Questions about redoing my Portfolio

[Bladez]

So I'm totally unhappy with my current portfolio pieces and have decided to scrap them all. They're just pieces from projects I've done in school, and now want to use pieces that I've actually done for clients. Problem is, all I've really done are Business Cards, Letterheads, NCR forms etc. There's been a few A-frame signs and vehicle signage, but not a lot. Should I just rehash my school work, or would it be better to use just stuff that's actually being used in the world? A friend of mine is the Art Director of a magazine, and she says that I should focus on using actual client work, and don't use any "faux jobs". What would be better? Phony projects that cover different areas, or strictly stationary packages and signage that's actually being used? Suggestions? Ideas? Poke in the eye?

[morea]

For project ideas, you could check out our GDF Design Challenges (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17133) - they are mostly done for fun, but could be used for portfolio pieces.

You could also volunteer your services pro bono for a charity or cause that you believe in - your church, a soup kitchen, an animal shelter, etc. That also gives you practical, real-world experience working with clients.

I'd also recommend a look over our frequently discussed topics (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33048) thread for information about portfolio building.

Hope that helps some.

[budafist]

If you don't have any client work that you want to show, you should show made up briefs. Just make it so that the fake work doesn't look like fake work at all. (example, don't use phone numbers like 123 456 789 in fake work).

[Bladez]

If you don't have any client work that you want to show, you should show made up briefs. Just make it so that the fake work doesn't look like fake work at all. (example, don't use phone numbers like 123 456 789 in fake work).

I've got stuff to show, but it's pretty much all bus. cards, a-frames, and the like. Just not sure if it's a good idea to have a portfolio that doesn't have much variety in what the output is (by which I mean, a portfolio with like 5 stationary packages for different companies). Prolly better to have 1 or 2 examples and limit it there right?

[CkretAjint]

Depends. If your going for a strict stationary job I would shove more in my portfolio. If your shooting for an all around job, have an all around portfolio :)

[Bladez]

Thanks Mo...seconds after posting this, I saw somebody else posted pretty much the same thing, so I hit theirs up for the links. :D

[budafist]

I've got stuff to show, but it's pretty much all bus. cards, a-frames, and the like. Just not sure if it's a good idea to have a portfolio that doesn't have much variety in what the output is (by which I mean, a portfolio with like 5 stationary packages for different companies). Prolly better to have 1 or 2 examples and limit it there right?

Right. Pick your best 2 examples of real client work and then work on some made up stuff for the rest of your portfolio. As long as no one can tell which are real and which are made up I think you are good to go. Of course if they ask which are real jobs and which are personal/practice briefs, you tell them the truth.

[morea]

Thanks Mo...seconds after posting this, I saw somebody else posted pretty much the same thing, so I hit theirs up for the links. :D

don't miss the part about pro bono work that I added above... I forgot to mention that in the other post. ;)