#PROFESSIONAL GRAPHIC DESIGN PORTFOLIO HOW TO#

What do you do when you find a particularly interesting website, magazine spread or book chapter? You bookmark it, dog ear it or jot down the page number somewhere. For instance, if you're a handy photographer or accomplished with coding, why not include examples of your shots or web designs? They're all more strings to your creative bow. Think about what other creative talents you might have as well. Make sure your design portfolio clearly showcases that you posses these, even if you just simply list them in your accompanying notes. Demonstrate all-round experienceĪre you only good at illustration or editorial layout? Of course you're not: you're also a solid communicator who understands budgets and deadlines, as well as the importance of meetings and updates. Is it too serious? Too flippant? Strike a balance that you believe shows off your qualities. So think critically about what your design portfolio says about you.

#PROFESSIONAL GRAPHIC DESIGN PORTFOLIO HOW TO#

Experienced employers, project managers and agents know how to match up a resume to a design portfolio and gauge your character strengths and weaknesses, warts and all. If you’re interested in typography, you’ll find a whole host of glorious experimental type and editorial design work to feast your eyes one. Take a step back and try to look at your design portfolio through another's eyes. Amsterdam-based graphic designer Marta Cerdà boasts a stunning Behance portfolio. Ask a previous client or employer for a recommendation, and write up a short case study to accompany a project. Recommendations and real-life case studies go a long way in showing how professionally capable you are. Include case studiesĭon't think of your design portfolio simply as a collection of your art and design work. Design portfolios need constant attention - you never know when you might be called on to present to Saatchi's creative directors. And don't leave this until it's unavoidable. Resist the temptation to bulk out your design portfolio with old or irrelevant examples of your work by having a thorough and ruthless clear out. Give your portfolio a regular spring clean Read our feature on making time for creative side projects for more insights from the professionals about the benefits of personal projects. Self-initiated projects are certainly acceptable in full-time applications, and recommended for freelance work - especially for illustrators. Your design portfolio doesn't need to be limited to only including client work. “You need to tell a story, and order your projects so that they feel fluid and complement each other,” says Malika Favre on the next page

Professional graphic design portfolio