Do YouTube?
Video Portfolios for Designers
Clearpoint Creative intelligence dispatch #4 [more intel here]
June 19, 2008
You have your black book and you have your website. Perhaps you have a demo reel online or on CD/DVD. But do you have a YouTube portfolio?
Now… don’t panic just yet. Although we’ve been noticing more and more graphic designers using video to present their print or web design portfolios, we’re not ready to recommend YouTube portfolios for everyone.
Natalie Gonzalez, a senior recruiter at Clearpoint Creative, says that YouTube portfolios that are done well can open the door to an opportunity when your print or web pieces aren’t getting noticed. “A video portfolio is especially helpful if you are trying to relocate,” said Natalie. “It can allow a client to get a sense for your personality and get to know you a bit even though you can’t present your work in person.”
Video portfolios that we’ve seen so far fall into three basic categories, a video that shows your work only (usually set to music), one that shows your work and includes your voice over, and one in which you appear on camera and speak to your audience.
Natalie says the best video portfolios are those that depict you in addition to your work. “When I see a designer in a YouTube portfolio with a lot of passion and a high energy personality in addition to good samples, it’s easy for me to decide to call that person for an interview,” she said. “Let your excitement and love of what you do come through!”
Natalie recommends that video portfolios stay short. “If viewers watch more than once, they can’t just skip to the parts that interest them. They’ll have to watch the whole thing,” said Natalie. “If your video is too long you risk annoying potential employers.”
While a traditional portfolio may include 12-15 pieces, your video portfolio should probably include just 8-10. Consider creating more than one video, such as a series that begins with a 2-3 minute overview followed by mini-videos that run one minute or less. Each mini-video can focus on a single piece only. This allows you or your viewer to pick and choose the most relevant pieces for each situation.
See below for more of Natalie’s advice for video portfolio newbies.
Do you have a video portfolio to share? Send your link to Natalie.
Video Portfolio "Do"s and "Don't"s
Do
- Plan your presentation and write a script.
- Ask a friend to help you shoot if you will appear on camera.
- Dress appropriately for business.
- Show complete pieces, not cropped or partial of pieces.
- If your portfolio includes motion graphics, let them move in the video.
- Be consistent and brief in discussing each piece. Talk about your idea and why it worked. Be sure to include the business result if you can!
- Let your creativity and passion for your work show.
- Be clear about your role in creating each piece.
Don’t
- Never use pieces that you didn’t create – even as background or filler. Everything in the video portfolio should be yours alone.
- Don’t use copyrighted music unless you are certain you have proper permission and you give credit to the creator.
- Don’t use sleepy-time music. Keep the mood fast paced and upbeat.
- Don’t assume everyone will get your jokes. Humor is great when it works, and horrible when it doesn’t.
Clearpoint Creative places marketing, design, creative, and web professionals in contract, contract-to-hire, and direct-hire positions. Our clients trust us to deliver unmatched client service, every time. Houston companies, large and small, turn to Clearpoint Creative time and again because we consistently find the right person for the job.
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