Software Tools

describes basic software to aid in the production of your portfolio and points to tutorials found elsewhere

It's tempting to dive right into the latest version of Adobe Creative Suite and start making your portfolio. We encourage you to use pen and paper to sketch out your possible designs as described in Layout before you turn to the software. Many people can help you use these tools but no one can make the design for you.

Consider making quick mockups (in Powerpoint or Keynote) before you dive into the more precise tools of InDesign and Illustrator. Also, it doesn't matter what tool you use as long as it is relatively easy for you to use and you can achieve the design you want. You can also take it as an opportunity to learn something new.

Vector [Making Graphics]

a vector-based software tool is often used for illustrations and graphics

Illustrator, Inkscape

Pixel [Editing Photos]

a pixel-based software tool is often used for editing photos

Photoshop, GIMP, Pixelmator (Mac), Acorn (Mac)

Desktop Publishing [Layout of Elements]

InDesign, Powerpoint, Keynote

Web

Trade-off between learning web design (HTML/CSS/Javascript) and doing-it-yourself versus paying a service to do everything for you layout/medium-wise.

Seelio: http://seelio.com/

Pop Slice: http://www.popslice.com/

A Good Portfolio: http://www.agoodportfolio.com/

Carbonmade: http://carbonmade.com/

WordPress: http://wordpress.com/

Posterous: http://posterous.com/

Tumblr, in particular this theme: http://cargotheme.tumblr.com/

Weebly: http://weebly.com/