The Private Portfolio: How To Navigate NDA's and Other Design Challenges
Photo via Folger and Burt
As firms grow and begin to work with more high-profile clients, the likelihood of a client requesting the project be under NDA increases. These projects are often impressive and provide an excellent opportunity to showcase high-caliber work. However, it can be tricky when a company cannot publicize it. There are a few workarounds to discreetly promote these projects without violating a part of the agreement.
One of the most beneficial ways is through private portfolios. These pages resemble the public portfolio page on a firm’s website but live on the backend of the website and are only accessible through a secure password and link to the page. The private portfolio allows you to send the page and classified information to trusted potential collaborators or clients. Sharing this exclusive insider link with a selective few can boost credibility and expertise since it highlights a broader and higher-level scope of work than what exists on your public website.
Creative posting on social media can be another strategic way to nod to a project under NDA or other restrictions. Some project agreements allow collaborators to share iPhone photos of a residence. Clients give varying photo permissions, and it often depends on the project. Some homeowners may allow small, scale vignette shots; sharing these photos and tagging fellow collaborators can be a way to hint at a project without revealing too much. Other clients may allow collaborators to capture several images on an iPhone, but not professional photography. iPhone photos can be utilized on portfolios, social media, and even digital publications if taken well and with intention.
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If a client doesn’t allow any photography, there is still a chance to promote the project indirectly. One way is by reposting portfolio images from a fellow collaborator. Reposting lets, you acknowledge them while emphasizing that you enjoy working with the collaborator on a current project without showing or naming it. Suppose the project under NDA is in a specific place that’s impressive. In that case, you can share general photos from that city or region to allude to the project and emphasize that your company is expanding into that area.
Photo of the view from Los Altos Hills, California
