six graphic design portfolio mistakes

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Six Graphic Design Portfolio Mistakes By: Alejandra Talamantes Learn how to avoid them and how to fix them Wednesday, July 2, 14

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Here are six common mistakes you should avoid if you want to hear back from a design studio. Read on to see if you have made some of these mistakes and learn how to fix them.

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Page 1: Six Graphic Design Portfolio Mistakes

Six Graphic DesignPortfolio Mistakes

By: Alejandra Talamantes

Learn how to avoid them and how to fix them

Wednesday, July 2, 14

Page 2: Six Graphic Design Portfolio Mistakes

Your public portfolio

• Professionals are interested in seeing a visual outcome accumulated of your studio work during the time spent in university. Your portfolio presents you to the world and plays a major role as a graphic designer, whether or not a design company choose to hire you. For this reason there are a few common mistakes that seem to appear in graphic design students portfolios.

• Here are six common mistakes you should avoid if you want to hear back from a design studio. Read on to see if you have made some of these mistakes and learn how to fix them.

Wednesday, July 2, 14

Page 3: Six Graphic Design Portfolio Mistakes

1. Listing your age

• Introduce yourself, but do not put the basics

• “I’m a 23 year old web designer from Austin, Texas.”

• It might translate as:

• “I’m young and inexperienced”.

• Avoid including specific information about yourself

• Tell what you do

• Prove what you are capable of

• Professionals are interested on your potential, not on your age.

Wednesday, July 2, 14

Page 4: Six Graphic Design Portfolio Mistakes

2. Showcasing your weaknesses

• Showing the different level of knowledge between design softwares

• Showing your weaknesses rather than strengths

• Do not point out your weaknesses

• Keep on being honest

• Show your good work

• Only specify those programs where you are proficient in an 80% or above

Wednesday, July 2, 14

Page 5: Six Graphic Design Portfolio Mistakes

3. Poor spelling and grammar

• Typos and grammatical errors

• It is important when shown in a portfolio and resume

• Demonstrate how much you care about details

• This profession demands an eye for detail

• As visual communicators we need to express ideas with text as well

• You want your message to be clear

• Do not let bad grammar get on your way

• Proofread, edit and make corrections

Wednesday, July 2, 14

Page 6: Six Graphic Design Portfolio Mistakes

4. Writing too long or too short

• We tend to include a huge or small description our artwork

• Learn about how much information you need to include as description in our artwork.

• Keep in mind that employers are very busy people, they do not have time to read any in depth analysis of your work.

• Designers have to sell their ideas to their clients

• It is important to give a brief and direct description about your artwork

• Keep it short and organization consistent.

Wednesday, July 2, 14

Page 7: Six Graphic Design Portfolio Mistakes

5. You provide zero context

• When was it first published?

• Who was the client?

• What software did you use?

• For what Brand/Company?

• If you do not provide these information your artwork would seem meaningless, without purpose or value.

• Answering all the followed question and even crediting collaborators are important to include

• Do not left anything without mentioning it

• Be prepared, because it all matters

• Telling about your work have a huge effect on how people feel, understand and value your work.

Wednesday, July 2, 14

Page 8: Six Graphic Design Portfolio Mistakes

6. Show work you are not happy with

• Weakest projects It’s almost guaranteed you’ll be asked about it

• Never mention why you do not like certain work

• If you do not feel confident about your work, it would hardly convince potential employers about your skills.

• Focus only on your strongest work

• Stop thinking quantity over quality matters

• Just leave it out between 12 to 15 pieces.

Wednesday, July 2, 14

Page 9: Six Graphic Design Portfolio Mistakes

Conclusion

This six mistakes are to consider each component of your portfolio, from the work you show to the copy that you write. Remember to double check your portfolio completely. Also, be sure to have someone else to take a look too. You might find that a lot of information that you thought was helping is really bringing you down.

Wednesday, July 2, 14