Very confused and need a portfolio boost!

[Molinto]

Hello all!

Ive been away for a while reading but not posting...its all gone rather hectic lately. I recently found out Im going to have a baby! Yay! Which I am so thrilled about...but its also made me think about my future...Im 22 and just started my first real job in design/pre-press and I really like it but I would also like to try some freelance stuff...especially when the baby is born it would be good if I didn't have to pay for childcare all the time and could do some work from home.

Am i being rather too ambitious as a 'just out of uni...6 months experience and a veeerry limited portfolio thats not uni projects' kind of gal?

Also I want to give my portfolio an update/boost with some really nice creative stuff but the briefs I get can be pretty dull...should I just make some of my own briefs and work to those? What did you all do to boost your portfolios?

Also to throw into the mix I really like making bespoke and handmade stuff...which is generally expensive for clients...should I try and follow this route or just stick to general not many frills design? If you get my meaning?

Hmmm...so confused!

Thanks in advance for your views and apologies for the ramble!

Molinto xx

[morea]

You can make up your own briefs, if you like, though it may be more impressive to a potential employer if your portfolio includes real-world work. Then again, since you're fresh out of uni, that's not as big a deal for you at this point. I would personally recommend that you volunteer your design services free of charge to a non-profit organization or cause that you believe in; church, soup kitchen, animal shelter, etc. That gives you real-world portfolio pieces, AND the experience of working with clients, which is also important.

There are some great tips on portfolio building featured in our "frequently discussed topics" thread, which you can find here (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7892). There should be some sample portfolio projects listed there, too.

Your portfolio will likely include slightly different pieces if you're looking for freelance work than it would if you are seeking employment with a design firm, etc. I think that creative, hand-made pieces can be a good addition to a portfolio.

You could use any of our design challenges (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17133) as project briefs, or you'll even come up with a lot if you google "sample design project" or "design project brief".

[Molinto]

Thanks Morea.

Some really good tips. Especially about the volounteer stuff. Ill put some thought into it. I like the Graphic design challenges posted on here too. Ill get my glue and glitter out too and fine tune some handmade stuff as well. I feel quite lucky that my job (potentially) pays for my playtime!

Thanks for the advice!

[morea]

Glad I could help! If you need any feedback on your pieces, you're welcome to post them in the "showcase" section of the forum for comments and critique. Have fun!

[graphicsmama]

Molinto, I started freelancing when I had my first baby and I had very little experience as well. It can be done. Morea had some great advice. Also, do you have a reseller's permit? That is a great thing to have as well....since most likely you'll be handling the printing anyway with anything you design.

All of my business has come about via word of mouth so get the word out there...if you can design some business cards and a website (or have one done for you) to show off some of your work (even your handmade stuff, I'm doing that too...in a separate section of the site of course) then you never know what may come your way.

Congratulations on the baby!!! No matter how much you love design, being a mom beats it all! :) I've got two and it's the best job ever. :D

[Molinto]

Thanks Graphicsmama, glad to hear it can be done!

Im quite lucky as my partner is a web developer so will do my site for free...Just need the pieces to put on it lol!

I feel really positive about the whole thing now and Im definately going to give it a go.

Oh and also, resellers permit? Not to sound dumb but what is one?

Thanks

[CkretAjint]

What did you all do to boost your portfolios?

I just gave my portfolio a complete overhaul. New images, with fresh new exciting branded look. Plan it out, think things through and take your time making it. Rushing to finish a portfolio is a HORRID idea!

THIS is from another post (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24179) the other day about portfolios:

Preliminary, round 1. Just the outside binder portion of the case. Branded to match the rest of my stuff!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2296/2069556229_75ada9c500.jpg

Cheers!

[graphicsmama]

Oh you know, I should've looked at your location...I'm in the US, so I'm not sure what it would be called where you're at. It's a permit that allows me to be a broker for printing services...I can get reseller rates from the printer, mark them up, charge the tax and VOILA....the markup goes to me.

Maybe someone else on here from the UK would know....