Yes, it’s almost the end of your education. After years of hard work, sweat and sipping pints at your local pub, it is high time to sell yourself on the market. Selling yourself as a graphic/interior designer is only possible with a bulletproof portfolio. At our office we receive heaps of portfolios. So how do you make sure yours doesn’t end up in the pile with an ice-cold ‘No’? With our insights we can offer you some handy tips.

Tip 1: Sell us your soul

A portfolio is selling your work, it’s your idea of art and creation. Make sure to represent yourself and don’t try to sell something that isn’t you. Don’t try to be somebody else because there are many more people waiting in line. Be unique but always yourself, you only have 30 seconds.

Tip 2: Less is more

Make it worthwhile, start with your best work to draw our attention. Don’t just put everything you can find in there. Make sure your portfolio blows our mind. You know, less is more.

Tip 3: To the point and crystal clear

Always be clear and to the point. Every assignment begins with a problem, followed by a solution. Explain both your problem and your solution, because your creativity is within that process. Need some inspiration? Check out our work page.

Tip 4: What about…. your CV?

We know it’s just a boring piece of paper, but that doesn’t make it less important. Start your portfolio with your best work and finish it with your CV.

Tip 5: Don’t be a twofaced b*tch

Your tone of voice isn’t what you say but how you say it. Create your own identity. Maintain the same tone of voice throughout your portfolio, we hope you’re not schizophrenic.

Tip 6: Wow, that looks nice!

Present your portfolio, both analogue and digital. Your analogue design shows your knowledge of materials and a keen eye. With your digital portfolio you show your digital skills. Portfolios come in many forms, so make it your Magnus Opus. Show off your graphic and communicative skills and maintain an eye for detail and materials.

Want to know about the job applications that blew our mind? Discover them here.

Tip 7: Work in two speeds

It’s important to separate different kinds of information, but make sure that the same type of information is presented in the same way; work in two different speeds. For example, the result of your project is key information. In your portfolio it’s big, fast and clear. If you elaborate further on the project, you’re talking about additional information. This information can be presented smaller and on the background of your portfolio.

Tip 8: Be an attention whore

When it comes to first contact be an attention whore, because you aren’t the only one. When you have the attention, make sure you do something with it. To keep the attention, you must think outside the box. Keep in mind that there is a fine line between funny and faint, getting attention or just being annoying.

Tip 9: We don’t have much time, so make it easy

The easier it is for us to discover your work, the bigger the chance we dig it up. So, don’t use download links, WeTransfer, slow links or other rubbish. Use files sent by mail, nifty websites or use Behance.

If you’ve used all our tips, maybe you’ll get the chance to be invited at the design agency of your dreams. That being said, we invite you to come over and try to seduce us with your portfolio on our Portfolio Review Day, the 26th of June. If you want some more information visit our event page on Facebook.

Just come over, we don’t bite.