Building a Graphics Design portfolio?

ill just throw in my two bits. Im a third year graphic design student about to graduate and currently on my ' portfolio module '. So perhaps I might be able to throw you a few bits of decent information. In fact ill copy what the tutors have said to us

1. ) You will want print + electronic.
Electronic : Building a website is fine as it allows future employers to quickly access your work. But keep it simple and to the point. Doesn't have to be fancy at all, in fact probably the less the better. Also create a PDF of your work, this will probably be a more accurate representation of your actual printed portfolio. Obviously this should be small in size so it can be sent to email. Don't send CD's !

Print : Were advised to have a A3 portfolio as it is easily carried about and isn't too in your face to the ' reader ' so they can properly access all the information and see all of your work. High quality print on good paper just in some nice plastic holders as it were in a nice zip up leathery case. You can get them for about £20.

2. ) As for your portfolio. Strongest work at the front and back, with everything else in between. Good to show an example or two of sketch book type things to show work progression. It is important to have a bit of personality in the portfolio so that your potential employer gets an idea about you as a person

As for graphic work at the moment I have a lot of friends trying to get jobs in the industry and the main thing that every one is after at the moment is digital ' i.e. flash / html / css etc. But its important to have a spread of work unless you are going for a particular job, like flash builder or something.

Also be noted that there arent that many jobs being offered at the moment. If you can get some work experience jump on it. As said above I have friends with degrees who can't get any work experience! It might not be easy at first but keep trying

I was offered a trial position with a company in Enniskillen while I was at college but didn't accept it. :(

It was quite a distance away and I was 17 with no money or transport. Looking back, I still should have jumped at the chance. :(

It would have been unpaid at the start and then a job offered if I was up to scratch.
 
yeah well any work experience you get will be unpaid. But you can put it on your CV and it proves that you can do it + you might actually get worked used for what ever reason and that is a massive bonus. + it might lead to a job
 
Have you thought about using Myspace and other places to show off your artwork? Get the pictures and graphics out to as many people as possible. Also think about deviantart too :)

Best thing is they are free lol
 
Have you thought about using Myspace and other places to show off your artwork? Get the pictures and graphics out to as many people as possible. Also think about deviantart too :)

Best thing is they are free lol

I have indeed. When I get the site up and running I'll be on Twitter/Myspace/Facebook/DeviantArt..... anything. :p
 
skip good luck mate - have a view of http://www.sixshootermedia.com/free-templates/ - might give you some ideas regards styles...

Perhaps though concentrate on the content now rather than how you are going to eventually publish it. Just make sure you cover both web+print design...

ps3ud0 :cool:



I checked out that site when you told me about it last night and really liked it.

The logo I posted above was inspired by the Jigowatt logo on that page. I really liked the colours.

I see making the website as content in itself so by doing that, I have a firm base as an example and as a platform for my work. :)
 
Just asked him what he could do...

1Gb Space
5Gb Bandwidth
5 of everything (MySQL,POP-3,Domains etc etc)
1 .co.uk domain
Direct Admin control panel with Instalatron (Library of scripts or somthing)

£25.00 for the year.
 
Just asked him what he could do...

1Gb Space
5Gb Bandwidth
5 of everything (MySQL,POP-3,Domains etc etc)
1 .co.uk domain
Direct Admin control panel with Instalatron (Library of scripts or somthing)

£25.00 for the year.

I'll send him an email sometime this week. :)

This is what I have to show for messing around on Dreamweaver all day:

sneakypeekp.png



It's taking a while to get used to. Before now, the only similar program I had used was an ancient FrontPage.
 
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Nicely done skip, you seem to have got the hang of dreamweaver pretty quickly :)

Like I said I've been using it for years so if you need to know how anything works give me a shout, though I don't use it that much anymore, as I pretty much made my current website in wordpad!
 
Also, Lorem Ipsum is a good thing to use just as text to see how it looks etc etc.
I dont like the main banner then underbanner, but thats my opinion.
There was also one other nigly thing, I think it was that the text in the underbanner wasnt centered, but the image wont load so can't confirm :p.

However you seem to of got it smooth for one day at it!
I do like the colours also :)
 
I'll send him an email sometime this week. :)

This is what I have to show for messing around on Dreamweaver all day:

sneakypeekp.png



It's taking a while to get used to. Before now, the only similar program I had used was an ancient FrontPage.

Is that watermark just over the photo or will it be on the site? If it's going on the site I suggest you lose it, it's far too dominant :)
 
I'm pretty certain he's just done it because he's posting it on a public forum. Therefore not part of the design :p
 
OK so I've just funded up my bank account to buy the One.com package today.

Web space - 3000 MB
Unlimited transfer
Unlimited e-mail accounts
Virus- and spam filter
Photo GalleryNEW!
WebEditor
Blog - 3 clicks
FTP-login - Statistics
PHP5 - MySQL
Daily backup
FREE - Google Adwords coupon
FREE - Live Help 24/7


Does that seem decent enough?

Is there a limit to what I can install on it? I've been advised to implement this:
http://expressionengine.com/


Once I have purchased the package, what's the next step?
 
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