Portfolios I Found Impressive as a Designer Recruiter

Nice to meet you, I'm a Web designer named Kobayas (@kobayas_s).
My main activity is usually on Twitter, but I previously posted this tweet.

This received an unexpected response, so I decided to delve deeper into it.
I hope this will be useful for those who want to become designers as new graduates or those who are job hunting.
Since I am a Web designer, I have written this focusing on how to create a portfolio for the web industry, but I believe the mindset is the same for hiring any type of designer.

By the way, at the first company I joined, I worked on "product design," which involved designing miscellaneous goods and character merchandise.
I have listed common questions about my career below, so please take a look if you are interested.

A portfolio was also mandatory there, and I created it with content similar to what is described below. (This content includes both the applicant's perspective and the recruiter's perspective.)

What do designer recruiters look for in a portfolio?

In the aforementioned Twitter post, I created a list of things I thought were the bare minimum for a recruiter to have. Each item on this list has a meaning, but since I couldn't convey everything in 140 characters, I have summarized it below.

❶ Screenshots of the work

This is arguably the main part of the portfolio, so I definitely want you to include it.
For websites, it's good to be able to see the visuals when viewed on a PC and on a smartphone.
It's also good to have a Web portfolio site in addition to paper.
(Some companies are fine with things that can be viewed on the Web.)

For things like logos that were created through trial and error, I would love for you to include rough sketches leading up to the idea and the process of refining it, as it makes it easier to imagine the process.
(For those who want to include products, it's easier to convey the image if you include three-sided drawings and the feel of using the product.)

❷ The concept of the work

The works you have created so far must have thoughts put into them.
Why did you come to create this work, why did you use this color, and who did you want to reach?
If you made it for a client, what did you want to sell, and what parts did you put effort into?

This is extremely important in work, and because designers are people who give shape to things that are invisible to the client, I want you to write this part down clearly.
Recruiters can imagine that this person works with this kind of perspective. Since there are bosses above me and other final decision-makers for hiring, if such points are summarized concisely, it helps me because it becomes easier to present the applicant by saying, "This person is excellent in these points, so we need them!"

❸ Production period

Since you can quantify the period you spent facing a single work, it serves as a guide to know how much effort was put into this work and whether it was difficult.
We also look at the person's production speed, so it is easier to understand if you list the actual working hours separately from the time for revisions and the period until public release. (You can omit this if you don't want to include it.)

❹ Areas you were in charge of

Web production requires a very large number of skills, such as concept planning, page structure, writing, design creation, (video creation), implementation (coding), adding movement, adding mail forms, and implementation in WordPress...
Therefore, by stating what you were in charge of in this work, we can know what kind of skill set you have. Especially in places with few people, there are cases where they are looking for someone who can do everything by themselves, so I definitely want you to write it down to avoid discrepancies between what you can do and what the company is looking for.

❺ URL where the work is published

It is also important to see how the website actually looks, so it is kind to include the page that is actually published. If you were in charge of coding, we might look at the source, so try to keep your coding easy to read.
If there are multiple sites, it helps if you can send them by email or similar in advance, so we don't have to type them in one by one.

Submit with consideration

I believe that designers are "architects" and people who do work that enriches people's lives. Therefore, when submitting a portfolio, you should not have an arrogant attitude that gives off a "I'm doing you a favor by sending this" vibe.
Recruiters are likely thinking, "I want people, but I want to choose who I work with." (Of course, I am too.)
Also, imagining yourself in the position of a recruiter is very important for thinking about "feelings toward customers" later on, so please keep that in mind.
That said, for those who say, "I've never been a recruiter, so I don't know!", I will list the submission methods that I find pleasing.

❶ Include a return envelope (and return postage if possible)

Some people submit them in clear files, but there are many things that won't fit unless they are in non-standard envelopes. Company envelopes often only come in specified sizes, so the trouble of going to buy new envelopes is quite a burden for busy recruiters.
Also, people who send data that can be viewed on the Web often have issues with IDs and passwords, so please be sure to check if the other party can view it before sending. (Those who send with a Google Drive sharing URL, please be sure to check the settings.)

❷ Clearly state your name and a brief background

Companies that receive many applications often have portfolios get mixed up, so please be sure to include this. Also, having a brief biography is helpful to save the trouble of switching back and forth with your resume.

❸ Aim for readable font sizes and line spacing

Sometimes the font size is incredibly large or the line spacing is so tight that it becomes difficult to read, so I would like to see some consideration for these details. Actually, once you become a designer, you have to pay attention to these things, so let's be careful.

❹ The volume of the portfolio should be neither too much nor too little

It is wonderful to have many works, but recruiters are usually very busy juggling other tasks, so they cannot spend time carefully looking through a portfolio.Therefore, a massive 50-page document is actually tiring to look through.
Having about 10 to 15 works is usually enough to gauge your ability, so please select your best work to include.

There are countless other things I would like to write about, but for now, if you can do at least this much, you will be fine!

If you are currently in the middle of learning design, please refer to this article where I talk about the secrets to getting hired.

To those who are about to create a portfolio site

I have received many requests from people saying, “I am starting from scratch, so please teach me in more detail,” so I wrote a detailed note over 12,000 characters long! I explain in depth the things you should be careful about when creating a portfolio on a website, so please check it out if you are interested.

To those who are about to create web design works

If you can code but have never actually created a website design, please refer to the following article where I explain how to create design comps.

For those who are thinking about starting their job search and want their portfolio reviewed, or are struggling with their career and want advice, I, Kobayasu, who has experience as a recruiter, also offer a service where I provide 1-on-1 advice.

Announcement of HTML & CSS book release

I am releasing “Learn HTML & CSS and Web Design from Your First Year at Work with Illustrations” from Impress. I am showing a sneak peek of the contents here, so please read it if you are interested.