Enhance Your Portfolio with Behance

Behance, as described on the site, is “the leading online platform to showcase & discover creative work. The creative world updates their work in one place to broadcast it widely and efficiently. Companies explore the work and access talent on a global scale.”

I started using Behance over a year ago to showcase some of my graphic design projects. It is easy to upload your image, video and audio files, organize by client or project and to generate a link to add to Social Media sites.

You can also embed files from: Vimeo, YouTube, Adobe TV, Blip.tv, Veoh, Mevio, Yahoo Video, MySpace Video, Fast Company, Dailymotion, SoundCloud, Mixcloud, Bandcamp, 4shared, Scribd, Google Maps, Wufoo, SlideShare, Flickr Photostream, Blurb, ExposureRoom, Prezi, Sunglass, Sketchfab

Text can be added to the display page to explain your work. Before launching your profile, you will also be prompted to add key words and a description.  Visibility controls are available to make your profile as public or private as you would like.

So far the site communicates well with LinkedIn allowing projects to be placed under the position you completed them.  I find this to be a great way to jazz up a profile for anyone in a creative field.  To do this, simply: Go to your Edit Profile feature in LinkedIn.  Under “Experiences” there is an icon that looks like a square and plus sign.  Click on that icon to “Add Link.” 

In Behance, find the link of the published project and copy the URL.  Once that URL is placed in the link box a title and description box will be generated in LinkedIn.  Edit as needed.

I have added several projects to my profile that you can check out.  When it comes to design, having samples readily available is important to stay competitive.  It is even better to have samples easily accessible from your networking profile.

Profiles That Pop!

I have joked that my Linked In profile might be a little obnoxious.  While many folks are still without a picture, I've been adding new widgets that showcase my work.  I wanted to share with you some of the available applications that can make your profile really pop!

By scrolling down to the bottom of your homepage, you will find a little plus sign beside "Add an Application."  By clicking on this you will see all the awesome elements you can add on to your profile making it just a gaudy as mine :-)

Due to my occupation, the three applications I chose where "Events," "Blog Link" and "Creative Portfolio Display."

The Events application allows you to create and display events.  This is great for any event that is open to the public.  Not only is it another resource to get your message out but your connections can see all the events you post and it promotes conversation and engagement.   Plus you can easily share your event on your wall, to groups, or individual connections with a simple click of a button making it a very efficient tool.

If you are a blogger the Blog Link is a must.  You can display not only a feed from your personal blog but also receive feeds from your connection's blogs.  Stay better informed of what's going on without leaving Linked In.  Also give your connections and prospective connections the added convenience to read your posts from your profile.

Designers, the Creative Portfolio Display is a great addition to showcase your work.  Include photos and videos of your work with descriptions on an easy to organize platform.  You will have to register for a Behance account but it's free and intuitive.  Based on some of the articles I've read, it's becoming the favorite site among graphic designers to display their work.

Happy editing!