Creating and presenting a fantastic portfolio can be a challenge. There is lots to consider, from which projects to include all the way through to how to showcase it to your interviewer. The most important thing is to remember is that your portfolio should be an extension of yourself and provide an insight into who you are, what you can do and the style of your work.
Here are our top tips to make yours stand out!
1. Brand Yourself – give your portfolio a brand, make a logo for yourself and use it on every page throughout your portfolio.
2. Use White Space – make sure your portfolio is not too cluttered, give each project enough room to breathe.
3. Be Selective – don’t put too many projects in. Use one project per discipline (branding, print, website, etc.) or a maximum of 8 to 10 projects for a single discipline. Be confident showing fewer projects which target the skills you are selling.
4. Be Bold – don’t be afraid to include self-initiated projects. They show creativity and a willingness to push yourself.
5. Show Your Process – show the stages of the project where relevant, initial sketches through to where the design was used. Creative Directors are always interested in seeing how you approached a project.
6. Use Written Descriptions – have a description of the project written next to the creative. Make sure each project is explained well enough that it is clear to someone seeing it for the first time.
7. Think About Format – if you’re showing a printed portfolio, A3 size is best. An online portfolio is fine, but have a printed back-up version in case you have technical issues.
8. Talk About Yourself – give the story behind the work. Include details such as what your role was, what applications or techniques you used and how this piece of work is relevant to the role you are being interviewed for.
9. Be Enthusiastic – be passionate about your work! Your enthusiasm could be the one thing that gets you the job.
10. Don’t Waffle – time yourself presenting your portfolio, you don’t want to go over 20 minutes. Don't leave all your best work to the end, just in case time runs out.
Need some more advice on getting your dream job? We’ve created a ‘how to’ guide on all you could ever want to know when searching for your next role. You can download for free here.
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