Portfolio

Blog assignment #2  Portfolios: what are they, what is their purpose, about your portfolio: who is your audience, thoughts, direction, ideas, composition, style…

My thoughts and ideas from our class discussion on portfolios:

A portfolio has a few parts and pieces, it is a package.  It is generally thought of a a singular grouping of samples of your work and skills, however that is only one part.  A Portfolio includes:

• Cover letter (on personal letterhead – it’s about you, your branding/ logo – your name is probably your logo, Understand how to introduce yourself on paper, appeal to your prospective employer)
• Resume (continuation of your personal letterhead, your branding/ logo – you are the most important thing on the page, everything is about you)
• Samples of your body of work (clean, neat, well organized and consistent with your branding/ logo): digital or physical – your preference – although I recommend having both.
• Marketing piece you can send with your resume – a teaser piece – to set you a part from the other resumes – Wow them, even be for you meet them!  One page or a booklet, this includes samples of your body of work in a clean, neat, well organized and consistent with your branding/ logo.

What is the purpose of a portfolio?
- Communicate, offer interview conversation points
- Showcase skills, talent, abilities, qualifications.
- To wow and impress potential employers/ clients
- Attracting a particular audience

What does it show & tell?
- It’s all about you: your designs, talent, personality, skills, projects, accomplishments, applied knowledge, presentation abilities
- Organizational skills and clarity
- Perception of self, how you want to be perceived
- What you like, what attracts you, tastes

Other important questions: What do you want your portfolio to say about you?  Who are you?  What are you all about?

My portfolio is basically the body of work found on my website, it is tailored for my clients and publicity/ advertising.  If I were to begin a job search I would need to create a physical portfolio and marketing piece to accompany my resume, I ought to be more prepared, especially when I consider I want to teach college full time in the next few years – I need to create my professional with an emphasis on education/ instruction portfolio.