In architecture, we are trained to obsess over the details of a building, yet we often overlook the details of how we present ourselves.<\/p>\n
Even small things like a spelling mistake can be a signal to a hiring manager that a candidate may lack the self-checking discipline required for technical practice.<\/p>\n
Matt Reynolds, Krista Shearer, Misty Waters and Ryan Barton recently sat down to review three real portfolios, looking for the friction points between a designer\u2019s intent and an employer\u2019s reality.<\/p>\n
The common pitfalls are often the result of misplaced effort. Many designers present \u201chuge, glossy projects\u201d but provide no context regarding their specific role, rendering the work effectively useless for evaluation.<\/p>\n
A portfolio is a piece of communication design before it is a gallery of work.<\/p>\n
If the layout is chaotic, an employer may never move past the visual noise to consider the actual content. To find success in a competitive pile, the strategy must be one of precision.<\/p>\n
The goal of a portfolio is not to tell your entire career story, but to provide enough clarity and intrigue to earn an interview.<\/p>\n