5 essential portfolio tips for Designers - Yes I'm a Designer (2024)

FAQs

5 essential portfolio tips for Designers - Yes I'm a Designer? ›

A portfolio should include a selection of a graphic designer's best work, as well as professional samples from client projects. It's important to note that while there's definitely still a place for physical portfolios, graphic designer websites can really offer a host of advantages when done well.

A portfolio should include a selection of a graphic designer's best work, as well as professional samples from client projects. It's important to note that while there's definitely still a place for physical portfolios, graphic designer websites can really offer a host of advantages when done well.

Employers will be interested in your specialism or area of interest as a creative professional. Try to include some detail about your background and specialism, whether that's in branding, marketing, user experience, web design or another area in the broader graphic design field.

Include the main components in your portfolio, which include a compelling “about” section; your education, experience, and skills; your best work; examples of different formats; your style and personality; contact information; and considering job requirements.

A diversified portfolio should have a broad mix of investments. For years, many financial advisors recommended building a 60/40 portfolio, allocating 60% of capital to stocks and 40% to fixed-income investments such as bonds. Meanwhile, others have argued for more stock exposure, especially for younger investors.

DON'T: include everything

But here's the thing – you don't need to include every single thing you've ever made in your portfolio. This can actually detract from the impact of your best pieces and make your portfolio seem cluttered. Instead, choose a few strong pieces that showcase your skills and style.

You should aim to include at least three projects in your portfolio, but ideally around five to show some variety in your work. But don't go too far! Add too many examples of your work and it might be a little overwhelming for recruiters, who don't have much time.

Your graphic design portfolio should include a curation of your best work, the disciplines, brands, sectors, or industries you specialize in, your design process, and a method for contacting you. ‍Best work — Your portfolio website is an online introduction or first impression to site visitors.

What to put at the end of a portfolio? ›

Create an end page, 'Thank you 'page or back cover to end the portfolio with your contact details to help with following up. Do not be tempted to include your photo or your CV with your portfolio as it is a showcase of your design work. Keep your CV as a separate document.

Depending on your profession, your portfolio should include a wide variety of writing samples, photographs, images, project summaries or reports. If you don't have professional experience, consider using work from school, club or volunteer projects. Provide any available feedback with your samples if available.

While there's no perfect number of projects to include, you should aim for between five and ten items. This way, potential clients can see a variety of your work without having to dig through too many. If you've been in business for a while, take some time to sort through your past samples.

Include thematic works that show your in-depth investigation of an idea, or showcase a variety of subjects to show your broad interests. Include a variety of media such as drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, and media-technology to demonstrate your skill with different tools, materials, and techniques.