Portfolio: Contracted vs. Not contracted
Anonymous (not verified) | Mon, 2006-01-09 09:59So you build an online portfolio.
What are you supposed to throw in? Your best works.
Let's take some examples from the 'identity' section.
Suppose you have 3 or 4 versions of a logo.
But in spite your best efforts, the client didnt choose the best one.
And you know for sure that one logo is better than the final one.
What will you feature on your portfolio: the best logo or the one that was approved?
To complicate matters even more, suppose the client actually chose the best logo. But you are not very happy with the final visit card layout he liked.
You will feature the logo, but will you rather pair up the logo with the best visit-card or the one that was approved?
What if you had a cool flyer layout: good concept, good visual, good colors.
But the client requested minor modifications: not much... just enough to screw the layout big time. He is happy with you as a designer and he is happy with the final result. But you know the final layout kinda sucks. What will you feature?
Maybe I'm crappy when it comes to sell something... but more than 30% of my best works is not contracted.
Should I go out and lie pretending this is the final logo for this company,
when its not?
Should I go out and feature 1/3rd of my portfolio as being not contracted?
Should I feature both good and not-so good works when I know the portfolio should contain only the very best?
What do you guys think?
Commenting on this Forum topic is closed.
Your client's bad taste shouldn't keep you from showing your potential to future clients. Put only your best work in. I'm putting a portfolio together too, and having not ever had much of a "real job," most everything is just made-up work from school projects. Some of my "clients" don't even exist. :)
Two thoughts here:
My former clients still check my website, and putting the logo they didn't choose in my design portfolio would not be good for our ongoing relationship.
Another thought, if you create a great logo and a brand, chances are word of mouth will bring you another client. When viewing your portfolio, you need to make sure the referral knows you were the person that created that great brand (even if your client didn't choose your favorite, capitalize on the word of mouth that has gotten you the chance of a new contract, be proud and show it off). Also, you have the chance of the user recognizing a logo you have created, which is a big step to proving your value.
If your portfolio is art oriented, don't listen to what I just said, but if it business related I would think about showing off your approved work.
thank you train, you touched a sensitive spot there.
of course I will 1st ask mai older clients to check my folio hoping that they will come back with more work. so, they need to see their logo there.
Therefore I think I need to feature both the approved logo and the best one.
Thinking again about this maybe I should have a solid not-contracted section.
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the best often die by their own hand
just to get away,
and those left behind can never quite understand
why anybody would ever want to get away from them