Beginners Guide to Architecture Portfolios | Full Walkthrough

Summary

The video script provides a comprehensive guide on creating an architectural portfolio, emphasizing the importance of design, layout, and color palette. It suggests seeking inspiration from web designers and using platforms like Squarespace for template ideas. The guide covers creating a cohesive document that includes an introduction, table of contents, and CV, along with a project section. It highlights the significance of readability and capturing attention quickly, just like effective websites. The process involves selecting a color palette, identifying fonts using 'What The Font', and incorporating strong imagery and diagrams. The script also touches on the use of grids for layout consistency and the option to present the portfolio online using platforms like Issuu for a more interactive experience. The aim is to create a professional and visually appealing portfolio that stands out to potential employers.

Takeaways

• 🎨 **Seek Inspiration from Web Design**: Web designers are skilled in various aspects like graphics, color palette, and readability, which can inspire portfolio creation.
• 🌟 **Capture Attention Quickly**: Just like websites, portfolios should be designed to capture the viewer's imagination quickly.
• 📈 **Use Squarespace for Inspiration**: Squarespace is a website builder with beautiful templates that can provide inspiration for design layout and color palette.
• 🖌️ **Create a Color Palette**: Use tools like Photoshop to create a color palette by picking colors from inspirational websites.
• 🔍 **Discover Fonts with 'What The Font'**: Identify and find alternatives to fonts used in web design through 'What The Font' website.
• 📄 **Incorporate a Table of Contents and CV**: Include a brief introduction, table of contents, and CV in your portfolio for a comprehensive overview.
• 🧐 **Use Master Pages for Consistency**: Utilize master pages in design software to maintain consistency across different sections of the portfolio.
• 📏 **Employ Grids for Alignment**: Use grids to align elements neatly and create a structured layout that is visually appealing.
• 🖋️ **Choose the Right Font Hierarchy**: Select a headline font and a secondary font for different sections of the portfolio to establish a clear hierarchy.
• 📐 **Use Diagrams and Strong Images**: Include well-designed diagrams and high-quality images to effectively communicate your project's layout and design.
• 📘 **Consider a Monochromatic Scheme**: A monochromatic color scheme can provide a safe and professional look, especially for backgrounds and text.
• 🚀 **Present Work in an Interactive Format**: Use platforms like Issuu to present your portfolio in an interactive and engaging manner.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the discussion in the transcript?

The main focus of the discussion is on how to create an effective portfolio, particularly for design students or professionals seeking jobs in practice. It covers aspects such as seeking inspiration, design layout, color palette, and the importance of readability and quick engagement, similar to web design principles.

Why does the speaker suggest looking at web design for portfolio inspiration?

The speaker suggests looking at web design because web designers have to possess a broad knowledge of various elements such as graphics, color palette, and readability. These skills are also crucial for creating a portfolio that captures attention quickly and effectively.

Which website builder is mentioned as a source of inspiration for portfolio design?

Squarespace is mentioned as a website builder with gorgeous templates that can serve as a source of inspiration for portfolio design.

What is the importance of having an introduction and a table of content in a portfolio?

Having an introduction and a table of content in a portfolio is important because it provides a clear and structured overview of the document. It helps the viewer to navigate through the portfolio and understand the designer's background and the scope of their work.

How does the speaker suggest creating a color palette for the portfolio?

The speaker suggests creating a color palette by seeking inspiration from web design sites and using tools within Photoshop to pick colors from a screenshot. These colors are then used consistently throughout the portfolio to maintain a cohesive look.

What is the recommended approach for discovering fonts used in an image?

The speaker recommends using a website called WhatTheFont (myfonts.com/WhatTheFont) to upload an image and identify the fonts used. However, it's noted that the identified fonts may be paid, so finding free alternatives is suggested.

Why is the use of a grid important in portfolio design?

The use of a grid in portfolio design is important because it provides a framework for aligning elements consistently across different pages. It helps in creating a clean, organized, and professional look that is aesthetically pleasing and easy to navigate.

What is the significance of using high-quality images and drawings in a portfolio?

High-quality images and drawings are significant in a portfolio because they showcase the designer's skills and attention to detail. Strong visuals can leave a lasting impression and effectively communicate the designer's capabilities.

How does the speaker suggest presenting the portfolio to prospective employers?

