What are some big nopes in a design portfolio?
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140k / SF / F / 31
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Hi fishes,
I am planning a switch so was going through some salary data for a software engineer. My ex-senior manager recommended me a website: Growceed.com which helped me a lot in getting clarification about a lot of things but I am in doubt whether the average salaries of software engineer mentioned on Growceed.com really that much in top MNC companies.
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Can you put spec work in your book?
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Not clearly defining your role on a project. I’ve seen a lot of portfolios from more junior designers with a really well laid out case study, but presented in a way where they seem responsible for much more. I want to know what you specifically worked on, challenges you solved, not just the overall project. It can make for awkward interviews when designers can’t say specifically what they’ve done despite a case study with many showcased deliverables (from a different team member).
Isn’t that what the interview is for?
Small photos, blurry photos, not enough information about the project or clearly defining your specific role, zero information about you. One of the first things I do after looking at a resume is going to your portfolio about page, I like to know a little about you before diving into the work.
Comic sans.
Seriously tho, bad photoshop. I’m tired of seeing design/art directors portfolios and the image has a clear light source and the shadow is going the m opposite direction. Bad photoshop usually not even bad technical skills. Is just pure lack of observation.
I'm having trouble finding designers/AD to collaborate with on spec work. So, I've taken the design into my own hands.
I'm admittedly not the best, but I feel like having something is better than nothing and at least I can showcase my thoughts and copy with at least an idea of the visuals.
Would you say that's the wrong approach?
Another one. Trendy designers. Designers that have everything looking exactly like everyone else’s. When you see a book and think “this looks like everything on behance” that’s a big nope for me.
“Storyteller”
Too trite?
No set-up or context for the work. Tell me something about the strategy that got you here/ tell me about the problem you are solving / don't just lump a bunch of pretty imagea or words on a page. Show me how you think.
Definitely a good start. But I'd recommend building on that. Share a 1-2 line version of the brief or inspiration. Though you may be a designer, being able to verbalize (present) your work and process is incredibly helpful and definitely gives you a nod in my book. many designers do beautiful work, far less can confidently and accurately speak about it. being a conceptual/thoughtful designer is a huge draw. Show me you are more than a pair of hands that can push a pixel and wrap a bezier curve.