CREATING A PORTFOLIO

I'm showing an old blog that I wrote from last summer because it seems to be necessary. I've seen some really bad portfolios lately. It's not that the work is bad it's that the people don't know how to present the work. If it's sloppy or unfinished, DON"T SHOW IT! It also tells me that If I was to hire you I might have to clean up your mess or alter it to function for business. This is not play. You are in this to be a professional.


This is what you are using to represent you to prospective clients or employers.

Your portfolio should always be professional and clean. Purchase a standard portfolio or if you are inclined, you can make your own. It should contain only your best work. It should start off strong and should end strong. I always like to see a section in the back of a portfolio with life drawing or concept roughs.

What you put in the body of your portfolio is up to you. But do not put in unfinished work. If you like a piece enough to present it then you can finish it. I like to see the work presented in a format. Meaning a consistent border or layout. I would recommend that you have titles and explanations if necessary on each piece. There will be times when you can not present your work in person and the work will have to speak for itself. Have your name and number easily found and consistent in the layout.

Always have a leave behind for clients. They may not have work for you at the moment but maybe later. A handout will keep you in there thought process.

Also as a tip I recommend that you always ask for a recommendation of an associate to show your portfolio to. Even if the showing didn’t go as well as you would like it to they may know someone who could use your work.

I have been speaking of the old school physical portfolios. Now days a professional also has an online portfolio too. But again the same rules apply. Create a format. Keep it clean and easy to use. A mistake of online portfolios is that they do not create a print page. A single sample page that can be printed with a couple of samples and your contact info to go into hard files.

Remember that your portfolio will never be finished and you can always change your portfolio. So get to it!