HINTS AND TIPS
We've asked some of our contacts in the industry to share their secrets here with some cool hints and tips based on their own experience in hiring - and getting hired themselves.
You don't have to follow all their advice but remember, they've been where you are today and have made it to where you want to be tomorrow.
SS1 would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to DIGIT Magazine for letting us use their previously published words of wisdom from members of the industry... happy reading!
Ben Clapp
On choosing work... As online is constantly evolving, we look for work that shows a flexible ability to create in different ways and in new spaces. It's also good to demonstrate the context of your work. Show where a poster or a site that you have designed will be seen, or when, or by who.
On presentation tips... We're not buying portfolios, we're hiring people. Your book should be an extension of your creative personality. If you have a sense of humour, or you're cleverer, or angrier, or more daring than your peers, then demonstrate it.
On portfolio mistakes... For creative teams, it's leaving in student briefs for charities, disposable lighters, rizla, condoms, and USP products. Every student from their college (and probably half the others) will have these products in their book. Just dump them all and you win an instant Brownie point.
On being impressed... Visit more than once with new work. If a young designer can listen, make changes, and still return for more, they'll do well in the industry. Only people unsure of their talents get scared by the thought of starting again.
On getting a first job... Consider the beginning of your career the start of a new phase of learning. If you think you're finished... you will be.
On worst and best portfolios... The worst to see are those where you can see the person has talent, but they've just been too conservative or mentally lazy to go that extra mile and develop it. It's frustrating because these portfolios are so hard to crit.
The best portfolio I've seen was at New Designers 2004. A guy called Steve Webley, who had an eclectic, personal mix - packaging work for M&S, digital movie trailers, and print work all within his style. As we left with his card, I saw a little line of objects: a plastic eye, a wooden heart, two 'men at work' signs and four toy sheep. It took me a minute work out what it meant - 'I wood love 2 work 4 ewe' His was the only one out of the 300 displays that left us all thinking 'we have to get him in'. He's not disappointed us.
Ben Clapp, Creative Director, Tribal DDB, www.tribalddb.com
Darrell Wilkins
On choosing work... Choose work that is most appropriate for your audience. What you consider to be your best work, even if it got top grades, isn't necessarily what an employer is looking for. Tune your portfolio towards the kinds of work that the company you are applying to does.
On presentation tips... Remember that a portfolio is a presentation of your work. Your actual portfolio site should be simple, clear, and easy to use. Your portfolio itself should not be whiz-bang with bells and whistles. Leave that to the work in your portfolio.
On portfolio mistakes... Trying too hard to make the portfolio site itself impress. The most impressive portfolios are not obstructive to viewing work, they transparently aid a user in finding the information they require. Don't make your users struggle to see your work - make it easy for them. As unfair as it sounds, I make a decision about someone in the first 20-25 seconds of looking at their Web site. If yours hasn't loaded by then, forget it.
On being impressed... Don't try too hard. Your portfolio is a device to show off the work you have done. Make it in such a way as to help me find the information I'm looking for quickly.
On getting a first job... Try and think from an employer's point of view. What are their goals? To find a new member of staff, or are they even actually looking? What constraints are they under? Most employers are very busy and will have been sent many applications. What will annoy them? Being pushy, arrogant, or wasting their time are good bets for getting under potential employers skin. What will impress them? Courtesy, efficiency, reliability, and respecting their time.
On worst and best portfolios... The best is Lindsey Carr's. It's a little out of date now; I think she has a full time job. Even so, it's so simple, clean, and clear. You can very quickly find all the information you need to know about her. The site makes her work standout, rather than obfuscate it.
The worst was a guy that posted me his portfolio on a floppy disc. Local college evening class, Wordpad, Paint Shop Pro and a virus pretty much sums it up.
Darrell Wilkins, Managing director, Specialmoves, www.specialmoves.co.uk
Rick Palmer
On choosing work... Don't worry about showing commissioned work. You're a graduate, so we don't expect a portfolio packed full of professional commissions. If you do have any professional work, make sure it's relevant and exciting if you're going to include it.
Don't fall into the trap that because someone paid for it, it must be worthwhile and we'll be interested. We won't. I couldn't care less about the Web site you built for the local estate agent/butcher/financial advisor/your brother/father/the candlestick maker (unless you've created something really ground breaking and intelligent, of course).
You made it to the interview, so you've managed to capture some interest somehow - don't blow it at the last hurdle! What we really want to see is the next generation of digital creatives, bringing next-gen work to our attention.
On presentation tips... Simplicity is key. Distill your best work into a well laid out digital format - Web sites are best - avoid fat Flash sites with 'clever' navigation and complex routes to your work. Just make it look good, run fast, and navigate intuitively. And if you have to password protect your site (why?), then make sure the log-in is simple and works.
In an interview, bring the site on your laptop, and if you don't have one make sure you will have Internet access on the day. And check to make sure your site works on both Mac and PC. It can be a little embarrassing when your entire presentation fails to load on the day. Back this up with a strong print folio (your work, in print, not print work necessarily) and a DVD or CD to leave with the interviewer. And bring along a number of clean and up-to-date copies of your CV.
On portfolio mistakes... We occasionally receive 'portfolios' that consist of numerous images simply attached to the covering email. This is bad. Do you honestly think we have the time or inclination to sift through your JPGs and PDFs, matching them up to references in your CV? If you can't be bothered, why should we? Other mistakes include CVs that are six pages long; bad spelling, and email that is addressed to other companies!
On being impressed... Create a clear, intuitive portfolio site. Offer a simple selection of creatively energetic and compelling work and provide a straightforward CV, with good references and work experience. Show a good understanding of the digital industry, a passion for the future possibilities of the industry and demonstrate a realistic expectation for your first role and salary.
On getting a first job... Get some solid work experience at a reputable agency, get involved and listen to the creative director and other creatives. You should be prepared to work, passionately, hard, and after hours when necessary. Finally, don't take things too seriously - good creative doesn't always need to be too serious.
Rick Palmer, Managing director, Bloc Media, www.blocmedia.com
