Building information modeling, or BIM, has grown in popularity over the last ten years due to its numerous potential advantages for the AEC sector.

Because of this, BIM professionals have excellent career opportunities and high salaries despite being in surprisingly low supply. It is not unexpected that a large number of recent graduates and even seasoned business professionals intend to enter the BIM sector.

Becoming a BIM professional

Although architects may need a basic understanding of BIM, you should be aware that if you choose a career path in BIM, you will be doing very little or no architectural design.

BIM specialists focus on information management and documentation rather than influencing the project's design development process.

Since BIM is all about information, a model cannot be called a BIM model without it.

Portfolios are one of several considerations to make if you want to work in BIM. Portfolios are a requirement for BIM jobs, just like they are for all other construction and design occupations.

There are numerous career paths and job roles in the broad field of BIM, and the qualifications and experience required for each vary. To find out what is required for the portfolio and the interview, you should also review the job description and requirements.

Even though each firm may have different portfolio requirements, they will all share certain characteristics. Continue reading to get more ready to build a portfolio for your career in BIM.

What is a Portfolio?

A well-documented visual representation of your experience and skills, a portfolio is a must for any design career. Your best projects that highlight your abilities in relation to the position you are applying for should be included in your portfolio, whether it is an architecture portfolio, BIM portfolio, or Revit portfolio.

5 Tips to creating a BIM portfolio

1. The initial stage of portfolio creation

No matter the type, a portfolio is the same. Similar to the architecture portfolio, the first step in getting ready for the portfolio is to save and record drawings and models. For your BIM portfolio, keep track of all the projects you have completed for your employer, your Revit/BIM certifications, and the classes you have taken.

These reveal how well-versed you are in BIM workflows. Keep a record of your work, role, and responsibilities within the project team, even though you might not be permitted to use the models.

2. The objective of the content in the portfolio

Your BIM skill set should be best showcased in the content in your portfolio. Therefore, the BIM 3D models and a few technical/construction drawings will be the primary content. The content should demonstrate your proficiency in design, construction, and site management in addition to your BIM abilities.

Like a typical architecture portfolio, the content should include a variety of projects and photos to highlight the breadth of the skill set, including both hard and soft skills. You can use your portfolio to showcase your interests in addition to your skills. Finally, keep in mind these words: quality over quantity.

3. Type of content for a BIM portfolio

Content to add to the portfolio

Determining the type of projects is relatively simple for recent graduates; typically, they are academic or BIM course-related projects. The distinction from an architectural portfolio, though, is that the emphasis here will be on the BIM models made using BIM programs like Revit and Navisworks. It goes beyond simple modeling. Your understanding of BIM procedures should be highlighted in all project photos and details.

It goes without saying that since BIM is more than just one piece of software, you should use it if you are familiar with it and it is pertinent to the work. For instance, you can use the RhinoInsideRevit or Dynamo tools in Revit to create parametric models. You are demonstrating your proficiency in both computational design and BIM!

Technical over aesthetic

Conversely, avoid using too many visuals and instead have a good balance of intricate technical and artistic elements. You are demonstrating that you have the necessary skill set to handle the work by displaying intricate models and drawings.

Why is it called complex? First of all, BIM models and standard 3D models cannot be compared. Because information is embedded in BIM models, they will become more complex. Second, you have no idea what project you will be working on! Even massive projects in big companies are to be expected.

Geometric or scope complexity is referred to as complex models. It's a good idea to include any difficulties you run into with the workflow, along with the limitations and solutions. Furthermore, since structural and MEP elements are crucial for BIM professionals, they should be included in the 3D BIM models.

Only the relevant images

One of our course mentors, Ami Nigam, who is currently employed at UNStudio as a Design Technology Specialist, gave us some excellent advice: rather than filling a long portfolio with numerous project photos, include just two pages that highlight how you have used BIM to maximize project delivery.

4. Soft skills in the BIM portfolio

Soft skills can be challenging to depict in a portfolio; one innovative way to do this is to use icons to show the skills you used on a project. The significance of these abilities is often overlooked by recent graduates. They are essential for any career, including BIM positions.

Managing the BIM team or collaborating with other design and engineering experts will be part of your duties as a BIM manager or coordinator. These professionals should therefore possess strong leadership, management, and communication abilities.

5. Things to avoid when creating a portfolio

We must stress once more that a portfolio of any type is not meant for archival use. Don't include every project in the portfolio. Limit your portfolio to no more than five projects and include enough drawings and models to enable seamless visual storytelling.

Many concepts and design process diagrams are not necessary, in contrast to a portfolio that is solely architectural. The BIM deliverables should remain the viewer's primary focus.

Quick points to remember

● Due to confidentiality policies, you might occasionally not be permitted to include your work from previous or current employers (this is applicable to working professionals). Even so, your resume should still highlight your accomplishments.

● As a result, maintain a record of the projects you have completed, along with your role and duties in each. As designers, we should never allow ourselves to be discredited by not mentioning!

● You can prepare for questions based on actual BIM use when you go to a job interview. You will almost never be asked what is outside the purview of your work.

● These types of questions are used by interviewers to gauge your familiarity with BIM procedures and workflows. Make sure you are ready to answer any questions that may come up.

● Finally, we would advise against putting together your portfolio at the last minute. Give yourself enough time to evaluate your abilities and compile a thorough portfolio.

● A well-curated portfolio will demonstrate your BIM abilities, expertise, and interests as well as the position you are applying for.

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