What Should Be In Every Designer’s Portfolio (but probably isn’t)

What Should Be In Every Designer’s Portfolio (but probably isn’t)

on Jun 29th 2010 with 38 comments

In this article, Harrison Ambs shares his thoughts on the pitfalls involved with being a designer, 3D or otherwise, and gives some excellent advice on making your portfolio stand out from the crowd. A must-read for anyone looking to make a living from their love of design.

So you’ve knocked out a few tutorials…
now you want to do this and get paid.

So you’ve knocked out a few tutorials, you have item after item that looks slick and shows off a wide swatch of knowledge about the programs you’re running, and you’ve even thrown in a few things of your own. Now you want to do this and get paid. But it seems that every Art Director you go to responds with a rejection, leaving you out in the cold and wondering what you’re doing wrong. As a former Art Director myself, I’ll explain one of the most common pitfalls a new designer faces when starting out in the world of design.

Let’s jump right in with the question you’re invariably asking : “what did I do wrong?” Unfortunately, that’s the wrong question. The issue isn’t what you’re doing wrong, it’s what you’re lacking as a designer. Most Art Directors and managers are ultimately interested in one thing and one thing only : are you able to solve a problem?

Most Art Directors and managers are ultimately interested in one thing, and one thing only : are you able to solve a problem?

I’ll give you an example of something I faced recently. We had a new client who needed a design package. The only caveat was that this package had to be used for all of their affiliates with a variety of styles and situations. So now I’m not designing something for one client; I’m essentially dealing with multiple clients each with their own needs, what they are expecting and what they can use. To put it bluntly, it was a nightmare. I’m going to have no contact with any of these affiliates, and any one of them can come back with notes that could upset a different affiliate….well, you get the idea.

Now, I’m not expecting a new designer or one with limited experience to know right off the bat what they should do, but at the very least you should be able to identify and rank the problems that you’ll be facing with a situation like that. At the end of the day, when we strip away the Photoshops, Cinema 4D’s, Illustrators, Wacoms, InDesigns – we are all simply problem solvers. Each of our clients have needs, and we are paid to address them.

…and if you try to sneak in something you made using a tutorial as your own original work, you go from ‘inbox’ to ‘trash can’ faster than OS X can make it happen.

So how does this relate to you? Well, imagine you’re in my position. I’m looking to hire a freelancer to help me out with an affiliate project. I have a pile of resumes sitting next to me and they are all starting to merge into one. Yes, you all have a sense of composition. Yes, you all know how to use color. Yes, I can tell you subscribe to Cgtuts+, because I recognize some of the techniques in there (and if you try to sneak in something you made using a tutorial as your own original work, you go from ‘inbox’ to ‘trash can’ faster than OS X can make it happen). But lets say you want to stand out, rise to the top of the resume pile. How do you grab my attention?

Short answer is a case study. Take a project where you had to solve a problem and, starting from the beginning, walk me through your process. Go back to the project that caused you the largest headache; that one that where sat with your head in your hands, staring at your keyboard, struggling to come up with the answer. That’s the project I want to see. Any designer can be a good one when they’re given the opportunity; I want to hire the designer that makes that opportunity.

Make your voice heard, ask if you can help out anyone or simply find out what they did to fix their own problems.

Where do you go from here? Good question. It’s difficult starting out, but the opportunities exist. You have to be savvy, keep your head up, and know what you’re dealing with going in. Cruise places like CGtalk to see what other people are doing, and to help with problems if you can. Make your voice heard, ask if you can help out anyone or simply find out what they did to fix their own problems. Or put that stipulation in your resume – offer to have someone take you for a test drive. Have them toss you a sample project and see what you can come up with; I actually started out on my path to Art Director in a situation much like that.

So yes, learn the programs, learn design. Make pretty things that move. Wow your friends, impress your enemies. But at the end of the day when it’s ‘crunch-time’, and we’re in the trenches with a deadline storming on the horizon and a client who has to deal with 15 different affiliates, I want be able to look over at you and know you’re with me.

Problem solving. It’s what we do.

