On the December 15, 2010 Ask Call, one of the questions was whether I would be using an iPad, laptop or Binder Portfolios in Atlanta. I discussed my reasons to stick with binders (money, how to put / show pdfs on the iPad and battery life concerns for iPad and laptops.)
Artist Tracy Bishop was kind enough to send me an email with some suggestions and said I could share them with the group.
Hi Tara,
I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed your Ask call last night. You’re always so enthusiastic and helpful.
I’m writing because of what you mentioned about iPads.
First off, I agree with you that an iPad is probably not the best way to display your art at a show but for entirely different reasons.
1) It’s expensive– you don’t want someone to walk away with it when you’re busy in your booth
2) After a while the screen gets oily–gross
BUT if you do want to use the iPad there is a very easy way to load all of your PDF files without changing it and displaying them in a very nice way. You just use the iBook app. (Which is a free app)
1) The ibook app will display your PDF files in an attractive “bookshelf” so you can identify your file visually. You click on “Collections” on the first bookshelf to then select PDFs. Learn more at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ibooks/id364709193?mt=8
2) You don’t need to use the WiFi to load the files.
It can all be saved directly onto the iPad’s hard drive through the iTunes sync. All you do is drag your PDF’s into the “books” section of the iTunes. Then you connect your iPad to the computer and it will transfer the files.
3) The battery life for the iPad is very long– much longer than a laptop so that shouldn’t be an issue if all you are running is PDFs on iBook.
I hope this info is helpful.
Tracy Bishop
Illustrator + Designer
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+ web: www.tracybishop.com
+ blog: www.tracybishopart.com
Thanks Tracy! Now if and when I venture into iPad ownership, I’ll know what to do. I must say, you were more helpful than 3 trips to the Apple Store… go figure! I’m sure this will help others pondering the pros, cons and how-tos as well.
Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara Reed
If you use a database, FileMaker Go for iPad would be worth considering:
http://bit.ly/FileMakerGoiPad
It would give you the best of both worlds by allowing you maintain your data in a database and viewing pdfs on the iPad so you could search the database for specific collections.
I just imported a pdf as a file into a FileMaker database and transferred it to the iPad. When I tapped the PDF, I was able to open it which opened full screen.
Maybe we should add an iPad specific layout to the Art Licensing Manager database:
http://campsoftware.com/products/artlicensingmanager/
Hal
Anyone familiar with an iPad knows how the screen looks after a bit of use — that isn’t going to be a turnoff.
My market is different, but I just keep all our books in GoodReader so I can show them to people in the same way those people would be using the books.
If you’re going to be using your iPad at trade shows or any other place where other people will see the screen:
* Build yourself several nice wallpapers of your own work. (“You like it? Here, let me email you the wallpaper, right now.”)
* Buy a custom Gelaskin with your own work on it (useful for branding *and* for identification.)
* If you don’t need wifi access all the time, turn wifi off.
* Turn off any apps that might send a “push” notification, and any alarm clocks, etc.
This is an excellent article regarding the ipad and all of the comments are spot on. I can see another great use for this device. (I don’t own one yet…but will in the future and this is why.
In September I was the guest artist at a show called Centigrade 2010 held in the UK. The show centered around showcasing the work of artists around the world that create art that is kiln fired. I paint on porcelain and glass and have been developing collections for licensing with those paintings. To make a long story short, it is next to impossible to carry a portfolio of porcelain and glass on the airplane due to the weight, not a good idea to check this type of art into luggage and shipping was expensive. For the demonstration portion of my show I carried a 17″ laptop instead of original paintings and also an iphone with a few pics. While at the show I demonstrated on several pieces of glass that was previously shipped and gave them away rather than shipping anything back to the USA
If I had any one thing to do over again….it would have been to invest in an ipad because it is lighter than the laptop and easier to hold and share with others and people who have phobias of computers seem more open to the feel and look of an ipad. Also when demonstrating, it is easier to move about with the ipad and click through a portfolio rather than balancing a laptop.
Thanks Tara for another valuable blog subject on art licensing.
Mary Lou LaBerge
Artist and Graphic Designer