Ausaf Ali’s Post

Designers, you need to treat your portfolio as a product in itself. Including: - The most recent work that you are proud of. - Impeccable visuals and experience. - Make it accessible; small details matter. - 2-minute video walking through who you are. - Demonstrating technical and business acumen. Your work needs to do the talking. Your portfolio represents you. Not old case studies that no one wants to read. No more average! If you're too busy to maintain to have a portfolio, you're too busy to find the best work. By Tom Scott

I see a lot of portfolios with this mistake: The intro is a big wall of text. Some designers can pull this off. But most of us can’t. I helped a designer recently that had this issue. Tons of compelling, unique experience. But it was hidden away in a wall of text. As a designer you have all the tools you need to: - Make a great impression in just a few seconds - Position yourself for the work you want Are you using them?

Portfolio Tip: Choosing Your Professional Title When you're a designer, the title you use matters. Some designers pick long, fancy titles to grab attention and show off their skills. They hope these titles will help them stand out in a busy market. But, some of the best designers use simple titles. They let their work speak for itself and believe in keeping things straightforward. This shows they are confident in their work and don’t feel the need to dress it up with a complex title. Whether you choose a bold title or a simple one, remember that your work is what people will remember most. Pick a title that fits who you are and how you want to be seen. Less is often more!

🖌 Struggling with Creative Block? You’re Not Alone! 🖌 As graphic designers, we all know the pressure to stay inspired and constantly produce fresh ideas. But sometimes, the mind just goes blank, right? Here are 3 quick tips that help me break through creative block: 1. Step Away: A short break can work wonders. A walk outside or just 10 minutes away from the screen can help reset your mind. 2. Try Something New: Experiment with a new design tool or style. Sometimes, doing something outside your comfort zone can reignite creativity. 3. Look for Inspiration Beyond Design: Check out art, nature, or even a good book. Often, ideas spark when we aren’t focused on design itself. How do you tackle creative block? Drop your favorite tip below! 👇 Let’s help each other stay inspired. #graphicdesign #graphicdesigner #creativeblock #graphicdesigninspiration #graphicdesignertips

Portfolios are emotive things. Designers are never happy with them🧐. I've known many talented designers begin portfolio sessions with an apology: I'm just about to redo it, they say: or, 'Sorry, it's a bit out of date'😬! It seems to be a designer kink that portfolios are 'never finished', and never 'representative of current work'. Although it's not a good idea to start a presentation with an apology, objectivity about our work is hard to achieve; consequently, we are not very good at putting our own portfolios together. This is why we should always ask someone to look at our portfolio and give us a warts-and-all appraisal. It's always faintly shocking to find out what people (especially non-designers) think about our work. #portfolio #userexperience #designer #designcommunity courtesy: Google

This might not be a mistake to avoid, but one thing designers should guard wisely is the type of information they are exposed to and the kind of people they follow. These days, many people share opinions that do not necessarily help designers improve but instead create pressure and fear. It's important to follow individuals and groups who have proven their integrity over time and whose teachings align with fundamental design principles and guidelines, such as Memorisely. Also, learning from design materials provided by top companies like Google and Apple can be extremely beneficial for beginners.

“Designer Diaries: 30 Days, 30 Lessons” Day 3: “The Deadline Panic” 🎬 A True Story: A client once approached me with a project that “needed to be done yesterday.” Rushing through a design can sometimes mean sacrificing quality. I pulled off a miracle, but we both knew it could have been better with more time. Moral of the story? If everything is urgent, nothing is. Plan ahead and communicate deadlines early so the designer can deliver their best work. 💡 Pro Tip: As a designer, always give yourself buffer time. And clients, the sooner you communicate deadlines, the better the outcome. 👉 By the way, I’m always open to new opportunities where time and creativity meet! 😉 #DesignerDiaries #DesignDeadlines #GraphicDesignLife #CreativeProcess #DesignChallenges #ClientCommunication #TimeManagement #FreelanceLife #CreativeMindset #OpenForOpportunities #DesignInsights

🌟 Want to elevate your personal portfolio? 🌟 Are you on the hunt for some fresh inspiration to revamp your personal portfolio? Look no further! We've curated a list of 4 incredible websites that are treasures of creativity and innovation. 1. Cofolios - Explore the portfolios of interns who've worked at top tech firms. It's a goldmine for seeing how the next generation of designers are making their mark. <https://www.cofolios.com/>
 2. Wall of Portfolios - A curated collection of beautifully designed and super-effective portfolios. Get ready to be wowed and inspired by these masterpieces. <https://lnkd.in/g2H8xEj6>
 3. Bestfolios - Your one-stop-shop for portfolio, resume, and case study inspiration. Whether you're a designer, writer, or any creative professional, you'll find something here. <https://lnkd.in/gp6cq5qY>
 4. Raindrop (Mamkindesigner) - Dive into the account of Mamkindesigner on Raindrop for an exquisite collection of design resources. It's a hidden stash for anyone looking to elevate their portfolio. <https://lnkd.in/g2mb7zH5>
 Remember, your portfolio is a reflection of your personal brand. Use these resources to inject creativity and personality into your work. Happy creating! ✨ #PortfolioInspiration #DesignCreativity #ShowcaseYourWork

Your new client may keep rejecting your design work. Sometimes, personality plays a role in this too. As a designer, you're expected to thoroughly understand the client brief, spend 80% of your time on research, and the remaining time on actual design. Yet, after all this hard work and creativity, you might still hear feedback like, "make it pop," "add more color," or "can you send me other options?" Here’s a case study: A creative designer lost his job last week, not because his work wasn’t professional, but because he kept doing what the client didn’t want— unintentionally. His designs were great, but the client simply wanted something plain, with minimal elements. Unfortunately, the designer didn’t adapt to that, and he lost the job. In design, sometimes you need to tap into a fresh, newbie vibe and understand what suits the client’s taste. Always remember to match your design style with the client's preferences. ...... Today, I work on a quadrant design, posted one twitter and I am glad to see the outcome.. #ClientCollaboration #DesignAdaptability #CreativeProcess #GraphicDesignTips #UnderstandingClients