The speaker suggests using an online platform like Issuu to upload and present the portfolio in an interactive and engaging way. This method allows for a more dynamic presentation compared to a static PDF and can be easily shared with prospective employers.

What is the recommended file format for the final portfolio?

The recommended file format for the final portfolio is a PDF, which should be saved with high-quality settings to maintain the resolution of images and drawings, while keeping the file size reasonable for easy sharing.

Why is it important to include a CV in the portfolio?

Including a CV in the portfolio is important because it provides essential information about the designer's education, qualifications, and work experience. It offers a comprehensive view of the designer's background, complementing the visual aspects of the portfolio.

What is the significance of using a 'power of three' approach in portfolio presentation?

The 'power of three' approach refers to the idea of grouping information or images in threes, which can make the content more digestible and visually appealing. It's a design principle that can help in creating a balanced and harmonious layout in a portfolio.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Seeking Web Design Inspiration for Portfolio Creation

The speaker emphasizes the importance of starting a portfolio by looking to web designers for inspiration, given their multifaceted knowledge in graphics, color palettes, and readability. They highlight the need for quick engagement in the online world and suggest using Squarespace as a source of beautiful templates to spark ideas. The focus is on creating an all-encompassing document that includes an introduction, table of content, and CV, with a set of principles that can be applied across different pages.

05:01

🖼️ Creating a Color Palette and Designing the Portfolio Layout

The paragraph discusses the process of opening Photoshop to create a color palette by taking a screenshot of a preferred design and extracting the hex codes for colors. It talks about setting up a new document in A4 size with a bleed for professional printing and using the rectangle tool to apply the chosen background color to every page. The speaker also mentions using 'What The Font' to identify fonts from images and finding free alternatives to paid fonts for the portfolio.

10:06

📖 Selecting Fonts and Designing with Hierarchy in Mind

The focus here is on downloading and installing the chosen font in true type format and using large icons for control. The speaker suggests using web design principles to inform font placement and hierarchy. They demonstrate how to adjust font styles and sizes, and incorporate lines and swatches for a subtle yet effective design. The importance of a 'wow' image on the front cover is also highlighted, along with the idea of using frames to create a focal point.

15:09

20:11

📐 Utilizing Grids and Lines for Consistent Page Layouts

The speaker describes the use of grids and lines in design to maintain consistency across pages. They show how to add rows and columns for a structured layout and suggest aligning elements to the grid for a clean and professional look. The paragraph also touches on the use of master pages to apply consistent elements across the portfolio and the inclusion of page numbers for navigation.

25:13

🏗️ Project Introduction and Narrative in Portfolio Design

This section talks about introducing each project with a headline cover spread that uses a full-bleed image for a strong impact. The speaker discusses the use of color to reinforce the project's theme and suggests various ways to present project information, such as using green as an accent color and incorporating the project's name into the design. They also mention the importance of adjusting the layout to better fit the content and design preferences.

30:19

📚 Organizing Content with a Clear Project Structure

The paragraph focuses on the organization of content within the portfolio, starting with a narrative introduction to each project. It suggests using a combination of text, images, and diagrams to convey the project's development and proposal stages. The speaker also recommends using the 'power of three' to structure content and emphasizes the importance of strong images and drawings that align well with the document's overall design.

35:21

📈 Presenting Diagrams and Data Effectively

The speaker discusses the effective presentation of diagrams and data, such as floor plate diagrams, to showcase the project's layout. They demonstrate how to center and space content evenly, and how to use text and lines to separate and highlight different sections. The paragraph also touches on the idea of creating a consistent look across the portfolio by using similar design principles and elements.

40:28

📘 Selecting Strong Visuals for Portfolio Impact

This section stresses the importance of using strong visuals, such as floor plans and exploded axonometric drawings, to enhance the portfolio. The speaker advises on finding high-quality images and ensuring that each item is well-presented to avoid detracting from the overall document. They also mention the subconscious appeal of images and graphics that fit comfortably within a portfolio and the option to use different colors for contrast and emphasis.

45:28

📤 Issuing the Portfolio for Maximum Impact

The final paragraph talks about the preferred method of issuing the portfolio, suggesting the use of a website like 'issue' for a more interactive and impressive presentation. The speaker guides on how to upload documents, present them in an appealing way, and share the link with prospective employers. They also provide a pro tip on setting the document to open in full screen automatically for a more engaging experience.

