Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Portfolios in second languages
Creativity is international. It's possible that you are now working in a different country from
where you started. If so, you might not be as solid a writer in your adopted language as
in your native one. To a point, potential employers or clients will accept imperfections in
your writing if they know that you are working in your second language, particularly if you
present yourself well in person.
That doesn't give you carte blanche to butcher your adopted language in print. In fact,
if you are looking for a job where you are likely to be working with text, not just image, it is
extremely important that you convey your ability to maneuver in your second language. If
you don't, people could wonder if you will misunderstand instructions or make expensive or
embarrassing errors under deadline pressure.
You should not only follow the guidelines in this chapter for proofing your work—you should
take them one step further. If at all possible, have a native speaker read your text before
you post it.
Now that you've had a quick refresher on how to avoid the most frequent writ-
ing mistakes, it's time to put your knowledge into action. People often look to your
portfolio package to find out about your career or education, what you contributed to
a project, and how you solve visual problems. Particularly if they will be bringing you
into a close-knit team, they need a sense of who you are. The right text in the right
place can help them put you and your work into personal context.
Some types of text are more important in your portfolio than others, so if you
don't write well, you can concentrate on these critical elements. In order of necessity,
you will write to:
• Identify your work.
• Introduce yourself.
• Explain your ideas and process.
• Speak directly to your audience.
Even a minimalist portfolio includes a way to identify each project. Your labels
or captions should include the client and a short title. If there is any question about
the role you might have played in the project (art direction, illustrations, or program-
ming, for example) either the title or another line of the caption should specify your
