4 Common Graphic Design Portfolio Mistakes You Must Avoid

A well-executed graphic design portfolio can go a long way to getting graphic designers their dream job. As part of the visual arts, graphic design puts greater importance on what you “show” than on what you tell. So in an industry that traffics mainly in imagery, your design portfolio can be as crucial as your resume. 

Some creative directors and art directors even prefer to look beyond the breadth of a jobseeker’s experience and would rather focus on the glimpses of talent and potential. That is where the graphic design portfolio comes in.

Putting together your first graphic design portfolio can be an exciting task. It can also be daunting. After all, you are trying to impress the best design companies and employers in Malaysia and what you are showing is essentially your life’s work. Like all first-timers, new graphic designer applicants tend to make key mistakes when putting together their portfolio. What you need to remember is that, similar to other graphic designs, it is all about presentation.

Here are the 4 mistakes you should avoid in creating your graphic design portfolio

Showing too much

First-time applicants might be eager to include as much of their work as possible in their graphic design portfolio. While this can show an employer the quantity of your work, it does not necessarily show the best quality. Make sure to only feature your very best work, as you want to leave the best possible impression. You also do not want to submit a portfolio that is too long and cluttered.

You need to identify your speciality. Is it advertising, packaging, digital media, 3D graphics, animation? Your graphic design portfolio should predominantly feature the kind of work you excel at. Then, you can add in some of your best work in other media or categories.

Limiting your portfolio to approved work

While you do not want to overload your graphic design portfolio, you also do not want to limit your options. Some make the mistake of showing only published or approved work. This will severely reduce your opportunities to impress employers, especially if you are a fresh graduate with little to no work experience.

In the graphic design industry, it is a well-accepted practice to include unpublished or even personal work in portfolios. This is because graphic designers are expected to be artists who also work outside the confines of the office.

Do not hesitate to include schoolwork, unapproved works, or even personal projects that you are proud of. This is especially important if you do not have much experience yet, as this will give you the chance to show your potential as a graphics designer. Select your very best work in your personal or professional archive and show prospective employers what you are really capable of doing.

Letting the visuals do all the talking

Putting together your graphic design portfolio does not stop at choosing and laying out your best work. You also need to write annotations to explain the works you are showcasing. You can write short explainers or introductions, depending on how your portfolio is divided: by category or by project.

Giving employers context on how a particular work was conceptualised and executed can give them an idea of your creative process. If an artwork or project has an interesting backstory, like you overcoming a creative stumbling block, for instance, then that can add another level of appreciation for employers looking at your portfolio.

Playing it safe

Guess what the first work employers are going to see in your graphic design portfolio: the portfolio itself! Your portfolio should not simply be a collection of your works and projects. It should be its own project, as well.

Go crazy with your graphic design portfolio. Create an eye-catching cover page that already tells the employer, in a single glance, what you are all about. Give each page of your portfolio a personal flair—whether through clever illustrations, elegant typography, interesting colour choices, or all at the same time. Just make sure that everything is done professionally and that your entire portfolio is tied together by a single concept and visual theme. This will let the employer know that there is deep thought behind all the aesthetics.

A career in graphic design can be a fun and fulfilling journey. By crafting a well-made graphic design portfolio that expresses your passion and purpose, your career path will already be off to a good start. You can also take the next step by updating your JobStreet profile, so the right employers can find you as you seek passion and purpose in a new career. Then, start searching for the #JobsThatMatter to you on our website or app. And if you are ready to get hired, add #WorkNow to your profile. 

For more expert insights and helpful tips on growing your career, visit the Career Resources Hub.

At JobStreet, we believe in bringing you #JobsThatMatter. As a Career Partner, we are committed to helping all jobseekers find passion and purpose in every career choice. And as the number 1 Talent Partner in Asia, we connect employers with the right candidates who truly make a positive and lasting impact on the organisation. 

Discover Jobs That Matter. Visit JobStreet today.

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