Keywords

💡Portfolio

A portfolio is a collection of an individual's work that showcases their skills, talents, and accomplishments, especially in creative fields like design or architecture. In the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of creating a compelling portfolio to apply for jobs or practice opportunities, highlighting its role as a key tool for presenting one's professional capabilities.

💡Web Design

Web design refers to the process of creating the layout, color scheme, and functionality of a website. It is mentioned in the script as a source of inspiration for creating a portfolio because web designers must consider aesthetics, readability, and user experience, which are also crucial for an effective portfolio.

💡Color Palette

A color palette is a set of colors that work harmoniously together and are used consistently in a design project to create visual unity. The video discusses selecting a color palette from web design examples to apply to a portfolio, emphasizing the impact of color on the viewer's experience and the need for a cohesive look.

💡Typography

Typography is the art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible and appealing when displayed. The script mentions using 'What the Font' to identify and select fonts from web design examples, highlighting the importance of typography in conveying information effectively and adding to the overall design aesthetic of a portfolio.

💡Grid System

A grid system is a framework used in design to structure content in a balanced and organized manner. The video script discusses using a grid to align elements in a portfolio, which helps in creating a clean, professional, and easy-to-follow layout that guides the viewer's eye through the content.

💡Full-Bleed Image

A full-bleed image is a photograph or illustration that runs to the edge of the page without a border, giving a sense of depth and immersion. The speaker in the video suggests using full-bleed images for a strong visual impact on the portfolio's cover and within project showcases.

💡Project Narrative

A project narrative is a descriptive account of the process, challenges, and outcomes of a project. While the script notes that a project in practice may not require a narrative due to its professional context, it emphasizes the importance of storytelling in design to engage the viewer and provide context to the work.

💡Master Pages

Master pages are templates in design software that define the layout for multiple pages, ensuring consistency across a document. The video script describes using master pages to apply a background and layout elements to every page of the portfolio for a unified appearance.

💡Bleed

In printing, bleed refers to the area of the design that extends beyond the trim edge of the paper, ensuring that there are no unwanted white spaces when the document is trimmed. The speaker mentions setting up a bleed in the design to accommodate professional printing requirements.

💡Interactive Portfolio

An interactive portfolio is a digital presentation of work that allows users to engage with the content, such as through navigation or full-screen viewing. The video suggests using a platform like 'issue' to create an interactive portfolio that can be shared with potential employers, enhancing the presentation and making it more memorable.

💡Design Hierarchy

Design hierarchy is the visual organization of elements in a layout to indicate their relative importance. The script touches on the use of font sizes, bold text, and spacing to create a clear hierarchy in the portfolio, guiding the viewer's attention to the most important information.

Highlights

Web designers are suggested as a source of inspiration for portfolio creation due to their multidisciplinary knowledge.

Squarespace is recommended for its beautiful templates that can provide design inspiration.

Importance of readability and quick capture of attention in both web design and portfolios highlighted.

Inclusion of an introduction, table of contents, and CV in a portfolio is advised for comprehensiveness.

Demonstration of creating a color palette using Photoshop and website color schemes.

Using 'What The Font' website to identify and find free alternatives to paid fonts from images.

Helvetica is suggested as a reliable secondary font choice for its versatility and popularity.

Use of grids in design for consistent alignment and spacing of elements.

The power of using a strong 'wow' image on the front cover of a portfolio for immediate impact.

Different ways to present project information, such as using full-bleed images, diagrams, and process explanations.

The necessity of strong, high-quality images and drawings for a portfolio to be effective.

Using lines and separators for clean, professional-looking page layouts.

The concept of 'white space' in design for a clean and sophisticated appearance.

Suggestion to use an online portfolio platform like 'Issuu' for a more interactive presentation.

Advice on saving the portfolio as a high-quality PDF with sensible file size for easy sharing.

Emphasis on the importance of a narrative for each project in a portfolio to add context.

Highlighting the need for a cohesive and consistent design theme throughout the portfolio.

Recommendation to use a back cover with contact information for a professional finish.

