1st Edition

The Architect’s Pocket Guide to Portfolio Design

By Zuzana Kubišová Copyright 2025
    302 Pages 232 Color Illustrations
    by Routledge

    302 Pages 232 Color Illustrations
    by Routledge

    This is an essential guide for architecture and design students struggling to put together an effective portfolio.

    There is too often a haphazard approach to architecture portfolio design and creation. Without a fundamental understanding of basic graphic design principles, portfolios can seem garish and disjointed, doing a disservice to the work on show and the designers’ professional potential. This concise and highly visual guide explains the fundamental principles of portfolio creation, provides dos and don’ts, common mistakes, and analysis of a diverse range of both successful and unsuccessful samples. Aspirational, innovative design work is also presented alongside detailed commentary breaking down the reasons why it works. Chapters walk through the complete process in an intuitive way, covering purpose, curation, form, layout, content, and review, while providing both digital and print techniques.

    Following the framework laid out in this book will quickly and effectively elevate any architecture portfolio, allowing you to showcase your work in the most professional way possible.

    What is an Architectural Portfolio?  Step 1. Start: Identify Purpose  Step 2. Curation: Gather and Edit  Step 3. Form: Basic Choices  Step 4. Layout: Initial Setup  Step 5. Layout: Invisible Elements  Step 6. Layout: Visual Elements  Step 7. Layout: Textual Elements  Step 8. Content: Strategy and Examples  Step 9. Review: Final Revisions

    Biography

    Zuzana Kubišová teaches in the College of Architecture & Environmental Design at Kent State University.