Preparing a Portfolio is written by Mair Perkins, a student of MDes Visual Communication (Animation) and the Students' Union part time graphic designer, who is taking her first steps into the world of work as a self employed creative. Here she shares her ups and downs and summarizes what she has learned so far to inspire other young creatives to take their first steps.
Preparing a Portfolio
Portfolios are just as valuable as a CV to a creative graduate. A portfolio is more than just a neat black folder with examples of your work. It doesn’t even necessarily have to be pieces of paper in a black folder. A film student may have a show reel, a music specialist may have a CD and a textiles graduate a collection of fabric samples.
Your portfolio is to give a prospective client/employer a flavor of your work. It’s your chance to show them you have the skills and style they are looking for. Below are some useful tips I’ve been given by tutors, clients, employers and professionals. I wish I knew about them earlier…some of the portfolios I’ve brought with me make me cringe to think back on.
Tailor your portfolio to each job.
Just as when you send out a CV or covering letter you make the effort to research the employer and their company, do the same before showing your portfolio. Consider what styles, trends, skills etc. they are looking to hire and show them examples of your work that will suit their needs. You may be a brilliant comic illustrator but how is that work relevant if you’re applying to a packaging design job? I’ve made the mistake of putting some of my more unusual illustrative work in my portfolio during interviews. I was nervous and wanted to show them some of their work I was proud of. However they were more interested in the dull, layout and text based design work! I put that in to demonstrate my versatility but fortunately it was what caught their attention. The employer said although the creative illustrative work looked good, it wasn’t what their business needed. Since then I’ve made the effort to research and rearrange before each portfolio meeting rather than using the same content every time.
Quality over quantity.
Only put your best work in. You may think you can wow your client by showing how much work have you have done but they’re more likely to lose interest or think you’re unfocused. There is no definite number of pages or length time on show reels/sound track samples. Just use your judgement and your critical creative eye to edit your work down. If you’re struggling, get a tutor/friend/family member to flick through your portfolio for feedback.
Presentation and conventions.
Make it neat and professional. It doesn’t have to be a top of line folder or printed on gold leaf paper but avoid torn pages, crumpled paper, stains and scratched and dog eared folders. Just dress your portfolio as smartly as you dress yourself for an interview.
If you’re unsure of what your creative field’s conventions are for portfolios, just do some research. Don’t just use one source of information though. Ask your course tutors if they’re involved with the industry. Visit professional practitioner’s websites. Read at career’s advice books for your subject area. Look at job/application specification requirements. Some employers are very specific about portfolio length, content and presentation so even if you don’t apply there, it gives you an idea of the industry expectations.
Put yourself in their shoes
Finally, try to imagine you’re seeing your work for the first time. Put yourself in the shoes of the client/employer and imagine what first impression your portfolio of work will give. If you try to anticipate their needs then you’re likely to impress them and they’ll see you’re right for the job.
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