It is the problem everyone faces when starting their career; how do I get experience when everyone wants experience? For web designers and developers this is even a greater reality – we are evaluated heavily based on the quantity and quality of our work, our portfolio! The solution seems simple, build a portfolio – but with what? The getting started aspect of creating an online portfolio for the first time can be an overwhelming experience to say the least.
Last week, the entire nclud team had the opportunity to go speak at Damascus High School in Maryland. We spoke to about a hundred students in the “web design” and “advanced web design” courses taught by the ‘Webucator’ himself, Mr. Jeff Brown. The meat of our presentation was on this very topic; how to build a portfolio; more specifically, where to start.
An online portfolio can be a variety of things; the most important thing to do is to realize what it is for you. A portfolio can be a showcase of commissioned work, a sketchbook of ideas and concepts, an inspiration portal of what excites you or even just simply a resume. Some are very professional, others casual and some very personal; portfolios can reflect more than the work you’ve done but who are you are. Who are you beyond a resume, beyond a name, beyond a degree – a view into you as a designer or developer.
So, how do you know where to start? We’ve posted our slides online from the presentation and hope they help aspiring young talent as they struggle with this very question.
View the slides online:
http://nclud.com/presentation/express-yrslf/
Edmundo Junior
March 18th 2009
The link it’s broken =/
Joe Brightwell
April 7th 2009
Can you please fix this link? I’d love to see the presentation slides. Cheers.
Dan Drinkard
April 7th 2009
Sorry about that! Should be fixed :)