How to Make a Designer's Portfolio

A graphic designer’s portfolio is an essential tool for finding a job. While your resume might get you in the door for an interview, your portfolio will get you the job. Creating a portfolio is somewhat subjective. You will get a lot of suggestions and opinions. Not all of them will be constructive. Stay true to your opinion and you will find the right fit of a job because you didn’t compromise to what someone else thought you might be.

Things You'll Need

• printed design work
• portfolio case
• art board (optional)
• spray adhesive
• ruler
• T-square
• utility knife
• Plastic portfolio pages (optional)

Instructions

1. How much work should you include?Many designers ask what the right number of designs were the right amount to put in a portfolio. One less than the bad one you are considering, is always a good answer. It is clique but true, your portfolio is only as strong as your weakest piece. Keep in mind that if you are going to show and explain your work, 12 pieces of work is a good number. If you talk about each piece for 2 – 3 minutes, you are talking for 24 to 36 minutes. Most interviews are scheduled to last a half hour. If you only have 10 pieces of good work, only include those.

2. What size of portfolio should you use?You will need a portfolio large enough to hold your largest piece of work. But if it is huge compared to the other pieces, you might consider not including it or having it copied to a smaller size. Another consideration is what kind of a portfolio will you buy? Will your designs be mounted on board or do you need a portfolio with sleeves? Color, material and cost all play into your decision as well. Choosing too expensive of a case might send the wrong signals and make the interviewer uncomfortable. There are ways to stand out and then there are ways to stand out.

3. Your printed pieces should be professional matted or arranged in a portfolio page sleeve. Do not bring in a pile of printed matter to an interview. There are a variety of options for presentation, just make sure what you choose suits your work and presents the design work in it's best possible light.

4. What order should you place your work in?Consider how your work relates to each other. Start off strong and have a big finish. Very much like writing a story, there is a beginning, a middle and an end. Some of your work will create a lull in your portfolio, spread these out over the number of pieces. Also consider what might happen if they don't get through your portfolio, are the other pieces strong enough to get you the job with out the BIG FINISH!

5. Should you have a digital portfolio?With the exception of an animator, you more than likely cannot get by with just a digital portfolio. So, build your print sample portfolio first then consider a digital version if it is appropriate to your area of expertise.

6. Keep your portfolio flexible. Change it as needed for each job interview. If you are applying for a company that designs logos, then if you have logo work, include it. Removing another form of design that doesn’t relate as well to the job you are applying too.

7. Practice makes perfect. Write a script about your work so that you have an idea in your mind what you will say when asked to explain what they are seeing. In this case, your work will not speak for it’s self. DO NOT mention anything negative. Being able to criticize yourself is humbling but not appropriate in this setting. Another form of practice is a practice interview. Even if you don’t feel like you are a fit for the position, take the interview. It will be great practice for the position you truly desire. Some seasoned designers go on interviews once or twice a year just to practice their interviewing skills.

8. Not all jobs are right for you. This is hard to accept when you are unemployed, but totally true. The interview process is not only for you to shine and show them who you are, but for them to show you how they are too. Ask yourself if you would be comfortable working in this office setting and with these people.