Hey everyone. I am currently compiling a list of compaines and possible employers to send out cover letter, resume and portfolio samples to. all this is being done in hopes that it will lead to further discussions as well as possible opportunties. So my question is…In what format did you send your teasers out in, were they just simply a hero-shot with a short caption and context of project or did it include the whole shebang, meaning process and what not? I was thinking of sending samples of 3-5 projects and including a skills page as well as a sketch page, just to give onlokers a gist of my skill set.
Secondly, if i were to send my stuff to say a footwear company, do you think that i should do some spec. work in that field to show interest as well as understandment of field?
i appreciate the time that all of you are taking to read this and i will value your feedback.
First off, make every company that you’re sending stuff to into a project. Learn ALL about them, then tune each mailing towards them.
For instance, with the shoe company, show concept sketches for shoes. Go one step further and send your portfolio in a shoe box, wrapped in tissue paper! Be creative with it, and have fun. Remember, it’s always that little extra, as lame as it may be to say it.
When sending your samples to other companies, pay that extra bit of money to get a certified envelope, or at least something that really stands out. Personally, when I’m sifting through my mail at work, it’s these kind of things that attract my attention. It’s like getting a little present!
And last, be confident in your abilities, and make that confidence show through in how you present your work.
We did a press release box awhile back that was a shoe box with 15 thick mounted images inside and a CD, it was pretty nice. On the side where it would say the shoe size it said '07 with some info…
I would def have at least a few smoking hot shoe sketches with some images describing who they are for, what they are for, what is innovative about them.
Thanks for the quick reply thus far, i will take all the tip into consideration when i sen my stuff out.
As for the shoebox idead, i think that i great. it would def. leave a lasting impression that could be cause for further action.
your shoebox commment reminds me of a lecture i sat in on at ast ears IDSA convention for the northeast. Im at a loss of the name of the lecturer but he said he recieved a casting of a foot with a resume as well as samples inside. A letter was enclosed as well stating that the person wanted to get a “foot in the door”. i thought it was pretty funny and the person said it left a lasting impression of the reviewer.
Thanks again, and to everyone else kep them coming, i want to hear what you send out, perhaps even upload your teaser so that myself and others can benefit from the visuals
honesly, I don’t think it matters as long as its clean and presents your work well. The graphic design can be very simple, look around for some layouts and then “borrow” a few ideas. As far as format, I think 8.5x11 is great, you can print them out at home on demand (investing in a good printer and good paper is worth it), send them out quickly, and its easy to pass it around the office. Most places like just getting a pdf or website that they can e-mail around too (just make sure you format the pdf right so if they print it out your stuff doesn’t get cropped weird).
Your work is the most important thing, if your stuff kicks ass and it shows the skills that the employer needs then its done its job. Remember, you just want to get them interested in your work, so showcase that, not some fancy layout or box of tricks.
I will say that if its a place that you really really really want to work at, and it would be your dream job, then yes I would put the time in to create a nice presentation (without overpowering your work). I wouldnt’ do that for every place you apply though.
When I was mailing them about 4 years ago, I just did everything super clean, 8.5 by 11 (one page per project, one big view and a few sketches… remember, tease, don’t give it all away) and sent it on a nice clipboard… people loved those clipboards, I got comments all the time.
WHat BAltz says is someway true, it won’t get you a job, its the level of your work that ll get you a job,
BUT
Its a jungle out there, literally, everyone fights to get noticed, MIkes answer certainly helps… When I was applying a couple of years back, I made postcards with a render and explanation per page, this was wraped in a long sketch sheet and then i made an envelope in different materials depending on the companies field, for example I used Basketball material to wrap my postcards in for Nike and then a leather for Clarks…
I don t agree thats its ‘Loony clown crap’ but moreover a way to show your determination and attention to detail to get the job…
I dont think it ever hurts to stand out on a desk or HR file with 100s of potential teasers. The important thing is that the more flash you have in your presentation, the more content you need to back it up. the most disappointing thing is a great presentation with mediocre content.
Also, be careful you keep usability in mind. Ive had some really wow teasers come across my desk in both paper and CD ROM format that looked great, but were impossible to use. Wacky flash interfaces where I couldnt get the content or print a page, papers too large to store. Goes straight to filing under “G” (garbage).
For me, I use color to stand out. all my portfolio pages, business card, etc. are bright pink. The layout is fairly standard, (but nicely designed i think), but an extra pop factor is added by the color. Plus easy to call an HR firm and say “did you get my pink portfolio package?”. chances are there arent too many pink ones in the pile.
While in school i did a CV that was oversize 11x17 with full color images and graphics. also seemed to help while searching for an internship. The CV acted like a mini teaser, and physically stood out in a pile of 8.5x11 typed word documents, but still could be folded to fit in a binder or file.
I do like really different approaches as well like Yo mentioned with the shoebox example, but i would caution not to get too gimmicky.
To end (this rather long rant, sorry), i would add that consistency can triumph over flash. If you have a tight package with matching CV, portfolio, mailing label, cover letter, it looks great and even an understated design can stand out.
ok so i may just be blanking, but was does CV mean, i always hear it being used, but i never really truley understood it?? So please tell me what it is
ok cool sounds good that what i thought… Here is an example of one of my pages, tell me what you think, is it too wild with the background or do you think it will stand out nicely.
do you think i should add some images of some original sketches on the page, or should i keep it how it is.
I would axe the background (or make it very tonal), I find it distracting and the color takes the eye to the edge of the page.
The title is in an oddly radiused rectangle, images in a radiused rectangle, and the the bottom info is in a full radius rectangle (capsule) I would put the title in a matching capsule shape, keep it simple. Why are they not all left justified?
A lot of unused space. White space is cool, but it must be designed. I would blow up all three images.
Right or left justify the text, center justification is always awkward (with a few exceptions)
My advice is to keep the graphics as clean and understated as possible and let the product design show through.
I’d try a landscape format. I think you’d find that the images would fit better and make better use of the space. You’d probably have more room to put a couple development sketches in too. Employers like to see the finished product, but they really want to see how you got there even more.
Your background is too busy and the layout is too overdesigned and takes away from the content.
I would say that in general a nice layout and design can add to the content, but I think you could work on the graphics and typography some to make it a little more current (rounded radius rectangles are a little 1992), and unique.
I would also agree that showing process is VERY important. remember, that when you are hired for a job, especially as a student, you are hired for what you CAN do, and how you think, not WHAT you have done. As such, final renderings and solutions play a backseat to thought process and problem solving skills.
As well, i would reccommend to add more context by text or images. it is always good to help recreate your thought process, understand the brief, and your project phases of a concept so a potential employer can know where you are coming from. doesnt hurt to also add a timeline. one result is very different if its a 1 day project or a 8month project and how its judged will depend on the framework and scope.
To help, see below two samples from my own teaser portfolio. These are just 2 out of maybe 20, but show my thoughts on design and layout and also content vs. context and information. hope its helpful.
