Portfolio Design

by Harold Linton, Steven Rost (Photographer)

Harold Linton’s Portfolio Design has been the standard reference for students and young professionals in architecture, urban planning, landscape, and interior design who want to make the best impression possible in their applications for undergraduate and graduate school admissions, design grants, competitions, or in a job interview. Now, with the fourth edition, the book is better than ever.

All the features that made Portfolio Design the go-to guide—how to assemble a portfolio that will display your talents and qualifications to the best advantage; advice on formats, content, sequencing, page layout design, and binding systems; when to print and when to go digital; and the latest in promoting yourself on the Internet—are still there and updated. The portfolio examples are new and more numerous than ever (more than 400 portfolio pages displayed), and all in color. Drawn from a wide array of current student and professional portfolios, both print and electronic, the examples illustrate many and varied graphic design alternatives that demonstrate what will capture the reviewer’s attention—and secure you an offer.

While the print portfolio is far from dead, the technology has been revolutionized, so the text now focuses on the new standard operating portfolios designed and generally produced, sent, and viewed online. Portfolio pointers from industry professionals and educators complement the practical advice given by Harold Linton, who has taught portfolio design to generations of students.

As a companion to the print book, an online portfolio showcasing images from the book and bonus portfolio pages is available for browsing .

Genres: Design, Architecture

152 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1996

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not a book you'll read from cover to cover. If you've already put considerable time and creativity into your current portfolio this will likely be only moderately useful. It is primarily focused on portfolio design for recent graduates and doesn't address the concerns of most continuing professionals. It also has the problem of needing to be updated every few years so, we are over due for a new model. It is good in that it offers a large assortment of black and white images illustrating different portfolio styles, both in terms of binding, layout, and content. It was useful for me in that it helped me to get out of a creative block. It was motivating to peruse the variety and have some sort of reference other than solely my own imagination and the limited number of professional portfolios I’ve seen in my career.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far as I'm aware, this is still the main book geared towards assembling an architectural portfolio for employment or graduate school. I have to assume there are better versions out there, but as it stands, the book proved helpful for adopting many general guidelines and some specific recommendations during my grad school submittal process. It felt a bit dated or perhaps cautious in approach (due to the immediately post-dot com era in which I read this, the examples seemed a bit "early 90s" I suppose. Maybe it's been updated since?). Look around before committing to this one.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Considered the definitive guide to portfolio design. I found it an invaluable tool when compiling my own university applications. This book offers detailed explanations and examples of diverse portfolios.

[GinaAlex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for anyone in architecture school, or thinking abut the first big job portfolio. Sure, you can find flashier, raunchier texts, but Linton's book is the foundation every solid portfolio should be built on. Even better if you can attend one of his workshops!

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I used this while putting together my two portfolios for undergrad/grad school. It came recommended to me by another older architect...but I really didn't find it to be that helpful/applicable.

[Clairevu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book!