What is a portfolio for?
• Shows whether you are able to pull work together creatively and cohesively.
• Represents your style, the work you have done and the work you want to be doing.
What does it do?
Obviously a portfolio shows off your design skills first and foremost, but it also:
• Shows you can design for the brief/situation.
• Shows your best work in it’s best environment.
• Shows whether you can objectively judge the quality of your work.
Why is having one important?
• to get into a course
• to get an interview/job
• to get freelance work
• to showcase your skills
It’s mostly important because it’s what a lot of creative employers may judge you on, sometimes more-so than your CV or experience.
A portfolio is generally required for entry into most creative tertiary study. Having an online folio/site that showcases your work can help to get you freelance work while you’re sleeping. Lastly, they are a great way to measure your progress and improvement over time. We’re going to use a short Mnemonic to help remember some tips for creating a great portfolio.
What goes into a portfolio?
- Work you enjoy
- Work you’re proud of
- Work you want to do
Bonus tips!
- Consider adding a statement of intent if you’re in between careers or have a variety of work in your portfolio.
- Add your resume in too if you can, and consider a photo if appropriate.
- Bring any physical copies of printed publications/pieces to interviews.
- Keep it good quality, and try to include no more than ten pieces.
- Create. more. personal. work!
- Including personal work is a great way to add more depth to your portfolio.
- If you have little experience in a specific area, create your own briefs so you’ll have a few more projects to include. Try to make them “real world” based, so they have a client and an audience.
- Consider redesigning a brand, designing something for a friend, or creating a new company or product identity etc. Even consider including your personal branding!