A guide to creating an outstanding portfolio. Programs for creating a portfolio

The profession of a designer is currently considered quite popular. This is true; specialists in this field are in great demand on the labor market. There are also a lot of designers themselves; educational institutions have long opened the direction of training such specialists. However, a large number of designers are those who have independently mastered all the necessary work tools thanks to the information available today. It is both on sale and in the public domain. Of course, for any specialist, especially a beginner, one of the most important points is creating a designer portfolio.

A little about the profession

Designers are very versatile specialists and are required in many areas. Each area has its own specific features that must be taken into account. This is why specialization is very important in the design profession. This is not just a word here, since, for example, interior design is very different from costume design. We can say that these are completely different directions. Of course, this is not entirely true, since all designers share common basic knowledge, such as color theory, knowledge of the basics of composition, etc.

What are the specializations?

There are really many design directions. It is worth noting the most famous and popular specializations.

Environment design

This is one of the popular design trends. His main task is to develop solutions for the artistic design of interiors, premises, ideas for lighting design and much more.

Graphic design

Graphic design can rightfully be recognized as the most popular direction today. This includes printing, branding, web design, in a word, everything that is created using graphic programs.

Industrial Design

Also an important area. Here you can highlight the design of household appliances, furniture, cars and other goods. It is especially interesting that there is even a mechanism design. It allows you to combine extraordinary precision and beauty.

Landscape design

Specialists in this area are engaged in the design and improvement of various sites and territories. Their main activities are the creation of artificial and natural landscapes, in some cases even their restoration, environmental landscaping, and floristry.

A little about the designer's portfolio

To find a permanent job or simply interact with a customer, the designer is required to provide his work. Of course, they must be designed in such a way that will interest the employer and push him to choose this particular contractor. The task is indeed not easy, but there are many examples of designer portfolios. Examples can be easily found in specialized literature; it is also worth asking for advice from more experienced colleagues.

If we return to the term itself, “portfolio” means a selection of samples of work, which in a short period of time allows you to get acquainted with the capabilities and style of a specialist’s creative activity.

How to approach this issue correctly?

It is better to take care of the selection of works in advance. As soon as a designer begins his activity, he must carefully analyze all his work to determine whether it is worth showing it to customers in the future. There is no clear answer to the question of how to design a designer’s portfolio. Here everyone should focus on their own capabilities and level of professional training.

What can be included in a portfolio?

Naturally, these must be the best works of the designer. The most important thing is to organize them correctly. All work should be divided into categories: vector graphics, sketches, icons, etc. You can also develop a sorting by type of work, for example, separate business cards, flyers, logos, brochures, posters and other materials. For each work, it is advisable to make a short description and note when the work was done, for whom, what project it was dedicated to, what was the purpose of its implementation, how much time was spent on it. With this approach, you can quickly put together a full-fledged designer portfolio. You can always ask more experienced colleagues for a sample design, but it would be better to develop your own methodology. After all, an individual creative approach is noticeable not only in the works themselves, but also in their organization. To develop your own method, it is worth looking at the best portfolios of designers, especially famous ones.

Designing a designer's portfolio: which method to choose?

There are several ways to design a portfolio. Of course, it will be much more convenient for an employer to view a potential employee’s work electronically. In addition, modern technologies allow you to realize your ideas on how to make a designer’s portfolio unusual and original. Many people still rely on the printed version. For a graphic designer, this can also be a good method, since he can show his real work live. For example, provide the employer with business cards, booklets, books that the specialist has developed.

There are several ways to create a designer's portfolio in electronic form. You can create a website, video, presentation, or simply make a pdf file that can be easily sent by email.

Now it’s worth taking a closer look at all the advantages and disadvantages of the listed methods.

Portfolio website

The first thing you need to pay attention to is that you should not use free services to create websites. Websites created in this way are usually filled with a huge amount of advertising. Also, free tools usually do not allow you to create a full-fledged design that you are not ashamed to show to employers and customers.

A portfolio is an important working tool not only for actors and models. Designers, artists, photographers and needlewomen must have it. That is, all those who are interested in working from home, requiring advertising of their skills and products.