Transcripts

we've had tons of requests asking us

where do I even start with creating a

portfolio where do I seek inspiration

for design layout color palette and this

time of year students are starting to

apply for jobs in practice so I think

it's a very important lesson I think

it's good timing and I think it'll help

a lot of people so here's how I would

approach you so where to

start and my suggestion will be actually

looking towards web design web designers

are some of the most talented people out

there um because they have to have a

knowledge of of a lot of things ER

Graphics color palette

and actually readability this is so

important everyone's in a rush online

and websites have to really capture the

imagination very quickly and I think

portfolios have to do the same now days

as well so one of my favorite website

builder sites and this isn't an ad or

anything one of my favorite sites is

Squarespace the websites are absolutely

gorgeous the templates are absolutely

gorgeous and what I want to do is just

from scratch just show you an example of

how you can seek

inspiration so if I go on templates I'm

just looking for let's say personal CV

I'm looking for something real oh is it

just

oh maybe let's do photography then well

personal let's see

um where are we sell Services

possibly showcase

way and then it's choose uh yeah we

don't want to build from scratch we're

here for inspiration so we're not going

to actually use any of these but what

we're going to do in this lesson is and

obviously we're starting with you know

where do we start where do we find

inspiration

and in this lesson because portfolios

are a huge Beast we're going to do a

cover and we're going to do a color

palette sorry a cover and a typical

project section but don't forget to

include at the start a little

introduction to yourself a table of

content and your CV as well definitely

include your CV in this document I think

that'll be just a nice touch so you've

just got that all-encompassing document

but from this lesson and you'll be able

to establish a set of principles if you

like that you can then take into other

pages and what have you so we've we've

given it a little bit of

data and we've got some of these

websites I'm tempted I I I really like

this one the the with the red font I

think that's something a little

different but I don't know whether maybe

that's a little too

outlandish I do love I do love the the

use of

color

but I think I'm going to be a little bit

boring let's see what this

one's

saying so you can go on and you can have

a little look

at certain pages let's just see services

not fully into the font on that

one I know I'm taking a little bit of

time here but it it is important to get

that precedent spot

on what about this one this has got a a

bit of color

[Music]

just just want to try and get a bit of

inspiration

for that's not bad I don't mind the use

of lines there different

size

[Music]