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I'm Harrison and I've been a designer for what feels like an eternity. I currently do broadcast design and animation, but like most of us, I'm restless and have been known to pick up a camera. When I'm not holding the reigns of my MacPro, I'm either living an energy drink ad (biking, kayaking, running), or cooking (mostly French, but some Italian). You can check out some of the projects I've worked on at my website: www.harrisonambs.com, or follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/harrisonambs.  

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  • http://Yes,thatstwonns I ann Undercover

    What I learn from this post : To keep it Original

  • soulofsound

    I nearly threw up after reading this. Apart from the faint “know you’re with me”, there’s nothing about the joy of exchanging ideas, of co-operating, .. this whole article seems written from a cloud of arrogance. But then that might just be me. I couldn’t care less actually.
    Problem solving, yes : that should be in the portfolio, oh wait, how do you show that actually you can solve a problem?

    Enthusiasm, dedication, eye to detail, radiant joy when at work : those are skills/feats i would select on.

    • http://www.blackbluebrown.com thetaint

      speaking of ignorance… maybe it’s time for a little introspection SOULOFSOUND.

      “this whole article seems written from a cloud of arrogance. But then that might just be me. I couldn’t care less”

      also,

      “Problem solving, yes : that should be in the portfolio, oh wait, how do you show that actually you can solve a problem?”

      every project starts with/as a dilemma/problem/conflict. it’s your job to come up with the solution, and manifest it into your product. the client has a problem… your work is the solution. but that’s only if you ‘get it’… which i doubt you do. i doubt there are many clients who hire employees based on their ‘radiant joy when at work’.

      get a clue, man.

      • soulofsound

        thanks for lecturing me from your obvious superiority. This is precisely what i think is wrong with this article, and you exhibit it, too : arrogance. Look it up : offensive display of superiority or self-importance

        The great art directors of our time would write a much more humble article. At least that’s my opinion.

    • http://harrisonambs.com Harrison
      Author

      “Problem solving, yes : that should be in the portfolio, oh wait, how do you show that actually you can solve a problem?”

      I thought I answered that pretty well. If you look at the last two paragraphs before the final closer, you’ll see that I had a few tips and ideas that have worked for me in the past and also what made a few designers stand out when I interviewed them.

      But if you want a specific idea that works, I’ll point out again that a case study is probably you’re best bet. Many of the top design houses do it to show off this exact point; that they can problem solve for a client. Just take a project you did and go through it step by step detailing what you did to conquer any hurdle that you came up against. It requires a good deal of work from you, but in the end it’s worth it, and will definitely make you stand out as someone who can do this as a job.

      Soul, I get where you’re coming from, and yes, enthusiasm, dedication, eye for details, design acumen, etc – these are all things that make us feel good and are reasons that we design. And they’re all very good things to look for in a co-worker, or someone who will do great when things are going good. But I’m not worried about that.

      From my standpoint, what I’m most worried about is when a client has given a list of changes with a deadline looming, I’m coming to you 10 minutes before you’re set to leave for the day, and we need this account in order to keep the lights on. If you can keep your cool under that kind of pressure and setback, that you can still do your job and give the client what they want and fix whatever problem they have… well, those are skills and feats that I have selected people for.

      • soulofsound

        Thanks for answering. I’ll shed more light on what i mean and what i think makes this article incomplete.

        You say -instead of the priorities i point out- that you’re only worried whether someone can handle pressure in order to pay the bills. Suppose your candidate handles pressure well, and can solve a problem quickly.
        Do you think someone without dedication, enthusiasm, eye for detail, originality will give you a good product or something mediocre?

        So bottom line : if you’re after paying the bills, and mediocrity is fine, then your advice holds up well.
        But if someone is after quality and excellence, instead of his paycheck, then it would be unwise to try to get a position at your firm, because his priorities would clash with yours.

        Is it that you want to paint a picture for the young aspiring people that visit this site, of how the real world works? Well, i tell you from my experience : it doesn’t have to be about paying the bills. Pressure sometimes is, but sometimes isn’t a good catalyst for creativity. In some cases, where you can go on tweaking until forever, a project may flourish under pressure. In other cases, pressure can kill a promising project, where given more time it would have blossomed.

