Portfolio & "Confidentiality" issues?

Aug 22, 2014

Hi, everyone--I'm just getting started in Articulate Storyline, and I've been doing some projects for my first client (the company I do contract work onsite for has some Powerpoint decks I've been converting into online employee training modules & exams.)

I'd love to add them to my (just-starting) portfolio, but the industry we're in is really big on confidentiality stuff--and I certainly don't want to put any of their confidential info out there, of course.

If you've encountered this issue, how did you get around it & work any agreement out w/ your client? Do you create a mock version that's similar but changes the company's identifying info? Want to add to my portfolio w/ out stepping on any toes!

12 Replies
Michael Hinze

@Vonetta, I'm in a similar situation. Virtually every project I have worked on over the years was covered by a Non-Disclosure Agreement. Since I can't hope to ever get permission to show actual ('moving') project samples in the portfolio section of my website, I always ask permission to show a couple of static screen shots (and I make sure that any proprietary info, like company-internal hostnames or IP addresses are edited out). Often that is acceptable to my clients.

I try to make up for my sparse public portfolio by having a blog with some more advanced Storyline examples that show proficiency.

Vonetta Booker

Bruce: I actually did broach the subject earlier; they kind of hemmed & hawed like they weren't really sure how to answer. They're kind of new to working with an e-learning designer, so this is probably the first time they've encountered this type of scenario. I'll bring it up again and offer some suggestions.

Speaking of suggestions, Michael--I do like the idea of featuring some static shots and/or specific skill highlights while editing out any proprietary info; I think I'll suggest something similar. After all, a potential client probably isn't going to want to go through the entire module, especially if it's lengthy.

Michael Hinze

Vonetta Booker said:

Bruce: I actually did broach the subject earlier; they kind of hemmed & hawed like they weren't really sure how to answer. They're kind of new to working with an e-learning designer, so this is probably the first time they've encountered this type of scenario. I'll bring it up again and offer some suggestions.

Speaking of suggestions, Michael--I do like the idea of featuring some static shots and/or specific skill highlights while editing out any proprietary info; I think I'll suggest something similar. After all, a potential client probably isn't going to want to go through the entire module, especially if it's lengthy.

Phil Mayor

I am looking at creating a new contract for my clients. Examples and testimonials will be included in my contract. During my research I found that most web developers include a clause for samples and portfolio in their contracts.

This way you can include wording that specifically allows you to retain rights to use samples of the project as well as preliminary designs in your portfolio.

No this may simply mean that the initial quote includes a discount to allow this and working under NDA may be an additional cost as this discount will not apply.

Nicole Legault

Hey Vonetta!

Another great way to build content and items for your portfolio that doesn't involve using client content is to take part in the Weekly E-Learning Challenge hosted by David Anderson. This way you get to have fun and create your own content, but you're also sharpening your skills, getting practice and creating content you can feel free to use on your website/portfolio.

On David's blog you'll see that every Friday he posts a new weekly challenge topic. It's been going on for about a year now and has become REALLY popular and I know that a lot of the participants use their submissions as examples for their portfolio. This week's challenge is all about storyboards which should be interesting. He also does a recap every Thursday of the challenge submissions so you can see all the awesome samples in one easy place.

Hope you can take part Vonetta! We'd love to see you in the challenges And Good Luck with your portfolio!

Jackie Van Nice

Hi Vonetta!

As @Ashley is suggesting, I rebrand, reindustry, and sanitize pieces to use in my portfolio. Yes, it's takes time and effort, but so does any investment you make in your career.

As @Nicole is suggesting, I use the weekly Articulate challenges to create pieces for fun, to add to my skill set, and to connect with others - but I also end up using a good number of them in my portfolio. To give you a visual, here's my page of challenge entries: http://www.jackievannice.com/?page_id=175061258

I'm sure you'll find an approach to getting pieces for your portfolio that you're happy with. Best of luck to you!

Julie Frappier

Hello everyone !

I need some help ; )  

I know it's really short notice,  but I need to show some of my work, TOMORROW, and as this post mentioned, I am faced with confidentiality issues... I don't have time to rework and rebrand some of the work that I have done. I wasn't looking for another career opportunity, hence the last minute panic.

Any suggestions? I have an online portfolio that I have just created and the only thing missing, is of course, my projets...   

Please help!

Thanks!

 

C.

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