font different colors as

well let just check the

homepage you know what so this is this

is enough this is enough of

inspiration so first things first what I

want to do is I want to crack open

Photoshop actually and we want to

generate a color

palette ER while Photoshop is loading

let's just do file new document I'm

going to just stick to A4 you can use

different different formats different

paper sizes and stuff but I'm just going

to keep it simple I'm probably it's

probably the most accessible paper size

I do quite like portraits it's actually

a little trickier to work with portraits

I must admit but I I think there they a

bit classier portrait um so Pages let's

just go let's just say

10 we do want face and

pages and there we go and something I

should say as well w obtains the guides

on and off and in the setup you should

allow for 5 mil depends on the printer I

suppose but a 5 mil bleed that bleed

allows uh professional printers reprog

Graphics places it allows them to cut

over an image and it doesn't leave any

unwanted white space so you should

really be working to to a a bleeded Edge

right so in

Photoshop or using Photoshop I want to

take a screenshot of

that and create my color

palette by picking these

colors so there's the hex code

there now

window I've obviously prepared this one

earlier it's window color

swatches delete

them and create a new

one and we want to go for

RGB hex code there hit okay and then

there's our background color

that's our text

color anything else there was a bit of

use of color

somewhere is it in the

gallery about

yeah don't mind this this yellow is a

bit of

a Tey

color let's see where we get to with

those

three uh I wanted to paste that in

there that's it get our hex

code much quicker than using

RGB then with the

the the kind of beigy color we want to

go to

pages and we want to go to parent page

and we actually want to create a

background so we'll just use the

rectangle

tool and we'll fill that in and I think

it's actually has it acknowledged that

first color lovely

stuff so now every page has got

that that background

your front and back you could probably

apply a nonp parent to it because we

want to be a little bit more bespoke

potentially

anyway okay so that's creating the color

palette the next is the font to discover

what font is on an image you can use

this website called what the font it's

my font.com and you can upload an image

we'll upload the hero image from the

website you can click on that and hit

identify

font however the worry is that the fonts

are are paid for so I wonder whether

there's a an alternative here so Tiffany

light Tiffany light font if we just say

something like free alternative

something like that

that's

not that's not a million miles away so

that font is downloaded and we want the

ttf which is the true type format I

think or true type there we go true type

font we want to go for large icons I'm

in the control panel by the way

fonts and then we drag them in

there let's hit save as for this

document I'll just save to

desktop so that font is loaded

in let's just

type my name let's call

romand and we'll go regular I think

again just taking

cu's from on this oh that's

better we've got very bold and and the

reason I've touched on web design is you

get a real sense of font placement

hierarchy things like that so with all

caps

actually and we want to use our

Swatch where's it

gone and for the secondary font I do

like this that there's like a headline

font and a secondary font for the

secondary

font we want to go for a helvetica you

cannot go wrong with helvetica that's

academia's font as well helvetica now

so we're going to say something

like is this in caps as well

yeah

architecture portfolio something like

that I like a full stop I don't know

why maybe just make that a little bit

bigger

if it disappears like that it's

just you just need to increase

the the

box so I think that's quite quite nice

actually I do like the use of the single

lines as

well so we could

just grab a

line and again give that a color or

swatch appears up

there let's give it a

thickness you want to be quite subtle

with things like

that so we could go for something like

that and by the way design is is all

taste isn't it this might be exactly

what you what you do but I'm just trying

to demonstrate a starting point really

where where do you start where do you

seek inspiration and I think this is a a

decent

example now I personally think the front

cover does want to have a a wow image

and what I'm going to

use is a project that is currently in

for planning at at our

practice I'm just going to use it

because I've I've got diagrams and

things at my

disposal now what's nice is what what's

nice to do is actually create frames see

this over here rectangle frame tool it

just allows you to create a dropping

Point like

that although it's com in absolutely

massive I'm sure there's a way to sort

that but we'll do it the old fashioned

way now an important thing to note is

that

imagery doesn't always sit well with

certain color palettes so you just got

to be mindful of

that that's not bad maybe a stronger

image would work

better let's see you know you you'll

have multiple projects

as do I let's see if

another another

image is a bit more

suitable I've always like this one so I

think that works better it's a bit more

desaturated let's say so I think that

sit better

with the the color theme if you like I

don't mind that we've got

that opposites going on there

although let's see if it looks better on

that side either way it's all like

aligned to the one

side that might work well so all I'm

getting here is we've picked a color

theme we've picked uh a font or two

fonts really a kind of a a headline font

and a and a regular

font I'd actually be tempted to just

reduce the spacing of that um and I

think I personally think a headline

image works well there are different

ways you can place that image we could

remove the

line and maybe go full bleed like that

that's probably a bit stronger

actually maybe that line wants to just

sit

here

and

personally when we're taking on

candidates I do like to see

an indication of the person's level so

let's just nudge that up a little

bit I'll make a copy of

that and it could be something like a

part two so in in the UK the there are

three parts to qualifying as an

architect and I would do something like

part

two

architectural assistance something like

that maybe actually just get rid

of the whole

caps something like that maybe get rid

of the Full Stop actually and that just

gives a very quick

indication of what was

okay I think that's quite a unique

design actually so as you as you

progress through the

document you would well initially you

would have table of contents and and

your CV and things like

that what I want to touch on is uh a

typical uh project setup if you like

before we get into that I want to just

touch on something in the master pages I

think given that our example here uses

lines to separate things going to adopt

a similar

approach and we're going to use lines to

just create the

base of each page in a spread like

so and if you wanted to add a page

number if you curious

let's left Aline

that it is if I remember

rightly we looking for special

character there we go type insert

special character markers current page

number there we go and you could put a

little PG or something in front of

it make the

font pretty

lean I love the snaps in in

design very quick to just get that

aligned like

so so now we're in our document

I wasn't in the parent so I've just cut

that and hit and I'll hit edit paste in

place there we

go and now it's got it on all the

pages maybe sit that underneath

actually I think that's a bit

better so for each project I want you to

create a a bit of a thread if you like a

bit of a bit of

consistency and I think each project

wants to be introduced with uh a really

headline cover spread and I think

there's nothing stronger than just a

full

bleed

image like

so I have got a

document I will

just I kind of change your mind on which

project now this one's actually got plan

on permission to show both a little

so I'm just using this to just pinch a

bit of

text and on this headline

image what would be quite interesting

actually is

to use the green let's see if this

works hit

[Music]

multiply that's not bad actually see the

way it kind of works with the the

[Music]

theme we could

even to get that green really

across we could to saturate

this I'll just call it gray

I could go for something

like this project was called chemson

stre suppose it still is

and then we're using that third color

that kind of comes into play Sorry where

was it is it

Gallery nope

about there we go so we're just using

this third color we could even

possibly no I think the I think the

darker color

looks

better a nice little trick in in design

is you can use the

Picker to match attributes

just bring that font size down a little

bit sometimes formatting is a bit bit

funky from

PDFs I normally would have a copy

in Microsoft W or something like that

[Music]

