactive, customizable templates, easy to present.

   • Cons: Requires software to view, can be less formal.

   • Use: Suitable for live presentations or interviews, allowing for a dynamic display of your work.

3. Word Documents:

   • Pros: Easy to edit, universally accessible, can include detailed descriptions.

   • Cons: Less visually engaging, can become cluttered.

   • Use: Good for detailed project reports or accompanying documents.

4. Blogs:

   • Pros: Highly accessible, interactive, easily updated, can reach a wider audience.

   • Cons: Requires regular maintenance, less formal.

   • Use: Perfect for ongoing projects, personal branding, and showcasing a timeline of work.

5. Online Portfolios (Websites):

   • Pros: Highly interactive, customizable, accessible from anywhere.

   • Cons: Requires initial setup and maintenance, potential costs.

   • Use: Ideal for freelancers, long-term projects, and comprehensive showcases of your work.

Treatment Portfolios in Conservation:

A treatment portfolio specifically focuses on the conservation and restoration projects you've worked on. It should include:

1. Project Title and Date:

   • Clearly label each project with a title and the date of the treatment.

2. Project Description:

   • Briefly describe the object/artwork, its condition before treatment, and the conservation goals.

3. Before and After Photos:

   • Include high-quality images showing the object/artwork before, during, and after the treatment.

4. Treatment Process:

   • Detail the steps taken during the conservation process, including materials and methods used.

5. Challenges and Solutions:

   • Highlight any challenges faced during the treatment and how they were addressed.

6. Outcomes and Impact:

   • Explain the results of the treatment and its significance for the object/artwork.

Example Outline for a Treatment Portfolio:

Title: Conservation of a 19th Century Oil Painting

• Date: June 2023

• Description: This project involved the conservation of an oil painting depicting a rural landscape, suffering from surface dirt, discolored varnish, and flaking paint.

• Before Photos:

  • Image showing the overall condition of the painting before treatment.

  • Close-up images highlighting specific areas of damage.

• Treatment Process:

  • Surface cleaning using appropriate solvents.

  • Varnish removal and application of a new, stable varnish layer.

  • Inpainting areas of loss using reversible conservation materials.

• Challenges and Solutions:

  • Addressing paint flaking by consolidating with an appropriate adhesive.

  • Ensuring color matching during inpainting to maintain the painting's original aesthetics.

• After Photos:

  • Image showing the overall appearance of the painting post-treatment.

  • Close-up images of previously damaged areas now restored.

• Outcomes and Impact:

  • The painting's appearance was significantly improved, ensuring its longevity and stability for future display.

By following these guidelines and utilizing the various portfolio formats, you can create a comprehensive and visually engaging portfolio that effectively showcases your skills and experience in conservation and beyond.