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Building & Expanding Portfolio

J

Jonz

Weaksauce
Joined
Apr 16, 2006
Messages
84
Hello All,

Sorry that this does not pertain to website coding per se, but it felt like this would be the most appropriate forum to post this in.

I'm in a bit of career transition, and am looking to pursue web design (either in a freelance capacity or through a firm) in a full time capacity. I feel that I have a great bit of experience, and would do well in this field. The main problem is, is that my portfolio is existing work is quite lacking.

I have one site that I built for a local company last summer, and unfortunately that is about it. While attending school I built and maintained a website for two separate departments, as well as a site for the Arts and Sciences council and the Humanities department. I had initially wanted to pursue web design right after graduating, and had planned on using these sites in my portfolio... the problem is, is that they also 'moved on' and ended up redesigning all those sites (doh! should have taken a screenshot/saved the .psd files or SOMETHING! I hate hindsight sometimes... lol).

Thus this leaves me with a very barren list of previous works that I can refer to, so it seems that I need to find some gigs to work on to expand this library of work.

So, the way it looks now is that I might be slightly 'stuck' in terms of finding potential employers... so, I'm wondering if you folks might have some recommendations in terms of getting this all kick-started. Though I don't like the idea of needing to charge really low rates to attract potential clients, I'm certainly open to it if only to expand my portfolio.

Do any of you guys have any advice/recommendations when it comes to expanding ones portfolio?

Thanks,
Jon
 
Pick up some smaller jobs and work on some hobby projects. If you're into web than you should have your own stuff setup. Clients sometimes wont let you show your work with them either.
 
If you have time, you could take or audit a college class with a web project. It helps me to have that kind of structure and a group to share ideas with.
 
I jumped into web development in much the same situation. Slightly different, but many potential clients want to know what kind of work you have done before.

Just starting out in most freelance fields requires starting with a lower asking price. Defiantly get your own page up. You may want to offer your services to some local non profit groups for free, or really reduced rates. They often don't have the resources to pay a professional. It may be easier for you to stomach doing it as a charity.
 
Although I'm in a bit of the same situation (always looking to make extra money) I decided that doing a bunch of brochure sites is probably easiest. Just get some neighbors with small businesses to sign on with you. Someone who doesn't have a presence on the web will be pleased with a quick n dirty brochure site.

note: I'm not trying to make a career out of it, just extra cash so my advice might be detrimental to you if you're attempting to impress a large employer.
 
Check with any activities/clubs you or your kids/family might do too.

I offered to do my Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu club's website and it turned out pretty well for someone who isn't a web developer at all.
 
Thanks for the great suggestions guys -- I really appreciate it :)

I've had some decent results thus far with a little craigslist ad I posted -- got one gig that, though Im not going to use as portfolio fodder since it was mostly behind-the-scenes php work, threw a bit of cash into my pocket. Today I got the okay to do some work for an eNewsletter thing for a local record shop. Assuming that goes well, I'll likely end up redesigning their web page as well.

I like the idea of contacting some local clubs, or 'donate' my work for some local non-profits -- good mojo/karma seems to be essential in this economic climate ;)

tnx again guys for the ideas
 
You might also build your own site, and have separate pages to demonstrate various design techniques that you can do.
 
Jonz I am doing the same thing. So far i have found it best to just do as much foot work as you can, doing some sites for free or next to nothing with a allowance to be able to show it in your portfolio. Order some free business cards with your name or company logo and on your main site make sure to include your phone number on top some where. clients like to know you are available all the time it helps in the reassurance factor.
 
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