Creating an impressive portfolio is a must in today’s highly competitive creative market. A crucial ingredient to penetrating the cutthroat competition is an efficient and credible presentation of yourself, talent and samples of your work. The portfolio is the key.

DT&G Magazine’s conversation with Cynthia Baron has got me thinking that using a digital portfolio is a good way to sell myself. Baron has said that digital portfolios enhance your chances of being qualified for employment. With the context it has been discussed, I see her point and agree that it is true. There is a high probability that your work will be reviewed by many people and that in itself is a bonus since it is a free advertisement of your work thereby increasing the likelihood of you being hired. Plus, having more people know about you and the quality of your work. Another important issue that was tackled was the increased accessibility of digital portfolios as opposed to the traditional type. Geography will no longer be a factor. Potential clients or employers can have a preview of your work at the same time with you eliminating the likelihood of incurring huge costs in mailing samples. Efficiency is greatly increased all the while improving your sphere of influence.

An issue that we must understand is the client-designer privilege issues. DTG have asked about this and Baron replied that it is a big concern regarding digital portfolios. It is a fact that all works of an employed designer belongs to the employer. Freelancers on the other hand own their work all except when they have signed a work-for-hire contract or they are under a non-disclosure agreement with their employer. Since digital portfolios will be in transit and distributed, copyright constraints will enter the picture. And employers most likely will not want their “property” have unauthorized copies circulating. Like many other things, this can be resolved through planning ahead.

Negotiate beforehand with your prospective employer you having a right to show your work to other people without necessarily having to own it. This will clear things and help you avoid legal hassles in the future. Make a good arrangement to settle all areas that may be unclear. Make room for contingency plans and be ready to execute them if the need arise. Opportunity comes to those who are prepared and it will knock not only once if you are listening.