Tips For Creating a Graphic Design Portfolio

By Allison Brenner

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With graphic design careers, creativity is key. The portfolio is an essential element in not only organizing and categorizing your work, but in showing off your talent to prospective employees. Each portfolio, whether it is online or in print, needs to have several components in order to make it work for you.
Online Portfolio
Within the graphic design field, the majority of your work will be conducted on the computer. In addition, because most people have access to the internet, it is becoming customary that many graphic designers put their portfolios on disks or launch websites dedicated to their work. If you do decide to create your graphic design portfolio on the web, here are some helpful hints:

• Use the "about me" page to your advantage, but don't make it too long; 50 words or less will suffice.


• Make your own logo: it looks professional and is an easy way of showing off your work.


• Ensure your images are high quality: This is where you show off what you can do. Make sure your future employer gets a good look.


• Have a place to write a blog: you can write about what you've learned and what projects you're currently working on.


• Label your work: again, the employer will more than likely be looking at your work when you are not there to explain what each project is. Write about what techniques you used in the label.


• Use social media to your advantage: you can put links connecting your Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to your website. Also, you can use your other social media outlets to promote your graphic design work.


• Don't have music playing automatically in the background. It's distracting and may prevent future employers from opening your webpage at work.

You can use your iPad, smart phone, or laptop to showcase your online portfolio website with you wherever you need to go and gives you the ability to network no matter where you are.
Print Portfolio
If you enjoy having a tangible portfolio and being able to physically hand over your work, there are still elements that you need to include. There are several key points that make up a good portfolio, such as:

• Choose a good portfolio case: it doesn't have to be the most expensive case but a new, professional one works better than an old beat up one that's been in the attic. The cover is the first thing they will see of your work.


• Background paper: choose something neutral and basic that won't distract from your work.


• Be consistent: keep your work in the center of the paper


• Customize: Choose the right work for the job you are going for. If the job is in advertising don't put in CD covers you did.


• Order matters: The strongest work should be in the front and have it go down from there, not that all of your work isn't equally amazing. Put one equally strong piece at the end.


• Label your work: this way they can look at it after you have left and still know what you were working on.


• Know your work: be able to talk about the techniques used and the method behind each piece

With your portfolio case, make sure it is simple and classic. Going with what is trendy now will only cause trouble down the road if you eventually need to search for another job.
After taking graphic design classes, you want to be able to show off your skills and knowledge to a potential employer. With these portfolio skills you will be ready for work in one of many graphic design careers.

Allison Brenner is a copywriter for Ashworth College. Visit http://www.ashworthcollege.edu today to learn more about earning your graphic design degree online.