Portfolio Building.

Ok, over the past few months ive been couped up in my computer chair practiceing, and comeing up with new ideas and design theorys,color combos,techniques..etc.

Now what I am hopeing to do is, Build up my portfolio back from scratch, to show what the "new" me is capeable of. ( basicly i got alot better in the past while ) and i want my new portolio to show it. only thing is, to get clients, thus i need a portfolio to show work. so im trying to think of ways to get clients to hire me.

Perhaps a limited time, or quantity of sinificently reduced prices?

Id really like your guys imput on this. I know ive already got 2 new jobs in the works, but we havent delt contract wise yet so no counting on those.

thanks in advance for your support, and help.

-Justan

Do some charity work for your local area, they are normally always looking for help.

Thanks, I was considering somehting like that, but was unsure. would you recommend doing cheap work for your uncle/aunt..etc's buissness?

would that be a fast way.

what problem are you trying to solve? how to get clients through a portfolio or how to get clients to make a portfolio?

Originally Posted by derek lapp what problem are you trying to solve? how to get clients through a portfolio or how to get clients to make a portfolio?

Both would be good for advice

im trying to "re-build" my portfolio from scratch.

To be honest, I'm stuck in the same stuation, although I'm slowly working on some things. Coding-wise:

Free templates - download and code
Favours for people - free coding
Exchanging free coding for free services

Portfolio building is essential. If you do a few freebies here and there in return for your link in the footer and a plug as the designer of that particular site, then you shouldnt come of too bad.

By doing this you are also proving your worth, say you design a site for your uncles business then people see it and might want one.. where will they come? To you.. put yourself about a bit :-), and remember you have to start somewhere!

i'm really against the whole freebie/spec work idea unless you're doing it as a personal favour for someone who has an understanding of how this business really is. when you do this, you open up the option of "oh, i know someone who does this! maybe i can get them to do it for you as a favour to me", which is bad news for everyone.

it's hard to advance as a designer without a reputable portfolio, but filling it with freebie/low-budget projects isn't going to do much for your either, except attract more low budget work - because that's the only kind of stuff you're showcasing.

if you want to build a strong portfolio, you have to invest time. all the portfolio does is back up your credibility. if you're just starting, you don't have any, so you have to invest your time and take the slower route of establishing connections with people and convincing them of your credibility through logic.

IE "Me doing this is worth $2000, now let me tell you why i'm worth $2000...." vs "Me doing this is worth $2000, because my portfolio says i'm worth $2000...."

Derek, i know exactly what your trying to say. and i agree 100%.

Its not that i havent built a portfolio before, but its simpily that i want to show off how much better i am now. and i want to show the client what the new me can do. see if i show them my old portfolio the might think that my rates are to high for what im doing. so i want to show them what i am capable of now, apposed to showing them what i was generareing before. i want to show them my new skills without them seeing my old ones, and getting second thoughts. you know what i mean?