Why You Should Start Building Your Portfolio Right Now

When you’re a creative, standing out from the other people in your field is essential. Even when you have the right qualifications and your CV looks great, if you don’t have a portfolio, employers are going to look straight past you. 

For those playing at home, a portfolio is basically a collection of your best work that you can show potential employers or clients when you’re looking for work. A good portfolio can lead to full-time jobs, freelance clients and internships. Plus, it could even turn into a great little side hustle. 

Some of the careers that benefit the most from a portfolio are photographers, models, graphic designers, makeup artists, interior designers, decorators, fashion designers and plenty of other creative jobs. 

What Does A Portfolio Look Like?

A portfolio doesn’t have to be a literal folder full of documents that you’ve printed. You can actually have a bit of fun with it. If you’re a photographer or model, you could start up an Insta and Tiktok page to share your work. If you’re more into fashion, start sketching some designs and make some of your favs. If they turn out well you could even start selling them on Depop. If you’re keen on writing, a blog is a great way to go, writing either fiction or nonfiction depending on what you’re into. Or, if graphic design is more your thang, team up with a writer and start your own little zine. 

For other creative careers like acting, radio, podcasting, videography and sound design, you’ll probably be best off creating your portfolio in the form of a showreel. A showreel is a two to three minute video that showcases some of your best work and gives industry members a gist of your artistic style. If you'd like an example of what a showreel looks/sounds like, check out the video below for a great little explainer. 

So Why Should I Start Making It Now?

If you’re studying, you might be putting all your eggs in the uni/TAFE basket, focusing on learning all the theoretical components that you’ll need to know to pick up your qualifications. But in order to land a job in a creative field, you’re gonna have to show potential employers that you can nail the briefs given to you by clients. 

But possibly the most compelling reason to get started on your portfolio right now is that it will improve your work tenfold, because you're investing time into your work. 

I feel like when you’re creating things, you always have an idea in your head, and that idea is perfect. But usually, once you start working on that project in real life, the final product is pretty different from the way you imagined it. Building a portfolio means that you’re constantly practising your craft, and sometimes have real-time feedback on it too. This allows you to refine your work, so that each time you create something, it’s a little bit closer to the original idea you came up with in your head, and you’ll be industry-ready far sooner.
 

Three Tips For A Great Portfolio
 

1. Only Show Off Your Best Work

The same way Marie Kondo throws out any clothes that don’t bring joy, if there’s work you’re not happy with, it’s better to leave it out of your portfolio. It’s so important that you’re proud of the work you’re putting out in the world, even if that means your portfolio is slightly smaller.

2. Create Work That Interests You

Making a portfolio should be enjoyable! You’re working hard to land a career doing something that you love, so why would you spend time working on things that you’re not passionate about?

3. Show Off Your Versatility 

Try out some new things while you’re practising your trade. You don’t want to be like that one person on Masterchef every season that can only cook desserts. Even if you have a niche area of interest, it will open up your job options if you can prove that you aren’t a one trick pony. 
 

So take this as your sign to get started on your portfolio as soon as possible. It will make the job hunting process so much easier, improve your work more than you can imagine and could even bring in a bit of cash on the side too. If you’re not sure where to start, just hone in on the things that excite you the most and you’ll be on the right track!