Everything in your portfolio says something about you as a designer. But is there more to it than a good portfolio for getting a job or landing a new client?
Rule Number 1
Never submit something to a client you wouldn’t put in your portfolio. The first reason to do this is that the client will always, always select that horrible design over all the other excellent ones you present. And then you’re stuck producing the crummy one that you hated and you thought the client would never choose. Serves you right!
Along those lines, you don’t want to be embarrassed when you see that logo or that package sitting on the shelf. I’m sure we’ve all designed things that we wish we had the chance to do over. Don’t let yourself live with that regret! Do your best every time. It’s what your client expects and it’s what they deserve. Be proud of your designs!
Now, sometimes you are just in a rut and you can’t think of anything super creative. That’s fine, but you are still a designer and while your work may not make people do a double take and be amazed at how creative you are, it also won’t be painful to look at.
Rule Number 2
Even if a particular piece is not actually in your portfolio, it’s still a part of it. Think of your portfolio as your reputation. It contains samples of your work, but it’s also a demonstration of your business and interpersonal skills.
Most designers network with new clients by word of mouth; previous clients will recommend you to their friends if they like you. Remember that!
Many people are very into the way you make them feel about the project just as much, if not more, than the final product. Are you prompt in replying to emails or updating the client on an unforeseen difficulty? Do you keep in constant contact with the client? Are you professional? All these things will make an impression on your clients, whether good or bad is up to you!
If you treat all your clients in this way, you’re also more likely to retain their business. Keep the quality of your work high and you’ll reap all the benefits of a successful designer (and you’ll feel good about your work, too!)
“Never submit something to a client you wouldn’t put in your portfolio.”
That’s a tough one. I have designed lots that I wouldn’t put into my portfolio. Sometimes I’ve just had to compromise, and the resulting piece — in my opinion — is rather unpleasant; however, the client has been happy. It’s often difficult to strike a balance. I’ll go away and think about this a little more…back later…your principle is sound, though…
Yes, I can see your point, John. My point was/is to keep the quality of your work high and don’t submit a crummy job just because you don’t feel like working on it more. I think too often we get lazy and show things that are “good enough” and that can give the whole profession a bad name. What do you think? Did I clarify my reasoning a little better?
Keeping your standards high is, absolutely, vital to your reputation. Similar to what John mentions, I sometimes find that my initial ideas are rejected, and taken by the client on a winding path to poorness. As much as you educate your clients, some just can’t get it.
Still, there’s nothing to stop you from inserting the original ideas in your portfolio with the same brief. In fact that’s what I’d do.
Have you actually done that before, David? How to you present them? In other words, what do you say? Do you make it clear this was not the final product or do you just present it as your ideas for the project?
I agree with you about the degredation of your work because of a stubborn client. I’ve had to deal with that, too. Fortunately it doesn’t happen often though, as I am in house and most of my work is for my boss and our director of marketing and they usually support my designs and ideas. It’s so refreshing! We do some work for affiliates/franchisees and they can be picky.
I’m with Johno and David on this one (though your principle is great as Johno says). I have done work that I hate, as that is the way the project wasled by the client. I also keep my initial concept work and sometimes use that in my portfolio instead of the final piece. I think sometimes people like to see that you have more than one idea/concept on a project and that you are a flexible designer. Chances are the person you are showing the work too may prefer one of the not chosen concepts too.
I’d present the best work as ideas for the final design. Whether or not they’re used doesn’t make much difference in your portfolio. Sure, it’s great to have a client on the same wavelength as you, but it doesn’t always happen.
Tara, I totally agree that people are interested in seeing the process we use to design, including alternate ideas for a project. I’m interested in seeing that from other designers, too! My reasons are probably different than a future client’s though. I keep a binder of sketches (I like to print out thumbnail squares from the computer, so when I’m done I put those in plastic sleeves and stick them in the binder), which are also good for future inspiration.
What I think is being mangled in my communication is that I don’t mean put everything in your portfolio and show it to potential clients. But I think having the attitude that each piece is a representation, especially to new clients, of your work is the important point. This will keep you/me/us in the mindset that we cannot settle just because we don’t like a subject or a client or we don’t feel particularly creative today.
Perhaps the title of this post should’ve been Do Your Best No Matter What. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s perfect every time or that each piece is as good or better than the last, but that we do the best we can at the time. Maybe the best at a given time is only 80% of what we would normally say our best is. That’s still the best that we can do under the circumstances.
Goodness, might as well have just rewritten the post there! :P
Lauren, sorry I think my comment came across as harsh (it wasn’t meant to). I thought your post was great, but unfortunately sometimes you just have to compromise. You are right though you should always do your best with what time and brief you have.
No, I didn’t think it was harsh! You just had a different point of view! When people have a different opinion it is a catalyst for discussion, which is what I want (so long as they share it respectfully, like you all have done). Then we all can learn from each other :)
One Trackback
[…] Never submit something to a client you wouldn’t put in your portfolio. - Lauren on It’s All Your Portfolio […]