The Portfolio

What is a portfolio?

In creative terms, a potfolio is a case containing a set of pieces of work considered by the owner, to showcase his skills and abilities in a creative field. (In this instance, graphic design.) A portfolio, does not have to be physical, this portfolio could be on the internet in the form of a website, it could be a PDF suitable for emailing to potential clients or employers or it could be a showreel (movie file) for designers who produce motion graphics work.

A web based portfolio will often reach more people than a physical portfolio because the internet instantly exposes the portfolio to who ever has the internet. Digital design is becoming ever more present in contempory design, with innovations in digital technology ever progressing, it is good to at least have an awareness of the possiblities for digital display and distribution. The form a portfolio can take will differ, depending on the discipline of the said designer, for example, I am a print based designer at the moment, therefor it is important for me to have a physical portfolio as well as a digital one in order to showcase my print work to it's highest standard and fullest potential. This could be crucial for me in order to get a job or a placement, whereas with a motiongraphics designer, this is not his top priority, having a website with a showreel on it would be far more applicable.