Critiquing YOUR Product Design Portfolios

I'm back with another Subscriber-submitted portfolio review! Get ahead of the game with an industry professional giving some friendly feedback.
Even if your portfolio wasn't featured, you can learn so much from the things I mentioned about the others.
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[@ProductDesignOnline]

Great video as always, Sam! Here's something I'll add for those who are working on their portfolios - When you are building your portfolio be sure to strive for consistency when showcasing your skillset. Sometimes it's hard to really decipher the true skillset of a designer based on their portfolio. Often times this is due to the inconsistency of skills showcased throughout their projects. If I see a really nice CAD rendering for one project, but horrible renderings for the other two projects, I'm going to be wondering why this is. Did you steal the nice one? Did someone else do it for you? This is particularly hard when a project is done by a group... which is why you should always note which parts of a group project were completed by you!

[@SamDoesDesign]

That’s a great point! Thank you!

[@Pretendoestorbar]

I'll save all these videos as "Source of Improvement for my Next Portfolio" thanks for all your helpful tips!

[@andreiardeleanu650]

Amazing videos, Sam! I am an architect working on my portfolio and, even though it's a slightly different field, I enjoy your videos for the concise insight and clear analysis you provide.

[@nthingfce]

Great video. The work I do isn't as design orientated but the whole concept of telling the story and journey is something I definitely need to consider for myself. Thanks a lot and keep up the great work

[@TechnoPel]

This video is just amazing.....every correction you mentioned is proper and makes a lot of sense....great job.

[@SamDoesDesign]

Thank you! I'm so glad I can help

[@79erer]

Hey Sam, I'm currently working on my portfolio, and every project in my uni is made in teams of 3-4 people. I was worried about what you said (don't remember if it was this video, I was binge watching your channel) about team projects being a problem because the employer doesn't know what you did exactly. Is this a real huge issue? Thanks for what you do, you're really helpful!!

[@SamDoesDesign]

Great memory! I have no idea what video it was in either. I think it’s important that you can highlight exactly what you did personally. Did you do the researching? The ideation? The final renders? Make sure your own skills are apparent. I’d also recommend putting some personal passion projects in as well. This will set you apart from everyone in university. Good luck!

[@ProductDesignOnline]

This is why it's important that you do at least one side project on your own time. Not only will that help the employer truly see your skills...but it will help show how passionate you are.

[@ayfahmy1]

This is a really insightful video SAM, I got out the idea of Story telling with minimal text :), Would be great to have another video with some real v.good/perfect portfolio examples and show us what made them that good/perfect

[@muazothman7416]

Hey Sam, when starting off as a designer, do you recommend sketching products found on google images? I’m using sketchbook and have the iPad 12.9". I use split screen so the product on one end and the app on the other .

[@SamDoesDesign]

Sketching existing products really helps to practice! I sketch a lot of existing things on my Instagram page

[@DoktorFizzer]

More of those videos please! 😄

[@SamDoesDesign]

For sure! I love making these videos

[@DoktorFizzer]

Nice!

[@johnalongi8273]

Sam - what are you thoughts on whether or not to include your CV in the portfolio or leaving it as separate? As I apply to companies, a lot of them want a CV uploaded individually along with the portfolio but I am seeing that a lot of portfolio examples include a "CV" as part of the portfolio.

[@SamDoesDesign]

I would recommend separate for filing purposes within the company. For example, they might have a CV folder that they can keep going back to reference if they’re looking in the future.

[@tobiasabram8327]

Thanks man, really helped when making mine!

[@oscarmorton703]

Awesome stuff Sam!!

[@SamDoesDesign]

Thank you so much!

[@tompoletti5676]

Love these videos, keep them going!

[@SamDoesDesign]

Thank you!

[@jom1439]

Hey Sam, The Adidas Shoes are sot on; the soles of these are made from plastic fished out of the Atlantic ;) - but thats not explained - true ;)

[@katya-suleymanova]

Are you going to stream and give feedback in nearly future?

[@callumwest2228]

Hi Sam, I follow both your KZbin and Instagram channels which have been a very informative, it humanises the industry and makes it all seem less daunting. Especially when I am going through the process of applications during my final year this year. Will there be any further opportunities to send in portfolios to you? I have adapted my portfolio in response to feedback from being unsuccessful at getting an internship at a company, so would love to see what your fews are. Keep it up man!

[@SamDoesDesign]

I’ll be doing these videos every month (roughly, if I remember) so you can submit your portfolio on my website and I’ll try to feature it.

[@nadinecummins6852]

This was so helpful!

[@SamDoesDesign]

Thank you for watching!

[@kunikabajaj2049]

If u had to choose one portfolio from all which one u would go for

[@eriodeyemi1568]

Tutorial on how to make in context shots.

[@constantchialli9548]

Thank you !

[@SamDoesDesign]

Thank you for watching!

[@ayfahmy1]

Also would love to know if there are certain dedicated software to build my portfolio other than photoshop :)

[@SamDoesDesign]

I wouldn’t recommend using Photoshop! Indesign is the best software from adobe for portfolios and presentations

[@peterdanek10]

Awesome video!

[@SamDoesDesign]

Thank you so much!

[@g77222]

But this is more of industrial design no? What about app designs, website designs? I thought product design was similar to UX? Oh man i'm confused.

[@SamDoesDesign]

“Product design” is a term that’s been used by UX designers over the past few years, because anything that can be interacted with is classified as a “product”. But traditionally, “product design” means physical products like chairs and lighting etc.

[@g77222]

@@SamDoesDesign thank you so much for replying. I think I finally found a career that I want. Looking at all your videos as you can see and have subscribed.

[@SamDoesDesign]

@@g77222 welcome to the channel! I’m glad I can help!

[@design.hessen5238]

Why did i watch this? Sam seems to have a very subjective view on the design world, but that is fine. The only true Portfolio rule to follow: *Who will read it and how can i sell my concepts FAST?* Always worked for me here in Europe.

[@SamDoesDesign]

I'm just one opinion and I try to remind people that. Thanks for watching!