Hi all.
I’m starting at Manchester Metropolitan University in January doing a graphic design degree and I was just wondering if anyone has been through a similar course. They wanna see my portfolio so now I’ll finally have to get it in order. My question is: Whats the best way to put together my portfolio of all my work, what works and what fails to impress in a portfolio?
Adam.
I’m starting a digital 3d design course in Kent uni of art & design; i sent my portfolio in january and i guess they liked it because i was accepted on the course.
Make sure you put up your best work (quality not quantity), show you can use diverse medias (glue& scissors, paint, computers, charcoal) and make sure you describe each work (purpose, date, media).
Be sure to be neat as they will also check the presentation (gloss paper for photos is the best for example, and hard/carboard covers could fit well…)
firstly well done on getting in…
im at the Royal College of Art so i can tell you what they like and hopefully it will be relevant, being a UK univeristy
i would go with an a3 leather folder, preferably with plastic sleeves. i made a1 slides of my work on polyboard but it was a waste of time…
some people just choose to have their work loose leaf in the portfolio but i prefer to scan everything in and put it on a template that runs througout the portfolio…nothing fancy just simple and clean…
every year in admissions, a first year sits in on interviews to gauge if the person would suit the RCA and so here is what least impresses me…
lack of a coherent progression through portfolio… i think it is good to show them the more traditional, expected stuff first so they know you have skills and then wow them with the stuff that makes you…‘you’ to close the deal
be sure to show breadth as well as depth…you might be a graphics designer but show interest in other design fields and how they impact on your work…you can never go wrong with having sketches in ure portfolio…
dont just show finished work. design is as much process so show a progression on at least one project and be prepared to talk through your thinking…
also if you have flash skills, then use them… its pretty much an industry standard skill for most designers now…whatever the field
hope this is helpful
Bloody fantastic guys!! Thanks for that, you’re life savers. My portfolio started out great years ago and is suffering gaps through years of neglect. I’ve never been to college you see luckly I managed to find this graphic/web design job and got it on pure faith of the boss. I’m self taught so I think I’ve missed some key stuff out not going to college maybe. I’m panicing but I’m determined.
Any other bits of advice would be great. Thanks again fellas!
Ads.
well it sounds as if you are fully prepared for the experience! my advice would be to make the most of every second. you will probably find you learn as much from your peers as the tutors…
oh and while it is massively important to listen to what every tutor has to say, follow your gut instincts, theyre not always right by any means…
try to please all, end up pleasin none!
well done with your place
im in my final year now and have been to quite a few interviews at graphics companies and in the past to a few unis…i mainly agree with what the other guys have said, definately quality not quantity, and with the order you dont have to go with what was produced first or what you feel is best, just go with what flows nicely.
for both jobs and unis i would say no to plastic sleeves, for my foundation interview they couldnt say enough bad things about them, luckily i still got in but they were always pulling the work out of the sleeves to take a proper look, ive never used them since and my interview at my uni now and my interviews at design firms seem to like being able to actually touch the work and take a close look without having the glare of light shining off it.
hope that helps
good luck
mw
:: Copyright KIRUPA 2024 //--