Our latest Portfolio Showcase comes from fiction writer Matthew Allard. For a closer look, click on the screenshots to visit the respective area of his portfolio at matthewallard.com.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m a fiction writer living in Los Angeles, CA. I’ve always loved writing and enjoyed the storytelling process. I grew up in Michigan, went to school in Chicago and then moved to L.A. to work as a television screenwriter. I got lucky with a few nice entertainment industry jobs, and I got to take a stab at writing/producing in the “real world.” Surprise, surprise: It wasn’t all that I’d imagined it to be. I didn’t like it. But I still loved to write. I switched gears and attempted to break into print and web publishing (which seemed the direction that writing was heading anyway). I landed a gig as an editor for a national cityguide website, and I started writing fiction—my real passion—on the side. That lasted about 3 years; I recently left to pursue freelance opportunities and complete my debut story collection, which will feature illustrations by a good friend of mine named Ian Dingman.
How long have you had an online portfolio?
I’ve had blogs where I’ve aimed to showcase my writing for the last 6 or 7 years. I launched a true sort of portfolio hub 3 years ago.
What was your design process?
First and foremost, I wanted to have a site that reflected myself. I wanted it to be personal and have personality. It was, and is, important to me to maintain something that isn’t stock. It seems like everyone wants to be a writer. And, sure, there is something to be said for letting your work speak for itself—yet, I wanted my design to be memorable as well. I’m fortunate to be working with Ian and have the luxury of using his illustrations in my current design. So it feels cohesive, and, since our aesthetics are super complimentary, it works as a great representation of myself. Beyond that, I believe in making it simple simple simple. I think my site is very simple to navigate and find the goods.
Do you have any advice for other writers about creating online portfolios?
Again: Simplicity is key. If I can’t find your work in one click, it’s tedious. At the point that someone is coming to my portfolio, I kinda view it as them doing me a favor. In that, I want to treat them like they are a guest in my home: I’ll wait on you. That said, I’m all for the creativity of portfolios. Express who you are. Not everyone has an illustrator pal in their back pocket, I know. But showing your personality in a welcome message, maybe some personal pictures, etc. People want to work with real people. That seems important. I have a blog attached to my portfolio for a bit of that reason. (And I have a separate blog for rants and nonsense and whatever else aside from my portfolio site.)
My goal with the portfolio was to have a one-stop-shop for the polished me. My fiction writing is what I’m most passionate and motivated toward right now, so my site is geared solely toward my work in that area. The blog on the portfolio has a few things that I’m interested in, but most often it’s become more of a “news” section. I use that blog to write about professional updates, cool life news and releases, etc. Then it’s easy to click over and see some samples of my work. Or, a picture of me (to put a face to the work). Or, my bio.
Lastly, I believe in business cards. Corny as that may be in “selling yourself.” I have a business card designed in the same theme as my portfolio site. It has my phone number, my name, my email and my web address on it. Start sending people to your portfolio site! Business cards are an affordable take-away. Super easy. I know they seem like something reserved for a company man. But you are the CEO of yourself. You are the product/brand to someone who may want your work or expertise. You should have a personal business card.
Tags: Portfolio Showcase, portfolios
What a gorgeous portfolio with so much personality! I love it.
Angela Shetler reply on May 26th, 2010:
Me too! Matt’s done a fantastic job of showing his personality in a way that is both fun and professional, from the illustrations to his writing style.