Tom May speaks to recruiters at top design agencies to learn what they’re looking for in a killer portfolio, and how to make yours stand out.
Portfolios are for life, not just for internships. Throughout your career, a portfolio is a vital tool in winning better jobs and new freelance contracts. But talented creatives often fail to capitalise on these opportunities by neglecting to raise their portfolio to the right level. Whether you’re a student looking for your first gig, a middleweight wishing to advance, or a senior hunting for your dream position, your portfolio could probably do with some attention.
At its most fundamental, design is about empathy. So the essence of getting your portfolio right lies in understanding your audience – in this case, the designers, agency heads and recruitment specialists who’ll be looking at it. And there’s one thing you need to appreciate about all of these people – they have very little time.
Take Olly St John, a designer at boutique agency NB Studio: “Because we’re quite a small team, I tend to deal with looking at interns’ and freelancers’ portfolios,” he explains. “But we get tons of them. With such an intense amount to look at, that dictates how much time I can spend looking at them. I tend to skim, if I’m completely honest. I’m an occasional guest lecturer, so I always tell my students: ‘Imagine that the person looking at it is going to spend 30 seconds on it. It’s got to be visual.’”
St John tells a tale that echoes throughout the industry. However great your portfolio is, don’t expect it to be read cover to cover; expect little more than a glance or a quick scan. So how do you make the most of that brief opportunity?
Denne historien er fra Spring 2017-utgaven av Computer Arts - UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra Spring 2017-utgaven av Computer Arts - UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Creative Space
Without’s creative director roly grant on the studio’s hand-crafted ethos
studio profile
A leading light in the branding industry, Wolff Olins wants to harness its scale to help change the world
network
THE CREATIVE COMMUNITY HAS COME TOGETHER LIKE NEVER BEFORE, TO HELP EACH OTHER GET THROUGH THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
project
ethos for 305 Fitness - Learn how the Montreal identity design studio rebranded one of America’s hottest fitness clubs
rebrand
WHAT’S THE EXPERT OPINION ON PENTAGRAM’S BRAND IDENTITY REFRESH OF THE GLOBAL TOY COMPANY FISHER-PRICE?
opinion
CRAIG BLACK HAS SOME ADVICE FOR SURVIVING THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS AS AN INDEPENDENT CREATIVE
fresh eyes
DUNCAN BRAZZIL ON HOW THE UK INSPIRED HIS CAREER
artist insight
Cindy Kang on how photography informs her illustration work
ANIMATION NOW
LEADING PRODUCERS AND FILMMAKERS REFLECT ON EMERGING TRENDS AND SHARE THEIR PREDICTIONS FOR THE YEAR AHEAD
Project: Atoll by Studio Myerscough
Morag Myerscough reveals how she and Luke Morgan designed a vibrant biophilic installation in a central London office tower studiomyerscough.com