How to Make a Portfolio
A better plan is to send a sampling of your work along with a link to an online portfolio, then follow up with an email that includes the link. That way it’s an easy and safe click for your contact to find out a little more about you.
Sloppy presentation
Just like showing up to an interview in a T-shirt and jeans, a poorly put together portfolio could cost you a job. Your portfolio should portray your personality, your professionalism, and most of all your creativity. Bad laser prints in an office supply store binder don’t do your work justice. Get some quality inkjet prints or even digital proofs; with the low print prices these days, there’s no excuse for poor print quality. And just like you, dress it up in a nice outfit. A quality book or even a handmade case will start you off on the right foot.
Filler images
Don’t try to fill your portfolio to make it look big. Your best pieces should make your book and if you aren’t completely excited to show it, it probably shouldn’t be in there. One subpar piece can leave questions about your ability and can take away from your strong pieces. If you’re young and don’t have quite the arsenal to select from, you still shouldn’t leave a bad impression with a mediocre piece. Instead, show some of the process behind your better pieces. This will not only add some size to your book, but also give some great insight on your creative process and problem-solving capabilities.
What do you do?
Jack of all trades, master of none—don’t try to show everything to everyone. If you’re applying for a designer position, don’t fill your portfolio with photography. It’s good to show that you’re a well-rounded artists, but keep the supporting pieces to a minimum or, better yet, separate your book into sections so that the interviewer can look over what he or she is interested in.
Disc, drive, disaster
Make it easy; otherwise, your portfolio might not get looked at. Sending a disc or flash drive with a cover letter is more than
Sloppy presentation
Just like showing up to an interview in a T-shirt and jeans, a poorly put together portfolio could cost you a job. Your portfolio should portray your personality, your professionalism, and most of all your creativity. Bad laser prints in an office supply store binder don’t do your work justice. Get some quality inkjet prints or even digital proofs; with the low print prices these days, there’s no excuse for poor print quality. And just like you, dress it up in a nice outfit. A quality book or even a handmade case will start you off on the right foot.
Filler images
Don’t try to fill your portfolio to make it look big. Your best pieces should make your book and if you aren’t completely excited to show it, it probably shouldn’t be in there. One subpar piece can leave questions about your ability and can take away from your strong pieces. If you’re young and don’t have quite the arsenal to select from, you still shouldn’t leave a bad impression with a mediocre piece. Instead, show some of the process behind your better pieces. This will not only add some size to your book, but also give some great insight on your creative process and problem-solving capabilities.
What do you do?
Jack of all trades, master of none—don’t try to show everything to everyone. If you’re applying for a designer position, don’t fill your portfolio with photography. It’s good to show that you’re a well-rounded artists, but keep the supporting pieces to a minimum or, better yet, separate your book into sections so that the interviewer can look over what he or she is interested in.
Disc, drive, disaster
Make it easy; otherwise, your portfolio might not get looked at. Sending a disc or flash drive with a cover letter is more than