Portfolio Design

by Harold Linton, Cesar Pelli (Foreword)

The “bible” of portfolio design and production is now in its third edition, revised and expanded to include essential information on the digital and multimedia direction of portfolios today. Whether you work in architecture, urban planning, landscape or interior design, a finely tailored portfolio is the most important element to include in your application for graduate school, a design grant or competition, or to bring to a job interview. In addition to showing you how to assemble a portfolio that will display your talents and qualifications to the best advantage, the third edition of Portfolio Design adds a chapter on digital strategies, discussing all the elements necessary to bring your work together in a digital format. Also new to this edition is commentary and analysis of selected student portfolios by three experienced professionals who offer unique insights to help you develop your own portfolio.

From formats, bindings, and cases to reproduction techniques, content, style, sequencing, multimedia, and the latest in promoting yourself on the Internet, Portfolio Design addresses every aspect of portfolio planning and production. Three-hundred samples nearly half of them new to this edition drawn from a wide array of current student and professional portfolios, both print and electronic, illustrate many and varied graphic design alternatives to demonstrate what will capture the reviewer’s attention―and secure you an offer. Portfolio pointers from industry professionals and educators complement the practical advice given by Harold Linton, who has taught portfolio design to generations of students. 23 color, 250 b&w illus.

Genres: Design, Architecture

200 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1996

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not a book you'll read from cover to cover. If you've already put considerable time and creativity into your current portfolio this will likely be only moderately useful. It is primarily focused on portfolio design for recent graduates and doesn't address the concerns of most continuing professionals. It also has the problem of needing to be updated every few years so, we are over due for a new model. It is good in that it offers a large assortment of black and white images illustrating different portfolio styles, both in terms of binding, layout, and content. It was useful for me in that it helped me to get out of a creative block. It was motivating to peruse the variety and have some sort of reference other than solely my own imagination and the limited number of professional portfolios I’ve seen in my career.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far as I'm aware, this is still the main book geared towards assembling an architectural portfolio for employment or graduate school. I have to assume there are better versions out there, but as it stands, the book proved helpful for adopting many general guidelines and some specific recommendations during my grad school submittal process. It felt a bit dated or perhaps cautious in approach (due to the immediately post-dot com era in which I read this, the examples seemed a bit "early 90s" I suppose. Maybe it's been updated since?). Look around before committing to this one.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Considered the definitive guide to portfolio design. I found it an invaluable tool when compiling my own university applications. This book offers detailed explanations and examples of diverse portfolios.

[GinaAlex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for anyone in architecture school, or thinking abut the first big job portfolio. Sure, you can find flashier, raunchier texts, but Linton's book is the foundation every solid portfolio should be built on. Even better if you can attend one of his workshops!

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I used this while putting together my two portfolios for undergrad/grad school. It came recommended to me by another older architect...but I really didn't find it to be that helpful/applicable.

[Clairevu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book!