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Portfolio Design 101

• Remember quality not quantity with portfolio- quality work, quality folder, quality boards. Custom made folders are recommended.
  
• Good number of works is 12-15, but no more than 20.
• Keep graphic design stuff in one portfolio, and fine art/illustration in another.
  
• 3 types of portfolio- traditional, online and PDF

Setting Yourself Apart from Other Designers

• Know yourself- who you are, how you were raised and what you experience in your life influence your designs.
• Take risks.
• being friendly, honest, punctual, polite, and professional will set you apart from everyone else. Offer a higher level of service to your clients than everyone else does.
  
• When you do get to the top there may be a cost involved. Other people may be jealous of your success and try run you down, but this is their problem not yours.

Self-Promotion–Finding Your Theme

• Honesty with yourself is an integral part of self promotion.
  
• Dig deep and be honest, rather than using shallow, fancy designs which may not really be what you are intending to show off for self promotion.
• Personality filter- may be wise to leave out negative aspects and focus on the positive.
  
• Viewers of your work look at it and feel they know your personality from your work.
  

Procrastination - A Four-Letter Word

• Tasks that can be boring or overwhelming can lead to wanting to do something else to avoid getting it done.
  
• Instead of looking at the project as a whole (which can be overwhelming) break it up into smaller, managable chunks/goals that are easily achieved.
  
• Often smaller jobs that you need to ask help for will prevent you from being able to continue with a bigger job.
  
• Best thing to overcome these problems is to be strict with yourself, and reward yourself for when you accomplish goals you have set.