excuse

me again I do like the the use of just

that little

separator line

something like that the positioning of

this is up to you you could go bottom

left with it which I think is quite nice

probably tempted to stick with that you

could go

Central which again I think works

well could even go the the over

Leaf don't mind any of these

actually as I'm faffing around a little

bit with with this I'm reminded of

something very important which is

grids now if you go to

layout create

guides you can

actually add a number of rows and

columns and it gives you so I just hit W

it just gives you this

framew to

land things on look at that so now I'm

actually

tempted to utilize the grid

there and do something like that so you

can see the way it's just sat

[Music]

on that middle section there or to the

bottom right section and see the way

we've got

that box you can actually align that to

the

[Music]

bottom you could go back into the master

here let's remove the existing and go

to six rows Maybe

maybe go less

[Music]

columns it just gives you literally

gives you a

framew yeah so I think I think that's a

bit more successful they'll just snap

into the center

there so I think that's a little bit

better 10 high eight off

and that'll do us for our our

cover of the project and you would

repeat

that again and know I'm using a very

particular color palette here you might

prefer a black something like that and

that's that's quite nice it's a little

little safer if you

like but that's our

cover and then what we want to do

is sorry we don't want to copy that we

want

to we'll just copy these three

things we then want to move

into an introduction

let's go back to

our green now

I always say that a project should start

with a

narrative let's maybe just play with the

positioning of

that now this

is a

project in

practice so narrative Falls away a

little bit but we've got something got

something

there that'll do

us I think a nice visual to go

above you can't click and drag and then

drag like

so that might even want to go higher

than that

and then over here I could even I mean

it could even just be introduction

something like

that and then over here it wouldn't hit

to just

show a drawing or two or maybe a

little a little area like that

I'm hoping it'll let me save these from

straight from the

[Music]

documents could even use some of these

little process diagrams

I'm coming more from a an aesthetic

angle

here than the than the actual content I

suppose now how many rows have we got to

work with here

that do they're

not perfectly spaced another another way

of doing

this is to actually

just space them evenly you should get a

snap for that yeah select them all and

just drag that one down there so it's

not it's not perfectly on grid now but

at least they're

even and we've just got that little bit

of I'm just going to

I want them to land in the exact same

spot so that's why I'm just copying

that just give the base a little bit of

breathing

space

right wonder what they look like

multipli it's

nice so I'll take a little introduction

to the project again nice headline

visual bit of explanation down

there if you're a bit

Stu you can fill a text box with

placeholder

text so again

this lesson isn't

about the actual content it's more about

the the graphic representation so you

can just hit fill with Place Aller

text might even go light actually for

this body text down

here it just gives you something to work

with so you get a sense

of you know what what the layout's

looking

like actually be tempted to just

go one

smaller something like

that now again with these you

might you might want to multiply them

but I do think I do think going for a

particular color palette is it'll give

you something to it'll catch the eye I

think this this color palette will catch

the eye however

I must admit that if you do go for

white those those drawings do sit more

comfortably so you might even just go

for that beige on the on the front cover

you've got some of that color coming

through here we might even drop

that yellow keep it the beige

and then as we get into the project area

it's it is just the white if if if

you're a little unsure go for white and

I think I do think actually that

that's a little more

sensible you don't want to go you don't

you don't want to risk too much on a

particular Cola because Cola does a

create opinion it divides opinion so um

anyway so that's an introductory little

spread now what else can we take from

our website example I quite like this

here where we've got simple bit of text

centered actually and we've got a a hero

image if you like on the on the left

hand side so I think what we could also

do here is

maybe let's push this

[Music]

down and

actually let's pull

uh let's do that one

we may even go full bleed

actually we don't always need to reveal

the page number

and maybe this is the

introduction so I think that is a

stronger way of just introducing the

project see if we can land it on the

grid

somewhere so that's shaping up better so

we've got the front cover

we've settled on

colors and then we've got just really

strong

image simple bit of text

there and then as you move in this could

then be design development or you know

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proposal you know whatever design so now

