Every fashion designer who aspires to be recognized should create his or her fashion design portfolio. However, with so many designs and so few guides available, how should you get started? It can be difficult to get started with portfolio creation, but once you know what admissions committees and hiring managers are looking for and how to structure the works created, you'll be much better equipped to create a stunning design portfolio yourself.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Finding a Storyline or Setting
Step 1. Look for instructions or guides on what to include in your portfolio
If you want to apply for a design program, they should provide very specific instructions on what to include in your portfolio. If you're creating a professional portfolio, you may not have explicit guidelines. In general, you should include creative searches, images that demonstrate your ability to transfer 3D models to 2D, color studies, and, where relevant, 3D photos of your designs.
Tailor your portfolio to your specific needs or the type of work you want to do. You can create more than one portfolio if you want to apply for different positions
Step 2. Discover the principles of portfolio construction
Whatever you do, reassemble as many design pieces that relate to the same project as possible. For example, if you're exploring organic elements like feathers and leaves for one project and looking at tribal or folk art for another, try to collect the different parts of these projects into one portfolio. So you must have an organizing principle to determine how to present these different projects.
- Would you like to tell a story, showing the connections between the various perspectives you have explored in your portfolio? Or do you prefer the simplicity of chronological order or reverse order? Take a look at the work you have created and see if there are any specific relationships you would like to highlight.
- Remember that whatever you want to convey, the message must be clear enough for portfolio observers to pick up on it. If you're really unsure about this, it's a good idea to stick to something simple, like presenting your latest design at the beginning of your portfolio to grab the attention of observers before dedicating another section to showcasing your artistic development.
- Note that for a professional portfolio, you should put the latest designs first and older creations at the back.
Step 3. Write an explanation to show how you want to structure the resulting works
As with any project, it's easy to get so caught up in the enthusiasm of an idea that you neglect to plan its implementation. Without realizing it, suddenly you are wasting time on something that was not planned. The goal of this step is to make sure you've made the most of your presentation and that each section can convey the clear message you expect.
- Don't just think about the story you want to tell: think about how each part fits into the story. Play around with different settings and think about how each arrangement affects how your work is perceived. You can create diagrams or outlines to illustrate why you have structured your work in a certain way.
- Show or explain your idea to someone you've worked with throughout your creative process. Ideally, this person is a mentor, such as a teacher or someone close to you, who has experience in creating portfolios and can provide feedback on whether your idea is effective enough.
Part 2 of 3: Compiling Materials
Step 1. Gather all your materials
Follow the guidelines provided for the specific program. Color samples, fabrics, investigative work, sketches, photos: you have to collect them all. You won't be including all of these elements in your portfolio, but it can't hurt to start with a comprehensive collection.
Note that you usually can't include pieces that you actually made, such as a bodice or a pair of shoes. Instead, take professional photos of the works and include them in your portfolio to showcase your work
Step 2. Showcase your strongest ideas
Maybe you don't have the resources to put your design into action, or you don't have the skills needed. Do not be discouraged. People who will see your portfolio want to see how you think and create. So, show me your black and white sketch or a drawing made with charcoal pencil. You should have several examples of different works as well as drawings that will demonstrate your ability to represent a three-dimensional model on a two-dimensional surface. Anything other than that would be a bonus.
Step 3. Select some works that show your progress in each project you work on
These works may be a combination of things that inspire you, the first work you created, or the first steps of an idea that was developed later. Try to pick two or three creations from each project you've explored.
- Include a casual side project if you're not creating a professional portfolio for a specific target. This unofficial work shows the diversity and scope of your talents. In addition, this kind of work provides an understanding of your interests.
- If you have a lot of works and projects, try to select most of your latest designs. Include some old work to show your progress, but focus on current achievements, especially if you are creating a portfolio to advance your professional career.
Step 4. Choose your best work
Don't forget to include your best work in your portfolio. Try to choose one or two very high quality pieces per project. Choose pieces that represent your personal style and approach to clothing design. Maybe you're used to focusing on design for a specific group of buyers (trendy young women, androgynous men, active kids etc.) or around a specific theme. Then, you can choose a work that describes your ideal customer or consumer. In addition, you can also choose works that get high marks in design class and are considered the best designs by teachers or classmates.
