Creative portfolio guidelines from experts

Creative Portfolio guideline session

To standout as a creative graduate, you need a well constructed creative portfolio. Your portfolio needs to showcase you as a person as well as a creative - and is a vital part of a creative students’ preparation when finding employment.

Here are 8 useful tips from two experienced industry experts, Milk NZ managing director Ben Reid and senior studio creative Steve Grant, who ran a presentation on creative portfolios at AUT recently.

Simplicity is key

Keep it consistent, clean and easy to navigate. Put your strongest work first and stick to 4-8 of your best projects/pieces
(If you’re not sure, ask a friend/lecturer or recruitment professional to help you decide on your best work).

Make a start

Write a 2-3 sentence summary about yourself
(Include info about what drives/motivates you, your passions, goals, strengths).

Tell your storyCreative portfolio session 1

Who are you? What creative/designer do you want to be? What’s your approach?  
(Think about what you like, creative work you are drawn towards, what work you want to do and your passions. Then reflect that within your portfolio).

Quality over quantity

Only show work you are proud of because then it is easier for you to talk about it. 
(Rather than just showing a final image/product, show the process of your designs - from brainstorming to the final product, highlighting your input).

Be honest

Don’t miss an opportunity to show your processes and images of your work.
(Potential employers/clients want to see/understand the thought processes behind the project and the part you played in it).

Know your audience

Connect with people by building a relationship.
(Your work is your ice breaker and you are the connector. Align your work with the needs of the company by tweaking your portfolio to fit the company or stud.io you're approaching).

Invest in yourself

Purchase a domain, set up an email and invest in a website. Your portfolio is your credibility.
(Start with a base template then tweak it to make it your own – Adobe portfolio or squarespace are the cheaper subscriptions and well designed).

Want help?AUT E Lab 3

If you would like to discuss your job preparation further regarding CVs, cover letters as well as creative portfolios, come and see us.

Get in touch with our team at the Employability Lab by booking an appointment in person or online through Elab Online.

Not used Elab Online before? It's easy, just sign in with your AUT user name and password, then look for Events - Appointments.