How to build a portfolio when client work is confidential
Katie Cadwell, the co-founder of branding studio Lucky Dip and The NDA Podcast, offers guidance to creatives on handling NDAs during their job applications for design positions. She recommends creating password-protected sections in portfolios shared under NDA, mentioning client names or logos without revealing actual work, and incorporating personal passion projects to highlight abilities. Cadwell points out that passion projects frequently reflect creativity more effectively than client assignments and encourages updating older junior projects. She cautions against leaving digital traces and advises that discussions about confidential work should be reserved for interviews only.
Key facts
- Katie Cadwell is co-founder of Lucky Dip and The NDA Podcast.
- Password-protected portfolio sections can be shared under NDA.
- Listing client names or logos is a workaround for confidential work.
- Apple is known for iron-clad contracts preventing creatives from showing work.
- Passion projects are encouraged as they show creativity without constraints.
- Outdated junior projects can be updated and included.
- Confidential work should be discussed in interviews, not sent digitally.
- The advice column is from If You Could Jobs, part of It's Nice That.
Entities
Artists
- Katie Cadwell
Institutions
- Lucky Dip
- The NDA Podcast
- If You Could Jobs
- It's Nice That
- Apple