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11. Produce Your Pieces

Understanding the technical aspects of portfolio production.

In the design industry, “production” (digital prepress) is the process of making real the things you have envisioned—and for many designers, it’s a highly elusive skill. Some never master production or appreciate the process, but all designers are required to do it from time to time. As a practicing professional, you’ll be called upon to produce websites, brochures, logos, 3D objects, and any number of tangible items that come from ideas that you and others have conceptualized. Design and production are two different things, but they work hand in hand: design needs to happen first, and production brings to fruition what you have designed.

Before you jump into ...