I've gotten jobs without it, but I really want to get into a better office (one that actually has a design philosophy)... i think my portfolio is pretty solid - mostly professional work with some student work (if i actually get an interview, people are usually impresed with my work)... but i'm having a tough time of trying to put together a sample portfolio page.
so far - i've broken it down to a few major projects with a couple images of student work - ranging from sketches, presentation work (3d, models, etc...) to a couple construction document drawings... my visual style tends to be very straightforward (i like to make things easy to read, not too pretentious or esoteric like some of my friends)... I understand that I should just have enough to get myself into an interview... I want to showcase a wide range of abilities without overwhelming the page... I have the problem that i have too much I want to show... what have other people done - especially those of you who have been working for a while? just one example project? two projects? a bunch of random images?
Are you trying to put together a sample of your work to send in with your resume, or layout your whole portfolio? If it's a "sample of my work" to go along with your resume cover letter. I'd pick your best 2-3 projects, and have 1-2 images of each project with some brief text. I'd pick the most interesting/compelling images. The point of that sample is to show some work and make the people interested in seeing more of your work and talking to you. Firms tend to get lots of resumes, so I think you'll be better served by stuff that gives them an idea of your work and gets you in the door.
I'd try to avoid faxing in any work samples. Send it by mail. I think it's worth the 1-2 day delay vs. having a faxed image. That fax of your 3d rendering is going to look like ass.
what sheet size would this sample sheet normally be? 8 1/2" x 11"?
how would one fit 2-3 projects with text, presumably, and still have a presentation that is legible and enables the recipient to make any valid assessment of your work?
it's an 8 1/2" x 11" sample page to go along with my resume... I'll be e-mailing it as a PDF, although I can also mail it or physically walk it to an office. i will only very reluctantly fax a resume upon request.
i understand that a portfolio page is just supposed to be enough to entice the firm to bring you in for an interview... my problem was that I wanted to put a large cross-section of work instead of just focusing on a couple things. I will definitely take that advice.
people have been telling me for years that if i want to get the good jobs, i have to include a portfolio page along with my resume... they tell me i have good work to show, but sometimes i'm not so sure... I much more enjoy talking about my projects when i'm in an interview rather than sending it off somewhere for people to judge without any context. BUT... the goal is to just get to the point where I can discuss my work. actually getting the interview is the hard part.
I find this to be a tricky thing to judge as well. I am still younger so I try to set up a student work/competitions page and a professional page. With the student work I try to customize the page so that is it geared towards a certain firm type ( large, small, progressive, conservative etc) but keep it broad in scope - kind of a teaser. With the professional page I show one or two projects tops. Maybe even limiti it to one if the experience on the project reveals enough of my abilities or, if my responsibilites for the project were far greater than other projects I have worked on. It really is meant to be something that makes a possible employer want to see more.
Apr 22, 05 11:09 am ·
·
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.
Portfolio Page?
hi-
I've gotten jobs without it, but I really want to get into a better office (one that actually has a design philosophy)... i think my portfolio is pretty solid - mostly professional work with some student work (if i actually get an interview, people are usually impresed with my work)... but i'm having a tough time of trying to put together a sample portfolio page.
so far - i've broken it down to a few major projects with a couple images of student work - ranging from sketches, presentation work (3d, models, etc...) to a couple construction document drawings... my visual style tends to be very straightforward (i like to make things easy to read, not too pretentious or esoteric like some of my friends)... I understand that I should just have enough to get myself into an interview... I want to showcase a wide range of abilities without overwhelming the page... I have the problem that i have too much I want to show... what have other people done - especially those of you who have been working for a while? just one example project? two projects? a bunch of random images?
any help would be greatly appreciated.
-to
i say just pick out a project or two, and show the process from conception to a couple of final images...using different media.
process tends to be just as important as the final product and sometimes much more "telling" of someones thought process and design abilities....
Are you trying to put together a sample of your work to send in with your resume, or layout your whole portfolio? If it's a "sample of my work" to go along with your resume cover letter. I'd pick your best 2-3 projects, and have 1-2 images of each project with some brief text. I'd pick the most interesting/compelling images. The point of that sample is to show some work and make the people interested in seeing more of your work and talking to you. Firms tend to get lots of resumes, so I think you'll be better served by stuff that gives them an idea of your work and gets you in the door.
Also take into consideration that, nowadays, some firms like you to fax in your resume and sample pages.
I'd try to avoid faxing in any work samples. Send it by mail. I think it's worth the 1-2 day delay vs. having a faxed image. That fax of your 3d rendering is going to look like ass.
what sheet size would this sample sheet normally be? 8 1/2" x 11"?
how would one fit 2-3 projects with text, presumably, and still have a presentation that is legible and enables the recipient to make any valid assessment of your work?
thanks for all the comments!
it's an 8 1/2" x 11" sample page to go along with my resume... I'll be e-mailing it as a PDF, although I can also mail it or physically walk it to an office. i will only very reluctantly fax a resume upon request.
i understand that a portfolio page is just supposed to be enough to entice the firm to bring you in for an interview... my problem was that I wanted to put a large cross-section of work instead of just focusing on a couple things. I will definitely take that advice.
people have been telling me for years that if i want to get the good jobs, i have to include a portfolio page along with my resume... they tell me i have good work to show, but sometimes i'm not so sure... I much more enjoy talking about my projects when i'm in an interview rather than sending it off somewhere for people to judge without any context. BUT... the goal is to just get to the point where I can discuss my work. actually getting the interview is the hard part.
-TO
I find this to be a tricky thing to judge as well. I am still younger so I try to set up a student work/competitions page and a professional page. With the student work I try to customize the page so that is it geared towards a certain firm type ( large, small, progressive, conservative etc) but keep it broad in scope - kind of a teaser. With the professional page I show one or two projects tops. Maybe even limiti it to one if the experience on the project reveals enough of my abilities or, if my responsibilites for the project were far greater than other projects I have worked on. It really is meant to be something that makes a possible employer want to see more.
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.