Once I had a case: the needlewoman recommended to me could not show any of her work, although she had been knitting to order for about 15 years. The story that she knits the whole city did not impress me, and we parted. I know that most needlewomen also don’t think much about what and how to interest potential customers. At the same time, they want there to be a lot of orders and they are paid well. If you are one of them, then it’s time to think about how to “show your product face” and sell yourself at a higher price.

Portfolio design

The requirements for a portfolio, regardless of whether it is real or virtual, are approximately the same:

Everything, even in a virtual version, should look expensive, cool, solid, and creative.
Post only your best works, regularly updating their selection - remove outdated ones and add the best new ones.
Show the full range of your capabilities. That is, if you are not only an interior designer, but also create tapestries with your own hands, then the customer should know about it.
Give names to your works - this will simplify communication with the client.
Show some examples of the workflow, for example: how it was and how it is. If there is an opportunity to demonstrate a large project, for example, a house design, then it would be nice to show a step-by-step solution - research, several initial options, selection of materials, technologies, etc.
Each photograph should have a small description - what technique was used, for whom this work was done, etc.
Sell yourself - add to your work reviews from grateful clients, diplomas, certificates and other evidence of your success and involvement in this profession.
Don't try to create a huge catalog. Your task is to show your professionalism and range of capabilities.
It is not necessary to use only photos - a short video presentation, if a person is interested in something, can be the last straw after which he makes an order.

If you choose a virtual option, then it should be as easy to use as the real one. That is, the customer should easily find in it those works that are closest to the project that he wants to order from you and go to them in one click.

Types of portfolio

It is customary to distinguish the following types of portfolio: achievements, presentation, thematic and complex, which combines all of the above. Since we need exactly the last option, I propose dividing the portfolio differently. Let's approach this from a purely utilitarian point of view: what should you show to a potential buyer/customer who knocks on your door, email, or just meets you on the World Wide Web? Here are the possible options:

photo album;
electronic portfolio;
personal blog.

If you seriously decide to make money from your skill, it is advisable to have all three options. People are different and perceive information differently, so it will be better if you have something to offer everyone.

A beautiful photo album with large and high-quality photographs.

Albums where it’s convenient to change photos

First of all, you need high-quality photographs, and since it is irrational to constantly invite a professional to photograph the next blouse or embroidery, you will have to learn how to take photographs yourself. The main tricks of this matter can be found in the article “”. The finished photos should be placed in a good album, and choose one where it is convenient to add and shuffle photos, since you will have to regularly update the information.

How to make an e-portfolio

This is usually a digital book with photographs and captions.

Cover for a pdf file, made by me for example in BOOK MAKA

The easiest way to create it is in standard Microsoft Office programs, most of which you probably have on your computer. This is Publisher, Power Point or Word. If you do it in Word, then convert the finished version into pdf format, it will look more solid. You can also use the Picasa program, where you can beautifully process photos, make photo collages and slides. You can download a special program on the Internet or find online options, like Portfolios.ru.

Working with photos in Portfolios.ru

A modern blog with a beautiful template, photographs, descriptions and easy navigation.

Examples of WordPress templates for portfolio sites

I advise you to install it on WordPress, especially since there are many special themes for this platform. Of course, first of all, they are intended for designers and artists, but they are also ideal for those who create something with their own hands (no matter furniture, cakes or blankets). The main points of creating a website can be found in the article “”. In addition, one of these days my book will be released (already published), especially for those who want to make their own blog, there will be all the necessary information for beginners, step-by-step installation of WordPress and other important points, including monetization.

You shouldn’t post works on your blog in chronological order, and it’s generally better to turn off chronology. These numbers may only be of interest to your competitors. The customer is interested in the work itself and whether you can do it even better.

The main task of the portfolio is to provide answers to the following customer questions:

Who is this person and where is he located?
What kind of work/projects has he done and where can I see them?
Who has he already completed orders for?
Is he professional enough?
what are the prices and terms?
how to contact the artist?

If your potential customer can easily get answers to them, then you did everything right. At the end of the portfolio, be sure to motivate the client to take action - you can place an order here, look at the price list, if you need the same cool thing, contact me this way.

If you have at least a few finished works, then immediately create a portfolio. You can beautifully design and finalize the catalog later, but you will easily lose a client due to the fact that you have nothing to show.

