I’m doing these portfolio reviews because making it as a creative person can be hard.

Especially right now in this current economy.

And even more so if you don’t have a mentor or boss who has time to help you take your work to the next level.

And also because these days creatives who are looking for work almost never get direct feedback on their books anymore.

You email a link, and if it doesn’t go to spam, and the person you sent it to clicks it, likes what they see, and is hiring at your level, maybe they call you.

But that call is usually about availability and money – not the quality of your ideas or work.

The face-to-face folio review feels like a thing of the past. And without them, how are you supposed to get your book good enough to get a gig?

“Just finished portfolio school and currently applying and taking interviews. It’s tough out here! Even getting feedback alone seems impossible.” – Eric Remme

If you’re already in a role, chances are you don’t get much face time with your CD. Especially now that so many people are working remotely.

If you’re in the office two or three days a week, I can pretty much guarantee your CDs are busy for all of them with little to no time for meaningful mentorship and creative guidance.

The quality of work suffers, and so does morale. Creative people need creative feedback and so I am here to share it.

Doing these reviews makes me better too – each one forces me to say more than just “I like this” or “I don’t like that.”

I have to explain why and how they might be improved which helps keep my own creative brain in shape.

The free portfolio review is called the Bronze Boomerang and you can catch yourself one right now.

For people who want a more collaborative experience and some creative coaching, I’m also offering paid reviews.

You can check those out here: Silver Skillet, Gold Gull, and Titanium Torch.

These portfolio reviews are perfect for copywriters, art directors, graphic designers, directors, animators, illustrators, and other creative professionals working in the communication arts.

Update: Due to popular demand, as of May 1, 2023, free portfolio reviews (Bronze Boomerang level) will be capped at 10 minutes.

These will not be as in-depth as some of the older free reviews on this site.

I will pack as much into your 10 minutes as I can to give you a gauge of where you stand, offer quick fixes, indicate things you’re doing really well, and point out any blind spots.

There will be three other levels of reviews you can book with me – Silver Skillet, Gold Gull, and Titanium Torch.

Each level will come with increased collaboration and creative direction to help you get the gig of your dreams.

Every review comes with a disclaimer.

You should read it.

This is it:

It takes courage to share your creative work with an internet stranger so they can give you honest feedback.

And I am grateful to everyone who has sent me theirs.

I do this because I want to see all creative professionals succeed.

And because it makes me better at what I do too.

Every review is a first and authentic reaction to the work and how people present themselves.

Just like you’d get if you’d get from a recruiter or CD if you were interviewing for a job.

The difference is I don’t hold anything back.

This is especially important for people whose folios still need work before they’re great.

In an agency interview, if the CDs don’t love your work they won’t always tell you.

Often they’ll just thank you for coming in and never speak to you again.

Over the course of my career, I’ve always asked everyone who showed me their work if they wanted feedback or not.

If they said yes, I’d ask how they wanted it: gentle or harsh truth.

In my opinion, hearing the harsh truth is the fastest way to make your work better, and that’s what I promise to always give you here.

“It’s never personal. It’s always about the work.”

I don’t have to love everything.

Nobody ever will.

And you may not agree with everything I say, and that’s OK.

But if things aren’t clear and don’t seem well-crafted to me, there’s a good chance you could be dismissed by others.

“I am absolutely confident I can help you create a well-crafted and curated portfolio.”

If you booked a free Bronze Boomerang the conversation is one-way.

If you’d like to have more of a collaborative conversation about your work and how to make it better, then check out my other review levels.

The Bronze Boomerang and Silver Skillet will make your portfolio better.

The Gold Gull and Titanium Torch reviews will make you better with skills and coaching to progress your career – not just your folio.

The goal is to get you to a place where you won’t get dismissed and are more likely to make it to the next round.

And get the gigs you really want.

Every review comes from a place of love and respect and a desire to see you succeed.

I don’t take you, or the time, energy, and focus it takes to build a great portfolio for granted.

Remember, good is the enemy of great, and I want you to be great.

And lastly, these are my opinions only. Do with them what you will.

If you don’t like my feedback, I highly recommend you get other people’s.

But if you start hearing the same notes over and over, it’s time to listen.

As the saying goes, if people keep telling you that you have a tail…

Sooner or later you gotta turn around and look.

▶ While you’re here, check out my Creativity Course.

Let me answer this with a few questions for you:

What other folio review services or opportunities do you currently have? (Drop me a note, I’d love to hear about them!)

Are you having a hard time getting face time with Creative Directors or other creative leaders who can give you thoughtful and helpful feedback?

Do you value the opinions of the people whose feedback you can get?

Do you share your work with potential employers or customers and never hear back?

Does this make you wonder if your work is good enough?

Or if your folio is working hard enough?

What if by implementing the feedback from a review you could feel more confident and proud of your work?

Or double your day rate?

Or move from mid to senior?

Or win a new client?

Or get your dream job?

All these things are possible!

How valuable is it then?

Every free review (Bronze Boomerang level) is a first and authentic reaction to your work and how you present yourself.

The Silver Skillet, Gold Gull, and Titanium Torch review levels go deeper and offer much more creative direction and personalised coaching.

Over the course of my career at some of the world’s best creative agencies (and some not-so-great ones too), I’ve looked at thousands of portfolios and helped hire hundreds of creative professionals.

I know what works, what doesn’t, and what the most common mistakes are.

In this modern era where you rarely get to present your work in person, your online folio needs to work harder than ever to get you the gigs you want.