        So in my opinion it would be wise to elaborate a lot more on pressure, because some young people might come to think that they need to learn to handle pressure and deadlines, while in their case it would kill their creative process, and i wouldn’t want that responsability. And i would never say to people starting out, that this business is about paying the bills. As an incentive that doesn’t make sense, if you like what you’re doing incredibly much. People doing their job for money, very often lose that edge, that spark, that got them the job in the first place.

        So, now you know why your article makes me near-sick.

      • http://harrisonambs.com Harrison
        Author

        Weird, I can’t directly reply to your comment, it seems (unless I’m doing that now, which would be a surprise and therefore make this sentence moot. Fun!).

        Anyway, this is in response to Soul’s response to my response to another response….ah, you get the gist. Specifically this:

        “You say -instead of the priorities i point out- that you’re only worried whether someone can handle pressure in order to pay the bills.”

        I apologize if I gave this impression to you, but it wasn’t my intent that it’s the – only – thing I look for. All those qualities you’ve mentioned are incredibly important, but I wanted to bring to light a quality that I find lacking in many portfolios (which you agreed with me was also important); that being problem solving.

        I didn’t want to spend an article on CGTuts writing about the ‘Top 6 Thing You Should Have in Your Portfolio’ because those are everywhere. You could probably Google that exact phrase and get a hundred answers, all of them probably being a combination of what you said along with me.

        As for the rest of your comment, the intent of this article wasn’t to discuss motivation or reasons to design, or talk about what it’s like to have a job like this, etc. I just wanted to bring to light a neglected aspect of design as a career that I think may people hitting this place could benefit from.

        But specifically I want to address this:

        “So in my opinion it would be wise to elaborate a lot more on pressure, because some young people might come to think that they need to learn to handle pressure and deadlines”

        That is a mighty fine idea. I think I have the idea for my next article. And if you want to help me out, Soul, you can email me – I have my address in my snazzy CGTuts+ profile. Send along any pointers or topics you’d like for me to hit upon.

        And honestly, my friend who’s a web designer read this and said I’ve hit the big times because I got a hate response in my comments section. So thanks, Soul :).

      • Anthony Breslin

        Fair play Harrison. I like the way you handled the criticism on your article in a professional manner i understand the purpose of your article and thank you for it as i’m a student myself.

        Regards to soulofsound i hear where your coming from also and will take both views on board :)

        So lets all be a happy

    • c-r-u-x

      I liked the article and its attitude a lot and I think you’re wrong with your opinion about the great art directors of our time writing much more humble articles.

      Great art comes from being able to cope with difficult tasks. So getting stuff done and being able to think outside the box is what makes a good designer/artist great.

      • soulofsound

        Humble in the sense that they would paint their situation in a broader perspective. I don’t see that here. You have one Art Director telling folks what he would like to see and giving advice that in my opinion is utterly incomplete or even wrong in certain circumstances.

        I don’t object to the point that great art comes from solving difficult tasks. But as a statement it’s incomplete as well. Most great art in history came about effortlessly. One should also say to people : hey; if it doesn’t work, start again, cause you’re probably on the wrong track. As a statement that is equally incomplete, and useless.

        In the end, i think there’s a certain truth in this article, but it should be longer, and more elaborate to make sense. Also the writer should position himself more clearly, otherwise this comes across as so-called truths that don’t apply to most situations.

        For instance, if my client says : i need it tomorrow, then i tell him it’s not possible. I work hard, i even like pressure and going all through the night, but only because i want to, and not because the client wants it. If you need a certain account to let your business survive, there might be serious questions about your business model, and whether prices are high enough, whether there’s a realistic timeframe given to the client etc.

        Concerning pressure, i would say the most important feat in a co-worker is whether someone knows his own limitations, and can predict an accurate timeframe in which a certain work can be done.

