Alrighty, I'm not really sure how this works...if I'm not following blog etiquette, by all means correct me.

I'm working on updating my portfolio so I'm going to talk about a Coroflot post, Design Portfolio Tips. You'll want to read the article itself here. I'm just writing about the article from my perspective...

The Right Type
First Coroflot talks about something that I forget from time to time - remember who is viewing your portfolio, and how. Because it's so easy to just make one portfolio, I end up sending the same portfolio to footwear companies, action sport companies, toy companies, consulting firms...I never really bother to distinguish, because let's face it - that's more work. Still, I think it would be totally worthwhile to at least shift the order of the pages depending on who I'm talking to, or maybe come up with a couple different graphic layouts...that way I don't actually have to come up with a whole new format, I can just shift stuff around. Bingo...

It's also good to remind myself that these people are looking at my portfolio on-line (usually) and I'm not typically there with them to walk them through it. Definitely something to think about.

Skillzzz*
The moral of the story here seems to be don't suck, because everyone else is pretty good. Ouch...having some pretty pictures isn't going to cut it. You have to "demonstrate that you can quickly and effectively communicate complex ideas in a professional manner," which is really flipping hard. Hurray! Suggestions - create a dynamic, interesting portfolio by playing with scale, color, and other stuff. So...I'll work on that. Presentation skills.

*spelling edited for my benefit

Range
Show some flexibility and stuff. Show work from a wide range of projects using a wide range of skills (different types of 2d presentation, 3d modeling, research and thought processes). Show your "holistic" design capabilities. True dat...

I think I try to show a pretty fair range...although I know that 3D modeling is a category that could be vastly improved. I should add a wider range of types of sketches, too. I pretty much skip from rough sketches to finished products and tight renderings.

Ambition
Show it. Duh. Resumes are a big part of showing this, for sure, but it can also be shown through self-directed projects. Going above and beyond and carrying out the thought process from start to finish. This is something I need to work on...I think it's fairly evident in my resume, but all the ideas for self-initiated projects have been just a little too daunting for me to actually carry out. I think I have it, but I'd need to show it.

That Special Something
So all this is not enough, says Coroflot...everything before this will only guarantee a position in the middle of the pack. You need that special...something. Make your portfolio something that can be read again and again by putting several layers of meaning into your project. Like an onion. A delicious onion. Subtly show your strengths in each area. Hmmm...

And their closing:

"This may sound like a daunting task, but it is the reality of the design world in the 21st century. If you take the time to review and select your work, and put together a well thought out book, you'll be rewarded many times over throughout your career."

All very true. And a lot to digest...

I'll publish my portfolio up here when I figure out how. Think a little more about it.