Women who work from home rarely think that this is a real business that requires an appropriate approach. Therefore, learn to present yourself and your work with dignity, as they deserve it. As a result, your income and self-esteem will increase.

One of the most important questions for a beginning designer is how to fill out your portfolio? Where to get your first clients? How to get your first projects?

There are different ways to start a career in design. Starting from working as an intern in a design studio to creating your own studio. One of the easiest ways to start a career is to seek assignments as a freelancer. For all its shortcomings, freelancing seems like a very attractive option to many. But in order to receive orders, you must show your work to a potential client. Few people would agree to give an order to a designer whose portfolio is completely empty. It turns out to be a vicious circle: no orders → no portfolio, no portfolio → no orders.

First you need to realize that the first projects in the portfolio (cases) are a very, very important step. The quality of the first work determines which clients will come to you, and, in fact, the entire further path of the designer. Therefore, in the first cases it is important to demonstrate yourself, your knowledge, and modest (for now) skills as much as possible. Yes, you may not be able to wow clients with sophisticated technology and super-creative techniques, but you can demonstrate your approach and thinking. If you have good projects in your initial portfolio, this will give you a serious boost, because such work tends to spread across design blogs and raise your ranking on freelance exchanges.

And, of course, you can’t fill your portfolio with mediocre work. What your first work will be like, so will your subsequent clients.

So, let's move on to ways to fill out a portfolio.

1. Design for yourself

The most obvious way to get a portfolio case is to design it for yourself or your company. This could be a website, corporate identity or something like that. The difficulty here is that you will have to come up with restrictions yourself, because design without restrictions is not design, but pure creativity. But if you do a good job, this project will become not only a case in your portfolio, but also your business tool.

2. Design for friends or acquaintances

You can offer relatives, friends or good acquaintances a job for a symbolic reward. But be very careful with this option. You have little experience working with clients (otherwise, you would not be reading this text). Most likely, something will go wrong and you risk ruining the relationship. Think 10 times before trying this option.

3. Design for a fictitious client

This is how Artemy Lebedev, in particular, started. You can independently come up with a client with its tasks and limitations, and then solve these design problems. Here it is important to invent a client as close to reality as possible. Don't design for a brain transplant company. Better yet, design for a fictional PR agency. The simpler the better.

If you're starting a career in web design or mobile app design, you can come up with a useful service that you think is in demand, and then create a design for it. Just try not to make it just another mobile weather app ;)

4. Design for a famous brand or website

5. Competitions

There are many design competitions. Personally, I am skeptical of them, because most often they offer to work for free, for the chance of a remuneration that does not exceed the average cost of such a contract on the market. But for starters it will do.

Some competitions can be found on social networks and blogs, but the bulk are on specialized sites like 99designs and GoDesigner, as well as on freelance exchanges. The good thing about this method is that you don’t need to invent a task, it already exists. And if successful, you will not only get the job done, but also earn some money.

By the way, there are also very good competitions, for example, VKontakte competitions for the development of mobile applications with a prize fund of millions of rubles. Even though they are already completed, there is nothing stopping you from making a solution and placing it in your portfolio.

6. Free work (“for a portfolio”)

I categorically do not advise looking for a customer who will agree for you to work for him for free. Firstly, any work must be paid. Even a beginner's work costs money. Secondly, the chance of finding a normal client in this way tends to zero.

7. Project by a famous studio or designer

You can take a problem that your colleagues have already solved. Look at the work of famous designers and studios, choose what you think was done poorly and make it better. In addition to experience and a good case, you can also count on some resonance in the design environment (wow, the student did better than Studio X!).

8. Own project

A very useful method both from the point of view of practice and from the point of view of social benefit. By creating a thematic collection, web service, design framework, set of free icons, or PSD templates, you not only fill your portfolio, but also help other people. In addition, if your project turns out to be good, over time it can become a source of income.

For example, the service for taking notes Enotus Artyom Nosenko (Artyom, of course, is not a beginner, but an excellent example):

9. Solving a real problem

In my opinion, the best way to show the world and potential clients what you are capable of is to find a real problem in the real world and solve it using designer methods and tools. This will develop you as a real designer and show you the range of tasks that are interesting to you.

Designer Digest". This is the editor-in-chief's weekly newsletter with the best links for graphic designers.

