Attached is the deck by Karthi Subbaraman (Principal Design Strategy at Oghma Design) during her session on Quality Portfolios at Gyaan Adda 58, National Institute of Design, R&D Campus Bangalore.
For more: gyaanadda.tumblr.com/post/61746111615/gyaan-adda-58-quality-portfolios-with-karthi
3. What is a portfolio really?
A document of the past which can
help build a great future.
creative showcase of actual work and area of interest.
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4. What is needed to build a great portfolio
1. Deep understanding of self.
2. ReďŹection on what you want to be.
3. Good idea about your target audience.
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5. What will a good portfolio get you?
Great job that caters to your strength. PERIOD.
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7. Who is your target employer?
Brand Agency
User Experience Agency
Consultancy Corporate
Design Consulting ďŹrm
Digital Interactive & Social
Digital Publishers
Technology companies
Products
Technology Services
Design Services
Software Solutions
Startups
Digital Products
Mobile - Web
Services
Physical Products
NOTE: employment goal diďŹers based on your choice
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8. What should you know about âthemâ?
Business focus
Product or Service
Domain(s) expertise
Their customers
Company culture
Design maturity of the organization
Competitors
Possible design career path
Mobility
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9. What are âtheyâ looking for in you?
Problem Solving
Quality of ideas
Competence in conceptualization
Aesthetic sensitivities
Story telling
Analysis & Rigor
Design communication skills
Team play
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10. What are âtheyâ looking for in your portfolio?
Clear communication of
⢠who you are (thinker or photoshoper)
⢠what are you good at
⢠creativity & problem solving
⢠showcase your uniqueness
⢠skills & competence
⢠area of focus (UX, Research, Ix, Vx, PD)
⢠speciďŹc responsibilities
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11. Letâs get hands dirty
show oďŹ your skills
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13. Decisions to be made upfront & iterate (ofcourse!)
Online &/ OďŹine (PDF)
Story
Voice & Tone
Personality
Hierarchy
Typography
Photography
Content
Alignment & Distribution
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14. Focus on Context
Money shot: Tell a story with the
product visualization.
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15. Focus on features & beneďŹts
Visually explain how your (digital or
physical) product really works. Must
show thinking & consideration.
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16. Focus on process
Lay all sketches and iteration
printouts out in a composition and
make it exciting.
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19. Make a âcase studyâ to show problem
framing and process thinking, deeply.
to show you have a great brain, not only good hands and eyes.
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20. Show a wide variety of work with short
project descriptions.
pick the curiosity of the reader. leave him wanting to hear more.
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26. âYou donât need to tell a complete story of
every project. The portfolio itself should
have an over arching story, and the end of
the story should be why should i care about
you, why should i hire you amongst other
graduates. DiďŹerentiate yourselfâ
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27. âMake sure you have a closing page to re-
sell yourself. They just looked at all your
hardwork. Make sure the last visual they see
is your name, contact info along with a
summary of all skills with bullet pointsâ
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29. 1. Include a breath of work.
2. Include appropriate examples.
3. Provide context to your work.
4. Non-client work is acceptable.
5. Give it a regular spring clean.
6. Take step back.
7. Include case studies.
8. Demonstrate all round experience.
9. Sell yourself.
10. Index your portfolio.
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