Make sure these pieces incorporate different styles or approaches to fabrics or materials. It's best not to include more than two designs of one style or approach. For example, if you have two pieces that show your ability to work with leather, include one or two pieces that show your ability to work with different materials, such as silk or jersey. This will illustrate that you are able to work with several different materials and follow different styles
Step 5. Put the pieces together according to the settings you chose
You can start by placing each piece side by side or on a table so you can make a variety of arrangements. If you choose to create separate sections for each category, decide how you want to organize the designs within specific sections.
- Ask yourself questions, for example does the chronological order make sense? Do you have a collection of designs that should be grouped by subject or medium?
- If you find that something doesn't match your settings, don't enter it. See if you have any other work that fits better with the other works in the section. Your portfolio should have a certain consistency.
Part 3 of 3: Completing a Portfolio
Step 1. Purchase or find a custom bag for a portfolio or presentation
You can find portfolio or presentation bags online or at an art supply store, especially if you live near an art or design school. The type you need will depend on the work you want to present. Bags should be neat and clean, but if you're a student, you don't need expensive bags, just ones that are functional and can showcase or store your work as effectively as possible. You can buy a nicer bag if you want to present your portfolio in a professional setting.
- A presentation bag is shaped like a binder, but comes with a zipper and inside you can find a protective sheet and is best suited for smaller works. This bag is meant to "present" your work, and may be the best choice if you're just starting out in this field.
- If you have a larger piece, such as a painting, you can purchase a portfolio bag that is larger and designed to carry the work, not present it. Instead of showing off your work in a binder-style case, you may end up just having loose sheets and designs stacked securely in a bag.
Step 2. Make a collage of loose extra items and stick them with glue on good quality paper
Often your investigative work, such as interesting textures or structures, will involve lots of small samples and clippings. Ideally, the person who will be assessing your portfolio should be able to flip through the pages. So, paste all the smaller pieces on a quarto-sized sheet of paper so that it's easier to access. Group your designs by type, or arrange them in a logical way. Label it like “color project” or “experimental glazing method” if necessary, and add a few lines or small paragraphs of explanation to show readers what you're doing.
You should use high-quality, acid-free paper. Use a high-quality glue with a brush that you can use to apply glue to the edges of the collage and attach it to the paper. Try to carefully align the collage as you stick it onto the paper with one finger. Try to keep the work area clean so that there are no traces of glue or messy edges on your presentation. Your collage should be professional and clean
Step 3. Arrange other additional works and sketches in the bag
You should have everything neatly organized, but if you haven't already, get started. Check again to make sure your presentation is logical and relevant. After that, put everything in the bag.
Step 4. Use labels if necessary
You focus primarily on visual design elements and, of course, your primary communication is through the works. However, if you'd like to label your creative research or any stage of a project to clarify how you've progressed so far, feel free. Make sure the labels are neatly made and placed so they don't cover up anything important.
Use a computer to print labels if your handwriting isn't very good
Step 5. Add written supplements if necessary
Requirements vary widely, but you may need to include an essay statement or artist statement, depending on the program you wish to join. Usually, the program will provide a separate guide for the essay. Artist statements are less program-specific. The artist's statement basically sums up your creative influence, direction, and inspiration in a paragraph or two. If you've never written an artist statement, this article on How to Write an Artist Statement is very useful.
Tips
- Don't overcrowd your portfolio with decorations, unless it supports the content. You want people who see your portfolio to appreciate all of your hard work, not just the portfolio.
- Try to show your strength. If you're having trouble at some stage, lower your expectations. This portfolio is meant to showcase your abilities.
- Make sure you are aware of the required requirements. For example, if a school wants you to only provide completed work, don't include work in development. Or, they may request work specifically related to the school to be included in the portfolio.
- Know your deadlines. Your portfolio may look stunning, but it's not worth it if you submit it too late.
- Create a digital version of your portfolio. You can simply scan your physical portfolio. However, for additional pages like inspiration and investigation, you can create new collages using a photo editing program. The end result should look as professional and neat as possible.
- Accept every criticism and feedback with an open attitude. There's nothing wrong with consulting the other person during the early stages and showing him the end result. If he has a critique, take it seriously because whoever will be judging your portfolio will probably be even more critical.
