Building Design Portfolios

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Because Web-based portfolios are so convenient,

print versions are becoming less common

among design professionals and design studios.

Still, I was able to find a number of professionals

who had assembled print portfolios. Sometimes,

a professional designer needs to present a port-

folio when applying for a grant or award, such as

the prestigious Cooper-Hewitt’s National Design

Award. Or a studio will keep a printed portfolio

on hand in the event that a potential client

requests it. Other designers, such as Kobi

Benezri and Melle Hammer, create systems for

quick-to-assemble and inexpensive giveaway

portfolios. These efficient presentations are easy

to update and can be sent two and three at a time

if necessary.

Professional

Print Portfolios

/ Building Design Portfolios

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Skolos-Wedell have an exceptional portfolio that’s

unique and well conceived. At first glance, it appears

simple and classical: a handmade, cloth-covered

case carefully designed to fit in a Federal Express

box. Because it is covered with a textured gray fabric,

the case can withstand slight scuffing, subtle finger-

prints, and dings without immediately looking shabby.

The firm pastes its business card onto a simple inset

on the outside of the case—it’s the only identifying

feature and makes an elegant presentation. Tom

Wedell prefers a classical case because it doesn’t

compete with the complex and extravagant work

inside. In his opinion, “a fussy high-tech metallic

presentation box would be overkill.”

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ABOVE

When opened, the case reveals a slim book bound in

an identical gray fabric. Inside the book, canvas sleeves

hold a removable spiral bound book containing pages

produced on the studio printer. If the inner pages get

damaged—or the designers want to include a slightly

different body of work—the inner spiral bound book

can be easily replaced.

LEFT

Skolos-Wedell are famous for their enormous posters,

which measure approximately 3' ✕ 4' (91.4 ✕ 121.9 cm).

This work constitutes a large portion of their portfolio,

and the samples shown here have been reduced to fit

the format. Two or three thumbnails are shown oppo-

site each poster. They show the work in progress and

are followed by one detail from each printed poster. This

allows viewers to feel the texture of the stock, inspect

the printing, and understand the original scale of

the work.

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Some of the pages in the book are half width while others

are half height. With this barn-door effect, the viewer

always sees the work in relation to the preceding and

following pages.

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This barn-door design solution, in which images are

constantly put in new relationships with one another,

reflects and enhances the process of Skolos-Wedell’s

complex design style. Elements integrate and reinte-

grate to make meaning. The look is chaotic and wonderful

at the same time.

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/ Building Design Portfolios

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Stoltze Design’s portfolio comprises specialized ring binder portfolios organized

by subject. The idea behind having three portfolios is that certain clients prefer to

see only specific segments of the studio’s work, while others are more interested

in seeing a broad range. Many big design firms maintain several portfolios and will

even provide customized portfolios for a client. The first one, labeled Audiovisuals,

shown opposite, bottom, features CD covers and boxes, logos, and general music

industry materials. Because many of these materials are small, the ring binder is only

5.5" ✕ 8.5" (13.4 ✕ 21.6 cm).

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