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Building My Non-Existent Portfolio
Hi Everyone!
I am wanting to enhance my creative/design skills. I mostly deal with data and reporting, so I feel like all my creativity has escaped me. This is more of a personal goal for me, but I would like to grow my skills in design. I started working in Illustrator, Canva, and also Procreate. I am no design wizard by any means but would love to maybe eventually do some freelancing on the side in the realm of branding and social media, etc. I don't have any real world experience, however to help practice or grow my skills. What do you think the best way to build a portfolio would be? I have a friend who is a trainer on the side and I am going to create some social media assets for her for fun. Would love any recommendations or tips.
Chelsea J.
Senior Software Engineer, Frontend
203
10/21/20 at 2:47AM UTC
Similar to what Clydene said above, nonprofits would LOVE all the help they can get with marketing and donor relations. Yes, it would be for free, but you do get to build your portfolio and also build your professional network for paid gigs later on. If the nonprofit you work with is reasonable, you can take on projects that interest you the most, you're not locked into a long-term free gig, and can set the timeline for your goals.
Clydene HorriganProcess improvement is my game
782
10/21/20 at 2:04AM UTC
I liked the blog idea Monisha mentioned. Along those lines, do you have any charities or community groups you are part of? You could offer your services to help one of them with a blog or website or even flyers or am email campaign for upcoming events.
Ashley CheretesMarketing Leader
95
10/21/20 at 12:49AM UTC
One of the ways you can build your portfolio is by reimagining work you have already done. You can recreate your work in a different format using the new tools you want to learn. Another option is look at other people's work and try to recreate it / improve it yourself. I do this sometimes by going on Pinterest to get ideas and work on drafting something similar.
I'll add another tool to your tool belt - Piktochart (https://piktochart.com/) it's mostly for infographics and they're beautiful. :-) Have fun!
Monisha MukhijaOperations Strategy and Business Planning
11
10/21/20 at 12:40AM UTC
Couple of thoughts:
- Does your company have employee resource groups or affinity groups that you can get involved in and offer to support on the design front?
- Another idea is to potentially consider starting a blog as a passion project to build some of these skills :)
Crystal Rhinebergerprofessional rofl nevermind lets just wing it
2.29k
10/20/20 at 11:34PM UTC
Artist block is a real thing! What motivates you best? Imagery, colors, layouts... etc.
Im always down for grabbing magazines that seem artsy
Or just have it going on for the page layout and flipping through. Usually geared towards the subject is best. Though I will admit backpacker magazine has been waking up my drawing side mostly because I love scenery and outdoors.
Mayb some exercise or health magazines for a little inspiration?
© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.