Tips for creating a compelling portfolio

Think about your unique approach to design and ways you can convey that in your portfolio.

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Add your unique style & personal touch

Strong personal branding is critical to your freelancing success. Do not shy away from expressing your unique talents and style in your presentation.

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Show off your specialization and play to your strengths

Building a portfolio that centers on the type of client work you want to do will create a concise, focused presentation.

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Limit your portfolio to 3-6 case studies or projects

You want to answer the question “If I hire this designer, what will my experience be like?”

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Make sure each case study or project has a hero image

Hero images are those big bold photos that invite the viewer to see the end result of a project. You can use professional mock-ups or create your own to present your work. Think of this image as a summary image that encourages the viewer to take a more detailed look at your case study.

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Use simple, clean layouts

Make sure your portfolio layout only has the most essential items shown at one time. For example, for the first page of a case study, ask yourself, “What helps tell the story here?” and “What shows off this work the best?”

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Write story-driven narratives that solve problems

This approach adds more depth to your words and is more like a one-on-one conversation rather than a pitch.