How to Create a Commercial Portfolio When Starting Out As a Graphic Designer
July 29th, 2008 |Its a problem that every budding graphic designer has to face. Finding a job is the probably the most challenging task you will face, just getting your foot in the door is difficult enough. All design studios ask the same questions, what experience do you have? show me some real work. Most of the time they can spot a student portfolio a mile off and are really not interested in spending time training new recruits. And in todays economic climate, taking on inexperienced staff is something only very large studios can contemplate.
But have no fear, when there is economic trouble - there is opportunity. In todays business climate, you the fresh graphic designer, straight out of college and living with your folks - full of ambition and drive can sneak right under the noses of the big established businsses and not only create your first ‘commercial’ portfolio, but also have the opportunity to lay the foundations of your own successful design studio.. Let me explain.
The first thing that most companies do when times are hard is stop spending on advertising, or start demanding more from their creative studios, at the same time they want to pay less. Many of the large studios simply don’t bother with such clients and will drop them to concentrate on the more profitable ones. What are crumbs to a big design studio can be a feast for a startup design studio or fresh design graduate.
Its easy, you have all the time and very little expenses, and thats a perfect starting point.
Step One:
All you have to do to start creating your portfolio and building a small client list at the same time, is by taking a drive around your neighbourhood, and find all those existing businesses that have crap logos and brands. Pick 6 companies that you think could REALLY do with a brand overhaul.
Step Two:
Spend a little quality time and redesign these brands as you see fit, create your ultimate logo for these companies - no restrictions, let your imagination roam wild. Develop a set of stationary and maybe a web page layout. Do this for 6 companies and build up your ‘real client’ portfolio.
Step Three:
When you are happy with your work, make sure its well presented, check and double check for spelling mistakes and then take a wonder over to these businesses and show them what you have done.
Step Four:
Offer the design at a discounted rates, remember you have very little expenses and anything will help, and always ask for a testimonial. Also leave your business card or contact details incase they ever need your discounted design services. Pay these people a regular visit every 2 months in person and I can assure you will win them over as a client over a period of time if not immediately, and at the same time you will have developed a commercial portfolio.
Don’t worry if the company rejects your work, the point is that its a real company and you have created a real brand. Just keep your eye out for bad logos and do your environment a creative favour by making it more pleasant 
If you continue with this process before and after you land your first job, i can assure you that will be working late hours servicing your own clients and earning lots of extra money. Eventually you will have developed enough contacts to consider starting your own studio or going freelance, its how i started my career and launched my business ReachBCS.com
I took me just 6 days to find a job over 12 years ago and I have helped dozens of new designers find work using this same method. Several have gone on to start thier own studios and develop excellent freelance careers.
The ideal portfolio should contain three examples of branding, three web layouts, three page spreads, three alternative design and a few examples of photography and where the images were used on a design.
Best of luck and if you need any advice just drop me a mail on design@reachbcs.com
Aftab Ali
Founder of Reach BCS - Brand Communication Solutions
tel: +44 (0) 1706 369 894
