{"id":8394,"date":"2019-02-27T10:28:45","date_gmt":"2019-02-27T15:28:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.brainstation.io\/?p=8394"},"modified":"2020-12-02T14:12:25","modified_gmt":"2020-12-02T19:12:25","slug":"5-dos-and-donts-for-building-a-design-portfolio","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/blog\/5-dos-and-donts-for-building-a-design-portfolio","title":{"rendered":"5 Dos and Don\u2019ts for Building a Design Portfolio"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether you\u2019re a Graphic Designer, Industrial Designer, or User Experience Designer<\/a>, having a portfolio is an essential piece of the equation when it comes to building a personal brand and landing a leadership position.<\/span><\/p>\n

But it\u2019s easier said than done when you\u2019re up against top design talent \u2014 and facing recruiters and hiring managers who don\u2019t have a lot of time on their hands. <\/span><\/p>\n

So what are the portfolio essentials, and how do you make your body of work stand out from the pack? Eduardo Tovar, S<\/span>enior Experience Designer at digital agency Konrad<\/a>, breaks down all the dos and don\u2019ts.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Become a UX Designer in just 12 weeks!<\/p>\n

BrainStation’s User Experience Diploma Program<\/a> is a full-time, 12-week program that equips professionals with the skills and experience to start a new career in design.<\/p>\n

Speak to a Learning Advisor<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Do Tailor and Target Your Portfolio<\/b><\/h3>\n

Sure, you might have a versatile skill set that allows you to shift between designing slick logos, to front-end web components, to pages in a magazine. But broad isn\u2019t best when it comes to building a portfolio that will catch the eye of an employer, Tovar says. <\/span><\/p>\n

Instead, he recommends targeting a specific field \u2014 and figuring out your objectives, including both the type of work you want to do and the company you want to work for.<\/span><\/p>\n

For instance, if you\u2019re applying to a design agency focused on commercial advertising, that\u2019s the type of work you want to showcase. If you\u2019re aiming for a Front-End Web Designer role specializing in UX, stick to those kinds of portfolio samples.<\/span><\/p>\n

“The type of work you want to do at a given company should be the type of work you show, or highlight,\u201d Tovar says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Include More Than Five Pieces<\/b><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s tempting to overload your portfolio with every piece of work, be it a BrainStation project you were particularly proud of or a personal favorite sample of graphic design.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, Tovar says alongside picking targeted samples tailored to the job you want, you should also only include around three to five portfolio samples \u2014 max.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe reason is, recruiters are moving through resumes and applications pretty quickly,\u201d he explains. \u201cWe want something that catches our eye first and foremost. Your most relevant and beautiful solutions should be front-and-center, and if we want to dive deeper, then we can.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In terms of structure, Tovar adds it\u2019s important to keep things simple and accessible, so don\u2019t bury your work among too many links or page scrolls. <\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s still key to have some basics \u2014 including your bio, contact information, social media links, and resume \u2014 but make the most of your landing page and consider putting your handful of portfolio samples right there in plain view as thumbnails.<\/span><\/p>\n

Do Show Your Process<\/b><\/h3>\n

Portfolios are typically online nowadays, and while you can easily slap up some samples of your work as images, links, or PDF files, Tovar says there\u2019s a better way: Turning each portfolio sample into an opportunity to share the behind-the-scenes process.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Tovar puts it, each sample can be delivered as a separate \u201ccase study.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

That means including a bit of storytelling alongside the sample, sharing the problem you were trying to solve or the businesses\u2019 needs \u2014 the starting point, essentially, for the project. <\/span><\/p>\n

You can also talk about the UX methodologies you used to solve that problem. \u201cDid you conduct any surveys? Did you talk to any potential users?\u201d Tovar suggests. \u201cOnce you’ve done some of that discovery, you would then write down some of your insights \u2014 a combination of problem statements with what you’ve learned. Tell how you’ve created a strategy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead of just an image of a final shoe design for a sportswear company, for instance, you could consider including some early sketches, a digital version of the mockup, notes about the company\u2019s needs and the challenges involved, and finally the polished work. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPart of the reason is companies, recruiters, what we look for is what type of a critical thinker you are,\u201d Tovar explains. \u201cHow do you approach problems? How do you strategize?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Use a Template<\/b><\/h3>\n

You\u2019re probably a busy person, dealing with career pressures, job applications, and, you know, regular life. <\/span><\/p>\n

But does that mean you should cop out and buy a run-of-the-mill template for your online portfolio? Definitely not, says Tovar. And it almost goes without saying: If you\u2019re hoping to impress the world with your design savvy, using a stock template for your portfolio is not the way to go.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf I’m able to tell your portfolio is not a template \u2014 that it’s custom \u2014 and I start to see some of your design style and it shows in your portfolio, that’s a huge plus,\u201d he says. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause you don’t only take the time and care and attention to work on projects that are work-related, but you also focus on your personal brand and presentation.”<\/span><\/p>\n

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Learn design skills to boost your career \u2013 from home!<\/p>\n

BrainStation offers Online Live Certificate Courses<\/a> in UX design, UI design, and design thinking. Attend live classes and interact with peers and expert Instructors from anywhere in the world.<\/p>\n

Speak to a Learning Advisor<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Do be Personal and Authentic<\/b><\/h3>\n

Gone are the days of overly-polished headshots and bland biographies. Tovar says a thoughtful \u201cabout me\u201d section is just as important as the samples themselves, because it gives employers a sense of your personality \u2014 and whether or not you\u2019d be a culture fit.<\/span><\/p>\n

When it comes to your bio, keep it short and sweet, with a couple sentences highlighting your work philosophy and a few accomplishments. And don\u2019t forget a link to your resume, where you can be more formal and technical, getting into your employment history and responsibilities. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI also wouldn’t shy away from including a photo of yourself, but I would definitely try to make it as casual and beautiful as possible,\u201d Tovar adds. \u201cBeautiful in the sense that, make sure it’s a good photo, and make sure it shows some side of you as an individual.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Like to hike, for instance? Take a photo hiking and show that side of your personality.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI want to try to understand you as an individual before I invest the time and effort to follow up,\u201d Tovar says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking to boost your design skills? Find out more about BrainStation’s User Experience Design course<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We spoke to Eduardo Tovar, Senior Experience Designer at Konrad, for his tips and suggestions. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":8395,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[158,157],"tags":[111,780,782,781],"yoast_head":"\n5 dos and don\u2019ts for building a design portfolio<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Looking for a job in design? A great portfolio can make all the difference during the job search. 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