"Portfolio in progress"

Earlier this week, I was discussing internships (and that dreaded word - Portfolio) with my Y3 Product design students, and it got me thinking. Why does this topic create so much discussion? is it because:

a) It's perhaps the one project that's never truly finished,

b) It demands adherence to certain rules while encouraging you to break others to stand out, and

c) Most vexingly, everyone seems to have an opinion about it.

Portfolio-related questions span from the practical (How many slides per project? Is a PDF or Behance better?) to the philosophical (Why should I pursue an internship? What does design mean, really?) to the downright amusing (I don't want to display my portfolio online because someone might copy it).

Over the years, I've seen both sides of the portfolio coin. Here, I've gathered a few insights from my journey:

Disclaimer: This perspective is tailored to those seeking an Industrial design role but can be adapted to other specializations.

A portfolio, at its core, is a means of communicating your value, structured around four key axes:

1. Analytical Thinking: Can you navigate the intricacies of design and practical considerations? Are you skilled in conducting research, user studies, ethnographic investigations, and observations? Can you demonstrate your design process and provide logical reasoning for your design decisions?
2. Creative Mindset: Do you bring a fresh perspective to everyday scenarios and problems? Do you have a message to convey, an opinion to share through your work?
3. Skills: Do you possess practical, deployable skills? Are you self-sufficient in producing digital or physical assets, including physical models, mood boards, visual thinking and communication outputs, sketches, 3D models, photorealistic renders, 3D printed parts, prototypes, material and manufacturing specifications, presentations and more?
4. Personality and Work Culture: Are you a sincere, positive, and intriguing individual to work with? Do you exhibit diligence and attention to detail in your work? Does your enthusiasm and energy bring value to the table? Are you brimming with the drive to excel?

The emphasis on these four aspects will naturally vary based on your unique qualities and the specific organization you are applying to.

Of course, there are additional facets to a fruitful portfolio and internship quest. Elements like storytelling, interview skills, timing, and networking play significant roles. Nevertheless, when it comes to portfolios, I believe these four aspects lay the foundation.

A combination of these aspects, presented clearly and comprehensibly, can, in my opinion, significantly boost your chances of landing the ideal internship.

If you're a hiring manager or someone who recruits product designers for internships, I'd love to hear your insights and perspectives. Let's keep the conversation going.

Note: So why this picture you ask?

Well, finding good internships is not an easy task, and the image serves to remind the viewers to look at the bright side.

There is rainbow somewhere, you just need to find it!

Hi! I am Mandar, a designer and educator with over 15 years of experience around design education. You can read more of my views and opinions at www.mandarkale.com