Are you currentlydevelopinga graphic design portfolio to apply for work in the industry? You may be wondering what employers want to see in a graphic design portfolio or how you can get your work to stand out in an increasingly competitive environment.
It can be difficult to know what to include when compiling a portfolio, and you may be unsure how to presentormarket your design work.If you’re just getting started, you may find our guide onhow to create a graphic design portfolio a helpful resource.
We’ve compiled this guide to give you an overview ofeverythingemployers want to see when evaluating a graphic design portfolio. We’ll include someusefultips on how to curate your best work and show your potential to prospective employers, clients and customers.
Why is a graphic design portfolio important?
Developing a strong portfolio is essential for professional success in the graphic design sector. It is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate your skills or achievements and highlight your ability as a designer.
Employers review portfolios carefully to establish whether a candidate’s skills and experience may be a good match for their professional projects and client base. As graphicdesignerand UAL short course tutor,Rachel Kirk,notes, "whether you want to getinto theindustry as a freelancer, agency or staff designer, your portfolio has the power to open doorsforyou."
As a designer, investing in the development of your portfolio is one of the best things you can do. A carefully curated and well-presented portfolio is sure to get you noticed.
So, what do employers want to see in a graphic design portfolio?
1# Evidence of your specialism or area of interest
Employers will be interested in your specialism or area of interest as a creative professional. Try to include some detail about your background and specialism, whether that’s in branding, marketing, user experience, web design or another area in thebroader graphicdesign field.
It’s important to give employers an insight into the area that you are interested in pursuing and the kind of work you want to produce. This will give your portfolio a clear focus and draw attention to your passion and commitment, which is somethingthat alwaysappealsto employers.
2# A selection of yourbest work
A strong graphic design portfolio should be carefully-curated. It’s a process that shouldn’t be rushed – remember, first impressions count. Try to be selective and include only your best work.You’llwant to showcase yourcreativetalent in the best possible way, and this means leaving outanywork that you weren’t completely happy with.This will also put you in a strong position if you’re asked to talk about a specific project you were involved with duringan interview.Don’t be tempted to include everything you’ve worked on in the past as few employers will have the time or inclination to go through a verylengthy portfolio.
Remember your portfolio is something that should evolve as you build up your experience or client base.If you’re just getting started and don’t have much professional experience to highlight, don’t be disheartened – include any relevant personaland experimentalprojects or voluntary workthatdemonstratesyour potential.
3# A clear and appropriate format
It’s worth spending some time thinking about the best format or medium to present your work. You’ll need to choose a format that reflects your ability as a designer -thiswill suggest that you areconfident and knowledgeable.Consider researching someoptions and experimenting with different styles and approaches to discover what works best for your needs. A high-quality,professional website that offers an accessible overview ofyour work is often a good choice.
Be careful with photos – keep in mind that images need be clear and sharp to create impact. Larger images may take too long to load on a website, while very small images may appear pixelated and look unprofessional. Try to find a balance between the two and be sure to view your portfolio on a few different deviceswith variousscreen sizes to test the display.
4# Your creative process
You may think that employers are onlyinterested instudyingevidence of your final work or the outcome of your professional projects, but it isequallyimportant to discuss your creative process, research and user testing. Including someform ofwritten content or commentary alongside your work will mean that employers will be able to getanidea ofhow you fulfilled a project briefand the decisionsthatyou made along the way.You may want to include some discussion ofany issues you faced in the design process and how youovercame them.
Reflecting on your creative process and decision-making skills will show that you have the ability to adapt your skillstomanagecomplexor challengingprojects.
Rachel recommends thinking of your portfolio as a story that you need to tell; "show and tell the 'story' of the creative journey you took through each project or design brief," says Rachel, "include images of research, initial concept sketches, iterations and experimentations with production methods, materials and techniques. Include short explanations to give context and information about your process. Then hand it to someone who doesn't know the project at all and ask them to describe your process back to you. Your portfolio must be able to clearly communicate your creative process and design thinking when you're not in the room to do it yourself."
5# Your creative personality
A design portfolio should reveal something about your creative personality. This is something that will help to set you apart from other applicants and celebrate your unique voice as an artist and designer.
If your portfolio is thoughtfully designed, employers will have a clear sense of who you are, both professionally and personally, after reviewing it. Layout choices, titles and colour palettes can reflect your personal style and identity in a powerful way.
If you’re interested in improving your graphic design skills or expanding your knowledge in thisarea, take a look atour communication and graphic design short courses.
Related courses
- Graphics Summer School Short Course
- Digital Graphic Design Online Short Course
- Graphic Design Short Course
