Let Your Portfolio Do the Talking
One of the key tips that the AIGA puts forward is that your portfolio should be a ‘communication tool’ which tells a prospective client or employer everything they need to know about your skills and experience. Sure, you will want to back up your portfolio by explaining your work and highlighting certain pieces, but the portfolio itself should do most of the work. Also, the design of your portfolio is another change to impress with your creative thinking and organizational skills.
Along those same lines, it is recommended that you work include labels in case you aren’t given the opportunity to present your portfolio in person. Even short and simple labels will make it easier for a potential client to look through your work without you in the room to narrate the process.
The Digital Side of the Portfolio
In the technological age, there is no reason not to also make your portfolio available in digital format. Whether you provide them with files on a storage device or just a website to visit, there is one rule that should always be followed – make it easy. You don’t want to force and interviewer to go out of their way to access your work in digital form, so make sure it is compatible across platforms and simple to open. This is not only common courtesy, but is also a chance to demonstrate your comfort with technology by presenting a seamless experience in digital form.
To contain your portfolio work and take it safely from point to point, one of the professional portfolio cases offered at Portfolios and Art Cases is a great option. These cases will provide you with a method to contain all of your work while still allowing the designs you have created to be the star of the show.
Additional portfolio preparation advice from AIGA can be found here.
