Presents
Golden rules Effective digital folios Impress in print Craft a killer showreel Student advice Get your work seen Present your folio E   ssential  resources
Your definitive guide to
presenting your work with impact
Welcome Your portfolio has the power to catapult your creative career to the next level. A cleverly compiled folio will showcase the breadth of your skills, delivering impact, information and standout design, while also influencing your future creative direction. So how do you transform a quick browse of your folio into a paying commission or dream new job? This special issue from the makers of Computer Arts brings you cutting-edge portfolio strategy. Whether you’re looking to land new work, climb the career ladder or raise your professional standing, we bring you everything you need to know to assemble the perfect creative portfolio. Julia Sagar Editor, Computer Arts Presents 4
computer arts presents: The Portfolio handbook
06 Golden Rules
08 10 12 14 15 16 17
uild a better folio B Six classic portfolio pitfalls Shooting your design work Filling in the gaps Case study: Little Gonzales Portfolio essentials Chapter summary
18 Effective digital folios
20 22 23 25 26 27 28 29 30 32 36
etting seen online G Folio showcase sites Case study: Sarah Rapp Think like a client Content is king Case study: Jamie Gregory UX masterclass About me Blogging: pros and cons Responsive design Chapter summary
Contents
38 Impress in print
40 43 44 46 48 49 50 51
pply some strategy A Case study: Radim Malinic How to tailor your portfolio Key portfolio events around the world Case study: Johnny Winslade Get your portfolio produced Create a print folio that wows Chapter summary
72 get your work seen
74 76 77 78 79 80 82 83 84 85
tand out online S Case study: Jing Zhang Make a splash on Dribbble Social media and you Avoid social suicide Increase your site traffic Time to redesign? Skillful self-marketing Build a promo campaign Chapter summary
52 Craft a killer showreel
86 Present your folio
54 56 58 60 61 62
88 90 91 92 93
Make your work shine Classic pitfalls to avoid Studios to send your showreel Case study: Anna Swift Ensure your reel is seen Chapter summary
64 student advice
66 68 69 70
Get your foot in the door How to win your first job Case study: Jordan Crone Chapter summary
resenting with panache P What they really want to know Case study: Angus Hyland Nail every interview Chapter summary
94 Resources
96 Essential resources for crafting a portfolio 97 Introducing the rest of the Computer Arts Presents series
computer arts presents: The Portfolio handbook
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computer arts presents: The portfolio handbook
student Advice
Student Advice F
rom the moment you graduate from your design course, the pressure is on to turn all that study into gainful employment (and preferably in the creative industries, rather than a fast-food restaurant). To make it happen you need to assemble a smashing portfolio. But what should go in it? And how can you make yours stand out from the ocean of other graduates looking for placements and work? First of all, don’t panic. Although the job market is very competitive, employers aren’t expecting the finished article when they look to fill graduate positions. They’re looking for someone savvy with potential, so you need to demonstrate that you’ve thought about what you’re doing when applying for a position or pitching for work. How? This following chapter is packed with advice on how to get the attention of potential employers.
computer arts presents: The portfolio handbook 65
Contributors
Special thanks to... A selection of contributors to The Portfolio Handbook JeffREY bowman Illustrator and designer Norway-based designer, illustrator and educator Jeff is the creative mastermind behind the brilliant chapter opening illustrations found throughout this special issue. www.jeffrey-bowman.com Sarah Rapp Community manager, Behance Sarah took time out from keeping Behance’s network of creatives engaged and acting as ambassador for the showcase platform to share some pro pearls of portfolio wisdom. www.behance.net MICHAEL BURNS Design expert Design writer Michael wrote our showreel chapter. He has over 15 years’ experience covering the creative industries for major publications in the areas of broadcast, film and design. www.firedbydesign.com TOm Dennis Design writer and editor Ex-Computer Arts staffer Tom has been writing for the magazine and its sister titles for more than five years, editing, commissioning and interviewing the likes of Neville Brody, Stefan Sagmeister and David Carson. LAWRENCE ZEEGEN Design writer and illustrator Dean of the School of Design at London College of Communication at the University of the Arts London, Lawrence is also an ilustrator and the author of six design books. www.zeegen.com
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computer arts presents: The portfolio handbook
Future Publishing Ltd, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath BA1 2BW Phone 01225 442 244 Fax 01225 732 275 Email computerarts@futurenet.com Web www.computerarts.co.uk
Editorial
Julia Sagar Editor julia.sagar@futurenet.com Jo Gulliver Art editor jo.gulliver@futurenet.com Luke o’neill Illustrator luke.oneill@futurenet.com
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