First, my local Blockbuster shut its doors without any warning. Creative Director, Micah Jones (sitting across from me right now at his desk) and I walked the half-empty aisles that final day, looking for anything to salvage from the wreck — sulking along with that stinging nostalgia you only really get from this sentimental Ben Folds ballad.

Me: “Micah, what did you get that day at blockbuster?”

Micah: “Simpson’s Season 1.”

Me: “Oh, yeah. Man, wasn’t it so sad that day? Like, just… you know… soooo sad?”

Micah: “Yeah, I guess. Hey, (lifting his shirt) check out my new belt from J. Crew…”

Anyway, moving on. Micah and I (yes, we’re co-workers but we’re friends too, okay?) also took a little trip down to the Nashville Borders yesterday. And guess what they’re doing over there right now. That’s right, GOING OUT OF BUSINESS! Now the walk of nostalgia is starting to get a little more cynical and whiny like this Green Day song.

Me: Hey, what were we looking for at Borders that day, Micah?

Micah: Nothing. I just had a coupon to use, but they wouldn’t honor it because they were closing the store.

Me: Yeah, I remember now. Didn’t that make you feel a little fussy inside? Like someone just woke you up from a good nap with like, I don’t know… a leaf-blower or something really annoying?

Micah: Yeah, I guess. But the Brentwood location is still open and I can still use my coupon there. Bro, you remember the old Power Rangers theme song? (Turns up his speakers, bobbing his head)

Me: Yeah. I remember.

So, I don’t really know how to unpack all that, and I don’t think Micah’s going to help me out, either. But with the growing list of book, video and music stores dying off like slap bracelets, it’s starting to feel like our local media options will cease to exist sooner than I imagined. And I’m scared. That’s all I’m saying.

Me: Hey, Micah…

Well, the folks at underconsideration have heard our cries for help and have produced a perfect bound book (also available for digital download) that ships today called “Flaunt: Designing effective, compelling and memorable portfolios of creative work.”

This little introduction is from the website where you can order the book.

“Through more than forty case studies, nearly twenty interviews with experienced professionals, and a series of (nonscientific) surveys, Flaunt is a resource for design students as well as young, experienced, freelance, and independent designers. It explains how one can find a way to cohesively, succinctly and creatively showcase their work through an accessible, effective, and creative portfolio. Flaunt showcases a variety of alternatives through a selection of portfolios that represent both the most common approaches as well as some offbeat executions. Hopefully, this book will help ease the anxiety and burden of creating a portfolio—and, perhaps, even help demystify the process of putting it together, along with the expectations of presenting it.”

Based on the book samples they provide on their website, Flaunt looks full of easy to read information covering a wide range of topics from portfolio production to actually submitting and communicating with potential employers.