Re: Resume vs Portfolio

Resume vs Portfolio: Which is more important?

Well, I'd say that they're actually both very important.

I've yet to find a design-intensive job that hasn't requested both a resume AND a portfolio.

A resume is just such a basic thing and, let's face it: most employers - no matter what the job is - want to know your work history, even if it's a very surface-level knowledge.

As far as your portfolio is concerned, I was doing some research and came the realization that a work portfolio isn't limited to the graphic design profession (duh). Seriously, though, even jobs that aren't in the arts recommend putting together a work portfolio.

The purpose of the portfolio, then, is this: to tell a story; to tell YOUR story.

So, it's not really like putting random pieces in a binder that you think look good. They should tell a story about who you are as a designer: how you've grown, what your goals are, etc.

I've put together a portfolio for my poetry before, and, of course, that's exactly how I approached it. Even if the poems weren't related in subject matter, per se, the way I arranged them throughout the piece was very intentional, in order to communicate a specific message to my audience.

Apparently, though, I hadn't thought of it this way in regards to my design until just now.

Hopefully, this helps!