Art Directors/Designers in publishing—what makes a candidate & portfolio shine?

I love my job as a part-time Jr Designer, but I have the energy to work on more projects than I currently receive. On my own, I make sample book covers & interiors and take LinkedIn courses on book design & typography.

I’m applying to full time positions and contacting art directors, but no luck yet. Am I missing anything?

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Passion. If there is talent apparent in the portfolio I’m just looking for passion. Everything else can be taught.

I give every resume/portfolio less than a minute to get my attention because I typically have 100 more and not enough time to look at each one with a fine tooth comb.

Your resume is the first piece of design I see. So not over design it but be sure to pay attention to layout and type. If a potential can not layout their resume properly the door is gonna get shut before I even get to the portfolio link. I’m not really reading at this point. The content isn’t important at this point. Just layout and structure. It’s a simple document. Treat it like one.

Portfolio link must be clear or I go to the next resume. I do not care where you went to school or if you did, what your previous job was, or that little bar graph rating skills (everyone please stop doing that!). All I care about is the work. I review that first before I read the rest of the resume or cover. That stuff could push one over the edge, the portfolio is what props the door open and often times is the only thing that lands the interview.

Structure your portfolio with a dozen or so pieces but don’t fill it with filler. I’d rather see only 6 great pieces than half great and half meh. Let the work speak for itself and provide minimal commentary in the portfolio.

Tailor the portfolio for the place you are applying. Do they do a lot of web advertising? Show them your ad work up front. Are they a print shop? Show them your book work.

Lastly ask yourself what kind of work do you wanna do? I tell my students and reports this all the time. The work in your portfolio represents what you are capable AND willing to do. If there is a type of design or illustration you don’t like to do, do not include it in your body of work.

If you get the interview, I like your work. The interview is really about you. Do you like us? Do we like you? Do I see the passion for the work and a desire to learn?

That got longer than I expected!

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Wow, thanks for such an in-depth answer! I really appreciate your perspective on valuing the portfolio over a resume. Fortunately, I really know what my priorities are in terms of the projects I want to work on, so I’ll make sure everything in my portfolio website and resume point toward that.

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Have you tried freelance? It's often an easier lift for most places, keep that in mind while looking. As a junior I was too preoccupied with finding a full time gig that I ignored good freelance opportunities.

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Hey that’s something I really haven’t considered! I occasionally do freelance illustration work, but I hadn’t thought about freelancing as a book designer too. Thank you!

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Sometimes it takes real world work to get noticed. Freelancing can help.

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