How to Create Design Portfolio? – NIFT | NID | CEED | UCEED

What is a Design Portfolio?

In the design industry, a portfolio is more than just a collection of sketches and drawings. There is more to it; the goal of design is to address a specific problem and in order to do so, the problem must be well comprehended and analyzed. As a scientist's theories depend on the analysis of facts, figures, and data, it could be argued that a designer's work is equally as effective as a scientist's. Before creating a design, a designer must go through the entire analysis process, and to add to that, the functionality of the creation is also evaluated through various stages of research and development. If you look at the work of a professional designer, you will notice that they usually include evidence from their research; and this is what should also reflect in your PORTFOLIO.

So, now coming straight to our blog –

How to Create a Design Portfolio?

As a result, after finishing the preliminary rounds of the exam, you must now get ready for the Portfolio part of the exam. Here's a disclaimer right from the start; there is no such thing as a pre-defined method for creating a portfolio, and you should never duplicate someone else's.

This blog is going to be a bit different in a way, that we won’t be lecturing on this topic. Rather we will address some very important questions, that will in itself help you get hold of the topic, and help you determine the best possible ways on “How to Create a Portfolio”. And the questions are as follows:

Question 1. As I am an aspirant for design studies trying to get admission into the design colleges, and completely inexperienced, why are they even expecting me to make a good portfolio?

Now, you must keep these things in mind;

They are demanding a portfolio not to assess your drawing or sketching skills, they have already done that in the preliminary written exams, and the Studio Test or the Situation Test. So, What are they seeking in the portfolio, then? In essence, they are assessing your capacity for design-oriented thought, or more simply, your capacity for research. They are searching for "skills and abilities," not just a "creative person by coincidence." Your portfolio contains some convincing evidence of such, not just emotional instincts or feelings.

Question 2. What should my portfolio contain and what should I discard or avoid showcasing?

Most importantly, you shouldn't have a large or cumbersome portfolio. It's important to remember that not everyone has the time to explore all of your creations, so focus on what's important and ignore the rest. Here, the next question that will pop into your head is, "What should be the proper quantity of sheets my portfolio must contain?"

To answer that, the following information might serve as a basic framework for creating your portfolio.

To begin with, you can arrange your portfolio into three sections, each of which may have 2 designs for a total of 6 designs.

And when we say "6 designs," we do not mean "6 sheets" or "6 drawings"; a single design may have several sheets, drawings, or sketches to support it.

First Category: Coming to the categories, the first one should be relevant to the stream you have applied for. Therefore, if you submitted an application for product design, graphic design, or apparel design, your portfolio should include work from these fields.

The projects in this category should now be supported by research. As stated above, you will need to put a lot of effort into these designs because the evaluation test is evaluating your research skills. Your chances of getting shortlisted increase with how well you showcase these.

This category aims to keep you prepared for questions that they would ask "why," such as "Why this material?" "Why this character?" and so on.

Now, we'd like to mention that any research may normally be divided into two categories: Primary Research and Secondary Research.

Primary Research refers to data collection methods such as one-on-one interviews, questionnaires, and observations that do not rely on data that has already been gathered. Your work is authenticated by primary research.

Secondary Research refers to using the information that is already available. The interview has already been conducted, and we are just working on it. This might also relate to research that has been done online, on particular websites, portals, etc.

So, now coming back to the topic, you may create your designs based on both primary and secondary research.

Therefore, to prepare yourself for this section, you yourself try to question your design; “Why you did do this, and why you did do that in your design?”.

 Second Category: Now you can include designs from different streams. So, if you have applied for Graphic Design, in this category, your designs will include works from any stream other than Graphic Design. The reason behind this strategy will be to showcase diversity. And therefore, here your designs might not be based on much research. This can be based on your observation skills. The idea behind this is to express to the panel the skill of your ability to think like a designer, and you are capable of equal analysis of any topic from any design perspective.

Third Category: In the third and the last category, you may include just your drawings and sketches. The aim here will be to show your handling skills. So, the recommended limit would vary from 3-4 sketches or drawings and nothing more.

Next Question

Question 3: Should my Portfolio be a paper-based or digital Portfolio?

Answer:  This will actually completely depend on the discretion of the candidate. You may opt for Digital media, like any platform or a website of your own, but must consider the fact you will not get internet access inside the interview room, so you have to figure out the possible way to showcase your digital Portfolio. You go for the option of a portable removable drive, which is completely fine.

The most recommended is a paper-based portfolio, which can showcase your creativity naturally, and they are accepted as the most authentic once, to date.

The Next Question is;

Questions 4: How to Start with my Portfolio Design?

Answer: The best way for this would be to visit, observe a few portfolios and you will get some idea.

Conclusion

Therefore, portfolio-making itself is very creative. And being a creator, you need to find the correct time to start making a portfolio. Once you have decided in going for the design field, that very moment is the best time you start creating a portfolio. We say this because, as you go on trying your hands even on very simple projects or themes or topics, you will have to do your homework, which here means research, and then simultaneously to start creating a case study, start by noting down points, and small illustrative, so that, later on, you will have points to revise on how you have proceeded with a project. And this will be giving you a head start in designing the best portfolio.

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5 Mistakes To Avoid in a Design Portfolio