that we've got a bit of a structure here

I want to show

another couple of examp exles I suppose

of how you show the project

off I actually quite

like the power of three so I'm going to

just put that on the other

side

and we're obviously talking Graphics

here but another way to show your

project off in with Graphics in mind is

also various diagrams and we use these

let me see if I can get the the higher

is

yeah we use these like floor plate

diagrams to show off our project's

layout and I just want

to download a few of

these layout

one layout two

just want to make sure it's

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centered and actually we do have a a

little description beneath so let's just

the description in this case is some

stats

let's just put a small bit of text there

maybe

use the

line separator that we've been using

make it a touch

thinner must have Mak I'm being a little

loose with

my grid

use that's not too bad

oh that'll work that'll work let's make

these lines thinner

again don't know where that

feels a bit busy I might

just be tempted although I do

prefer the kind of the power of three I

think it was it was too

busy so let's establish a principle

again here

let's let's drop that down to

there just giv that a little bit more

breathing

room it's a bit cliche but your

presentations are only as strong as the

the weakest link and you'll you'll be

surprised at how much you can you can

kind of leave out of of your portfolios

and presentations everyone's obsessed

with trying to show everything where it

is I think just cutting that down a

little

there I think that's that's worked

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wonders let's see if there's another

example of a diagram

well there are

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draws but I do think

that we have we have got that table it's

just

or actually it could even be a

simple duplication there so we could go

layout

two layout three and then there's our

our finished article

there it's not

quite censored but you get the idea

that'll do so that's another another

example you can see the way it's just

nice and

consistent you might even drag that down

actually and just give the thing a

a title the

page layout just as just as a little

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example like

so so we give ourselves a a framework if

you

like and

then one more

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example cuz what we want to do is we

want to use some drawings

these might be the most exciting draw on

must ad

myth let's

see so I've just jump to a quick Google

search to just find a a more

accomplished

floor

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plan something like that I'll

do

right if I then just drag

that into

there that's much

better so it was my Bor and draw there

that were letting the side down but that

is an important thing to touch on is

that you do need strong images strong

drawings in their own right for it to

sit well within within the document uh a

a flat draw will let the side down so

it's as important to spend time on the

individual items as it is the overall

document so you could do a a full full

spread like

that or what's interesting is you could

even

use the top of

that for a draw and placement as

well so that's quite

nice and I always like a a solid

exploded axle as well you might go

slightly less text

there maybe just set that within the

grid a bit

nicer maybe just try and bring that to

the edges thing things lining up and

sitting comfortable in a grid it's it's

a

subconscious thing that that just it

just sit

better to the

eye so if I then just Google just just

to explain explod the thaton

aetric I love the old school ones as

well something like that is absolutely

perfect to demonstrate the point

just Center that and then look at that

just nice and nice and slick we haven't

got the hard border of some of these

images sometimes to bear in mind that

that create some images and Graphics

that haven't got a hard Edge cuz they

sit so comfortably

in a

portfolio so there's a few ideas just

nice and Slick plenty of white space I'd

even be tempted to just strip a little

bit of that

off just plenty of white space good

quality imagery good quality drawings

and

diagrams and maybe even a

a nice back cover I would get rid of the

name there and it would it would be a

you know get in touch and it would be uh

a phone

number something like that maybe an

email obviously change the graphic

although that if you think about how

it's going to be printed

Ed maybe it's worth just keeping keeping

it like that keeping it nice and nice

and

simple and just to finish us

off I want to explain I think my my

preferred way for you to issue your

portfolio as well to whether that's your

first job or your next job in

architecture so if I

just file Adobe PDF presets high quality

save it to the

desktop portfolio

example compression it's nice to just

have that keeps the file size

sensible where is it 8

Meg I would encourage you to use a

website such as issue um I'm not saying

it's the this is the

only place to do it but it's a good

example

you can drag and drop your documents in

and it gives you different ways in which

you can present

it so that's

uploaded and you can then send this link

to prospective

employers and it's just a a bit of a

Slicker way than flicking through a PDF

I'm not saying there's anything wrong

with sending in a PDF but I think if you

send it like this encourage them to hit

full screen there might even be a way to

automate that so when when they click on

the link it's it automatically opens

full screen and when you flick through

you can use the keyboard as well it's

just a bit more

interactive it just feel it just feels a

bit more natural I suppose doesn't it

you're flicking through it and it's just

a bit more bit more impressive so little

little Pro tip there just to finish on