    • http://aokaystudios.wordpress.com Alexclavelle

      soul of sound: This article did not underline every aspect of Harrison’s hiring process. Nor did it underline everything that matters in an open and creative environment. It illustrates one point on how to get hired in this very competitive and creative industry that we all work in. This guy is trying to help out those of us who don’t know very much about the creative industry as a whole and you’re sitting here writing what basically has the tone of hate mail. If I was him, I wouldn’t post as much good information that really just helps out others like me and you. By picking apart and attacking his article with sarcastic rhetoric and things of that nature, you’re not hurting him at all, your just hurting us by deterring him from blessing us with further information and knowledge.

      • http://www.videoniqs.com p

        soul of sound is not airing rhetoric, he has a point

  • Virtualzapp

    Yeah I totally agree with it!
    Weel done to remind us this fact

    Cheers

  • Zachary O’Connor`

    It’s this kind of content I like. Not everything has to be directly about creating something. I want to see more of this.

  • http://www.mauriciodeoliveira.blogspot.com Mauricio

    That’s what I’m always saying: think the design process.
    Stop just throwing shiny cubes on a scene and call yourself designer, and start to think how to solve a problem. People are getting to much into the tools, and losing sight of what really matters.
    Nice one Mr Harrison.

  • http://peewee1002.co.uk Peter

    Awesome article.

    Very handy as I am making my portfolio at the moment. Admittedly I am not really that great at Cg yet but I love to mess around with 3D and hope to build that up alot more in the future.

  • Spartacus

    Hey,

    I think the commenting debate is as entertaining as the article itself. Maybe more so.

    I understand exactly where the author is coming from and reading between the lines I can feel the frustration that’s there.

    When I started out there was not the same wealth of tutorial support or the plethora of design blogs and inspiration galleries on the web. It’s good to have this now but the downside is that there’s a lot of samey design and time and again I’ll see an advert on TV which is borrowing effects learnt on Video Copilot or there’s another print ad with a generic photoshop technique you’ve seen in countless other mags.

    I can’t believe how naive you are SoulofSound – My job as a Graphic Designer and 3d Artist is not very glamorous, there’s lots of graft, dealing with colleagues who don’t understand my job, constantly relying on myself to fulfil the role of 3 designers because my company can’t afford to hire anyone to offer me support.

    I thrive on the pressure and relish every opportunity to problem solve, it’s a grittier, real-life creative career than having the luxury to output loads of personal self promotional material like so many design studios seem to be able to.

    Designs blogs and tut sites are my guilty pleasure on coffee breaks etc but I find myself sometimes frustrated that they gloss over real life issues.

    Cool article and great debate!

    • soulofsound

      I don’t see where my remarks could be called naive, so i ask you to elaborate on that. Thanks.

      • http://www.videoniqs.com p

        soulofsound, THANK YOU, you have a very good point

  • http://tazmography.com taz

    This is a nicely written, I have been working on my own portfolio these days I think It will help me so much.
    anyhow I agree that every designer should become a problem solver at the end of their projects.
    i would like to see more article like this. not just tutorials.

  • Alan

    Harrison… you have a macbook 13 inch?

    • http://harrisonambs.com Harrison
      Author

      No, I don’t. Why, you offering to give me one?

      I have a Quad Intel MacPro. I don’t think you really need something with that much horsepower all the time, but it helps when you’re rendering.

  • Alan

    no, just out of curiosity

  • tom

    SoulofSound,

    “Enthusiasm, dedication, eye to detail, radiant joy when at work : those are skills/feats i would select on.”

    How exactly do you propose to select someone based on their ‘radiant joy at work’ without hiring them first?

    This article to me is about how to stand out in the tough world of resumes and interviews, where the portfolio is key. Before interviews etc. you have to rely on the contents of your portfolio, telling a prospective employer you are radiantly joyful at work in your resume just isn’t going to convince them.

    Harrison’s article simply sheds light on a much neglected aspect of the creative arts to those new to the industry, who may not realise it’s importance. At the end of the day, these are businesses employing people, and nice as it is to know an employee is enthusiastic and dedicated, the bosses need to know that when a deadline is looming they’re not going to screw up, particularly under the pressure. They’re paying you to do a job, not a hobby.

