Portfolio Content
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- mg33
Alright, question for you all.
I'm starting to devise a plan for getting some work into my portfolio and get my web site up to snuff.
I have several ideas for all kinds of visual work that I plan on doing - identity, web sites, copywriting, ads, logos, magazine layouts, the whole gamut of things hopefully.
Alas, no clients for this stuff so planning on doing fictitious work on existing products and services, things I like, as well as using a brand/company name I created in college for several aspects.
So, question is, if I'm doing things like this to show skills, ideas, etc. is it better to keep that portfolio content private and show only to people you'd like to work for? And better to keep public portfolio work strictly as things that have been produced?
Like I said, I've been thinking about all the things I can approach to build my portfolio.
How many of you include fictitious projects in yours? Do you show that publically, and if so how do you prefer to note that it was just for practice and to show ideas?
Merci.
- fresnobob0
You should have the work then do the portfolio. if you just throw work together in like a week for a portfolio it will probably be bad.
- nocomply0
If I was proud of my work I would show it to everyone regardless if it was ficticious or not. If you know you can do better, maybe save it just to show potential clients in a pinch.
I don't think too many people care if the work is "real" or not. They care if its good or not.
- mg330
good point nocomply. :)
fresnobob,
It's kind of a long project, not a week thing.
- D_Dot0
I think it's ok to use ficticious content as long as you state it in the description. Something like a note under it like "personal project" or "non-commisioned". The idea is to show what you are capable of, and if you haven't been given the chance to do that through clients, then why not do it yourself.
- lw-d0
It is difficult, everyone has to start somewhere. I went down the route of approaching companies and being honest, let them know that you will work on a project for a very reasonable fee/free in order to prove your skills. If they like it great, contact made, job done, if not tweak it and use it for your made up project.
- mg330
During the copywriting seminar I was at last week, I talked with the speaker during lunch and asked for advice in this area. She kind of said the same thing, and suggested taking existing products, businesses, etc. and creating a project brief for what you'd like to change about it, do differently, turn into something new.
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm more pumped about doing this than ever, no more Viva La Bam and more computing.
- ********0
you can call it "unpublished"
- nocomply0
A couple of additional thoughts on this...
Obviously as others have mentioned you need to state the that work is not real.
Also, if you have awesome stuff that's never been used commercially before, people may think of you as new, fresh, hot talent. They might like you because you're not associated with any brands. Could actually be a good thing, but I'm probably reaching here.
- fresnobob0
I'm just saying i think it will be really hard to make a portfolio up from scratch. The less professional experience, the better the work should be, you know?
- honest0
some people throw in work which was pitched but never used so i guess in the same rein as ficticious
- ********0
or an earlier version of commissioned work that was rejected by the client
- paraselene0
i can't see it being too much of a hindrance, honestly.
i'd be rather impressed that you took the initiative to make work that you're proud of, rather than waiting around for someone to ask you for it.