How and where to build a portfolio?This is a question every designer faces, regardless of which year of university they are in, especially when they decide that
they really need to find a job. This course on building a portfolio is designed specifically for this purpose. Within the course, we will explore all possible platforms available for designers to showcase their work. We will analyze examples of portfolios from designers and studios to enhance our visual literacy. By the end of the course, we will have created a portfolio ready to apply for job openings. We will also analyze the best ways to present your portfolio, what to include in a cover letter, and which websites are best for applying to job vacancies.

This course is for you if you:◆ Are a working designer looking to find better job opportunities or strengthen your current portfolio◆ Are a designer seeking work but haven’t started building your portfolio yet◆ Are a design student currently enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s program in a design field

Course Prerequisites:Fundamental competencies in graphic design. Must have work ready for portfolio inclusion.Possession of additional competencies, or readiness to acquire them concurrently with the course: basic or advanced proficiency in Adobe and Figma programs.

During the course, students will learn to:— Define the goals and objectives of their portfolio;
— Formulate professional positioning and a unique value proposition;
— Analyze the target audience: employers, clients, or partners;
— Select the work that most convincingly demonstrates their competencies and professional level;
— Build a logical structure and sequence for presenting projects;
— Structure projects into comprehensive and visually expressive case studies;
— Describe the objectives, stages of work, decisions made, and results achieved;
— Write concise and compelling copy for the portfolio;
— Create a cohesive visual concept for the portfolio;
— Adapt the portfolio to various professional goals and presentation formats;
— Present their projects with confidence, clarity, and professionalism.

Throughout the course, students will complete the following assignments:— Target audience analysis and defining portfolio objectives;
— Auditing current portfolio or selecting works;
— Compiling a list of professional competencies and key skills;
— Formulating personal professional positioning;
— Selecting works for inclusion in the portfolio;
— Developing the structure and sequence of portfolio sections;
— Writing a brief professional biography;
— Preparing text descriptions for projects;
— Developing a case study based on one implemented project;
— Designing the visual presentation of selected works;
— Creating a portfolio prototype;
— Editing portfolio texts and visual design;
— Peer review of participants' portfolios;
— Presenting one’s own portfolio;
— Preparing the final version of the portfolio for publication and professional use.

PORTFOLIO AS A CAREER ADVANCEMENT TOOL
— Goals and functions of a portfolio
— Portfolio, resume, and work archive
— Criteria for effective presentationPOSITIONING AND TARGET AUDIENCE
— Defining professional specialization
— Analyzing clients and employers
— Formulating the value proposition
— Adapting the portfolio to professional goalsPROJECT SELECTION AND STRUCTURE
— Criteria for selecting projects
— Sequence and logic of presentation
— Core sections of the portfolio
— Handling academic versus personal projectsPROJECT AND CASE STUDY PRESENTATION
— Project objective, process, and result
— Author’s role and skill description
— Preparing textual and visual materials
— Common errors in case study presentationVISUAL COMMUNICATION
— Composition and visual hierarchy
— Working with images, video, and text
— Maintaining a consistent portfolio style
— Choosing format and platformPRESENTATION AND EDITING
— Verbal and written self-presentation
— Analyzing and editing the portfolio
— Receiving feedback
— Preparing the final version for publication