The Tribune

By Deidre M. Bastian

A portfolio is essential in the life of a graphic designer. It is the single most important tool that a designer has at their disposal, and is a platform on which to showcase their skills when trying to impress a client or potential employer.

While it is great to have an online portfolio, it is also a good idea to have a physical platform to take along to meetings and interviews.

To get started it is worth mentioning that because a portfolio is a selling tool it should always share an engaging story about where you are in design, your passion, goals and strengths. Thus it is good to begin with a two-sentence summary about who you are. Here are a few steps to presenting a ‘killer portfolio’:

Intro page:

This might be a ‘no brainer’, but a well-designed introduction page sets the tune of a ‘killer portfolio’ presentation. A title page at the start that says: ‘Jack’s portfolio’ is not good enough. Expand a little about your background but aim to keep it simple.

Be careful how far back in history you travel, as your viewer might not be interested in your ‘first stroke of the crayon’ at the age of two. Be mindful that you are summarising your design career, not writing a biography.

Presentation is key:

The standard of presentation in your portfolio must be the highest you can achieve. What is more, the quality should be much more important than a fancy booklet collection.

Only select

your best work:

If you can, try to limit your designs to about eight-10 good size projects, as people do not want to be burdened with everything you have designed since primary school. A decision would probably be made during the viewing of your first three to four designs.

Digital vs Printed portfolio:

With the Internet becoming a standard means of communication, most portfolios are now sent through e-mails, laptops, iPads and projectors.

Arrangement:

The first and last projects in your portfolio will always stand out. Therefore, carefully select the appropriate pieces for these positions. This will prevent your portfolio from looking like a collection of flat printouts, and therefore will be a more memorable experience. When in doubt, prioritise commercial work over concept or schoolwork.

Creativity:

One of the things potential employers or clients will often look for is how you got to the finished design. They may be interested in the ‘wow factor’ of sketch books, loosely bound sheets of ideas, mood boards or unused concepts.

Credibility:

I understand how tempting it might be to over-style your portfolio and get carried away, but a killer portfolio is most effective when kept simple but tasteful. Be honest, give yourself credit, but be clear about your skills. Do not include your best friend’s work or designs copied from the Internet and autographed by yourself.

Outdated projects:

To assist in making your selection process easier, consider removing projects that are older than three years, as the work could appear a little out-dated over time.

Explanation:

OK, so we have covered putting your portfolio together, but you also need to learn how to talk about it. The art of talking about your work might not come naturally but it is a good skill to learn.

Try to describe each project briefly, but do not use too much technical langauge. Observe reactions and allow questions if need be. I cannot stress this enough, but only select your best work, and if you are not able to talk about it do not include it in your portfolio.

Your aim should be to arouse interest and not give a speech. Remember, displaying your portfolio is also about them and not just you.

Finally, my suggestion is to always update your portfolio every six months or, at the very least, every year. A designer’s portfolio is a living document that should always be evolving, cranked up and ready to go.

Keep in mind that a job opportunity might just pop up that could leave you scrambling to get design pieces, so organise before the deadline. It might now be a perfect time to update your design collection and churn out that ‘killer portfolio’. Until we meet again, fill your life with memories rather than regrets. Enjoy life and stay on top of your game!

NB: Columnist welcomes feedback at deedee2111@hotmail.com. About the Columnist: Ms Bastian is a trained graphic designer who has qualifications of M.Sc., B.Sc., A.Sc. She has trained at institutions such as: Miami Lakes Technical Centre, Success Training College, College of the Bahamas, Nova Southeastern University, Learning Tree International, Langevine International and Synergy Bahamas.