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Building Your Graphic Design Portfolio to Land New Jobs

by Kelly Richardson
kelly.richardson@graphicdesigntrainingreview.com
Graphic Design Training Review Columnist

If you are just beginning your freelance graphic design business, then you are always on the lookout for bigger projects. The key to getting them is to assemble a crack portfolio to advertise your skills to potential clients. Follow these guidelines to land the big graphic design jobs.

Most successful freelance graphic designers will tell you that the key to getting those high paying graphic design jobs is to have a representative portfolio of your work to show to creative directors. Your graphic design portfolio should be organized and display only your best work. If you don't have any projects to your credit, you should make up projects for yourself that you might get from an actual client. Don’t tell the client that they're made up, but do be honest if they ask. If the projects are done well, your potential client will appreciate your creativity and resourcefulness.

Graphic Design Portfolio: Sample Projects


  • A Direct Mail Piece. Many clients employ graphic designers to create compelling direct marketing pieces for their businesses.
  • Corporate Brand Materials. A strong letterhead, business card, and signage will show your client that you can design around a brand.
  • Web Site Design. Some of the highest paying graphic design jobs are for web sites and web based marketing materials.

Your graphic design portfolio doesn't have to be thick, just well-selected. And the time has never been better for you to start your own freelance graphic design business. Here is what the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has to say about a career in graphic design.

The Graphic Design Career up Close


  • Familiar Working Environment. You can complete most graphic design jobs from the comfort of your own home office.
  • Solid Job Market. Positions for graphic designers are expected to grow about as fast as average for all occupations through the year 2014.
  • Online Degree. You can earn a graphic design degree in just four short years of focused online training.

Once you have your graphic design portfolio in order, the jobs will come rolling in. And if you haven't yet begun, get started today.

Sources
Graphic Designers, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

About the Author
Kelly Richardson covers the local education and technology scenes in major cities across the country. His articles appear in educational journals, periodicals, and e-zines.

Posted on: April 24, 2006