Many architecture firms don’t have the time nor the resources to thoroughly review each and every application they receive, so will often quickly evaluate a portfolios merit before even reading the applicant’s name.
…It’s therefore important to keep in mind that the time someone spends looking at your professional architecture portfolio will likely (initially) be very limited, and so it’s therefore crucial to make a strong first impression – quickly.
Instead of focusing just on the specifics of the projects (which are still very important), consider also how to showcase your thought process, problem-solving skills, and ability to communicate information effectively.
In this article, we’ll discuss the key components of a successful professional portfolio, and offer tips on how to create one that showcases your skills and experiences in the best possible light.
Whether you’ve just completed your first year as a licensed architect or have many years of experience looking to make a career change, these guidelines will help you present your work in a way that is both compelling and proficient.
Professional portfolios
At this stage of your career, a strong architecture portfolio should demonstrate your ability to take a project from concept to completion. As you progress in your career and move beyond the first few years of isolated tasks and stages, such as concept design and renderings carried out by graduates and interns, it’s important to show that you can connect the dots and design a building from start to finish.
While your professional portfolio should cover the basics and showcase your skills in generating and following a concept through to design development, it will be even more effective if it illustrates the “story” and evolution of a project, from the conceptual stage through to presentation drawings and the development of assemblies and details.
By demonstrating how you solve complex design problems and execute them down to the detailing, you will be able to effectively convey your capabilities to potential employers.
Academic v professional
Your academic portfolio is a great starting point, but it’s important to tailor it to meet the needs of potential employers. When creating a professional portfolio, keep the following tips in mind:
- Make your portfolio easy to quickly review and understand
- Don’t try to include every project you’ve completed at university; choose a selection of your most impressive work that showcases your ideas, abilities, and experiences
- It’s not necessary to include physical models or sketchbooks; you can use photographs or scans instead.
Professional architecture portfolio guidelines
01 – Cover page
The cover page of your portfolio serves as an introduction and sets the tone for the rest of your work, it should align with the content that follows and make a strong impression on the viewer.
If you are telling a story through your portfolio, the cover page should serve as a hook to draw the reader in. Recruiters can learn a lot about you from your introduction, so make sure to include a brief bio of 50-100 words that highlights your personality, background, interests, and aspirations.
Avoid repeating information that is already included in your resume. This is an opportunity to present yourself informally and showcase your unique qualities.
02 – Theme
A portfolio with a compelling narrative and a few strong projects is more effective than one with a missing storyline but better projects. To engage the reader, it’s important to find a common thread that ties your selected projects together.
One way to structure your portfolio is to present a narrative of the progression of work from concept to completion. This might include starting with a rendering, followed by site sketches and design development documents, then construction documents, construction photos, and finally a finished photograph.
By presenting your work in this way, you can demonstrate your understanding of the design process and show that you are more than just a skilled user of computer programs. This approach can help you stand out as a candidate and showcase your understanding of the full lifecycle of a project.
Without a cohesive narrative and structure, a portfolio with a collection of impressive projects may fail to make a lasting impression.
03 – Project selection
The projects and work included in your portfolio should be tailored to the specific job you are applying for and the role you hope to have. A portfolio for a “designer” position will be different than one for a “technical architect” position. If you are seeking a role that combines both design and technical skills, be sure to include a mix of projects that showcase your abilities in both areas.
However, it’s important to tailor the content of your portfolio to the specific firm you are applying to, as the needs and priorities of different firms may vary.
However, if you don’t have much experience in that specific area, don’t worry. As long as your projects demonstrate your ability to identify and solve design issues, and you can clearly explain the design process, you can still be a strong candidate.
04 – Network
The chances of getting a job offer through random applications can be extremely low, especially during peak application months which tends to be during April to May and November to December. A more effective approach can be to seek recommendations from even casual acquaintances.
This can give the hiring person some assurance that you are a likable and reliable candidate, and make a significant difference in your success.
05 – Separation
Whilst this isn’t a common approach, some employers can find it confusing when academic and professional work are combined in the same portfolio. So to avoid this issue, it can be useful to create a purely professional portfolio that clearly demonstrates the work was completed as part of a team under the direction of a firm.
This is of course much easier to do and become more relevant with the more years of professional experience you have.
Including academic work in a portfolio after a few years of professional experience may come across as amateurish, so it’s generally best to focus on showcasing your professional achievements.
06 – Consistency
To create a cohesive portfolio, it’s essential to maintain consistency in the visual language, including font style, font sizes, color scheme, page layouts, image sizes, and white space.
Make sure that drawings and images follow a similar visual language and that text is brief, to the point, and legible. Your titles and subtitles should clearly explain the project, and the body text should be specific to your design interventions.
