Here's my secret to making your Design Portfolio irresistible!
What the heck are companies really looking for in a design portfolio?
Imagine this: You've just clicked "send" on your application for that dream job. Your heart races a little as you think about what the hiring manager will see when they open your portfolio.
Your portfolio - Yes, that collection of your best work that you meticulously curate, tweak, and worry over. Will it captivate them? Will it stand out among the dozens (or hundreds) of others?
And what the he!$ are companies really looking for in a design portfolio?
A Little Story
A few years back, I was sitting in an interview room with a portfolio that I thought was top-notch. The hiring manager flipped through my work, paused, and asked, “What’s the story behind this project?” I froze. I had focused so much on the visuals that I forgot to inject my passion and narrative into the pieces. That moment was a wake-up call for me.
In my journey from a fresh grad to working with unicorns, I've reviewed countless portfolios. Here’s a close-up, personal conversation about what truly makes a portfolio shine and how you can showcase your passion.
The Heartbeat of Your Portfolio: Passion
Picture this: you’re in a room full of designers. Each of you is showing off your work, trying to stand out. Now, what makes a few portfolios shine while others blend into the background? It's passion. When I flip through a portfolio, I want to feel the excitement, the dedication, and the love for design oozing from every project.
But how do you show passion through a screen? It's not as mystical as it sounds. Passion is evident in the details. It's in the thoughtfulness of your design choices, the depth of your case studies, and the enthusiasm in your project descriptions.
Sounds poetic but let’s be practical, here's how you can make sure your portfolio isn't just a collection of pretty pictures, but a narrative that tells your story as a passionate designer.
Three Key Elements of a Stellar Portfolio
Show What You Love
Quality Over Quantity: You don't need to overwhelm with dozens of projects. Pick 5-8 pieces that you are genuinely proud of. Remember, it's better to have a few outstanding works than a plethora of mediocre ones.
Personal Projects: Include projects that you’ve done out of pure interest. Whether it's a series of movie posters or a redesign of your favorite app, personal projects highlight what excites you. They also show your ability to initiate and complete work independently.
Demonstrate Your Range
Diverse Industries: Show that you can adapt your skills across different sectors. Include work from various industries to illustrate your versatility.
Various Media: If you’re skilled in both digital and print, showcase both. If you dabble in animation or interactive media, make sure it’s in there. Diversity in your portfolio makes you a more attractive candidate.
Detail Your Process
Case Studies: Go beyond the final product. Detail your process from ideation to execution. Hiring managers love to see how you think and solve problems.
Challenges and Solutions: Be honest about the challenges you faced and how you overcame them. It shows resilience and a problem-solving mindset.
Beyond the Portfolio: Showcasing Passion in Other Ways
Continual Learning: Show that you’re committed to growing as a designer. Mention any online courses, workshops, or conferences you’ve attended. This demonstrates a proactive approach to learning.
Community Involvement: Highlight any involvement in the design community. Whether it’s contributing to open-source projects, participating in design challenges, or writing articles about design, it all shows your dedication to the field.
Going Beyond Assignments: Just like in the reference video, don't limit yourself to project parameters. Push beyond the requirements to show your initiative and creativity. This could be in the form of additional iterations, deeper research, or even related side projects.
Final Thoughts
Your portfolio is more than a tool to get a job; it's a reflection of your journey as a designer. Make it personal, make it passionate, and make it professional. Companies are not just looking for skilled designers; they’re looking for passionate individuals who love what they do.
So, what's the next step? Go back to your portfolio. Look at it with fresh eyes and ask yourself, "Does this reflect my passion for design?" If the answer is anything less than a resounding yes, it's time to make some changes.
Oh and btw would you not kill to have a hassle-free gateway to crafting a slick portfolio site with a snappy builder, Notion-like editor, and beautiful templates?
I have a solution for that too - Check out designfolio.me!
And yeah thank me later. (maybe ask a friend to subscribe?)
Stay creative and keep pushing those boundaries!
Shai
Insightful 🙏
Thank your for sharing your insights, Shai!