2: Schedule a Evaluation Meeting to Plan Your Portfolio

Email me a few times so we can meet via Zoom to This is to credit you for attending the individual portfolio meeting we set up. discuss your Portfolio Plan.

Developing and Assembling your Portfolio

Your portfolio is your number one career tool. It is your key marketing tool in getting a job and/or clients. It should represent your strengths, range of talent and level of professionalism. It is also a work in progress. Keep it up to date. Please schedule a meeting with me to go over your portfolio and discuss what pieces you need to add to it.

Selecting your Work

Creativity is key. Every item chosen should reveal your creative style and demonstrate your technical and industry expertise. Each piece should be clean – no smudges, folds, or extraneous markings. Select pieces that are relevant to the prospective client/interviewer's project. Your portfolio should include the following: cross-platform work, use of multiple software applications, be in physical and digital formats. If including web work, create a list of the URLs along with high-resolution color printouts of each sample.

Organizing your Work

7 - 12 pieces

Industry-specific, media specialty, chronological. DO NOT USE the encyclopedia approach, give a history lesson, be a packrat, have inappropriate material in your book, or be totally digital.

Items to Include

The 7 - 12 pieces should come from the following categories:

Personal

• Logo, Stationery Set, Self Promotional Piece, Resume, Cover Letter

Marketing

• Logos, Identity Package, Brochure, Newsletter, Menu, Annual report, Magazine spread, Catalog, Magazine, Sell Sheet, Direct Mail, Posters, etc...

Packaging

• CD Jewel Case, Video Box, DVD Case, Point of Purchase Display, Consumer Product Package, etc...

Advertising

• Ads, Billboards, Commercials, Story Boards, etc...

Other Areas

• Environmental, Gaming, Animation, Web, etc...

Displaying your Work

This is not as popular as it used to be unless you are in the Fine Arts.

For print: Use high a quality professional portfolio that allows you to mount individual pieces on a firm mat or backing. The best size for your portfolio is 16" x 20" or 11" x 14." Include extra copies of your resume and a client list. Arrange one sample per page to avoid a cluttered look. Laminating is an option but expensive. Include disks or CDs in the pocket. Photograph bulky or odd-shaped items.

Behance and Adobe Portfolio: Digital version for your web site and/or web presentations.

Presenting your Work

Target your portfolio. Research prospective companies. Know how much time will be available for portfolio review, what types of equipment will be available for viewing digital files, and what types of skills and abilities are most important. Develop a compelling pitch that promotes your talents and experience. Create a "top five" presentation, Rehearse your delivery, Don't make an extended speech, Choose at least one sample to leave behind, During the interview don't make excuses.