Presenting your folio at an interview

Jason Adam and Tim Lapetino from Hexanine, a design firm focused on visual identity and brand strategy, have critiqued many portfolios during their careers. They share some advice on how best to present a design folio at an interview.

The first thing to bear in mind is that the folio can’t speak for itself. The presentation of a folio has to be a mix of proffering the visual elements of your folio and telling the interviewer the story behind each piece. Jason Adam advises you to,

“Show them your thinking and the design process that undergirds the work you’re presenting.”

When it comes to speaking to your designs in an interview, be careful to make good eye contact and really try to connect to your audience no matter if it is a one on one interview or a presentation to a panel.

“Your personality and communication need to shine- they are hiring a person, not just a portfolio,” advises Adam.

Also, remember an interview works both ways. You are also interviewing the company. Make sure you like the culture of the organisation and that the work environment will suit you and ask yourself questions with regards to the company. Do you like the location? Do you want to travel to an office in Burleigh Heads or would you prefer to go to Slacks Creek to report for work? Also, will you feel comfortable working with these people? Make a note of anything that would prevent you from being a successful part of this company. As Tim Lapetino says:

“This could be a place you’ll work at for years to come, so make sure that it meets your criteria and it’s an environment you can see yourself in for the foreseeable future.”

Finally, be sure to use printing services to show your designs to their best advantage so you can feel confident you are presenting your work in the best, professional light.

Most of all, try to have fun during the presentation and show the panel how much you care and enjoy the design process.