portfolio help

- Include: Your best work. Obviously.
- Include: Work that had a particular challenge or problem with it that you overcame.
- Include: Work that shows your range as a designer.

- Exclude: crapola


But do it, your portfolio is everything.

thanks!

nice to see another design student in iowa :)

what school do you go to?

ISU

ohh cool your realyl close by!

I'm working on my portfolio right now. I attend the Art Institute of Colorado. We have actual Portfolio classes which is kind of nice. We also have requirements we have to reach and certain things that have to be in our portfolio and signed off on by teachres. You might ask your director or student advisor if such a thing exists.

One of the things to think about is what do you want your portfolio to portray? Is there something you want employees to know about you and your work? Do you favor logos, package design, publishing/layout, etc. Also, do you enjoy certain things (ie. designing for cars, bikes, fashion, etc.). Don't be afraid to put yourself in one category if it's what you REALLY like and want to work in. Or, if you don't know, take the safe approach and do a little bit of everything! Try to be as diverse as possible if you don't have a set idea where you want to be in the industry. :)

We have this thing at our school called a process book. A lot of employees like to see what went behind the designs, not just the finished product. I would have one if I were you. Inside it contains sketches, first concepts, etc.

Just a thought :)

See ok my profs (there's only 2 graphic design professers UGH) they dont seem to be the brightest crayons in the box, and they both havee favorites.. none of which are me :(. We talked about having a capstone no credit class but i dont think it's really going to happen at least not next year and they suck at helping up with our portfolios like we make them at the end of each semester but i dont know if thats the same thing.
All of our stuff that we have done is mainly book design or ends up in book form.. It's not really an area that interests me.
We do process journals also. but That kinda scares me cause i SUCK @ drawing and dont usually use what i drawout cause i do all my brainstroming on the computer. doyou know what I mean?

If you're going to be a senior, this is pretty much that last span of free-time you are going to have before looking for a job. so if you think you're parents are pressuring you, it's your own fault for not keeping your portfolio up to date =/

You're portfolio should be showing the absolute best work you are capable of, NOT the work that you think "is you" because you are only going to get 1 every 6 months (if you're lucky) that fits your tastes. Your resume, portfolio website, book/carrier, etc. — those can (and probably should) reflect you, however.

I had lots of fun with my portfolio. Think of it as just another design project. Yes, your portfolio displays your best work, but the portfolio itself should be one of those pieces of work.

So be creative! This is your chance to really leave an impression on interviewers and potential clients/employers. In my opinion, there's no rules for making a portfolio.

I might recommend making two portfolios - its always good to have a spare - as well as some small mail-able versions that you could send along with resumes.

My other piece of advice is to brand yourself. Design your resume, envelopes, business cards, portfolio, and web site to all work together. Use a common design to tie them all together. That way by the time someone has seen a few of these items they have a visual design to associate with your name.

brand yourself. make your portfolio a work of art. (repetitions, but worth repeating.) always show your best work. never include anything but your best work. lots of material and high standards for everything. listen to your parents because your portfolio carries more weight than your degree.