How to Create a Portfolio and Get Hired: A Guide for Graphic Designers and Illustrators

by Fig Taylor

This book shows those embarking on an illustration or graphic design career how best to put together an effective, professional portfolio. It discusses what to include and how to organize and display the work, and also advises on presentation techniques and self-promotion. Both print and virtual portfolios are covered.

Genres: Design, Nonfiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2010

Reviews

[Sougeitu · Rating 3 out of 5]

花兩天邊做筆記邊讀完了，這本書籍台版出版日期是16年，因此最大劣勢是裡面提到的很多內容並不適用於中文圈設計市場和更為現代的設計領域（如VR/交互/UI & UX/深度的遊戲設計etc）。但對於想在英國從業的傳統設計師與插畫師來說仍然值得一讀。
前半部分以準備作品集為主，提供了許多實際有用的建議。如果對作品集準備有疑惑，一讀該書必然會或多或少有所收穫。中間很大一個part都是在闡述每個設計行業的細分領域，這一部分實際上感覺更適合選擇具體進路的大學預科生或A-level考生進行參考，對於已經在求職階段的藝術從業者則沒有太多閱讀的必要。加之這些年設計行業需求因網路變化較多，但本書成書日期太早，許多有前景和錢景的行業也不在這部分的介紹之中。

書中為急於求職的人士提供了許多建議，處於學生進路階段者與商業求職階段者均可閱讀。但許多方式已產生變化，不完全適合當前的市場狀況。

[Bells]

Didn’t finish , not because it’s bad but because it no longer serves me as I’m in a different line of work right now. I’ll come back some time when I want to understand this better

[Noe_Stlucia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bastante útil, llevaba meses buscando algo que me aclarase un poco que meter en el portfolio.

[Cherish · Rating 5 out of 5]

A decent read with very useful tips.

[Sofilobos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Estuvo bien. Aunque mucha de la data está medio pasada de relevancia. Tiene algunos buenos tips

[Shilpa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like storytelling is important for brands, it is equally as important for creating your portfolio. The second edition of How to Create a Portfolio and Get Hired is a guide for graphic designers and illustrators. Discover how to put together a successful professional digital or print portfolio. Learn how to effectively organize and display your work, so that you tell the story of you.

This is not a book that’s overly preoccupied with style. As author Fig Taylor says,

“The world is full of coffee-table tomes that wax lyrical about the stylishness of contemporary design and illustration; this is, first and foremost, a book that’s concerned with content."

It is also a book about transition: the groundwork you need to lay in order to establish yourself in a chosen career.

The book is beautifully laid out. There are numerous Illustrative examples on how to put a portfolio together, in addition to, an overview of the range of options available to you. Quotes from key players offer soundbites of good advice. It includes information on research and cold-calling; good interview and presentation techniques.

“Those who phone have 95% done their homework.
Those who email are 75% relevant.
Post is worst; at least 60% is inappropriate.”
~ Martin Colyer, Art Director, Reader’s Digest

Also reviewed on:
http://thinkblink.ca/blog/?p=581

[Ursa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inclusive, direct and informative. It's especially useful for those who have never built a professional portfolio and don't even know where to start. The book includes advices on preliminary preparation, presentation materials, portfolio building, self-promotions and interview tips for emerging graphic designers and illustrators. There are also sections for graphic novels, comics and game development. I found it mostly helpful and easy to follow. Though' I wish there had been more examples of actual physical portfolio books for preference.

[Ramy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this book in 2019, it's very outdated with so much that has changed in the market and technology since it was written. Aside from that, the first two chapters were quite repetitive and confusing, not reaching any valuable conclusion. The second half was much more to the point, yet with quite some information that's no longer relevant in the present day. Since there's no newer version available of this book, I think finding some fresher resources will definitely be more useful.

[Gemma Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was very useful and goes beyond just creating a portfolio, in fact I thought that it could have given more advice specifically about portfolios, it's well worth reading though. I plan to go though it again and make lots of notes and a huge todo list!

[María Castejón · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book for Graphic design or illustration students. I found it easy to read with some summaries at the end of each chapter.

Inspiring and helpful. Very realistic as well.

[Yu Zhu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is for graphic design and illustration.
But the chapter 3 and 4 are useful for all.

[Josh Gittoes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found the second half of the book to be much more valuable than the first