When the time comes, you will need a lot of information about creating a graphic design portfolio. The main idea behind it, is to apply for certain positions in the design industry.
Another reason is to impress clients. Making a portfolio isn’t an easy task, especially for someone new in the area or never makes one. Here are some tips to get you started.
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There are a few rules you have to follow in creating an attractive design portfolio for companies or clients. Check out our useful tips you can try.
The first way to create a portfolio is, adjust the content accordingly. Learn your prospective company characteristics to determine which concept to apply to your portfolio.
It will benefit you by highlighting your design works. A company will likely take a candidate whose works meet their qualifications.
The same thing goes for the client pitch. It would be way better to focus your portfolio, only on the specific needs and purposes. At the same time, a distinctive portfolio gives a professional impression.
Place your best works which are relevant to your clients needs to attract their attention. Meaning, it might be better not to include all your best works on it.
Regardless of a well-organized portfolio, it would go nowhere unless it meets companies or clients needs. Therefore, use different design concepts for each company or client with another when creating a portfolio.
For a fashion company or clients, inserting food product design is undoubtedly irrelevant, looking weird to be exact.
This tip reminds you to enclose only relevant works. Your potential company will consider your application based on your enclosure, and clients will show their interest to use your services.
Second, include your design process. Clients might have their own perception just by looking at the final result. But once you include the process, they would learn both the process and how you work with it.
Adopting this to your portfolio prevents clients’ underestimation to your design, aiming for cheaper cost. It is quite familiar to hear, people charge a design work way too low.
Making a design project might look easy yet it is time-consuming. Not to mention, having bright and refreshing ideas. Inserting your work process could minimize those possibilities.
You don’t have to put everything in. Enclose some images or screenshots showing your step-by-step design process and make sure they are clearly shown.
It is also possible to insert your pencil sketches before converting them to digital files. Usually, sketches come first before the digital versions.
By doing so, your companies or clients would learn your skill in detail and ensure they have your service for their projects.
Another creating portfolio tip you can try is writing the concept along with telling the story behind the scene. Why? Because not everyone is familiar with design fonts or style.
Your clients don’t always get the right explanation about designs they are looking at. And this tip will help them have an insight about your design purpose.
A design isn’t all about the final result. It is also about the process behind the work which people are attracted to.
You could tell how your design is the answer to their needs or how you challenge yourself to deal with problems.
Make a clear statement if those projects were done by yourself or a team. That manner reflects your professional service.
In addition, you could contextualize your design works, persuading companies or clients to work with you.
Best design only is a concept where you choose only your best works for a portfolio. Even when you have countless relevant works with companies or clients needs, you can’t enclose them all.
Selecting the best design only improves your portfolio quality. Indeed, it is a trivial suggestion but some designers still present all of their works to captivate clients.
An ideal work usually has 10 to 12 designs. Avoid inserting works you aren’t really proud of. It is better to have a few yet qualified rather than many but flop.
If your best works don’t have that many designs, enclosing 5 designs only wouldn’t be a big deal. Never force yourself for designs you aren’t sure of.
Most companies or clients prioritize quality over quantity. They much prefer a multitalented design and only hire an expert.
Again, it doesn’t matter showcasing just a few qualified works, since people have short-spanned attention to appreciate your works.
The last creating portfolio tips you could do is inserting a dummy project. If you are working in design for sometime, you would know what a dummy means.
Dummy is the blank version of a document or work before being printed. It is proposed first before being produced, showing samples you are going to do.
Inserting dummy could be the solution for those who never create a portfolio for big-scale clients. This method would show both your capabilities and quality in design.
This tip would allow companies or clients to assess the design plan. Thus, organize your dummy projects efficiently.
If some corrections are needed, do not worry. Revision process would be much easier because you can cross your dummy out, then add explanations on parts you wish to change.
In short, dummy acts like a forecast design you would make for clients. Don’t hesitate to enclose it in your portfolio documents.
Preparing a design portfolio is essential, be it for job application or attracting clients. Don’t miss our creating portfolio tips above for a well-build document. We hope you find our tips useful.
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