Any graphic designer in search of work. Must be able to prevent yourselfure to the employer. In order to make it competent, the minimum that he needs is a resume and, of course, the portfolio. Anyone who has been looking for work today can make a resume today, but it is not possible to correctly organize a portfolio. There are no rules, united for everyone, because each designer is unique and seeks to show yourself from the best side in its own way.
How to start creating a portfolio?
What should your portfolio should be, no one knows, besides you. Will you post it in your blog, gallery or create your own website for these purposes - to solve only you. The main goal is to attract the attention of the potential employer and demonstrate to him your potential. It should not shout about you, but to cover all your qualities in a favorable light and focus on the best works.
Often the employer does not consider each work in the portfolio separately, but assesses them all together, paying separate attention to harmony, their stylistics and execution manner. It is unlikely that he will pay attention to the author, whose works are chaotically scattered on the page, and every completely unlike the other. It becomes important when the designer is issued a description of the work and examples.
Of course, in most cases an employer is more comfortable to browse your resume and portfolio in electronic form. This does not have to be a site, you can collect work in a presentation, video or a simple PDF format file.
If your choice fell on site creation, To give preference to free services is not recommended for this. On the sites created in this way, a lot of foreign advertising, which only spoils the impression of your work. Better create a separate blog, In which you can upload all your work with small explanations.
Structure
Divide all your portfolio into several main parts.
- Cover. It must be minimalist. Enough to write your name and specialization on it. You can also arrange it by adding the back background or even the frame. The role of the cover is to create the first impression and pass through the employer. If you place your best job on the cover, then only spoil the impression of the rest. Therefore, choose it with the mind.
- Presentation yourself. On the second page you can place a small story about your own successes, the creative path and in general, what you consider useful for the employer. Place Also on this page of contacts for which you can contact you. Do not specify age if you are not 25 years old. Often employers ignore young professionals.
- Main part. This includes those work that you add to your portfolio. You can sorce them according to the method of execution, genre or any other feature. Also it will be useful to add minor explanatory signatures under each work.
- Completion. On the last page you can accommodate thanks for your attention, as well as duplicate contact information.
Move your portfolio so that it can later be printed and folded in a book or album. Name Pages, make indents on the edges of the sheet and do not forget about the back of the cover. Such a portfolio can be duplicated in electronic format, as well as use ready-made pages in creating your own website.
What format to choose?
Of course, you can place your work in my blog or on a personal website, but when you interview, this format is not suitable. It is better to always have one or two paper copies of the portfolio in case you still have to go for an interview. Many typography are now drawing fairly cheap books on spirals or folder. Select paper tight and glossy. It will be stored for a long time in good condition, it does not fade and does not mind.
If you still want to make a site for your portfolio, there are many platforms that will help you do it. Payment of the domain costs about 150 rubles per month. Take care of To your site be convenient for use, and only then beautiful. If you do not know how to make up the sites, and there is not enough funds on a good vestist, simply translate your portfolio to the blog. It will look much better than an illiterately made site.
Do not place too much work on one page. . Better make several separate pages for each work. So they will look more attractive, and the potential employer does not bother, lying through them.
If possible, make a separate page with reviews and contacts of previous customers. So a person will be able to contact them.
Frequent errors beginner graphic designers
Do not follow direct templates and samples found on the Internet. This is your portfolio, and you can change the design in it all your taste and color. And the confined identical templates is enough in the low-quality portfolio. Do not think that if you found a template on the 143 search page, no one has ever used it. Most likely, he is just no longer relevant.
Do not add all the work to the portfolio that you have ever done. The customer always estimates the portfolio at the worst job. And in your interests to prove to him that you are not just able to do well, but also regularly. That's why Do not let yourself add to the portfolio one work every 3-4 months.
The next big problem of many, even professional designers can be called low self-esteem. Never write under your work "Yes, it is not perfect, there are mistakes here and here, but I'll fix everything." Instead, make a choice and either do not turn this job at all in the portfolio, or change everything so that it looks like it should be.
Abandoned and unnecessary portfolio are also a big problem. If the employer sees that the last your work has been added 6 months ago, then it will have a number of questions. Perhaps you have already found a different job and therefore do not post new projects, or you threw your lesson and contact you useless. Allocate the time at least once every 2-3 weeks to update your portfolio and definitely post a new job.
If you have not had projects yet, come up with yourself yourself. For example, make yourself a TK and execute it. It is unlikely that the employer will deal with the real building or not.
Your portfolio helps employers to estimate your skill. Therefore, make it the most presentable and noticeable as possible so that you chose you among dozens of applicants.