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STRATEGIES FOR PERSONAL COMMUNICATION CREATIVES

Once you’re already done with curating and creating a portfolio, a presentation is a next step that you need
to prepare for. Here are some strategies to learn how to communicate as a creative.

HOW CAN WE PRESENT OR PITCH OUR PORTFOLIO?

It would not speak for itself when you submit your portfolio to your future client or employer. Your future
clients or employer would want you to speak about your portfolio and explain your work clearly. Why? Because
as a multimedia professional, the presentation will be part of your job. You need to explain your creative
process, why this design will work, why it will not, etc. You need to communicate your visuals to people aside
from just looking at them.

1. Start Slow
When you start your presentation, take the time to introduce yourself properly. State your name,
the type of design you’re good at, or your expertise. Take note to be clear on your expertise or what
set’s you apart. Is it brand design, motion graphics design, animation, UI/UX design, or other
expertise you have? Later on, you can also mention other fields or topics exposed to. For example,
you are a brand identity designer, but you were exposed to or have knowledge in mobile app design.
This is for your client or employer to have a sense of who you are.

2. Be Selective
When you start talking about the portfolio, start by talking about a project or the work you love the
most, then tell them the story behind it.

3. Tell a Story
This is important because, as a multimedia artist, you are a visual designer and a visual problem
solver, and a visual storyteller. Your future client or employer doesn’t want you to just describe your
work. They want you to expound on it. Yes, we are selling our brand, product, portfolio, and
expertise, but we don’t need sound sales; just tell the story.

This is why we do case studies of our best works before we publish them so that when we share
them with our clients or employer, we will be able to tell them the story behind our works and our
expertise.

Besides walking them through your portfolio and telling them what that work is all about, tell them
about the creative process. How did you do your work, the challenge or problem you wanted to
solve, and the creative method or process you used to solve that visual problem? Share your
development process.

4. Confidence and Enthusiasm

Positive energy and excitement are contagious. Show enthusiasm in every piece of work you
present. You must keep your audience engaged.

5. Practice
You don’t only practice your multimedia skills, but you also practice your presentation skills. Figure
out what you want to say during your presentation, then practice as soon as possible. If you are

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comfortable speaking about your portfolio, you’ll be more confident on your presentation day.

HOW SHOULD WE COMMUNICATE DURING YOUR DESIGNER’S INTERVIEW?

So, you’ve got a call or an email for an interview for a designer or multimedia artist role. What must you do to
come in prepared?

1. Relax. You are good enough. The client wants to meet you or an employer interview, which means
you are good; otherwise, they wouldn’t call you.

2. Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak, Listen to Understand (QSL). Listen to your interviewer’s question/s.
If, for example, you were not able to hear it avoid saying “please repeat the question” or “again?”
rather say, “Can you clarify the question please?” or “You are asking if…did I understand it right?” that
sounds more professional. Mind your pacing, don’t talk too fast because if you talk too fast, the
interviewer might not understand clearly what you are saying.

3. It’s Okay If You Don’t Know Everything. For example, in the interview, you were asked, “are you
familiar with this kind of software?” or “Do you know how to do this?” It’s okay to admit if you don’t
know or are not familiar with it. Instead of saying “I don’t know this or that,” it would be better to say,
“I’m not familiar with that software or that skill” or “I do not have an answer for that now” “but I am
willing to learn that” or “I can research on it.” Why? Because it would show that even though you do
not know a particular software or skill right now, there is the willingness for you to learn, there is the
willingness to adapt.

4. Ask Questions. Treat an interview or a client meeting as a conversation with someone you recently
knew. Engage with your interviewer. Ask the right and relevant questions. What are those questions?
Anything related to the job you are applying for and the company. Gauge interest and talk about only
the interviewer's interest in or important topics relating to the job. Also, you can only ask the right
and relevant questions if you research the company you are applying for. So better do your research
too. Examples of right questions: “What training and professional development do you have here?”,
“How’s the company culture here.”

5. Be Memorable. Interviewers are talking to many candidates, and on their part, sometimes it’s hard to
choose. Apart from your portfolio, credentials, and expertise, what would make you stand out in your
interview is your personality. Be your authentic self when you are talking with your interviewer or
client. You will present your portfolio, yes, but the best portfolio you can present is yourself.

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WHAT NOT TO DO IN YOUR PRESENTATION AND INTERVIEW

1. Avoid Being Late. Your interviewer doesn’t have all the time to wait for you. They also have other
work to do. So, respect their time by being there on time.

2. Being Unprepared. It means that you did not research the job you are applying for and the company
you want to work for. When you research the company and the position before the interview, it will
create an impression to the employer that you are interested in them. It would also help you prepare
if you research the direction going to the location, prepare your portfolio, resume and make sure they
are working. It will also help if you dress up well and clean.

3. Speaking Over the Interviewer. Let your interviewer finish first to avoid interrupting him/her. This is
why you have to mind your pace too. Again, don’t talk too fast during the interview. You might speak
over the interviewer. Don’t talk too fast to give your interviewer time to ask questions in between.
You show respect and good interpersonal skills by not speaking over your interviewer.

4. Appearing Disinterested. If you are not making eye contact with the interviewer, constantly checking
on your watch, and especially checking on your phone during the interview, then it’s a turn-off for
your employer.

5. Asking “How Much Will I Get.” According to Jobstreet, Hold off on asking about the salary until you get
past the first interview. This is just the “getting to know you phase” where the recruiter tries to discover who
you are and what you can do. Unless the interviewer asks you for your salary range during the interview, don’t
bring up this question just yet. You don’t want to give off the impression that you are just in it for the money.

References

The Futur, 2017. Win The Interview— JOB INTERVIEW TIPS. [video] Available at: <https://youtu.be/pKMfPGAZHYI> [Accessed 22 January 2022].

The Futur, 2020. Portfolio Tips – Reviewing YOUR Design Work – Part 1. [video] Available at: <https://youtu.be/VFAkgNpAVSo> [Accessed 22 January
2022].

The Futur, 2018. Pitch This! How To present design work to clients like a pro!. [video] Available at: <https://youtu.be/rOGAJwm3n_M> [Accessed 22
January 2022].

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