    It’d be nice to set longer deadline’s and charge more, releasing the pressure on the designers so they can really get their teeth into projects and develop them fully, but then, I’m sorry to say, the firm that took longer and cost more wouldn’t be hired by anyone.

    If it can be done cheaper, and quicker, businesses will always go that way.

  • soulofsound

    Harrison,

    “I didn’t want to spend an article on CGTuts writing about the ‘Top 6 Thing You Should Have in Your Portfolio’”
    Well, to me it looked like it, but then i don’t mind, cause me reading it the wrong way, got us some interesting stuff to talk about. Regarding hate response, your friend seems easily offended. If something makes me sick, i just say so. It isn’t offensive in any way. It’s a fact.

    Yes, concerning pressure, i think i’ve pretty much said everything i wanted. I think at this rate many designers will simply burn up in 10 years or so, because the competition is mad. That’s why i think you can never go wrong on quality, because as a designer you allow yourself more time to work and still be paid well. But it takes dedication to get there, because quality for most of us does not come falling from the sky, neither does originality. So finding a niche for yourself eventually, takes you out of the competition, and i think ultimately that is what everyone wants.

  • Spartacus

    I think this is naive…

    “So bottom line : if you’re after paying the bills, and mediocrity is fine, then your advice holds up well.
    But if someone is after quality and excellence, instead of his paycheck, then it would be unwise to try to get a position at your firm, because his priorities would clash with yours.”

    Why would work be mediocre just because you’re meeting a tight deadline?

    If you work on being a good problem solver and can think on your feet, react quickly and efficiently to client demands and have confidence in software operation then you should be turning out quality work despite whatever restrictions are imposed.

    It’s just not a reality that you will always have the time or luxury to make all those tweaks you mentioned.

    “And i would never say to people starting out, that this business is about paying the bills…” – Of course it is, unless you’re a hobbyist with a regular income from a different job. I think its an important reality check.

    Here in the UK there are 1000s of kids graduating from creative degree courses but there are not enough jobs to support them and many of those students have no intention of looking for one as they only opted to do the course as it seemed like an easy option to earn a degree.

    I know this to be true from speaking to students at a degree show a couple of years ago, many of those students were going into teaching or joining the Police force!

    I love my job and there’s nothing I would rather be doing. I balance the stress in my day job by taking on occasional freelance projects which give me a little more creative freedom and extra cash.

    I hope you didn’t take offence to me saying some of your comments were naive and equally I hope I haven’t come across as the jaded older designer! I’m only 31!

    I think these might be the first comments I’ve posted but I couldn’t resist.

  • Xrecent

    I like this post.

    I think the main issue here really is how to properly present yourself – sending the right message. At my workplace, we often get a lot of applicants, most with promising if not exceptional portfolio. They’re good that is before we learn that they often take weeks to finish one design. I think it’s a good idea that people do submit documents explaining how they worked on something not just a jpg of the finished product.

    It’s added work and not every single employer would have the drive to read a long document. But for employers and applicants trying to find that special relationship and rare teaming, i think it pays that as designers(applicants) we should be informed that there is such a thing a employers reading your thoughts not just deciding on what you design because sometimes, a design is good but once someone asks for a revision, the designer is no longer capable to making it better…or it takes an insane amount of time.

    And remember, you work at a business place and in the rules of business…time is money.

    I think unless you’re responsible enough to recognize the importance of time, then you should not expect to get the money associated with that time. At least that’s my personal though…just sharing if it means anything to anyone.:)

    So overall i think this is a good post. We all have our own opinion but most certainly, I will take this and have it on my next portfolio.

    Thank you so much!

  • trollesque

    Hm, so you get paid for “articles” like this? Well, maybe then I should ask for payment for a comment like this one. Haha!

  • http://sammunrawr.deviantart.com Sam Munro

    I’ll be honest, I’ve been learning CG on and off for the past few years, doing the odd tutorial here and there between school and now that I’m in college, it’s becoming the center of all my work.