Since 2011, in almost all educational institutions, the preparation of a student’s portfolio is mandatory. It must be compiled already in elementary school. It is clear that this will be a difficult task for a first-grader, so the preparation of this document mainly falls on the shoulders of the parents. And it is quite natural that many of them will have a question about how to prepare a student’s portfolio.

What does a student's portfolio look like?

A portfolio is a collection of documents, photographs, work samples that illustrate a person’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in any activity. A children's portfolio for a schoolchild provides information about the child himself, his environment, performance at school, and participation in various school and extracurricular activities. It demonstrates his success in creativity, sports, and hobbies. The school explains the purpose of creating a portfolio for a primary school student by saying that in the process of work the child comprehends his first achievements and capabilities, and he has an incentive to further develop his abilities. This work will help him when moving to another school. In addition, the portfolio of a gifted child gives more chances in the future when entering a higher educational institution.

There are 3 types of student portfolio:

portfolio of documents, containing material about the child’s achievements in the form of certified documents (certificate, certificates, bonuses, awards);
portfolio of works, which is a collection of creative, educational or project works of a schoolchild;
portfolio of reviews, consisting of characteristics of the student’s attitude towards activities.

The most informative and widespread is a comprehensive portfolio that includes all of the listed types.

How to create a student's portfolio?

Making a portfolio for a schoolchild with your own hands is not so difficult; you will need imagination and a desire to create, as well as cooperation between the child and his parents.

The structure of any portfolio includes a title page, sections and appendices. You can buy ready-made forms at a bookstore and fill them out by hand. Alternatively, develop the design yourself in Photoshop, CorelDraw, or Word.

Over time, the child’s portfolio needs to be replenished with new demonstrations of success and achievements.

If you are a designer, artist or photographer by profession, then it is quite possible that you need to present samples of your work online. There are plenty of sites on which you can post your portfolio, but the services they offer do not always meet your needs.

What follows are twelve tips for creating a better portfolio website. They apply to any type of portfolio, no matter what kind of creative work you do. There are also examples and a whole gallery of great portfolio sites with explanations of their advantages and disadvantages.

1. Your portfolio website should draw attention to your work.

One of the basic rules for developing a portfolio website: the focus should be on the work on display, and not on the design features of the site. Sure, you can create a website that is visually interesting and aesthetically pleasing, but its purpose is to present your work in the best possible light, helping potential clients remember it better. If it doesn't do this job, it means it's not promoting your business or your creativity.

Work is the focus, as it should be.

2. The portfolio website should be easy to navigate

The navigation system on any commercial website should be as straightforward as possible. And the portfolio website is intended specifically for commerce; through it you offer yourself as a performer and your skills to potential clients. Make sure that access to viewing your work, your contact information and other important sections of the site is easy and simple. Potential customers shouldn't have to worry about how to get from point "A" to point "B". If you force them to do this, they will most likely up and go to your competitors.

The familiar navigation bar at the top of the page is convenient for most visitors.

3. Make sure it's easy for potential clients to contact you

I've seen countless portfolios where it was almost impossible to find the author's contact information. At a minimum, provide an email address or post a feedback form on the website. Better yet, add a work phone number where you can be found.

There are two options for communication here: a standard contact message form and a “request for quotation” form.

4. The portfolio site should contain some of your personal data and your personal characteristics, but within reason

The purpose of your portfolio website is to promote you in the services market. On this site, in addition to your work, there should be something that sets you apart from your rival colleagues. How you achieve such differentiation will depend on your target consumer audience. It is worth taking into account her conservatism or the leisure orientation of her business when starting to develop a sketch of your website.

A well-designed author introduction page that provides complete information about this designer.

5. The portfolio website should be convenient for potential clients

This has already been mentioned in passing, but making sure your website doesn't turn off potential customers is really important. If they are primarily artists or creative people, you may want to get more creative with your page design. If you're hoping to appeal primarily to investment bankers or lawyers, you may need to be more conservative or risk alienating your target audience or seeming like a less than professional designer.

A welcome page on your home page helps visitors feel more welcome on your site.

6. The portfolio website should be easy to update.

Use a content management system (CMS) on your site, or at least an XML file, to add new content elements. You need to find a way to easily post your best work on the site without spending half a day doing it. There are many CMS options available with additional modules to create great image galleries.