Good communication skills, including the ability to clearly articulate ideas through writing, can be a crucial factor in getting hired.
07 – Get permission
As a general rule, it is always a good idea to get permission before including any work from a previous or current job in your portfolio. This is especially important if you have signed a non-disclosure agreement or any other type of confidentiality agreement with the firm.
If you are concerned about alerting your current office that you are applying for new jobs, you can try speaking to the person in charge of your project and asking if it is okay to include the work in your portfolio. Be sure to explain that you will be giving credit to the firm and team, and emphasize that you are simply looking to showcase your skills and experience.
If you are unable to get permission, you may want to consider including other projects in your portfolio that you can discuss in more detail during the interview process. It is important to be honest and transparent about your work experience, and to give credit to the firms and teams that you have worked with in the past.
08 – Do you want it back?
If your sending a physical copy of your portfolio, it’s important to confirm with the architecture firm whether they will return it after it has been reviewed. Some practices have a policy of keeping portfolios on file or discarding them, so it’s best to make sure you have backup copies in case your portfolio is not returned or is damaged.
This way, you won’t be at risk of losing all the hard work and effort you put into creating it.
09 – Online portfolios
It’s important to keep in mind that when creating an online portfolio, you want to make it as easy as possible for potential employers to find and view your work. This means keeping your website structure simple and intuitive, with clear menus that allow viewers to easily access the content they want to see.
Additionally, be sure to optimize your images for online viewing to ensure that your pages load quickly, and don’t forget to create backup copies of your portfolio in case something happens to your website or the original files.
10 – Its not all about your portfolios contents…
Your portfolio is a way for recruiters to assess not only your design process, but also your work ethic. To present a well-rounded picture of your professional self, it’s important to highlight skills, accomplishments, and team work experience that set you apart.
For example, if you have worked on a hospitality design competition entry with a group of other architects, even if you have no formal education in hospitality design, you can still highlight your specific role and responsibilities within the team. By clearly stating your contributions and the value you brought to the project, you can demonstrate your design sensibility and impress potential employers.
In summary
A professional portfolio is an opportunity to showcase your industry skills and experiences. To make the most of this opportunity, it’s important to create a strong narrative that demonstrates your design process, clarity of thought, and visual coherence.
By understanding the needs of your audience and tailoring your portfolio to speak directly to them, you can effectively present yourself as a strong candidate for the position you are seeking.
Don’t forget that your portfolio itself is a design project, and as such, it should be carefully crafted to showcase your abilities and set you apart from other applicants.
…And remember that when presenting work, it is important to accurately credit the individuals and firms responsible for the design. If you include a rendering of a building that you did not personally design, be sure to clearly label the designer and renderer. This not only shows professionalism and respect, but it can also prevent misunderstandings during the interview process.
FAQs about professional architecture portfolios
What should be included in a professional architecture portfolio?
A professional architecture portfolio should include a selection of your best work that showcases your design skills, technical expertise, and experience. This could include drawings, photographs, models, diagrams, and any other materials that help to demonstrate your abilities and achievements.
You should also consider including a resume or CV that outlines your education, work experience, and any relevant skills or qualifications. In addition, it can be helpful to include a short personal statement or bio that provides a brief overview of your background and career goals.
Other possible elements to include might be writing samples, recommendations or letters of reference, and any other materials that help to demonstrate your potential as an architect.
How do architects create a professional portfolio?
There are several steps involved in creating a professional architecture portfolio, in short these are:
- Choose your projects: Your portfolio should include a selection of your best and most relevant work. Consider the type of job you are applying for and tailor your portfolio accordingly.
- Organize your portfolio: Consider the order in which you will present your projects. You may choose to organize them chronologically, by project type, or by level of complexity.
- Create a visual identity: Develop a consistent visual language for your portfolio, including elements such as font, color, and layout.
- Write a brief introduction: Include a short introduction to your portfolio, outlining your background, skills, and experience.
- Write project descriptions: For each project, provide a brief description of your role, the design process, and the outcome.
- Create a professional cover: Design a cover for your portfolio that reflects your personal brand and the tone of your work.
- Edit and proofread: Review your portfolio for spelling and grammar errors, and ensure that the layout is consistent and visually appealing.
The below video from David Bruce Lee and Marina Bourderonnet at The Second Studio discuss this further below:
What do architecture firms look for in portfolio?
Architecture firms often look for portfolios that showcase a range of projects and demonstrate a strong design process. The portfolio should also be visually appealing, well-organized, and easy to navigate. It is important to include information about your role in each project, as well as any relevant technical skills or experience.
Additionally, firms may look for evidence of teamwork, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities. It is also a good idea to include any awards, publications, or other notable achievements in your portfolio. Finally, make sure to proofread your portfolio carefully and ensure that all information is accurate and up-to-date.
