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When I open up my portfolio, it's like opening the door and seeing old friends - advertising I designed, copy I wrote, photographs I took. Like a time capsule, my portfolio represents my life's work. To a potential client, it might seem as though all my work was contained in those pages. However, this certainly isn't the case. The selection of representative work is an agonizing process, but eventually I found what worked for me.

First, I had to eliminate some of my favorites. I'm a sucker for bad jokes, especially the tasteless kind, and occasionally I had a client who enjoyed them as well. While we found the products of our collaboration hysterical, there were others who found those products far from appealing. Save those pieces for your personal file if you like, but leave the borderline design out of your portfolio. It just isn't worth the risk of offending a potential client.
Second, try to sample the widest variety of work you've done. My work has been primarily advertising design, especially for the print industry, so my portfolio is heavily weighted toward print. However, occasionally I was commissioned to do other work, such as mass mailings, invitations, copywriting, and even posters. I make sure to include any work I've done that is unusual. It shows flexibility and variety and a willingness to learn new skills, things that everyone - clients or employers - finds beneficial. Also, when selecting your tear sheets, look for the best examples of each. Is the print in register? Are fold and crops straight and smooth? Is the printed paper free of flaws, smears, or debris? You should be able to answer "yes" to all these questions?
Third, a professional presentation is important, so pick the best portfolio you can afford. No need to buy the four feet tall leather-bound edition, but being able to present your work neatly is priceless. It saves the time and effort of unfolding and unpacking a folder or box, not to mention saving the wear and tear on your precious tear sheets. No one would wear pajamas to an interview; why would you bring your tear-sheets in anything unprofessional?
Finally, if you use your portfolio for an extended time, remember to update. Some work can begin to look dated, faded, or simply not represent your current talents. Rework the contents if necessary to keep your portfolio in a job-ready state.Remember, your portfolio is a tool that should be able to show your work, and it should represent you as well as your work does. A well thought out portfolio can speak for your work.

Learn more about this author, Tracy Tucker.
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