Phone: +1 (506) 635-3000
Phone: +1 (506) 635-3000
When applying to CAM Institute of Design or trying to land a job in design, having a portfolio that demonstrates both your skills and personal design style is essential. Portfolios are like resumes, and you want to create a unique portfolio that shows your abilities and creativity. Here are a few tips to help you create a fantastic portfolio
1. How to Begin
The temptation may be strong to include as much of your work as possible when deciding what to include in your portfolio. Don’t give in to this temptation and submit only your finest work. Include some variety, but the main goal is to give a brief overview of your best work. This is work you are most proud of, to demonstrate any special skills, and to showcase your style. Try to tailor the portfolio to what you’re applying for. Sometimes this means you may need to include a broader spectrum of work, or it could require a very narrow focus on your strongest examples. Just remember quality over quantity.
As a future design student, you may feel that you don’t have much to include in your portfolio. That’s okay. Any work that you’ve done for school projects, as well as any work you’ve done in your free time, can be included. If there is a particular style or talent you wish to display, you can also create original works for your portfolio.
2. Presentation Matters
As critical as the designs inside your portfolio is the format in which you present it. If you’re planning on presenting your portfolio online or in print, be creative in how you format it. However, most expect you to submit an online portfolio. You have several options for displaying your work. However, you should view your portfolio using different platforms to catch any mistakes or formatting issues.
3. Preparing Images
Quality images are extremely important, and they are the only visual representation a viewer has to go by.
Choose high-quality, clear images with a good resolution. If taking a photo of a physical art piece, make sure the background is clear and solid and that the lighting is bright enough to catch all the details of your piece. When scanning a document, make sure the page is clear of debris and the paper isn’t crinkled or bent.
For digital works, the files should be appropriately named to describe the work, and the file should not be too large. 1-2MB is a good file size, and JPEG and PNGs are appropriate file types. Full working digital files are not required. Information about the files should also be included either with the file or in a separate word doc with the projects numbered. Include your name, the name of the work, the date it was created, the program used, the materials used and the dimensions.
4. Rework past projects
You don’t always need to create new designs in your portfolio. Try looking back at some of your older work and see whether you can rework them by using some of your newer skills.
5. Ask for feedback
As soon as you have collected a good selection of work, ask your design teachers, friends, family, and other students for their opinions. With a fresh set of eyes, you may be able to make changes or fix mistakes you may have overlooked. Don’t let critiques discourage you; see them as an opportunity to learn and improve.
There’s never been a better time to start a design career. And the right way to start in the industry is by having the proper education that meets the requirements of the employers. Studying at CAM brings you one step closer to landing jobs at your favourite studio. Located in Saint John, close to cities like Moncton and Fredericton, CAM Institute of Design is a registered college in New Brunswick offering diplomas in animation, VFX, sculpting & compositing, graphic design, game design, product design, transportation design and more. For more information and helpful tips, stay updated with our blog posts and our social media channels.
To enquire about our programs, visit CAM Enrolment or call 506-635-3000.
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