GUIDE TO CREATING DIGITAL PORTFOLIOS Developing an Electronic Portfolio for use as a Résumé A good résumé opens the door to a job-interview. The eportfolio represents an alternative to traditional digital or print formats one by which we can show off our qualifications and abilities in the best possible light and improve our chances at landing a dream job.
Electronic Portfolios combine a variety of digital documents and rich media files into one single document and can be used to present project work, academic histories, archive documentation or serve as an alternative to the traditional résumé. PDF-Files can be shared easily with friends, colleagues, fellow students and teachers or potential employers. This guide covers the basics you need to know to create your own portfolio. Plan your portfolio before you get started 1. What variety of material are we including and to what purpose? 2. Collect all files and folders you want to include in one main folder 3. Make sure filenames give a clear indication of the content Start your application The eportfolio interface is accessed via the File Menu as shown here: Click on the PDF-Portfolio option to begin a new document Remember to save your work frequently inbetween! The Create PDF Portfolio Wizard opens Choose a layout and click on the Add Files button to load files from into the application. Alternatively you can leave the default layout settings and add files later. Click Finish to continue. Author: Cordei Clottey 1
The PDF-Portfolio Interface Header area Layout Panel Click on the Layout Tab if it s not already open This tab contains all the panes needed for creating and customising the portfolio You will find the following panes: Add Content Portfolio Layouts Visual Themes Colour Palettes Background Header Properties (appears when by clicking in the header bar above) Import files Click on Add Files to import files into the workspace. Hold down the Ctrl (PC) / Cmd (Mac) Key to select several files at once. Confirm your selection by clicking OK - Your files will now appear in the workspace. Reorganise your files in the right order by dragging and dropping into position. This example includes image, PDF, video, PowerPoint and web formats as well as a separate folder Add Web content by clicking on this tab you can type in a URL the site will be displayed and can be navigated within the portfolio. Unwanted files can be deleted by selecting the file and pressing the Delete Key or using the thrash symbol. Create Folder allows you to create an empty folder. Drag and Drop to place files as needed. Author: Cordei Clottey 2
Choosing an eportfolio Layout Click on the Portfolio Layouts Tab to view the options There are 5 layouts available: Click through Freeform Grid Linear Wave Try all options and pick one that suits your needs. We are currently working in Edit mode. Click on Preview mode in the toolbar to see how your document will appear when others view it. Customising the portfolio Visual Themes and Colour Palettes Customise by using the options provided in the Visual Themes and Colour Palette panes: Choose a theme and vary the colour scheme Create customised colour schemes using the Create from Existing option or visit the Adobe Kuler website to help you create a colour scheme: https://kuler.adobe.com/create/color-wheel/ Author: Cordei Clottey 3
Customising the portfolio Background Colour and Background Images Further customising can be achieved by changing the background colour of your theme and by adding a background image: Click on the Background Colour tab to open the pane. Load an image into the workspace. The image can be scaled and positioned as desired. You can also regulate image opacity, making it more transparent as well as apply a blur. Note that the background colour you choose remains in place and will affect the way your image looks. Customising the portfolio Create a Header Click into the header area to activate the Header Tools You have the choice of several templates or may place Text Fields and prepared images by clicking on these options. Click on the Text Tool to add a text field to the header. Double click the text field to type your text. Select text to change font type and size Pull on the handles of the text field to adjust its size. Add an image such as a logo using the Add Image button. The image is placed in a field which can be adjusted. Image and Text Fields may be moved across the header by dragging. Customise your header further by playing with background colour and opacity. View your portfolio in Preview Mode you ll notice the header looks different in Preview. Author: Cordei Clottey 4
Adding titles and descriptions to your files Be kind to your viewers and add titles and descriptions to individual files and folders. This is easily done: Information Button Click on the information button to flip the symbol file. Type a suitable title in the Display Name field Type in an adequate description of your file in the Description field. We are almost done! Extras you might want to do for the perfect document: Embed fonts The fonts used may not be available on every computer. To ensure recipients view the document exactly as you intended you should embed your fonts. Do this by ticking the Embed Fonts option at the bottom of the Layout Panel. Setting Document Properties Take control of the Document Title displayed in the title bar of your Portfolio. Normally, the filename is displayed here but we can change that. Go to File > Portfolio Properties to open up the Document Properties Dialogue: In the Description Tab, type an appropriate title for your file in the Title field. Fill in the Author, Subject and Keyword fields if you wish. Go to the Initial View tab: In the Windows Options section, select Show Document Title. Security options such as setting a password for your document can be found under the Security Tab. Author: Cordei Clottey 5
Saving the eportfolio Save your final document via the File Menu. You can do a simple save to your desktop / hard drive. Save the portfolio as a web-site (I ve tried this several times but find it does not work properly) Sharing your portfolio Since Portfolio file sizes tend to be very large I recommend uploading to cloud space such as Drop Box and providing recipients with download link for viewing. Now we are done! Congratulations on your eportfolio Résumé! Author: Cordei Clottey 6