Portfolio 101: How to Design and Present a Portfolio that WOWS

Through daily conversations and career consults with architects and interior designers, I have become an expert in understanding how to create and present a design portfolio that captures your true design ethos. I have compiled some of my favorite tips and advice into the following guide to help you master the art of creating and presenting your portfolio. 

First, let’s discuss the purpose of your portfolio. Your portfolio should do two important things: 

1. Tell your story as a designer:
   • Your portfolio should highlight your strengths as a designer, and show the hiring manager your design chops. You should include projects you are proud of and are excited to present. These projects should showcase your abilities in different areas: design, technical documentation, and detailing. This is your opportunity to share your design methodology, philosophy, and process. 
2. Walk the viewer through your design process:
   • Finished images are great, but they tell a hiring manager nothing about your design capabilities and process. After reading your portfolio, the viewer should understand how you arrived at the final product. To create a great design portfolio, walk the viewer through your thought process throughout the project. Ask yourself, how did the design change and morph based on space limitations and client feedback? A project goes through various iterations; share sketches and renderings that show this process.

Next, let’s talk about how to present your portfolio. During an interview, it is highly likely a hiring manager will ask you to run through your projects. Below are my favorite tips to leave the hiring manager with a thorough understanding of your design capabilities and achievements: 

1. Utilize the word “I” 
   • When you are presenting your portfolio, the hiring manager is looking to understand your skills and contributions. I have found that architects and designers have a very hard time giving themselves credit for the work they contributed to projects. I always say, when presenting your portfolio, it is acceptable to humbly brag about your work. When presenting, think about this question, “What did I contribute to this project?” Did you lead the design effort? Did you produce the vast majority of the construction document set? At the end of presenting every project, the hiring manager should know exactly how you specifically contributed to the project. 
2. Share the narrative of the project
   • Just as your portfolio should take the viewer through your design process, your presentation should captivate the listener through the same storytelling methodology. Remember, your portfolio is just a tool, the interviewer is there to meet you not the document. 
3. Embrace the Growth-Mindset
   • Hopefully, you learn something in every project you complete. When narrating your contributions to a project, ask yourself the following questions and think about ways to incorporate your answers into your narrative:
     1. How was this project important to your development as an interior designer or architect?
     2. What was the most challenging aspect and how did you overcome it?
     3. What was your greatest lesson learned?
     4. What would you do differently next time?
     5. How did you grow from this experience?

If you would like more information on creating your portfolio, you can check out the following DesignForce blogs: 

• Portfolio 101: An Architect’s Manifesto
• Branding Yourself