How to Create an Amazing Graphic Designer's Portfolio

Whether you are a new graduate or a seasoned pro, it is good form to keep your portfolio in tip-top shape. You never know when you will be presented with a dream job opportunity. And when that opportunity presents itself, you must be prepared with an amazing portfolio that showcases your skills, your style, your craft, and your creativity. Here are 4 keys to creating the perfect portfolio to land the graphic design job of your dreams.

1. Chose your best pieces. This is important. Truly, it is quality that counts over quantity. Do not show pieces that you are not utterly proud of, just to have more to show. Chose pieces that you can speak about in detail. Chose pieces that showcase your skills. Chose pieces that highlight your strong points. Chose only the best.

Your compilation should be relevant to your audience. If you are showing your book to an advertising agency, become familiar with the type of work done there, and present a sampling of pieces which prove that you fit into their design culture. Maybe a small design firm is looking for fresh new talent to spice up their offerings. In that case select pieces which reflect your ability to innovate and create different design solutions. A book publisher may want to see that you can handle large documents, whereas some jobs will need to see your Photoshop skills. Do your research and use your portfolio to prove that you belong.

In all, your book should include about 12 of your best pieces.

If you are just starting out, and you find that you don't have enough work,really evaluate the work that you do have. If you feel that the pieces you have do not showcase your amazing typography skills, or your stunning page composition abilities; give yourself an assignment. As long as it is well executed and you can speak about your goals and solutions (just like every other piece), pseudo assignments are a perfectly valid way to show your skills.

Now that you've gathered your best samples, you have to plan a killer presentation.