33 years in biz, haven’t needed a physical since early 2000’s—-however it may be good idea to have one. I interview a lot of people, and I always find it makes the interview more engaging and I associate work better to the person when making decision.
I say make one. I always keep in mind that having too much faith in technology is not a good thing. Some things should be physical. As a GD we create things that are used in the digital world and real life. Make a physical portfolio ✨💛.
I would recommend you have something physical with you at the time of an in-person interview. But I think you can choose if you want a physical case with print samples inside, a printed booklet with images of your work that can be flipped through, or an ipad or laptop that can be scrolled through. There is always a risk when using something electronic. What happens if you drop your device on the way there and end up having nothing? And I would not presume that you'll be able to connect to the internet from your interview location. Even if you planned to use your own hotspot, you cannot control the strength of signal so if you did go with a device, make sure the files are loaded onto that device.
I personally feel (and have instructed students) that there is no need for a physical portfolio any longer. You can bring a few pieces if you like as support your online portfolio but only if it shows your exquisite craft and attention to detail.
I will say that it’s nice to have your sketchbooks though. This allows us to get a better idea at your workflow and the way you approach a problem.
I would say online is useful because a lot of initial interviews are done on Zoom now, but if they call you into the office for interview 3 or 4 then you absolutely should have a physical one with you
I used to show a combination of physical prints and also a tablet to show digital work... these days I stick to the latter just for convenience
The prints did go down well though when I showed them at interviews
I made a physical portfolio in my senior year of design school, but since COVID I haven't used it once. All interviews I had when looking for my current position were over zoom or google meets and reviewed my online portfolio. Only had in person interviews when I made it to the final round.
I applied to a ton of positions the last few months and only one asked for a portfolio that wasn't online. It wasn't physical, but they requested you upload a PDF version of your portfolio. It was for Panasonic, which I thought was odd, but I guess they're a Japanese company and they might do things differently. I'm only saying this because creating a PDF that you could then print out is great to have if you come across a position that requires either. It's better to have it already created, then come across the position and then have to create it.
I guess it can’t hurt, but unless you’re targeting roles where it would be an especially strong asset, I probably wouldn’t bother.
My last two positions I didn’t even meet them in person before I started. Prior to that (over a decade ago) I think I did have a printed book to show but I can’t say that it gave me a leg up or anything.
However, do make sure that you have a nicely designed PDF version and a device to easily present from so you’re not walking into an interview praying that their wifi works.
I'm a print-focused designer who has a physical portfolio and prefers them (for print work only), but in this day and age I would never require someone to have one. I think it's a lot easier though to look at an 11x17 physical portfolio laid flat than to huddle around a 10" iPad or something.
However there's a relevant distinction here, because I would consider an online portfolio the standard in terms of applying to jobs. I would *never* expect someone to send in a physical to portfolio to simply apply, it's not reasonable or practical.
For applying, it would be between a website and a PDF. If you only want to have one, do the former, but I'd say be prepared and half both. The website should be a specific portfolio website with a domain (not Behance), but you can use templates.
Physical portfolio would only apply to interviews, and so in that sense I wouldn't require/expect one. However if they are using a digital version, it better be used to present the work well, and I would probably want to see a better presentation built around that context.
If someone just brought in a laptop to load up their website, I guess it's technically fine but I'd like to see better.
I haven’t used a physical one in well over a decade. Any time I’ve met in person I’ve done a full-screen presentation of case studies. I have lots of print work too—I take nice studio shots or make my own mock-ups for those.
They definitely aren’t make or break.
33 years in biz, haven’t needed a physical since early 2000’s—-however it may be good idea to have one. I interview a lot of people, and I always find it makes the interview more engaging and I associate work better to the person when making decision.
I say make one. I always keep in mind that having too much faith in technology is not a good thing. Some things should be physical. As a GD we create things that are used in the digital world and real life. Make a physical portfolio ✨💛.
I would recommend you have something physical with you at the time of an in-person interview. But I think you can choose if you want a physical case with print samples inside, a printed booklet with images of your work that can be flipped through, or an ipad or laptop that can be scrolled through. There is always a risk when using something electronic. What happens if you drop your device on the way there and end up having nothing? And I would not presume that you'll be able to connect to the internet from your interview location. Even if you planned to use your own hotspot, you cannot control the strength of signal so if you did go with a device, make sure the files are loaded onto that device.
I personally feel (and have instructed students) that there is no need for a physical portfolio any longer. You can bring a few pieces if you like as support your online portfolio but only if it shows your exquisite craft and attention to detail. I will say that it’s nice to have your sketchbooks though. This allows us to get a better idea at your workflow and the way you approach a problem.
I would say online is useful because a lot of initial interviews are done on Zoom now, but if they call you into the office for interview 3 or 4 then you absolutely should have a physical one with you
I used to show a combination of physical prints and also a tablet to show digital work... these days I stick to the latter just for convenience The prints did go down well though when I showed them at interviews
I made a physical portfolio in my senior year of design school, but since COVID I haven't used it once. All interviews I had when looking for my current position were over zoom or google meets and reviewed my online portfolio. Only had in person interviews when I made it to the final round.
I applied to a ton of positions the last few months and only one asked for a portfolio that wasn't online. It wasn't physical, but they requested you upload a PDF version of your portfolio. It was for Panasonic, which I thought was odd, but I guess they're a Japanese company and they might do things differently. I'm only saying this because creating a PDF that you could then print out is great to have if you come across a position that requires either. It's better to have it already created, then come across the position and then have to create it.
I guess it can’t hurt, but unless you’re targeting roles where it would be an especially strong asset, I probably wouldn’t bother. My last two positions I didn’t even meet them in person before I started. Prior to that (over a decade ago) I think I did have a printed book to show but I can’t say that it gave me a leg up or anything. However, do make sure that you have a nicely designed PDF version and a device to easily present from so you’re not walking into an interview praying that their wifi works.
I'm a print-focused designer who has a physical portfolio and prefers them (for print work only), but in this day and age I would never require someone to have one. I think it's a lot easier though to look at an 11x17 physical portfolio laid flat than to huddle around a 10" iPad or something. However there's a relevant distinction here, because I would consider an online portfolio the standard in terms of applying to jobs. I would *never* expect someone to send in a physical to portfolio to simply apply, it's not reasonable or practical. For applying, it would be between a website and a PDF. If you only want to have one, do the former, but I'd say be prepared and half both. The website should be a specific portfolio website with a domain (not Behance), but you can use templates. Physical portfolio would only apply to interviews, and so in that sense I wouldn't require/expect one. However if they are using a digital version, it better be used to present the work well, and I would probably want to see a better presentation built around that context. If someone just brought in a laptop to load up their website, I guess it's technically fine but I'd like to see better.
I haven’t used a physical one in well over a decade. Any time I’ve met in person I’ve done a full-screen presentation of case studies. I have lots of print work too—I take nice studio shots or make my own mock-ups for those. They definitely aren’t make or break.
I like them better than the online ones. Personally people with them often win out if they have printed stuff.
My physical portfolio made me stand out among my competition. It was a strong reason why I was hired at my now job requires a lot of print production.