Evening spent with graduates from National Institute of Design, Bangalore to understand, what does it to make a great portfolio as a designer ! Timely discussion before campus placements.....

1. Karthi Subbaraman
karthi@oghmadesign.com
Quality Portfolios !
National Institute of Design, Bangalore
Friday, 20 September, 13

2. Designer’s Portfolio
great complement to resume
Friday, 20 September, 13

3. What is a portfolio really?
A document of the past which can
help build a great future.
creative showcase of actual work and area of interest.
Friday, 20 September, 13

4. What is needed to build a great portfolio
1. Deep understanding of self.
2. Reflection on what you want to be.
3. Good idea about your target audience.
Friday, 20 September, 13

5. What will a good portfolio get you?
Great job that caters to your strength. PERIOD.
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6. Know your audience
what can you do for them
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7. Who is your target employer?
Brand Agency
User Experience Agency
Consultancy Corporate
Design Consulting firm
Digital Interactive & Social
Digital Publishers
Technology companies
Products
Technology Services
Design Services
Software Solutions
Startups
Digital Products
Mobile - Web
Services
Physical Products
NOTE: employment goal differs based on your choice
Friday, 20 September, 13

8. What should you know about “them”?
Business focus
Product or Service
Domain(s) expertise
Their customers
Company culture
Design maturity of the organization
Competitors
Possible design career path
Mobility
Friday, 20 September, 13

9. What are “they” looking for in you?
Problem Solving
Quality of ideas
Competence in conceptualization
Aesthetic sensitivities
Story telling
Analysis & Rigor
Design communication skills
Team play
Friday, 20 September, 13

10. What are “they” looking for in your portfolio?
Clear communication of
• who you are (thinker or photoshoper)
• what are you good at
• creativity & problem solving
• showcase your uniqueness
• skills & competence
• area of focus (UX, Research, Ix, Vx, PD)
• specific responsibilities
Friday, 20 September, 13

11. Let’s get hands dirty
show off your skills
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12. Portfolio Building Blocks
Elements
Components
Layout
Tool
Review
Iterate
1
2
3
4
5
6
Friday, 20 September, 13

13. Decisions to be made upfront & iterate (ofcourse!)
Online &/ Offline (PDF)
Story
Voice & Tone
Personality
Hierarchy
Typography
Photography
Content
Alignment & Distribution
Friday, 20 September, 13

14. Focus on Context
Money shot: Tell a story with the
product visualization.
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15. Focus on features & benefits
Visually explain how your (digital or
physical) product really works. Must
show thinking & consideration.
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16. Focus on process
Lay all sketches and iteration
printouts out in a composition and
make it exciting.
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17. Focus on composition
Product in the light of almighty hero
shot.
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18. Add toppings
make it more special
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19. Make a “case study” to show problem
framing and process thinking, deeply.
to show you have a great brain, not only good hands and eyes.
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20. Show a wide variety of work with short
project descriptions.
pick the curiosity of the reader. leave him wanting to hear more.
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21. Collection of best sketches
shallow but broad.
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22. Show uniqueness even in best practices.
why you fit the bill perfectly.
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23. Hindsight Wisdom
wish i knew this before
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24. “Gain reader’s interest in a short time. You
get less than a minute for your portfolio”
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25. “Tell stories through visuals, no one like
reading”
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26. “You don’t need to tell a complete story of
every project. The portfolio itself should
have an over arching story, and the end of
the story should be why should i care about
you, why should i hire you amongst other
graduates. Differentiate yourself”
Friday, 20 September, 13

27. “Make sure you have a closing page to re-
sell yourself. They just looked at all your
hardwork. Make sure the last visual they see
is your name, contact info along with a
summary of all skills with bullet points”
Friday, 20 September, 13

28. Summary
all you need to know
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29. 1. Include a breath of work.
2. Include appropriate examples.
3. Provide context to your work.
4. Non-client work is acceptable.
5. Give it a regular spring clean.
6. Take step back.
7. Include case studies.
8. Demonstrate all round experience.
9. Sell yourself.
10. Index your portfolio.
Friday, 20 September, 13