Presentation

When a designer's ideas are rejected it's usually because they have been presented badly, and not because they are bad ideas. Few skills are more important to the modern designer than the ability to present work. Considering the importance of presentations it's surprising we're not better at doing them.

Designers frequently imagine that presenting work is a trick- like walking on a high wire - which only certain people are able to do. It's seen as something alien, a skill not suited to introspective graphic designers. It's certainly true that it can be effective to introduce a level on theatricality and performance into presentations. But its not necessary. Presentation is a matter of simple logic and common sense, and is one of the most fundamental skills a designer needs to acquire.

The way you present your work and yourself is more important than the work you show. No matter how good it is, if you present it sloppily, or present yourself sloppily, you will struggle to find employment. But if you do it well, the seemingly insurmountable mountain of landing a first job becomes a stroll on the beach.

To sum up: Make your presentation as good as you can. Be prepared to change it after two or three interviews if it's not getting a good response. And adopt a confident but unprejudiced view about any opportunities that present themselves.

Graphic Design: A User's Manual by Adrian Shaughnessy