As a graphic designer, your portfolio is your most important tool in seeking a job, whether you are applying at design firms, advertising agencies, corporate marketing departments or publications. A good design portfolio should show a potential employer not only your design skills, but your versatility, your attention to detail and your ability to articulate your ideas.
Instructions
1. Determine the size and format of your portfolio carrier. Many formats are available, including flip books with removable sleeves and briefcase-type carriers for inserting boards. Each is available in several sizes to suit your tastes. Choose a format and size that will be easy to carry in work attire, even if the location of your interview is several blocks away or on an upper level. Also, your portfolio will change as your work experience grows. So, consider a format that allows you to add or remove projects easily. Also, pick a format that makes it easy to change the order of your pieces since you may want to customize your presentation for each job interview.
2. Choose appropriate work examples. Include projects in your portfolio that show a range of design, typography and illustrative skills. Also, choose a variety of types of projects,logo design to brochures to advertisements. Building your portfolio with a variety of project types will show your diversity as a designer. In addition, cater some of your portfolio to relate to the job for which you are interviewing. If you are seeking a job at a company specializing in music promotion, for example, you might include CD cover designs in your portfolio.
3. Show flawless craftsmanship. Design firms and advertising agencies are looking for designers who can demonstrate the care and attention to detail required to execute long-term, multi-faceted projects. Your care in producing your portfolio can show them the care you will likely give their projects. Conversely, a messy portfolio presentation can destroy a good impression. Be sure your portfolio pieces are trimmed and mounted carefully, and keep your boards or sleeve inserts free of marks or stains.
4. Prepare an explanation of each piece in your portfolio. When presenting your portfolio, your interviewer will likely expect you to provide context and design goals for each project as well as details about why and how you executed your chosen solution. Plan ahead and even practice talking about your projects. When interviewing, be sensitive to your interviewer's time constraints and allow time for them to ask questions as well. A good verbal presentation of your work will show creative and art directors how well you can interface with clients and "sell" your designs.
5. Develop a digital version to compliment your physical portfolio. Prepare a CD or DVD showing your design work that you can leave with a potential employer. When companies are interviewing a number of candidates, it can be helpful to be able to review a designer's work later. Also, many design firms or advertising agencies require a digital portfolio before interviews are even scheduled. Be sure to test your digital version extensively to make sure all images display properly and any navigation tools are working correctly. Include your name and contact information with each screen shot of your digital presentation. Also, consider posting a more extensive portfolio on your personal website in case interviewers want to see more.
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