Just graduated? Katie Dominy, Co-founder of ARTS THREAD, explains how to create the perfect online portfolio. Whether you are looking for that dream job, freelance work or setting up your own business, your online presence needs to stand out and get you noticed.

Register for an ARTS THREAD Portfolio

WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE

• Before you upload any work, it is important to think about the career you are planning to pursue. It may be not clearly defined for now - and that's fine. Make a list of the companies and organisations who you would like to work for, to whom you wish to send your ARTS THREAD online Portfolio URL.


• Having defined a little what you specialist areas you are looking to take forward, this will help you emphasise those parts of your portfolio. Are you looking towards mens casual/denim for example? or sustainable textiles? or styling and PR? Will your projects show you are the right kind of creative for their brand or organisation?

WHAT SKILLS DO YOU NEED TO SHOWCASE?

• Write a list of the skills you want to showcase.


• Aim for 3 or 4 projects - they don't all to be as in depth as your Final Major Project and try and make sure that you cover within these 3 or 4 projects all the skills that are required to cover all the skills you wish to highlight.


• So for example, if you are looking for the fashion designer's role - you need to show moodboards, colour and fabric boards, sketches, collection line-up and then the finished product - either as a styled drawing or using styled photography or video. If you are not strong on styled drawings - don't feel obliged to add them in. Upload the items for a project by showing the finished item first and then in order - starting from the moodboard through to a repeat of the finished item.


• For a Textile designers role, you need to show moodboards, colour and yarn boards, sketches/artwork and then the finished product using styled photography and perhaps video.

EXPLANING THE STORY BEHIND THE PROJECTS IS ESSENTIAL

• In the text alongside the project explain the story behind the collection - everyone loves a story. Read our recent article on Storytelling.


• Explain why you have chosen the colours, fabrics and shapes - keep it short and focused and highlight the skills you have used, whether they are photography, IT skills such as Illustrator or Photoshop, hand-drawing skills etc.

HOW DO I HANDLE GROUP PROJECTS?

Increasingly, universities like to give students group projects, as in industry that is how everyone works. Only the own-label designer my have the opportunity to make all the decisions themselves.

• Don't avoid adding in group projects - as these show off others skills, such as your communication skills.


• State clearly your role in the group project and showcase those prices of work.


• Explain what you have learnt by taking part in group projects.

CHECK YOUR ONLINE PROJECTS AGAINST YOUR CV

• Once you have uploaded your projects, check it against your CV - does it cover all the skills you mention? and the area you wish to specialise in?


• Create some personal projects that showcase certain skills if you feel your university/school projects don't cover everything.

ADD SOME PERSONALITY TO YOUR PROFILE

• Next add some text about yourself - for ARTS THREAD it's in the About Me section of the Profile. make your entry short, not too serious and inject some personality in it. The text should be less serious than a formal written CV. Explain how your interests have shaped your projects.

Register for an ARTS THREAD Portfolio