Another Portfolio Thread

[Navian]

I just have some questions. (This is going to be questions about YOUR portfolio, not about you being the interviewee.)

Forewarned, this is an assignment (see below for reason).

I am supposed to ask people in industry the following questions about portfolios:

When a position opens at a design firm, what is it that an Art Directors looks or are looking for in a portfolio?

Was it the layouts of each piece?

Was it the strength/design?

Was it the style of each piece?

Was it a combination?

What was it a combination of?

Any reason would be helpful. (I think this would also be a good resource thread, of general information of what to really expect.)

If you would, would you please ask (if you work for one) your art director/interviewer/manager/marketing director, by what, did they make there decision, just off your portfolio alone, why they picked you, instead of others?

For print folks: Did you have to show a portfolio? If so, why did they hire you based off your portfolio (not the interview)? If you didn’t have one, or have to show one, please post that too. ;)

If possible, I'm just looking for the reasons (or as simple as possible) based off your portfolio alone, not the interview, nor the interviewee.

I figured I'd ask here since there is a wealth of experience, and a multitude of you great people, in the design industry.

Just a heads up, my deadline for this research is next Thursday (17/SEP/06).

I'll be done with my second associates (in GD), around January/February-ish. Two more terms left after the 21st of this month (terms are 10 weeks), but the rest of my classes are just generals.

Thanks (in advanced). I just wanted you to know, that again this is for my Portfolio class, its a research project on people (nothing I can find in a book).

[Navian]

bump!

[budafist]

If you would, would you please ask (if you work for one) your art director/interviewer/manager/marketing director, by what, did they make there decision, just off your portfolio alone, why they picked you, instead of others?

For print folks: Did you have to show a portfolio? If so, why did they hire you based off your portfolio (not the interview)? If you didn’t have one, or have to show one, please post that too. ;)

I'm in pre-press, but we also do a lot of graphic design for customers that want a one stop shop.

I had a web portfolio which I included the link to in my application but for the interview they told me not to bring anything (I also had a hardcopy print portfolio that I had spent plenty of money on). Second interview they still didn't want to see anything. I was given a real job and had to sit there and do it. I think they mostly hired me off that. I they wanted someone that got along with everyone in the company. Possibly they had had huffy designers in the past that had great portfolios but no people skills.

This is probably a very different answer than what you are going to get from others!

[Navian]

No no no, thats a good.. I'll be documenting the responses. Its good info to know aswell.

[CamarotaDesign]

right now, our place is thinking about getting another designer. I guess I would be the art director/design manager in charge of hiring, since Im pretty much the whole creative department.

What Im looking for is someone that has developable talent. I dont mind getting someone that has very little experience, I want someone who has a passionate desire to learn and improve their design like I do. I spend every day trying to learn something new and immersing myself in the subject. I can get frustrated and stumped with a design, but I never get bored of it, and thats what I want from who we hire. I also want someone that is easy to work with, and works good with clients, thats very important