joel laumans | adaptive interfaces

The one minute portfolio

I couldn’t watch this video just once. I had to watch it several times to completely absorb it. Partly due to the fast paced visuals, partly due to the great song (any one know the artist/title?), but mostly due to the great composition of the clip. The video, created by Circus Family Amsterdam (motion graphics and video studio), is basically a one minute portfolio; and personally, I’m sold:

7 Quick tips to improve your online portfolio:

1. If you got it, flaunt it.

Yes, it sounds corny, but make sure your best work shows up first. Don’t expect viewers to dig through your links to find the work you are most proud of. There is nothing worse than designers with great talent where you have to crawl through the dirt to find the treasure.

2. The one-two punch.

If you are applying for a job or position some where, don’t ever expect your portfolio to get more than 2 minutes of true viewing. Most people will have made up their mind whether they like your portfolio within the first 15 seconds, if you haven’t convinced them by then, it will be hard to change their mind afterwards (Again, point 1). Only stellar portfolios get true ‘air time’ and return visitors.

3. Little to no text.

Don’t expect viewers to read large bodies of text which may accompany the images in the portfolio. A picture is worth a thousand words, and if the images don’t clearly tell the story, find a creative way to get your message across.

4. Range

Make sure your portfolio shows off several different talents of yours. Don’t appear to be too specialized in one area, or you might miss out on other opportunities. Demonstrate your familiarity with different mediums, areas, techniques, etc.

5. Ambition

If you’ve got their attention so far, keep it. Make sure you let them know that you are planning on growing and going places. Maybe this can be presented in a short text, or something creative like mock-ups or sketches for some futuristic ingenious idea of yours.

6. Tell your story

If they are truly interested in you, make sure they can learn a little more about you. Even if this is just by adding your resume, you never know who may be watching!

7. Contact info

Make sure they can get in touch with you, add a contact form, leave an email address.