M1: Advantages and Disadvantages of Media Profiles

In this report, I will be evaluating the pros and cons for each media profile. We can use media profiles to promote our work in a professional manner. These can be in the form of digital media profiles (on a device) or even physcial media profiles. At the end of this report, I will be able to choose what profile I would like to create to show off my own work to potential employers.

                                             CVs

A CV (Ciriculum Virtae) is a document used in the job recruiting process. They are usually asked for by potential employees so they can see what skills and work experience an individual has before they pass through to the interview stage. A huge advantage of a CV is you can print this off if you have wrote this on a Microsoft Word document on a computer. Job websites such as Indeed also allow you to digitally send your CV to apply for a job so distributing your CV can be super easy. A CV includes information such as: Personal information, about me section (showcase hard and soft skills in this paragraph), qualifications, work experience, hobbies and interests. I believe work experience and your qualifications are the most important sections of a CV since some jobs will ask for a specific qualification or x years of work experience in the industry. 

On the other hand, CVs are written documents which means you won't be able to show who you are as a person. You can sound arrogant or unprofessional and it is not a good representation of someone. You also cannot show what work you have produced or showcase your skills on a CV. Furthermore, CVs must be one double sided page which limits what you can write.

 

 

 

                                       Paper Portfolios

 

 Here you can see what a paper portfolio looks like. Uusally they contain lots of images, drawings and writing.

 

 

Paper portfolios are physical media profiles. They are usually A3 books with printed work inside of them. Some employers/universities may favour paper portfolios for certain subjects/industries since you can show your creativity through the layout. They may also prefer to see the work right in front of them. These physical media profiles are best for the arts, fashion and photography. A fashion portfolio may include textures and materials they have used to create something which you cannot add in digital media profiles. 

However, they are very time consuming to create since you need to print off or collect your work and also decide on a creative layout. Paper portfolios are difficult to add to or change, you cannot simply click a back button like you would be able to for a digital media profile because you have to cut and stick your work onto the pages. Buying an A3 book and printing your work can be very expensive, printer ink is not cheap and other decorations will also add to the cost. Because these portfolios are usually large, this will make it difficult to carry them. Wear and tear is a problem. Weather conditions such as rain can destroy your paper portfolio.

 

                                              Websites

 

A collection of web pages working together is called a website. They are known as digital media profiles since you can place whatever you like on them and present it online. There are many advantages of websites. You can tailor them to your needs and you can design it however you would like. For example, if you want to create a portfolio website you can put whatever work you would like to present on there. You can also access multi-media on websites such as videos, images, sound etc which you would not be able to do if you had a physical portfolio. Thanks to website builders such as Wix and Squarespace, you can easily build your own websites using the drag and drop tools that these provide. Website production is less time consuming than it was. Furthermore, it cost too much to own a website with your own custom domain name. Websites can also be accessed using nearly all different digital devices. Phones, computers, gaming consoles etc all have internet browsers so we can access websites with the internet. This is even easier now since most places have free WIFI to persuade customers to stay longer. Websites links are easy to distribute. You can use a QR code on a business card or include a web link on an email to send your website to others. Websites can also be accessed at all times (if you don't take it down) which eliminates any time zone issues if you like to work freelance with companies across the globe.

 

The screenshots above show Bryan Gentry's photography digital media portfolio website. You can clearly see the types of filming and photography he has produced for clients or in his own time. He has an about page where you can see his work experience and you can also complete a contact form. The goal of a portfolio website is to promote your work to potential clients by showcasing your work so they will contact you about work opportunities.

On the other hand, you need to have access to blackbox devices and a WIFI connection to see websites. Some people may not have access to websites depending where they live (poorer countries usually do not have access to devices and the internet). In addition, if you are in a rural area, you probably will not have access to WIFI so it is not always possible to. If you use a basic website template from a website builder, this will make the website look boring and generic. You want to capture the attention of your target audience and have a unique style. 

                                              Showreels

This is a showreel for a company called Lime Agency. You can clearly see what work they do from the video (marketing, branding and graphic design). They show what work they have produced in a colourful way. You can see they produce digital and physical branding, what companies they have worked for etc. 

Showreels are videos created to promote the work a company or individual have created. These are created to reach potential clients who would like to work with you. They are digital media profiles. Showreels can be distributed easily thanks to globalisation and social media. YouTube is the best social media to distribute showreels in my opinion since everyone can see it and you can reach lots of different audiences. This gives you the opportunity to work with clients across the world and potentially travel to meet the clients. Showreels show your creativity and your editing skills as well as your work. This is great for a videographer/editor; editing is a huge part of their job role so this shows their skills. They are a brilliant promotional tool.

Showreels are not ideal for clients you already have, these clients already know about your business and what you can do. Because showreels are digital, you will need a digital device and possibly an internet connection to see them online. You might have to take your showreel on a USB drive instead.

 

Can I Personally Use These Media Profiles For My Own Work?

I am a digital media student, this means digital media profiles are going to be the most suitable for me since my work is digital based. Paper portfolios are not very suitable since I would need to print off all of my digital work and arrange this which will be too expensive and time consuming. I could use a CV since they are needed for jobs. However, I would need to add a QR code otherwise employers cannot see my digitsl media work. A showreel is a good since I can showcase my work and editing and graphic design skills. This is great since I am a multi-media designer, I need to show the different skills I have and a showreel cn help me do that. However, I believe a website would be the best option. I could add a showreel and CV on my website to incorporate lots of media profiles. I can design my website to fit my needs and creative style. Websites are also very easy to distribute. To conclude, I have evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different media profiles and I believe a website would be the best for me and my work.