Interactive portfolio

interactive portfolio

One of the most important elements to make your work known is your portfolio. In it you can offer a vision of what you do, what you have done or what you have achieved. But what if you present future customers with a interactive portfolio?

Wait, do you know what an interactive portfolio is? And how to do it? If you have no idea but it has attracted enough attention that you want to know more about it, then we give you the keys so that you understand it and you can make one yourself. Shall we go with it?

What is an interactive document

First of all, you should know that A portfolio is a document that reflects the work that has been carried out. In other words, it is a kind of more illustrated resume since it allows you not only to say what you have worked on, but also what you have done for that client and show examples.

It is almost always thought that the portfolio is only for people who are dedicated to graphic design, the arts, etc. But really it's not so. Even a copywriter could have a portfolio with examples of their articles.

But, if that's a portfolio, what is an interactive portfolio? As well, the fact of being "interactive" is because it allows you to carry links or act in a certain way so that, when the reader reads it (yes, on a computer, tablet or mobile), they react with some action. For example, if he clicks, it will take him to a specific article, or have him send an email to your email address.

That is, an interactive portfolio is an online document in which the work is presented with buttons, forms, hyperlinks, page transitions, etc. that make it more attractive and dynamic. It draws the attention of the person who sees it, and being, in some way, a first impression of what that person is. You give the feeling that you care about offering an overview of what you are doing in a way that enters the eyes.

How to make an interactive portfolio

How to make an interactive portfolio

By now it is almost certain that you are already thinking about how to present your resume in that way because you may think that it will open more doors. And it is possible that it will. But before continuing to imagine and devise how to do it, you need to know that one of the programs used to create it is Adobe Indesign.

Of course, you have some alternatives to this, but really the one that works correctly and allows us to do "everything" is this.

The steps you have to follow to get an interactive portfolio are the following:

  • Scan all documents or illustrations, images, logos, etc. you want to put. It is important that before getting into the program you have what you want to put first, including the links, texts, etc. This way you will go much faster and easily layout without forgetting anything. Do you mean to make a draft? Something like that. Write down everything you want to put down on a paper or in the notepad so that you don't forget anything.
  • Make the cover of your portfolio. Keep in mind that it is going to be the first impression. You can create a collage with your best designs, or something more classic. Our recommendation? Well, make a couple of them. This way you will be able to create a formal and an informal interactive portfolio and, depending on the job you are applying for, you will be able to send one or the other. This cover must be in PDF.
  • Open Indesign. There open your portfolio and go to File / Adjust document. In that section you will find the option to create documents for digital publication. Of course, here you must bear in mind that, depending on where you want it to be displayed, it will be a different document. It allows you create a portfolio on iPhone, Kindle, Android 10, iPad ... Finally choose horizontal orientation.
  • Now change the work style to "Interactive for PDF". Why? Well, because with this style you will see button panels, forms, page transitions, hyperlinks, etc. Where is? At the top right of the program.
  • Next it's up to you to prove your skills. And you will have to use the buttons, hyperlinks, forms, etc. to give "life" to your portfolio. An example, if you have photos that you have taken, and you know that they are published, you can put a link to that website, or to comments. Another option is to divide the portfolio into sections and have an interactive page in which, through the buttons, you take it directly to samples of that specific section.
  • It is not good that you saturate too much in terms of buttons and other actions in the document. The same will happen with the transition effects.
  • Once you're done, you can see a SWF preview to see if you like the result. If not, touch up until you are satisfied.

You have finished? Then you have to save it as an interactive PDF (in any other format you will lose all the work you have done).

All that remains is to use it.

Inspiring Ideas for an Interactive Portfolio

You have to be realistic, how many times have you seen interactive portfolios? Or interactive PDF's? Despite the fact that PDF has been around for years, and that we use it very often, seeing an interactive one is not so common. That is why it attracts so much attention.

We have found some interactive PDF ideas that you can take a look, and that will help you discover why it is so striking and can be original to present your candidacy, or simply to have an interactive portfolio that stands out from the competition.

EnduroPro Magazine

EnduroPro Magazine

This magazine, free and available on Android and iOS, uses an interactive PDF format. You only have to take a look at it to realize it.

Museo del Prado

Museo del Prado

Something so "day to day" like visiting a museum. As well, on the Prado Museum website they have an interactive portfolio of great weight, but that offers you a document that attracts attention.

You may well be able to find more interactive portfolios on the Internet, but not enough to dismiss the idea. Now you just have to get going, find a video tutorial that supports what we have told you and take a few hours of your time to create one yourself. The first one will take a long time, but you will see how the result is well worth it. And, above all, the impression you give to others. Have you ever made an interactive portfolio?


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