    If anything was worrying me, it was the portfolio I knew one day I’d have to start on that was terrifying me; what with not knowing how to do it and where I’d start…what I’d include.

    BUT, thanks to all this, I feel a damn sight more confident about where to go with my work and how to impress future employers; thanks for the tips Harrison, it’s been damn helpful and I only wish the best for you in your future endeavors.

  • comeinandburn

    I’d have to agree with a lot of what Harrison has said. I believe people’s ability to follow through has diminished greatly with time and the ability to problem solve is a quality that is not so easy to find and absolutely essential. The last thing you want is someone that is a gifted artist but simply throws up their hands at the first signs of struggle.

    On the other hand comments like “If it can be done cheaper, and quicker, businesses will always go that way.” is the wrong type of mentality to have, this is the WALMART model. Quality costs, and by attempting to do the most for the least is simply setting yourself up for more of the same. By maintaining your integrity and not bending to pressure to do the impossible you increase your perceived value while the opposite is true if you simply cave to the bottom line.

    Ultimately you need to have a good balance and learn to pick your battles. Know when to spend the extra time and when it just needs to get done.

    great discussion by the way!

  • LieLuge

    I think soulofsound is just bad-mouthing the article.
    The article is totally fine, and everything what soulofsound say is just common sense. Enthusiasm, dedication, eye to detail, radiant joy when at work every designer must have that but if you cant solve a problem with that you have problems, you probable make beatiful stuff that dont do or solve nothing

  • yter

    Totally agree about the problem solving part. I came to the same conclusion when I was thinking what’s expected from a potential employee. I wouldn’t call it a problem though, isn’t that a wrong mindset ;) ? More like a task.

  • http://www.videoniqs.com p

    back off from soulofsound, he has a point

  • Alesha

    I agree with many of the posts put here both ideas and the main premise of the article, It shed light on a problem most people miss when discussing design jobs. I like the discussion this drew. I wanted to point one thing out to soulofsound he answered his own statement in his previous post. The author is pointing out one single problem he has noted in hiring process with portfolios. Is this the only problem? By no means, but it was one aspect of the hiring process he focuses on and not the whole scope, and it seemed to me that soulofsound wanted a broader definition for a specific situation. Because everyone has had a client come in last minute and said “Ohh I need this fixed or that wasn’t what I invisioned and I need it done sooner than expected.” It would be nice to assume this doesn’t happen but we all know it does. Most of us litterally cannot aford to tell the client no at that point because we have spend soo much of our very valuable time on that project. So again well done on the discussion and article itself.

  • meister

    Harrison : Thanks for this article. You took the time to say it as it is in the industry and some people have to comment on “pressure”. Do they have any clue about how competitive and hard the industry is? How the need for problem solving and creativity is very important to achieve professional results?

  • Og

    That’s his opinion only.Every director will have different opinions.So guys don’t be confused.

  • http://www.arifsaeed.com Arif Saeed

    I agree with both Soul and the Writer, but i must highlight that some VFX houses r shutting down due to tight deadlines lot of pressure and people looking to switch career. many agencies and studio close down.
    .
    This pressure is the PART i repeat PART of being in creative field. the quantity depends on oneself,
    .
    if you are copying design just like others do, sure, you have to hire people who work more for less and may knit cloth for company in extra time.. you have to keep balance, i would say the Pressure thing is a commonsense thing, if one has that he wont be finding it difficult to understand.
    .
    .
    M not proving anyon wrong, because this is yin-yang, every thing. it might work for some one and might not for others. also if you keep people under pressure their performance might suffer and they would start usin cheats and shortcuts.

  • Tony Light

    what I learned from that topic is that you simply need to be more bad-ass at what you do, in other words you need to be quicker, work quicker,think quicker and be able to change the design instantly into anything the client wants just before the submission while doing it professionally , sound like a perfect recruiter’s description , “needs to have 5+ years experience in doing 3ds Max 2012″ and must have worked on AAA titles…