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May
11

Improving your portfolio – how and why?

Last week, I had a proposal for a new website design turned down. Unfortunately, it was because of the size of my portfolio. Since I have only been doing freelance work for a few months, my portfolio is rather limited. It doesn’t mean my talent is, it just means that I have not had enough clients to really show off my talents. Frustrating? Yes. Surprised? No. I can understand that it is difficult to know how a person is going to perform without a lot of work to review, but does that mean you shouldn’t work with them?

The benefits of working with someone who is just building their portfolio can be massive. First, my cost is much lower than someone who has been designing for 20 years. Second, I am going to be 100% focused on making sure that your project is perfect. Since I have very little room for error, as I must prove myself, I am going to make sure that every detail is exquisite. I know that many people who have been working for years are still as meticulous as they were when they started. But, there are many people that let small details fall to the wayside as they get more popular and can book any job they want. Third, we all have to start somewhere. I understand the desire to work with a ‘tried and true’ professional, but how did they get there? Someone had to give them a chance. A lot of someones. Think about it for a second. You can’t become a talented designer without people giving you a chance when you’re just starting out.

Think about who gave you your first chance. What about your second? Most of us were not born prodigies at anything. We need training, practice and work in order to become the best. It’s that silly ‘catch-22′… you need a strong protfolio to book work, but you need to book work to build a strong portfolio. So what can we do? We can help eachother out! My suggestion? Next time you are looking to hire someone for a project, find someone who is talented, but may have a little bit less under their belt. Ask for them to draw you up a sample and provide references. Let them know that you would love to work with them, and would appreciate a small sample or ideas of what they would do with your project. If it is good, you can hire them. If it’s not exactly perfect, you can offer constructive criticism and maybe they can suggest someone else to work with.

The point is to help. We all deserve a chance to become great at what we do – and if you can help someone get that chance…why not?

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Category: Blog Management, Business & Marketing Strategy
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  • http://www.adamleedesign.com/blog Adam

    Kristen, Good post. Building a portfolio is tough and something that I struggled with when I started out as well. One thing I did to beef up my portfolio was to post some of my student work. You don’t have to stick to just using paid work, unpaid work will show your creativity and skill as well.

    However, I disagree with your suggestion to work on spec. It can be tempting when starting out but I think it will hurt you in the end. Check out http://www.no-spec.com/ for more info. Good luck with the business.

    Adam’s last blog post..Platinum Hermes Award Win

  • http://thesteveozone.blogspot.com/ Steve O

    Hey Kirsten,

    This was a very good post but Adam is right re: spec work. You do want to be careful about giving away too much for free.

    When you and I talked a few weeks ago, my use of the word “spec” did not mean to offer free work but rather as Adam put it essentially… to feature work that you did not get paid for.

    Remember we talked about creating an ad/campaign for a well-known product or a fictional one or whatever. The point is to show your work, period. If that means showing work that you did not get paid for, so be it. As I told you, there’s absolutely no shame in showcasing this type of work along with “paying” jobs.

    I am so sorry if I confused you in any way.

    If you need anything, just give me a shout.

    Thanks and all the best,
    Steve O

    Steve O’s last blog post..Time Out For Trivia

  • http://www.wrightcreativity.com Kirsten Wright

    Steve and Adam,

    Thanks for your feedback. But, I wasn’t suggesting working for free exactly. I was suggesting a small sample in order to prove yourself. When the sample blows them away, they can then hire you, for pay, to put the sample into action. Does that clarify what I meant?

  • http://thesteveozone.blogspot.com/ Steve O

    Hey Kirsten, yes, your answer clarifies it perfectly!

    BUT… still think about creating “spec” work on your own for the sole intention of adding to your portfolio. Adam put it very well…”You don’t have to stick to just using paid work, unpaid work will show your creativity and skill as well.”

    Thanks and keep up the great work!
    Steve O

    Steve O’s last blog post..Time Out For Trivia

  • http://www.joshchandlerblog.com Josh Chandler

    So, just a quick note for everyone who is considering Kirsten for use in a project, I am currently making use of Kirsten’s service for graphics design and website layout, and I will provide a small testomonial here to tell you how great she is:

    “Kirsten and I first met via the Twitterverse, it became quickly apparent to me that through browsing her website and looking at the portfolio she had already attained, this was someone I would want to work with in the future, and sure enough 4 months on from that moment I hired Kirsten to come and do some graphics design for me, I have to say I am super excited to have Kirsten on board, her commitment to perfection, and skill level is unmatched, seriously Kirsten you have some great skill in what you do, and I would fully recommend you to anyone I meet”

    Josh Chandler’s last blog post..Redfin’s CEO Glenn Kelman’s Talk at the Seattle 2.0 Awards

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