In: Projects, YAY Paul

YAY Paul the portfolio

YAYPaul is my online portfolio for design, illustration and web coding where I display my most recent work in the simplest setting I can. Think of it like this: if this site is the dingy bar you visit where I’m sat in a corner scribbling in a note book, then my portfolio is the gallery space where you’ll find me sporting a blazer and scotch. Wait let me try that again…

Joking aside: portfolios are our way as designers to show off work and generate business. In short they’re hugely important to what we do. So important in fact that when I’m hiring if you don’t have an online portfolio – no matter what discipline – you wont ‘generally’ get your foot in the door. There have been exceptions.

You might find that a little harsh but the truth is in our industry and many others self promotion is key. Key to both freelance and full time work. No one is going to sell you to anyone, that’s all on you alone. And frankly in this day if you have no online presence the question has to be why? Look at writers like Warren Ellis, designers like Jeffrey Zeldman, even actors like David H Lawrence all have websites. They all make their money offline but chances are you know about them because of their online presence and with more and more eyes getting online every day can you really afford to be left out?

Getting down off my soap box: my portfolio has gone through quite a few iterations over the years. Some have worked, some haven’t, but I’ve been trying to find the best way to show my work. One thing is certain: it will change again and evolve as I do.

Visit YAY Paul now!