Designing A Portfolio

[garyscottadamson]

I'm just about to go into college and want to take graphic design. I have no qualifications in graphic design, but they said they'll let me take the course if I show them my Portfolio.

I have lots of things to put in a portfolio that I have designed for companies, I however don't really know what an artistic portfolio looks like and how things should be displayed.

Could someone please give me some guidance. I think it would be useful it I could see some portfolios (If that's the done thing??? Are you meant to let anyone see your portfolio???)

Thanks for your help in advance.
Gary

[Toon]

Do you have mostly printed materials?

[garyscottadamson]

half web and half print I would say...

[blueocto]

Best to try and use work relating to the course, or take a sample of a variety of work, such as painting, drawing, ideas, web work, print work, advertising etc etc
Then they can see a good broad range of skills and also how you approach challenges that lead to (hopefully) successful design outcomes :)

[garyscottadamson]

That's pretty much what I was going to do, but how should things be set out? What should captions say?

Does anyone have a portfolio they could email me @ adamsongroup@googlemail.com

Thanks

p.s. I'm not sure if it's the done thing to email your portfolio, so I'll understand if nobody emails me one. :)

[blueocto]

To be honest, when I left school went to work for a year, then went back to college I didnt have a clue. But I just took work from my art GCSE and mostly my own works that I had done in my spare time, and although none of them were particularly 'graphics' I still got in.
Its for college not a job, so try not to worry too much. If they refuse too many potential students they'd be out of a job! lol

[rossable]

captions and titles really aren't necessary.
a step by step progress example is generally encouraged for professional portfolios. (displaying the progress of the work from concept, planning, sketch, rough, composite, and finished) i doubt you would need such for a college course though.

[garyscottadamson]

I need to go as pro as possible because I don't even have a GCSE in Art. Thanks for all your help

[Pignut]

Originally Posted by garyscottadamson

I need to go as pro as possible because I don't even have a GCSE in Art. Thanks for all your help

I recently did a HND in Graphic Design and didn't have a GCSE or any Art qualification. At the interview I was a bit worried about not having a proper portfolio (truth be told I still find the term quite intimidating!).

I just brought along some work I'd done - a few screen dumps from a website I'd created, a couple of logos done for friends, some photographs and a few sketches done in my spare time. I just put them in an A4 black binder (one of those with the clear plastic pages where you can insert the work) so that I could hand it over without showering the interviewer with loose paper!

I'd be surprised if they're looking for anything too "pro" at this stage (that bit happens when you take the course). Far more important is to come across as enthusiastic, interested in design and keen to learn about it.

It might be worth making sure you can name some favourite designers (it shows that you've thought about it) and maybe be prepared to talk about something topical regarding design (the London Olympic logo or perhaps a recent interesting ad campaign?).

I'd say that these things will probably put you ahead of a lot of candidates who walk in with art qualifications and a vague notion of being the next "Banksy".

[rick22]

i guess... what you can do is that you can show them your projects.. if they find them impressive.. then who knows....