Portfolio Techniques

[RWakefield]

Hey everyone,

What are some killer practices some of you use for preparing a portfolio for a potential client, or for a potential employer? What do you do to ready yourself for that important interview to make sure you maximize your portfolio for that given situation? Do you organize your portfolio in a certain way? Themed? Chronologically? Job type?

Myself, I have organized my portfolio chronologically and I think it makes the overall presentation suffer. I have also considered putting together a slideshow video of some of my work on DVD and leaving it with the potential client or employer - is that total cheese, or would you consider that a boon for getting that next job?

I'm really interested in hearing what you have to say - so let me hear your thoughts!

R.

[Riya]

Present your work in the way that showcases it best. And a DVD is a good idea. I would make sure that it is cross platform, and doesn't require any extra plugins, etc. to play.

[obesebee]

I've always been taught to start with your best piece and end with your second best. I've been thinking recently of self publishing my portfolio in a short book through blurb.com or similar to leave behind, not sure if it would look cheap though...

[RWakefield]

I've always been taught to start with your best piece and end with your second best. I've been thinking recently of self publishing my portfolio in a short book through blurb.com or similar to leave behind, not sure if it would look cheap though...
What about using iPhoto to publish a soft cover of your portfolio? That's not a bad idea if you've got the finances to pay for it.

Does anyone customize their portfolio depending on who's going to see it? Or what about dividing pieces into separate sections so if someone says to you "Do you have any website design examples?" you can flip right to that section?

Also - how big a portfolio do you use? Mine is relatively small to remain portable at just a touch larger than 8.5" x 11".

[stevesda]

I think its important to not just throw everything you've ever done in there. Choose what's relevant and what showcases your skills best - this will depend on who you're showcasing your work to.

Its definitely worth spending time on it and having it in different formats, whether in hard copy, dvd, powerpoint.

Generally though you're only as good as your weakest piece!!! So its definitely a case of quality not quantity.

[Drorain]

as good as your weakest piece? not sure if I understand the logic, but sure they may see that as your average daily output.

Part of the problem with building a portfolio is that if your showing real pieces you may have been constrained to asinine brand rules or piss poor client ideas. This could be especially true of an inhouse position.

I woudl say real world pieces are better than student work most of the time, I've cycled almost all of my student work out of my portfolio.

Start strong, and end strong is what I was taught. Have some organization to it all, and if your showcasing illustration work as well as design...perhaps seperate the two.

I don't always have 'live' pieces, instead resorting to a uniform size format in a book, with shots of the artwork. Mailers and such, I'll keep live samples of incase I'm asked for them.

[CamarotaDesign]

I've heard about the golden sequence (corresponds to the golden ration) basically you have your best peice about 2/3rds of the way through.

Many songs, movies, books, have their climaxes according to the golden sequence. 2/3rds the way through. I find its a pretty good way to go.

[Schmitty]

10-12 PIECES. No weak material. Absolute best should be @ 1,2...9,10(or 11,12) Easy to flip through. Choose subject matter related to the job apllying for. Always have .pdf version accompanying.

[budafist]

I definately customise my portfolio depending on who is seeing it.

But that is because I interviewed for a wide range of jobs.
A portfolio for a studio graphic designer or magazine designer or a in-house designer or a signwriters assistant or a web designer would be totally different in my opinion.

I found that my illustrations hurt my chances in design because people thought I was too good an illustrator to be sitting on a computer all day. They thought I would get bored, which is true, but there's a point when you just want any job you can get! So for non illustration jobs, I took out a lot of my illustrations.

[stevesda]

as good as your weakest piece? not sure if I understand the logic,

basically dont put any tat in there just to make up the numbers no matter how good your other examples are - as it puts a bad image/connotations in the prospective clients head and potentially taints your other amazing examples.

[colorsplashstudio]

So do the majority of you make like a flip through book with photos of your work, or do you present the hard copies?

Do you use something plain to present them in, or do you try to show your creativity with that as well?

[RWakefield]

I have a combination of live examples, hard copies and photos. I've got to spend some time paring it down and making sure that I'm showcasing my best, in the best way possible. These are all some great ideas. Thank you for the input and if anyone else has a way they do things - let us know!

R.

[steve2112]

I have been told that the first piece and the last piece should be what the job you are applying for is and not necessarily your best piece but if the coincide then thats great. The first thing a employer looks for is 'does this guy do the work i need him to do' and if the first and last things he sees are that then it will be a plus.

steve

[colonel5]

always lead with your best few pieces that example what you can do for what they want you to do., in the middle show off some of your other talents and then wrap it up with something else that you know should impress them.