How to Create a Publication Design Portfolio
If you want to get ahead in a career designing for magazines, newspapers or advertising, you need to show your bosses (or potential bosses) that you have what it takes to get the job done. Besides learning the ins and outs of your chosen business, you will also have to have proof that you understand design, and that you have experience in this area. Knowing how to create a publication design portfolio can help you to get that great new job or promotion.
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Things You'll Need
- Publication software (Adobe InDesign, Quark Xpress)
- High quality printer
- Folders/binders
Instructions
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Decide on a direction for your portfolio. Depending on the type of job you want to get, you'll need to include different things in your publications portfolio–it will be different depending on whether you are aiming for an advertising job or one in magazine layout.
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Include some basic items. These could be newsletter layouts (either layouts you've done for previous jobs or mockups), logos and other design items common to most industries.
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Create your items in different programs, if possible. Use Adobe InDesign (currently a standard in some publication circles) to create half of your portfolio, and Quark Xpress (the other standard) to create the other half. If you don't have access to both pieces of software, consider finding a college or library that will allow you to use their copies.
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Print your items with high-quality equipment. This means using laser printers or better–ink jet copies of your work will not look as professional and will not showcase your color choices. Get your items printed at a copy center or printing center if you don't own a laser printer–and always use color.
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Assemble your publication design portfolio in an attractive way. Bind individual copies if you will be interviewing with more than one person, so everyone can see your work. Include a CD of your digital files if you can–this will show that you can do more than just produce hard copy.
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Tips & Warnings
Diversity is key to any portfolio–so try to show that you can create several types of documents instead of just aiming at one particular style.
Resources
- Photo Credit stock.xchange
