Whether you’re completely new to the industry or you’re revamping for a new project, it’s always a good idea to enhance your portfolio. A graphic designer’s portfolio serves as your introduction to any company you want to join. It’s the initial face of your work that condenses your professional identity into one neat website.
On paper, collecting all of the works you are most proud of seems easy. But, with the age of social media and digital art, there are a lot of other mediums than a clear binder with your printed work. This also makes it exciting as you can showcase the range of your skill and cater the portfolio to your dream client.
But, where do you begin?
The Graphic Designer’s Portfolio: The Trifecta
First things first, let’s talk about platforms. Brand Designer Alejandro Rodriguez explains that “When we review a potential design candidate, we want to see the trifecta: their website, their portfolio, and their Instagram.” In this digital age, showcasing your artistic brand now happens through these mediums.
You don’t have to be internet famous, but displaying your work in the context of the digital space shows how you understand the platforms you will heavily work in. This also gives recruiters easy access to your portfolio, including feedback from the general audience about your pieces.
There are small differences between the trifecta, but it essentially boils down to segmenting your presence online. You need a space to introduce yourself, a space to show your best works, and a living portfolio that drives interest.
The Website
Your website is basically your online capsule as an artist. It’s your digital calling card that should give clients the necessary information about you. Your website should speak to who you are as a designer, so it’s best to be the one to design it from the ground up, or at least choose templates that cater to your aesthetic. Basically, a website is your creative playground. It shows your skill when given free rein of an entire space, so go ahead and get creative!
What makes a good website?
Your website should have different elements and web pages that segment your services. Of course, this will change as you move forward with your career. After all, the best way to make yourself known is to build a distinctly unique website. However, these are pretty much the building blocks of what makes a graphic designer’s website.
Blurbs. You can never go wrong with a large-font witty headline followed by a short and concise blurb about you or the webpage. Remember to keep it brief and straight to the point to let the visuals speak for you.
Work Highlights. Unlike your portfolio, the pieces highlighted on your website’s homepage should be the most eye-catching and visually cohesive ones. What is showcased here should be enough to get visitors to click on your online portfolio.
Experience Information. A standard in any resume or curriculum vitae, this gives the client a brief overview of your experience in the industry. It doesn’t have to be extensive or even a huge highlight in your website. Just a little section that conveys experience to go along with your portfolio.
Contact Sheet. Lastly, you need to specify how recruiters can reach you. Most graphic designers add a contact sheet at the bottom of their portfolio, as a little invitation; a final destination after the journey of looking through your works. Additionally, you can link here your social media handles or other online platforms where they can find you.
The Portfolio
A portfolio is a compilation of your best professional materials; like a highlights section of your previous and current works. This is where you curate the projects and pieces that your future clients (or anyone looking at your online presence) will see and use as a basis of deliberation. It should generally showcase your style and method of work. The mediums you are most familiar with, your current works-in-progress, and your general work ethic are made clear. Basically, it’s a concrete way to communicate what clients can expect of your output as a designer.
Curating a Graphic Designer’s Portfolio
The world of graphic design is an incredibly broad application. With both digital and physical spaces to work with, mediums and styles are nearly endless. What pieces should you curate in your portfolio?
Diverse Styles and Mediums. Show that you’re not a one-trick pony by sprinkling a variety of types and aesthetics. There are a myriad of staple styles in graphic design to discover, and it’s always good to learn their names to better recommend aesthetics for your clients. Additionally, don’t forget to exhibit a range of design aesthetics! Showcase your skills in Typography on one webpage, then Packaging on the next. There shouldn’t be any pressure to master all forms of graphic design applications. It’s just a matter of showcasing that you are eager to learn it along the way.
Collaborative Projects. There are two things that collaborative projects tell potential employers. First, you work well with others. This point gets driven home when you describe the process of the piece. Second, you’ve made friends in the industry. This shows that you are plugged into the industry, and have a good rapport with other graphic designers.
Catered to the Client. The beauty of having your work online is that you can easily swap out some pieces for others. If you know that recruiters from specific industries will be looking at your website, showcase work that they may appreciate on the front page of your portfolio. If you’re applying for a publication company, then it’s high time to feature those page layouts! Or, put those logos to good use if you’re applying for a marketing position. This also works with themes or general aesthetics. It just helps direct the client’s focus on pieces that would pique their interest in your work.
Your Personal Favourites. Lastly, don’t forget that this is still your portfolio! It could be personal projects or pieces you had the most fun doing. If you’re still stumped on what pieces you should highlight, you can never go wrong with your personal favourites.
The Social Media
Social media is a fantastic avenue for your client to get to know you better as a professional with a hint of your personality. Image and video-centred platforms like Instagram and Youtube have thousands of users flocking to them on a daily basis. So, it becomes a sort of hub spot for people to find either mutual friends, celebrities, or new artists. It’s an easy place to gain exposure and stay connected with the industry while serving as a living portfolio.
The Use of Social Media for Graphic Designers
Project Progress. This is the ultimate use of social media for graphic designers. Social media lets you post work-in-progress videos, speed paints, or creative processes. It provides the audience insight into how you work, and to understand who you are as an artist.
Gain and Become Design Inspiration. Not only is social media a hub for all walks of life, it’s also a hub for artists everywhere. Here you will be able to connect with people in your industry, gain design inspiration from them and even potentially be their design role model!
Exposure to New Employers. As we’ve said, social media acts as a hub for literally everyone. It’s incredibly easy to not only showcase your work to potential employers but also gain feedback from people all over the world. You will be able to talk to people asking you about your work, prices, and other opportunities. So, be sure to showcase your best works!
The Graphic Designer’s Portfolio Will Always Evolve
That wraps up building a graphic designer’s portfolio! All you have to remember is that your work should always reflect who you are as an artist. This includes the things you’ve learned, what you want to pick up along the way, what to expect when working with you, and the fields you are most interested in. It’s also safe to say that your portfolio is not static. It will grow as your career does, so don’t be afraid to make mistakes! Of course, technical skills aren’t the only skills that make a terrific employee. You also need a can-do attitude and great soft skills to land that dream job.
That being said, what’s the use of a portfolio if you don’t reach out and apply it? You can head over to our Careers Page to see available graphic design jobs we’ve got in stock. We’re sure we’d love to see how you applied our tips above. Good luck!
Citations:
All Time Design. “Graphic Design Styles: An Ultimate Guide to the 15 Most Popular Design Styles.” All Time Design, 3 Feb. 2023.
HGS Offshore Staffing Solutions. “The Importance of Soft Skills and How Keep Developing Them.” HGS Offshore Staffing Solutions, 16 Jan. 2023.
Schenker, Marc. “What to Put in Your Graphic Design Portfolio” Creative Market, 19 Apr. 2024.
