Build The Perfect Portfolio

Lisa Hassell talks to those in the know about how you can tailor your body of work so you can secure that dream job.

Whether you’re on the hunt for your next design job, or moving into the world of freelancing after working in-house, as a creative professional you’ll live or die on the strength of your portfolio. You may think you’re pretty talented in the design department or know Photoshop like the back of your hand, but if your portfolio isn’t up to scratch then nobody will care.

Yet, when consumed by the day-to-day hustle of managing multiple design projects and clients it’s easy to neglect your portfolio, and instead focus your energies on social media to promote your work. Once you’ve landed a full-time role you may get comfortable and forget updating it altogether. This could be detrimental in the long run.

“Life gets in the way, but it’s worth taking stock at the end of each year. What’s your proudest project? Add it in, kill an old one. It’s useful not just to have an up-to-date portfolio, but to see what you’ve achieved,” says Laura Hussey, creative director at SomeOne. After all, who knows when that next dream project may present itself?

As the philosopher Seneca famously said, “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.” So how can designers be better prepared? “The crucial thing is to show what makes you-you.” says Thijs Remie, vice-president of product design at WeTransfer. “There are millions of ways to go about it, and there’s probably one route that perfectly captures you. It can be an extensive portfolio full of case studies, or it can be five images with no context at all. Bottom line: choose whatever works and doesn’t distract.”

KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE