No More Portfolio Excuses!

Don't fall for the excuse that you can't have a rocking portfolio because all your work is proprietary. I'm gonna call you out on that! I'll even argue that using your own content gives you MORE freedom to have an awesome portfolio that shows more of your skills. 

What can you do to get around the proprietary content roadblock? A lot! Here are a few ideas to start:

Make up a fake company: This is actually a really fun project! Make up a company name, design some branding, and then think about what sort of training that company might need and make some samples.

Reach out to a non-profit: I guarantee that there is an animal shelter, clinic, veteran org, or organization that works with the homeless or youth that needs help with training. Most non-profits are more than willing to let you show samples of the work you've done with them. This one is a win-win.

Personal/passion projects: I keep a notebook on my phone and have hundreds of portfolio ideas that are sparked from things in my life or projects I'm passionate about. Make samples based on topics that interest you. Make a portfolio project that could help someone you know to solve a problem in their life. 

Recreate a training: We've all taken training we hated. How would you redesign the training to make it better? This is a popular method of practice for new web and UX designers and it works wonders to develop your skills. 

Scrub your samples: You CAN use things you have done previously by changing the private content and replacing it with content that wouldn't directly relate to an organization.

Just ask: Sometimes an organization will allow you to use part of your work in your portfolio, but you won't know unless you ask. If they say no, move on and try the other ideas above! 

Check out e-Learning Heros or Kristin Anthony's Go Design Something.

If you STILL can't think of a way to get a portfolio going, reach out and I'm happy to help you brainstorm some ideas.