Portfolio - Building skills vs Content

[xc-runner]

I'm working for the man, I punch in, I punch out, it's a good job but I'd like to expand myself...

Since I've been working this one job for so long my skills are tuned to where I work, I also don't have a huge portfolio outside of my job besides a few small sites I've done for some small businesses.

So my dilemma is I want to build my portfolio up, not just with content but I also want to make myself a list of things I should learn and go learn them. So now the question, do I take what skills I have and make myself new content to showcase what I CAN do now, or should I focus my energy on learning.

I feel I'm always telling myself to "learn something new" that's the magical thing that will take me to the next level, but deep down I feel it's content I need, so I can show I can actually do more than just the few things I've done. Maybe that's my answer...others perspectives?

Thanks

[Drazan]

Both

Show what you can do now in the best light possible, then learn new things to include later. As with all things, you never stop learning nor increasing your skills.

[Cmate]

I am almost in the same boat as yours. But I have chosen to show what I have done in the past for my clients, and some current ones to show clients that I do improve with each passing days. And when I learn some new skills, I create a personal project for myself and implement it. Then that too becomes my portfolio. So it's learning and building!

[stevet]

Hi I would like to give what I hope is a practical reply by telling you mine and my company's situation in that you should do both but should find the balance.

I have discovered this forum because I am a webmaster/web designer/web developer and am trying to find answers to graphic design questions.

In May, to everybody's surprise our Graphic Designer was made redundant, yet he was the busiest person in the company! Even though he was the best Graphic Designer I had worked with in my 9 years here, he was also the hardest to work with, therefore I had to learn a lot about what he did and much about graphic design so I could turn his work/files etc into websites.

Currently I am the only person left in Marketing and am doing more graphic design jobs than my own of web design. I am also on a lot less money than the Graphic Designer was (by about £6000) and a bit less than the Marketing Manager who was made redundant in January this year. Both these guys are still without a job and my boss after working 2 days a month now works 1 day a week.

You will find that companies want people that can do specific jobs like where your skills are "tuned" and are an expert in and get the job done but also somebody that is willing to learn and adapt and like me is versatile in learning new things.

I would like to add I design websites using Dreamweaver, classic asp. html, MS Access and am very knowledgeable in the world of Search Engine Optimisation. 2 years ago I recomended a person we interviewed for a webmaster role as he had the opposite (not better) skillset to me and thought I would learn his skillset to be "complete". However in Web and Graphic Design there is just too much to learn. Therefore I would find out what is useful to companies in the way of skillsets, but it isn't always about your skills, the webmaster I recommended lasted 13 months and thought he knew it all!

Even though your content may be small, employers will be able to see what you can do and may ask, are you willing to learn something they may require of you?

Steve

[greeneye]

Both

Show what you can do now in the best light possible, then learn new things to include later. As with all things, you never stop learning nor increasing your skills.


I agree :) and at the same time, you try new things, you improve. It's awsome to see how creative one can be ;)

[Leukeh]

Remember, your portfolio doesn't have to be just design work. Put art in it too! Be it computer based, traditional media or both! It shows of creativity and skill and design sense.

[Guy Cornet]

B careful Leukeh. Yes it might show creativity, but it also might show uncertainty as to what you want to become. So if you show them some computer art, and they are an in-house architectural firm, they might want to rather see architectual photos for example, or just you paid live work.

However if you want to put self motivated art in there make sure you stress that its something you do in your free time, and wont effect work hours etc...

Im a studio manager, and when I interview I want to know what you can bring to the team, not that you like collecting stamps in you spare time. So be careful ;0)

[Leukeh]

Good point. I guess having a portfolio that changes depending on what job you're going for would be a good thing to do? Say if I wanted to get a job in a design studio, I'd have some corporate stuff, some packaging stuff, some art, a bit of everything, but if you were going into specifically packaging, there'd be no real point showing them some websites you've done.

I guess that's more applicable to post-grads who are trying to get their first job, applying wherever rather than having been in the industry for years, knowing exactly the job you want just applying at type foundries or something specific like that.

[Guy Cornet]

Yea, and also leaving them with something personal, like a book with all your designs in, for them to look through. You can design books and get them printed just one off's for about 60 Dollars or 40 pounds english on the internet. You can also design page layout etc.

These little things are nice for Creative directors, or designers to see when interviewing. So if your being interviewed for a packaging company do a a milk carton with your mug shot on the back like a missing persons page that they have in America, but its your CV for example. Little things, and the idea that has been pushed will get you the job.

[PrintDriver]

My impression of leave-behinds is that they should be 'useful.' A milk carton with someone's face on it is going to get tossed rather quickly, even in a packaging design studio. Think about it. How many 'clever' packagings do you think an AD would get in a year.
;)
A well thought out and photographed postcard sized thing with contact info, something that is fileable along with the resume, may be more appropriate. If doing a book, bear that size thing in mind as well.
But that's just me.

[DeMilo_GR]

I have my business cards printed on magnets... ironic isn't it... LOL. You don't really want a magnet near your hard drive but my clients have fridges and offices have filing cabinets