How to layout your portfolio for interview, how to explain your work, what questions to ask, all the things I thought of after finishing my interview.
This post is off the back of an interview I have just returned from. Although I was not as smooth as I had hoped, it was still successful in gaining a placement as a graphic designer (I'm not a graphic designer! I'm just a creative person)
The biggest impression I came away with was the importance of the thinking behind each piece. My interviewer, Michael, actually stated that he was not concerned with experience. He was instead looking for someone with ability, both in their eye for aesthetics, and their ability to explain and justify concept and design choices. With this in mind I am now going to re organise my portfolio in the following manner:
Description of each piece:
Each piece in the portfolio will have 3 sections in the description.
1 Bullet point summary.
In as little words as possible for each point, describe the concept, the tools, and the techniques used. If you know it, also the time taken. When a potential employer is skimming through, this is the part they will look at. They will (most likely) not have the time, or the patience, to read through paragraphs of descriptions in every applicants portfolio.
2 The idea, in depth.
If a particular piece stands out they will want to know more about it. Here is where you can dive into the details of the concept and how you developed it. Details of the other ideas that did not make the final cut can also be included, but be concise.
3 The techniques, in depth.
Go through the process of creation. Describe, in detail if you can, what steps were taken in order to realise the piece. Include what programs / materials you used and how you used them.
If you have collaborated with anyone on a project, include them in one, or both, of the last two paragraphs. It would also be a good idea to show this in the title, e.g.
Title of piece, collaborative / Title of piece, solo
Layout of the portfolio as a whole:
This is aimed at online portfolios but the thinking can also be applied to printed work. Have a simple, easy to find, web address with as little navigation as possible. To test this out, go to a friends flat and direct them to your online portfolio without touching their computer. Stand behind or beside them and only say what to do. This will give a good indication of any difficulties you, or your interviewer, may come across.
For a portfolio split into several sections, keep it all together on one (web) page. Any navigation you add, any links to the next section, creates an opportunity for the viewer / interviewer to finish and move on. When the next section is just a scroll away, down the page, the viewer will be far more likely to work his or her way through everything. This is especially true in an interview. Having all the work in one, easily accessible, place will also convey yourself as an organised person.
What to use (an example):
Having had my wave of inspired hind sight I am about to transfer my portfolio work into this format using Issuu. This is a website that displays PDFs as books, complete with animated page turning. As I have experienced, on one occasion, this site my not work on everyone's computer. I will therefor have a back up link to a Behance project. This project will start with my showreel, as it is easy to watch and grabs attention before continuing on (via scrolling down) through my print work. Each piece will have an explanation, as described before, just below it and everything will turn out rosy and nice!
What questions to ask when they ask what questions you have:
Finally. That part of the interview in which my mind went blank and my response was a slightly more eloquent version of 'meh'. These are the questions that sprang to mind after leaving:
When can I start?
How does a day or week at the office usually work?
How long do you normally spend on a project?
Do you ever use freelancers? - How do you choose who to work with or is there a pool of talent you regularly draw from? - How would I enter this pool?
Have you any advice on developing my skill set for work here?
How did you get from (what they studied / some event in their past) to here?
Is the management open to innovative or new ideas on running the studio?
There will be many many more questions I'm sure. Pick the ones you're most comfortable with or that suit your interview better. Try not to bombard them, just make sure you appear keen.
I hope this has given you a little help, it will certainly help future me, and I wish you happy interviewing!
P.s. The first question I was asked on entering was: "so Iain, tell me about yourself." Be prepared!