Check out some great work from Bryon Fitzpatrick.
AH: You have had quite a long and illustrious career as a product designer—probably the longest of any of my interviewees. So I’m curious: what is the hallmark of a stellar or successful industrial design portfolio? What is the common thread?
BF: Portfolios are a visual indicator of how an applicant is looking for a position in the design business—how they present themselves and their skills. A great cover design can help set up a positive feeling about the work inside, assuming there is the quality material to back it up. Good graphic design and layout, first-class sketches, explanatory notes, and so on are all helpful. Errors of project sequence, insufficient—or too much—coverage on projects, and lack of a good story are all factors contributing to an overall bad portfolio.
AH: Have you seen an industrial design portfolio recently that resonated with you? What about it stood out?
BF: Of the portfolios I have seen recently, one fulfilled the good design criteria perfectly. A great cover graphic, carried over to each page on a smaller scale, an intro index, sections devoted to various product designs and all divided by a titled acetate sheet. Everything was illustrated by a full range of skills–sketches, digital work, explanatory text–with superb depiction of the design process.
