Feedback from Anne Garber-Aquent

For us, because most of our clients are looking for digital designers, a digital portfolio is critical whether it's shown via a tablet or a laptop. Of course, not every student can afford a device, so as long as we can prepare our client that they need to either borrow a device or need to show their work on a client computer, they can accommodate that. A print portfolio works in a pinch, but really digital is the preferred method these days.

Generally, most designers have a link that the client sees when they are evaluating them for fit and this is the same content the designers walk through in an interview, however, some designers create more customized portfolios that they can walk through with clients in an interview situation. They may be customized based on the role they are interviewing for or might do a deeper dive into the process behind creating the work (might show before/after work on a redesign, show various iterations of logos they went through, etc.).

The most important thing is to make sure the students explain their work. Clients want to see process whether it's a story board for motion pieces, several iterations of a logo, or wire frames for a website. They can be beautiful and clean or sketched on a notepad that was scanned in. As long as they can show the thinking behind the design clients aren't picky. If they can include information around why they made the design choices they did, that's very helpful as well.

Feedback from Chris Lowe-Recruiter at Microsoft

—Portfolios, what do you respond to?

This is a tough one. Even within our office I get mixed signals from our design directors.
 
Students just starting out won’t have enough work to create a “greatest hits” portfolio. I would suggest students include plenty of comps and sketches. We often hire people based not just on their final work but also on how they went about their design process.
 
Diversity is also pretty important. One of the big criticisms I (and many other recruiters and design directors I’ve talked to) have of UW’s program is that too much of the work looks like an homage to the Swiss style. We look for people who can successfully design for a wide variety of clients and projects.
 
Class and taste are two words our design directors often use in describing the work of people we end up hiring. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should is a good mantra to live by (especially in the case of the web!!) Too often student work comes across as being cleverer than it needs to be. Clean and simple is always a winning approach.

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My advice is that you don’t want the portfolio case to detract from the work itself- it’s merely the vessel, not the message. The silver alloy box/book is quickly becoming the norm for students. It seems to have replaced the black portfolio book.
 
Personally, I prefer a book because it’s easier to flip through quickly than shuffling through a stack of boards.

Feedback from SPU VCD Grads

Andrew Ries 09
I bought a mid-range model, it's a 11x14" from Paperhaus for $80. I'd recommend that store because they have a lot of options. ...

Michaela Wagoner 09
I think that going out and buying a nicer portfolio - that fit the look and design style I wanted to represent - was a better choice. I feel like it just makes a better impression to have something you invested in because it shows dedication to your image and presentation in an interview situation. I've gotten compliments on mine - which is a 11x14 matte black steel front and back with a screw binding (from paperhaus). They said they appreciated something clean, professional, and classic. It did cost around $150 or $200 after getting the slips... but I think I would have gone out after graduation and gotten the same thing anyway. ...

Tyler Eide 09
Actually I haven't used a physical portfolio once, Its all been based on my website &/or on one of the employer's computers. It has seemed to go over well so far, something to think about I guess. ...

BeckyJo Ambroso 07
My current boss thought the case itself was nice. But when I interviewed at WONGDOODY, they said the black boards scream "student" and that a book is much more professional. They said a really great idea is to make it kind of a story, not just individual pieces. Then they get to see you and your work at the same time. (Obviously this is more difficult to achieve as a student, but something to keep in mind none-the-less.)...

I think it's less awkward to go through a book than to shuffle through boards. Joel said boards were good because a room full of people could pass them around. Maybe others had different experiences, but in all my interviewing, the most people I ever met with was two.

Katie Carlson 07
When I went on interviews for marketing positions I just bought a plain zip-up portfolio at an art store. It totally worked for the positions I was interviewing for. When I go back into the ad world, I will do something much more creative (not involving boards) but in the meantime a cheap something to hold my work worked great. Someone even complimented me on my portfolio...which I thought was strange since it was just plain, black, and cheap....but it looked professional. I guess my one piece of advice would be to tailor it to the kind of position you are looking for. If you are going to Nordstroms for some sort of office job, the sleek silver joel portfolio is very fitting. If you are going to Jones Soda for a creative position, you'll want something edgy and fun (i.e. think outside the portfolio/book).

Matt Wells 07
1. Variety: Having a well rounded portfolio with various pieces like posters, web, packaging, logos etc. helps show your range as a designer. Even if it's only one or two examples of each - it helps you stand out.

2. Detail: Paying extra attention to how your portfolio is assembled is essential. Mounting your boards correctly, and making sure they are clean! The fine details are important, but easy to overlook when rushing to get everything put together on time.

I got my portfolio from Paperhaus downtown. It's on either 1st or 2nd avenue near Belltown.

One of the most important things to have prepared before your job hunt is considering the arrangement of pieces in your portfolio. Figuring out which project should go first, and why. Followed by the rest. Joel recommended putting your strongest piece first, followed by others that are strong, then maybe some that are mediocre. Then finish with YOUR favorite.

I took this into consideration and also grouped by boards according to project type. (ex: all packaging together, all web together etc.)

Peter Orr
 07
I guess I'll just reinforce what BeckyJo said about books — they are MUCH more important than boards in a case because it allows a lot more creative freedom. It can be a bit inhibiting to think of interviewing without the case and resume you'd expect, but design firms DON'T WANT to hire someone who can only do the expected. So GO BEYOND with your book. Come to think of it, Roger's "Ambiguity Book" is a fitting start to the program, if making your own portfolio book is the final VisCom project.

I'd also like to clarify that, from what I've seen, cases do have their place IF you freelance and specialize in one thing (like photography) and you need to rotate a lot of work constantly. Books are more appropriate for showcasing work concisely because they act as a leave behind and Creative Directors can take the time to go over your work more thoroughly.

Luke Rutan 06
I think the book route is much more professional and sophisticated. People like flipping through books, boards seem to be a bit cumbersome... I think the most important thing was probably whether or not they felt like I was confident to do the job. I liked my portfolio case for this instance because it looked sleek and held a good amount of printed pieces for showing. It felt more like a briefcase. But, I would have much rather preferred to have a book; maybe something that I can swap pages in and out depending on the type of client I'm meeting with...

Anne Pyle 05
However, if you do choose to make a book, I think it would be advantageous to purchase a durable case or cover to protect it from getting damaged.