Build a Portfolio that Works.

So you’re looking for a job, and you want to make sure your portfolio game is tight. Through years of hiring, I’ve had the privilege of reviewing portfolios from prospective designers. I want to share with you what I look for in a portfolio, and how you can put your best foot forward, catching the attention of hiring managers, and (fingers crossed), landing that job! 

What are you looking for in a portfolio?

It’s most likely that I’m seeing your portfolio before I even know anything about you as a human. You won’t be there to speak to your work or showcase your charisma. Your portfolio does all of the heavy-lifting, and it really is an introduction to you. So here’s specifically what I’m looking for: 

1. General first impression: First impressions are the most lasting. As I mentioned, this is your introduction to me, and sometimes the little things are the ones that matter. Does your portfolio site show overall professionalism? Is it thoughtfully constructed? Do you have a formal domain? Is the site easy to navigate? At a glance, how much thought and care has gone into your portfolio experience? You may be an incredible talent with a magnetic personality and endless potential, but if you’re not putting that attention and care into your portfolio presentation, you’re shooting yourself in the foot. 
2. Showcase a variety of skills: I say 5-8 pieces of work, that show a variety of skills and display fundamental design principles. 
3. Something about YOU: Your portfolio looks tight, and the work is incredible, now I want to see the person behind the curtain. A resume, link to insta, a written bio, or portrait...it doesn’t have to be your life's story, but something to indicate who you are is the icing on the cake of a solid portfolio experience. 
4. Test it out: Senior creatives are here to mentor and guide you through. Once your portfolio is in a good spot, send it to the senior creatives in your community (Don’t know any? Keep an eye out for portfolio review events through your school, find a mentor through the RGD network, or reach out to creatives through LinkedIn), and ask if they’d review it for you. Be open and ready for constructive criticism. 

How can I stand out from the crowd?

Ok, you’ve checked off all of the above, and your portfolio is dope. If there’s a job you really have your eye on, here is how I suggest you approach it:

1. Go above and beyond: This year my team hired a co-op student who presented a portfolio that was customized for the industry we were in. She fabricated a client, designed an entire brand system to their imaginary brief and case studied the whole process. A few years ago I hired a co-op student who had created a 3D booklet of her portfolio and mailed it to me. They had intricately hand-carved typography into the paper cover. It was exquisite, but more importantly, both candidates showed that beyond their creative skills, there was a level of interest, passion, and a willingness to do the hard work.
2. Network: Sometimes it’s whom you know, and whom you know might get your foot in the door. If your mom knows a guy, who knows a gal who works where you want to be—be bold and use this network to your advantage. I will always give my time to a referral. Use this to your advantage. 

Are there any big no-nos when building my portfolio?

1. Unpolished work: If it doesn’t reflect your best work, remove it. Sometimes we’re emotionally attached to a project we’ve worked on, but perhaps it’s out of date, or your skills have progressed past it. My advice would be to remove it from your portfolio.
2. Too much work: I say do your best to trim it down to 5-8 of your strongest pieces. If you feel like you must show more, try grouping projects together into themes (logos, poster art, applications…). 
3. No context: If you were to showcase a single advertisement, with no write-up or case study, I am left with questions. Were you responsible for the design, copy, art direction, illustration? Without context, it’s hard for me to understand your role in this project. If a team helped bring a concept to life, make sure to credit them, and define each role in the project.

Building a proper portfolio is a lot of work, and something you will likely be working on for the rest of your career. Keep your portfolio in mind, even after you’ve landed a job. If you’re not continually updating your portfolio, be sure to save pieces of work that you’re proud of in a folder, for a rainy day. This is your currency for future jobs. 

Best of luck to you, young creative.