‘A strong portfolio opens doors, a weak portfolio closes
them.’
Your portfolio is often the only thing a person finds out before deciding
whether or not to get hold of you, and in many instances you may not be present
to explain it (particularly on-line portfolios).
Above: Book of Andreas Luescher
Therefore, it is of the essence
that a portfolio becomes a showcase of your capacities. Many of my students and
colleagues, who have set off their design firm, often share their confusion or
so not having enough impressive projects to showcase in a portfolio. My question
to them is that, do clients want to see only projects in your portfolio? Is
there nothing else they look for?
Portfolio of your firm should
demonstrate creativity, skills, range, thought, and aspiration. It is
the overall combination of these that makes your firm stand above the others. There
isn't any right way or wrong way. Everyone can choose a style that reflects
his/her own personality and beliefs. For an architectural/design firm,
following are my few suggestions about what to include in your portfolio to
take the most benefit:
1.
Introduction of the Company, its objectives and organizational
structure
2.
A little video display about your firm (for
online portfolio)
3.
Past Experience and Projects with a Photo
gallery
4.
Types of services offered
5.
Testimonials of your associates / clients /
institutes
6.
Your design philosophy for the projects +
Internal work/management culture of the firm
7.
Team (including external consultants &
associates)
8.
Client list
9.
Awards, certificates, achievements, published articles,
if any.
Once you have created your
portfolio (online as well as printed), think of all the possibilities where you
can post it. Go back to your marketing plan, and find out who are your clients.
Promote your portfolio online using e-marketing tools that we discussed before.
Keep your eye on the newspaper, publications and announcements, where new
projects are mentioned or RFP (Request for proposals/qualifications) is invited.
Send your portfolio to the Architects/Engineers
association of your region and get your company registered. There are also
possibilities of being part of the corporate companies’ design panel; depending
on how good a network of contacts you have developed.
Further Reading:
[1] E-Article: Design portfolio Tips
[2] E-Article: 7 tips for creating print based design portfolio
[3] E-Article: Presenting your Portfolio : My own first time
[4] E-Article: 50 beautiful and creative portfolio designs
[1] E-Article: Design portfolio Tips
[2] E-Article: 7 tips for creating print based design portfolio
[3] E-Article: Presenting your Portfolio : My own first time
[4] E-Article: 50 beautiful and creative portfolio designs
Related Blogs:
- Why marketing is important for Architects?
- What is different about selling design services?
- Naming your firm
- Finding your Gap
- Let’s find a client
- Why pricing is marketing?
- Marketing Plan – not a tool, but a need
- Is “ Marketing ” for Architects?
- 'Identity' based Marketing Tools for Architectural/Design Firms
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