How to Create a Portfolio and Get Hired: A Guide for Graphic Designers and Illustrators

How to Create a Portfolio and Get Hired: A Guide for Graphic Designers and Illustrators

by Fig Taylor
Released August 2010
Publisher(s): Laurence King
ISBN: 9781856696722

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Book description

This book shows those embarking on an illustration or graphic design career how best to put together an effective, professional portfolio. It discusses what to include and how to organize and display the work, and also advises on presentation techniques and self-promotion. Both print and virtual portfolios are covered.

Deciding who to approach for work is of key importance whether you are looking for a full-time position or freelance work, and the book maps out the creative marketplace, examining the main areas of work and describing the types of position available in each, and how the commissioning process works. Tips are included from commissioners and practitioners working in magazine and book publishing, design, advertising, TV/film and beyond, as well as agents and educators.

The book also features a listings section detailing online resources and publications to aid research; suppliers; specialist libraries; industry-related trade fairs; and professional organizations.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright
  4. Contents
  5. Introduction
  6. 1. What is a Portfolio?
    1. The Student Portfolio
    2. The Professional Portfolio
    3. The Graphic Design Portfolio
    4. The Illustration Portfolio
    5. The Cross-disciplinary Portfolio
    6. Summary
  7. 2. Making Sense of the Marketplace
    1. Design Groups
      1. Branding
      2. Web design
      3. Multidisciplinary design
      4. Design internships
      5. Illustration commissions
    2. Advertising Agencies
      1. Routes into advertising design
      2. Routes into advertising illustration
      3. Opportunities for cross-disciplinary practitioners
    3. The Editorial Sector
      1. Openings for designers
      2. Illustration commissions
    4. Book Publishing
      1. Starting as a book designer
      2. Children’s books
      3. Educational publishing
      4. Adult fiction
      5. Adult non-fiction
    5. Comics and Graphic Novels
      1. The independent route
      2. The commercial route
    6. Television and Film
      1. Opportunities for designers
      2. Opportunities for illustrators
    7. Computer Games Development
      1. Illustration skills
    8. Greetings Cards
      1. In-house design positions
      2. Illustrating greetings cards
      3. Finding the right publisher
      4. Creating a portfolio
      5. Setting up as a publisher
    9. Summary
  8. 3. Research and Cold-calling
    1. Why Research Is Important
    2. Targeting Your Research
      1. Jobs in the design world
      2. Illustration commissioners
    3. Research Resources
      1. Professional journals
      2. Annuals and sourcebooks
      3. Yearbooks, mailing lists, and industry directories
      4. Libraries
      5. Industry-related websites, portals, and blogs
    4. Cold-calling
    5. Speculative Applications
    6. Student Exhibitions and Competitions
    7. Summary
  9. 4. Creating a Good Portfolio
    1. Basic Approaches
    2. Learn to be Objective
    3. The Contents
      1. Are all the pieces up to my highest standards?
      2. Is self-indulgent work taking up prime portfolio space?
      3. What new samples should I add to my portfolio?
      4. Should new samples be put in context?
      5. How many samples should I include?
      6. How do I show published work?
      7. Should I include my sketchbooks?
    4. How Many Portfolios?
    5. Summary
  10. 5. Choosing the Right Portfolio
    1. The Print Portfolio
      1. Size matters
      2. What kind of portfolio?
      3. Leaves and laminates
      4. How to display your work
      5. Photographs of samples
    2. The Digital Portfolio
      1. What can go wrong?
      2. How to get it right
      3. Remote presentations
    3. Summary
  11. 6. Making Yourself Known in the Marketplace
    1. Networking Pays Off
    2. Pitching for a Presentation
    3. Promotional Material
    4. Presentation Pointers
      1. Be prepared
    5. Presenting Your Portfolio
    6. Post-presentation Reminders
      1. Websites
      2. Sourcebook advertising
      3. Follow-up visits
    7. Summary
  12. Resources
    1. Professional Bodies and Membership Organizations
    2. Information and Advice
    3. Portfolio Manufacturers and Suppliers
    4. Useful Design Websites
    5. Useful Illustration Websites
    6. Useful Publications
    7. Annuals and Competitions
    8. Subject-specific Links
  13. Index
  14. Picture Credits

Product information

  • Title: How to Create a Portfolio and Get Hired: A Guide for Graphic Designers and Illustrators
  • Author(s): Fig Taylor
  • Release date: August 2010
  • Publisher(s): Laurence King
  • ISBN: 9781856696722