And I can help you get there.

My Silver Skillet, Gold Gull, and Titanium Torch review levels offer rare access to experienced creative direction and personalised coaching.

And they are all backed by my “Whisky Guarantee.”

Every review comes with my Money-Back Lifetime “Whisky Guarantee” so there’s no risk.

But let me answer this by asking you a few questions:

Are you having a hard time getting face time with Creative Directors or other creative leaders who can give you thoughtful and helpful feedback?

If you do get feedback are the people you get it from vested entirely in your success? Or their own?

Do you value the opinions of the people whose feedback you can get?

Do you share your work with potential employers or clients and never hear back?

Does this make you wonder if your work is good enough?

Or if your folio is working hard enough?

What if by implementing the feedback from a review or working with a creative coach you could feel more confident and proud of your work?

Or double your day rate?

Or move from mid to senior?

Or win a new client?

Or get your dream job?

My creative coaching will pay for itself in one raise, promotion, or job change.

And the learnings will keep delivering for life.

Plus, I offer a Money-Back Lifetime “Whisky Guarantee.”

So check them all out and choose the review that’s right for you: Silver Skillet, Gold Gull, and Titanium Torch.

Yes and yes. I have been an AWARD School instructor.

I have taught advertising at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco where I would sometimes fill in for friends.

And I have mentored countless creatives who have since gone on to do great things.

My work can be found in multiple textbooks on the subject of advertising and creativity and the usual award show annuals.

I’m considering offering paid reviews in the future and I would love to know what you think a service like this is worth.

I may also offer different levels of one-on-one or creative team coaching as a subscription or one-off fee.

More on this to come.

Update: As of May 1, 2023, all free reviews (Bronze Boomerang level) are capped at 10 minutes.

This will give you a sense of how your folio is performing, and things you are doing well, and point out any blind spots.

The Silver, Gold, and Titanium levels offer much more creative direction and coaching to help you get the gig of your dreams.

In the early days, there was no time limit, but each one took around 30-45 minutes.

Plus another 45 minutes or so for writing, image creation, emailing, website stuff, etc.

My commitment to you is that I will take all the time required to look at everything (Silver, Gold, and Titanium levels).

And always give you helpful feedback.

No. My only intention is to help you make your work and your folio better.

And there’s no shame in that.

Note: I never use first/last or full names in post headings or links, so as far as search engine indexing goes, there won’t be anything connecting you to your review.

I will be honest with my feedback and everything I say comes from a place of respect.

Each review is a first and authentic reaction to your work and how you present yourself.

Just like you’d get if you were interviewing for a job.

The difference is I don’t hold anything back. This is especially important for people whose folios still need work before they’re great.

In an agency interview, if the CDs don’t love your work they won’t always tell you, they’ll just thank you for coming in and never speak to you again.

Over the course of my career, I’ve always asked everyone who showed me their work if they wanted feedback or not.

If they said yes, I’d ask how they wanted it: gentle or harsh truth.

In my opinion, hearing the harsh truth is the fastest way to make your work better, and that’s what I promise to always give you here.

And lastly, remember, these are my opinions only. Do with them what you will.

If you don’t like my feedback, I encourage you to get someone else’s.

But if you start hearing the same notes, it’s time to listen.

As the saying goes, if people keep telling you that you have a tail, sooner or later you gotta turn around and look.

If you are wondering if a recruiter, CD, or your weird uncle can Google you and find your review, it’s highly unlikely.

Unless you send them here to watch it.

I intentionally never use full or first/last names in post headings or links to protect your anonymity.

So as far as search engine indexing goes, there won’t be anything connecting you to your review.

Yes.  When your folio is in a (new) place and you’re ready to share it with the world, let me know and I’ll make a note on your profile.

If you want a second review, I’d be glad to take another look, but I’ll charge a fee.

What do you think a service like this is worth? Drop me a note with a number – tacos or dollars.

Yes – but it will cost you. I’m not sure how much, drop me a note and we can work something out.

Check out my Silver, Gold, and Titanium review levels.

I am Eran Thomson and I’ve built a career out of creativity as a writer, screenwriter, and creative director.

I’ve worked at some of the best creative agencies in the world, started an agency that got acquired, and founded multiple startups.

Not to mention more than a few creative side hustles.

You can learn more about me using the links in the footer and discover why they call me The Joy Pusher.

And if you’ve ever felt uncreative, check out my Creativity Course.

I’m not a headhunter/recruiter, but I do know and meet a lot of amazing creative people.

So, yes. Get in touch and I’ll do what I can to help you find the perfect person for your business.

And, yes, you can pay me.

I’m not a headhunter/recruiter, but I do know and meet a lot of them.

If you’ve had a positive Un-Un-Creative folio review, get in touch and I’ll do what I can to help you find the perfect role.

If I help you land a gig, beers are on you.

And if you haven’t had a review, you know what to do.

No problem.

If you don’t agree with my feedback, I highly recommend you get someone else’s.

But if you start hearing the same notes over and over, it’s time to listen.

As the saying goes, if people keep telling you that you have a tail, sooner or later you gotta turn around and look.

Remember, I am doing this because I want you to succeed!

Gladly.

I’m exploring a few ways to offer this as a service.

For now, drop me a note and we’ll work something out.

Yes. There are all sorts of things you can pay me to do.

I like money, but tacos are also a valued form of currency.

Yes. Definitely.

Yes. Drop me a note.