I am beginning this post with an extract from the Collins dictionary, providing a brief overview of the definition of portfolio:
Portfolio
noun
- A large, thin, flat case for loose sheets of paper such as drawings or maps.
“under his arm he carried a large portfolio of drawings”
- A range of investments held by a person or organization.
“a portfolio of insured municipal securities”
The importance of obtaining a portfolio and the benefits of presenting yourself in an industry, within a portfolio, have always been apparent. It enables us able to provide an insight of work, work habits and skills we acquire from education and life’s challenges. Portfolios are excellent for boasting your credentials at interviews, presenting complex workflow for assignments or gaining followers from the world wide web.
When preparing for an interview or different situation it is suggested to break down one’s portfolio into more digestible chunks, of which will be less overwhelming for an interviewer or audience; breaking down the portfolio also allows one to specifically aim the content towards the type of interview one’s self is attending.
Portfolios come in all different shapes and sizes. They come in a variety of formats colours and materials. No two look the same and each and every one of them has an individual identity. It’s up to that person how much effort, time or pure creativity they apply when creating their portfolio, it’s those elements that stand a good portfolio apart from the crowd. Portfolios can become over run with quite a large collection of material they have become much more than just ‘loose sheets of paper’.
| Physical Portfolio | |
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| · Micro transactions | · Difficult to update |
| · Original feeling | · Fragile |
| · Print looks better | · Hard to reproduce |
| · Demonstrates effort | · Hard to mass produce |
| Digital Portfolio | |
| Pros | Cons |
| · Speed | · Limited with size |
| · Easy distribution | · Limited handling |
| · Accessibility | · Needs tech to work |
| · Easy to update | · Less personal identity control |
Study shows when a person is presented with a physical attribute, they are more likely to be more comprehensive with a product. According to ‘Phys.org’ when reading text and analysing images over multiple pages, a reader will endure better concentration and a greater overview from a printed medium compared to reading from a screen.
When attending my interview, I noticed several people only had memory sticks with documents and files of their previous work. When it was there turn, to much disappointment, they could not present their portfolio due to not having access to the technology they required.
This strengthens the argument that you should always obtain both digital and physical portfolio, you never know what problems might occur down the line; employers could even test you, testing your organisational skills. If you carry a backup, you prove you’re more likely to excel in real life situations within a working environment!
On the other hand, screens tend to be smaller than physical portfolio which can be beneficial if you are looking for easy distribution of your portfolio. However, depending on facilities and technology, screens can be poor quality resolution, resulting in detail and beauty being lost.
Alex coven inspired me with his simplistic digital portfolio. Take a look here: https://www.alexcoven.com/work/logos
He boasts a collection of his favourite work under individual page titles, he summarises what is coming in the page within the header. I presume to reduce clutter, so one can focus on the work itself when browsing. I liked the way it looked, so I employed the style myself.
The main page of my portfolio contains suggestive leading designs and innuendos. All designed to enable the reader to delve further into my portfolio by creating curiosity from the quotes and comments I authored.
I have included multiple call to action buttons within my digital portfolio, with the intention of directing more traffic to my main pages; this should hopefully make my portfolio more memorable and interactive. The call to action buttons follows my brand scheme. Reading ‘Submerse now’. When the button is clicked viewers will be directed to main pages.
I added pieces of valued work from college and previous photography pieces to my digital portfolio, personally I am not one hundred percent convinced with the work as I have chosen but at this moment, I have nothing more compelling to produce. In the future I will develop my style of which will provide a smoother more consistent identity within my portfolio.
When designing my digital portfolio, I used the theme because when combined with the fixed header when scrolling it looks Asif the writing and header are being submersed, correlating to my brand voice of being submerged.
My digital portfolio can be found at: https://tenerifejordan.wixsite.com/submersive
I came to the conclusion, to create a quality creative digital portfolio, with enhanced hover responsive features I would have to pay subscription to platforms or learn advanced knowledge of coding and web design.
Originally my physical portfolio consisted of nothing but a few pages of A4. Researching physical portfolio attributes online I came across a blog which introduced me to DIY portfolios. Searching around the house, I found materials; Consisting of envelopes, glue and cardboard and with a little creative thinking I designed and produced my physical portfolio.
I cut rectangles in the in the face of the envelopes which created a window viewing opportunity. A picture within a picture. I selected pieces of my work from my digital portfolio to create a consistent relationship between the two. The photograph copies I had produced are a great example of a physical attributes, tied in with a mini write up they are great for producing the micro transactions with my personal creation as mentioned earlier.
Throughout my portfolios I have included copy which is informative and straight to the point. Each page has a short paragraph summarising the page.
I will create multiple professional copies of my portfolio to send to potential employers when searching for work, I will also take copies to interviews to leave a lasting impression on the interview board.
In the future I will add to my digital and physical portfolios as my style and work loads increase. Depending on the individuals needs and desires. Adding additions to your portfolio can greatly increase its personality. Additions such as: CD slots, Memory sticks, handouts and business cards. In the future I will apply a small memory stick to my portfolio.
Portfolios are never ending, once you create a portfolio the only thing to do is keep adding to a portfolio. I don’t believe the maximum potential of a personal portfolio can ever be achieved, because human-beings have a never-ending capability to learn, grow and achieve. However, the content of a portfolio can create a powerful insight on one’s creative side and achievements leading to a detailed, deep and distinguishable brand image of a person.
Bibliography
https://www.themuse.com/advice/3-rules-for-creating-a-beautiful-online-portfolio
- Using this link, I found good comparisons on Print portfolios vs digital portfolios
https://www.howdesign.com/design-career/print-portfolio-vs-digital-portfolio-a-designers-dilemma/
- Using this link, I found out about the different types of portfolios.
https://blog.flipsnack.com/portfolio-website-vs-portfolio-book-which-is-preferred-now/
- Using this link, I found the importance of using digital portfolios to present video work
- Here I found that being presented with a physical attribute creates more comprehension from the viewer.
https://www.creativebloq.com/print-design/should-have-physical-portfolio-11410307
- Using this link, I found how to optimise Wix websites. To produce a better designed portfolio as an end result.
- Using this link, I learned about different types of physical portfolios.
https://www.creativebloq.com/portfolios/paper-portfolios-5132559
J Johnson creative 