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Lesson 5: Organizing Your Portfolio
How to Arrange Your Samples

From Jacci Howard Bear, Instructor, for About.com

Once you have your samples and your portfolio case, the next step is deciding how to best present those pieces within the pages of your portfolio.

Arranging the Order of Portfolio Pages

Deciding what order to present items in your graphic design portfolio can be a challenge.
  1. Best First, Last
    One rule of thumb suggests placing your very best items first and last. Unless you are walking them through pages one at time, a typical reading pattern is to glance at the first few samples, then thumb through to the back. The best first, last method ensures clients or employers see you in the best possible light.

  2. Group by Type of Publication
    One organizational method is to group like items — all business cards, all brochures, all logo designs. Or, if you do multiple pieces for a client then group everything for each client/project together.

  3. Group by Skill / Technique
    You may choose to group samples by the type of skills required such as placing all four-color work in one area. Grouping by style is another possiblity — grouping conservative pieces and technical examples in their own sections of the portfolio.
    "The format depends on a combination of your personality and that which you want to accomplish. You must organize your portfolio so that it clearly shows your strongest skills as they apply to the new position." -- Brian Mairs, former About.com Guide to Job Searching - Canada


Tips for Assembling Portfolio Contents

If you arrived at this page via search you've landed in the middle of a free class offered by email. This lesson is part of the Create a Portfolio in 6 Days email class offered by About Desktop Publishing. Sign up for the 6-lesson class.
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