This past little while I've been working on a major re-do of my portfolio. This process got me thinking about what I'm going to do with it once I'm done. Aside from personal satisfaction from seeing a collection of my best work, the reason I'm putting all this work into a portfolio is to be able to attract more high quality clients. And as a potential client to a designer, you should always, always ask to see a designer's (or firms) portfolio before signing on with them.
And if you're working with a freelancer, you should be even more prodding when you look at their work, since you have nothing to go by but their design samples (and maybe a few testimonials). Ask them why they designed something a certain way. Find out what the details mean: "What made you choose this color instead of it's opposite? Why did you use this font? Why did you include this particular graphic here?" Look for meaningful responses to these questions.
If the only answer you get is that "It looks nice" then you should be careful. A good designer will think through every detail of a design and only include elements that will add to the design. No fluff or filler allowed. So don't hesitate to prod or ask for more samples than what they initially provide. It can be the difference between having a wonderful or a horrible design experience.
I'm with you - Rob - you should always ask to see a designer's portfolio, but you should also be aware that a portfolio is not always the designer's best work - but what they were paid to do.
I would focus on that second part of your explanation, where you ask them why they created what they did, and figure out if they are good at listening to you rather than just being a "creative."
Part of the problem is people who have never paid for design before don't understand what goes into the conceptual process.
There are plenty of templates out there, but a personalized design is not just a few minutes sketching an idea, but the actual value of the designer's work.
It comes down to basic customer service. Does the designer understand what you want? Are you pleased with the relationship?
We have a print and an interactive portfolio we use, but by the time we get down to showing it - the customer has usually already decided to work with us. Rarely is the portfolio the closer.
Posted by: Jim Durbin | February 01, 2007 at 08:03 AM
Sound advice - I agree with all of your recommendations about looking at the designer's portfolio and making sure that he/she has a solid rationale for his/her design decisions. However, I think you should raise the bar even higher: The best designer won't be passively answering your questions or rambling on about their work for other clients. They should be interviewing YOU from the get-go, finding our everything they can about your company, the nature of your industry and the competitive challenges you're facing in the marketplace. They should be feeling your pain and proposing novel ways to solve your business problems with their designs.
Posted by: Woody Holliman | February 02, 2007 at 06:43 PM
Hi, this is a very cool web site and this company does some amazing web designs! Check them out!
http://www.emporioasia.com
Posted by: Rainbow | March 08, 2007 at 08:57 PM
http://www.jess3.com
id love to know what you think of my portfolio
Posted by: Jesse Thomas | April 25, 2007 at 06:53 PM
I agree that asking questions about the designs is a great way of gaining insight on how the designer operates. Also it gives you a chance to confirm that they are the actual designer, and that they haven't stolen it from someone else's logo portfolio.
Posted by: Neubreed Design | June 11, 2007 at 11:43 PM
You might want to read the Tape's comments for T'giving re his daughters' and by extention customers' varied responses to the same material. What that says to me is it doesn't matter how much the web designer listens to YOU, if the design doesn't connect with viewers.
What makes a successful web designer successful? Hopefully its success. Success in engaging people, the right people, people who will want to buy what you are selling. How much of that is listening to you?
Posted by: jgingerguy | November 23, 2007 at 07:21 AM
yeah, just checked it out, not bad!
Posted by: wizzard | December 01, 2007 at 08:40 AM
looks good
http://www.wizzard.cn
Posted by: wizzard. | December 01, 2007 at 08:44 AM
Great idea. I learned alot of great tricks to making my portfolio better at xtrain.com. I would look at them as well to get some ideas.
Posted by: Allie Baldwin | January 24, 2008 at 07:42 PM
Great Advice. I would also like to add that before you decide to go with a designer, make sure that they have a clear understanding of your goals for your website and that they are capable of helping you achieve it.
Samantha,
http://www.WinaFreeCustomWebsite.com
Posted by: Samantha | November 11, 2009 at 09:34 AM