Portfolios. We Are Our Own Best Critiques. But It Can Always Improve.

Consider all options first. Don’t wait for a second.

We speak the language only Designers understand. We critique. The logo design of a restaurant can sometimes determine whether I want to go and dine in. Petty? Yes. But the care in a logo is also on the same wavelength of the care the owner put in the food he will be distributing to families that come through that door.

Now to the real story.

I believe wholeheartedly that it is in our DNA to critique because we care — not because we’re a bunch of stuck up know-it-alls. We care about the type that was used for a menu or how much space was used between two characters — why should we let that instinct go when other people in their respected fields do the same? We have emotional value invested into our careers (that many people in other fields don’t) which means we have a lot to lose if we stopped caring. Please don’t get this misconstrued, there are other important fields with emotional investments in it as well — doctors, nurses, etc.

“It looks cool.”

If an art director, with many years in the industry asks why — don’t retort with “it looks cool.” I have a friend that teaches Portfolio and there is always one student who is asked to explain one of their projects. Trying not to look foolish, they say “it looks cool.” You are still being foolish. Where is the care in the projects anymore? I believe the next generation of designers are destined to be great but a few are still stuck on a plateau and are sacrificing their brand to just make due. Your portfolio is the quintessential of a singer releasing their first album or a rookie getting off the bench to start this season — it’s that important. You need to have the confidence and the emotional investment in every project you put out moving forward.

If you’re stuck on the hamster wheel with no direction:

Make your first portfolio the epitome of greatness.

No one is going to do the work for you. We always think the work we designed is at its best, and rightfully so. You worked hard for it to be where it is now. But consider all the options first to make sure your work is the best that it can possibly be to the world without relying on another second.

dydb creative team.

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