Portfolio based on WordPress.

7. Your portfolio website should only contain your best work.

You don't need to post every photo you've ever taken or sketches of every website you've designed. Most people, in any case, are too lazy to watch everything from beginning to end. Present a dozen of the most successful examples in each of the main categories of application of your creativity. Leave the rest behind the scenes.

This page uses a comprehensive solution, the best works are posted, but links are given to almost all the rest.

8. The portfolio website should contain recommendations or reviews from grateful clients.

Many designers and artists overlook this point, but recommendations can go a long way in attracting potential clients. They care not only about your professional competence, but also about your ability to meet deadlines and get along with people.

9. Add your profiles from social networking sites, but only if they are presented professionally

Adding links to your LinkedIn profile, Twitter blog or Facebook page is a good idea, you become more real, closer to potential clients (especially those with whom you will not have to meet in person). However, remember, by posting links to these sites, including personality traits in your professional image, you will be forced to maintain your publications on these resources within a professional framework. Otherwise, clients may be put off by your views, language, or other aspects of your publications. A good rule of thumb: if a certain statement is unacceptable to you in a business meeting, avoid it wherever you have to worry about image.

10. File your resume as a separate downloadable file

Sometimes potential executors are selected by someone else for the decision maker. A resume as a separate uploadable file makes it easier for that person to promote you as a candidate. Be sure to create a professional and detailed resume, but don't be afraid to also show off your personality and imagination.

Abstracts are posted below the papers, along with other main navigation links.

Tagging and categorizing makes it easier for potential clients to view your work that demonstrates your skills in creating the type of projects they're interested in. If you are developing samples of different media formats (print, web, interactive, etc.), place each in its own category. If you work with only one format, but with a wide range of topics (healthcare, government, retail, etc.), then assign a category to each of them. Provide additional information about your activities through tags, and also provide access to examples of work through more narrowly worded queries.

12. A portfolio website should help you stand out among your competitors and make your work more visible

Your portfolio website should highlight your difference from your competitors. Study other people's achievements in your creative field, and then do something different from them. You shouldn’t invent some completely unique techniques that have not been used by anyone before, but you should try to ensure that your portfolio is not confused with the work of your main competitors. And under no circumstances copy the portfolio of another designer from your field of activity. This will only reduce your professional level in the eyes of the customer. You cannot surpass a leader by simply repeating his creative ideas.

A very original website that demonstrates the artist's skills both through the design of the page itself and through examples in the portfolio.

Great portfolio sites:

Pros:

* Works are presented on the home page, as well as separately on the portfolio page
* Strict and simple site design, giving a central place to work
* The page contains links to social networking resources
*Resume is uploaded as a separate file
*Works are given by category

Minuses:

* The page thumbnail is overloaded with details
*Works are not divided into categories

Pros:

* Simple and strict design, giving the central place to work
* Easy way to contact the author
* Division of work into main categories
* High professionalism of execution

Minuses:

* Weakly expressed individuality, little information about the author
* Works could be divided into narrower categories, especially design projects

Pros:

Minuses:

* By default, a rather modest number of works is displayed
* It is impossible to open all works for viewing at once

Pros:

* All attention is focused on work
* The navigation system is not overloaded with visual elements
* Easy way to contact the author

Minuses:

*The only method of communication is email
* Almost no information about the author

Pros:

* Focus on work
* Simplicity of design
*Ease of feedback
* Links to profiles on social networks are provided

Minuses:

Pros:

* Easy to navigate, the site consists of one page
*Ease of feedback
* Contains a "best works" section at the top of the page

Minuses:

Pros:

* The central place is given to works
in the sidebar
*Pictures are shown by category
*Ease of design

Minuses:

* Insufficient number of works on the site

Pros:

* Works stand out clearly
* Simplicity of design
* Contact details are easily visible

Minuses:

* Communication by email only
* Works are not divided into categories and are not tagged (and there are a lot of works)

Pros:

* The slide projector on the home page showcases the work to its advantage
* Simplicity of design keeps the focus of the work
* Contact details are clearly visible

Minuses:

Pros:

* The best works are featured on the home page
* A large number of works on the site
* Contact details are clearly visible
* Links to social network resources are provided

Minuses: