wee tips for a strong design portfolio.

A strong design portfolio is your ticket to landing your dream job or attracting amazing clients. It's your personal showcase of talent, skills, and problem-solving abilities. Think of it as a designer's CV, but instead of listing qualifications, you're visually demonstrating your capabilities. A well-curated portfolio can open doors, get your name out there, and ultimately help you turn your passion for design into a thriving career.

….You’re also getting a wee two for one here since I’ll be linking some mental portfolios below too.

Screenshot from https://ohvasco.com/posters

So I’m not saying that I know it all about design portfolios. But I have been plugging away at this website for a quite some years now. Adding content in, taking it away , rebranding, changing colour schemes, layouts blah blah blah. It’s a never ending battle to be honest. But all of that change has been progress and learning. I now feel I have a grasp on what makes a good portfolio…finally. I would’ve loved to know this stuff when I was starting out so rather than gatekeeping, I’m going to share the knowledge.

Quality over Quantity.

Screenshot from https://www.sblngr.com/title-cards (Ridiculously good typography & visuals).

Don’t ram your portfolio full of all the work you’ve ever done. Potential clients and employers want to see your strongest skills and abilities. Curating a portfolio with a select number of high-quality pieces demonstrates your ability to deliver exceptional results and showcases your design expertise. I’d say to aim for around 8-12 different projects. But even if you only have 6 great projects, don’t fill the gaps just to look like you’ve done more. On my internet travels I’ve seen some portfolios with barely anything in them, but the work that’s there is outstanding and shows the designer knows exactly who they are and what their specific skill set is.

Find your niche.

Screenshot from https://harrysdesigns.com/ (Click if you want to feel useless creatively).

Something that I struggled with for years was finding my design niche. It’s obviously not like you just wake up and decide to design in a certain style forever. And its definitely not the sort of thing you should copy from others. It should really come from within, if you are drawn to certain artwork, or find yourself going back to certain styles of design all the time, chances are that’s your thing. I find it makes it even harder when you see other peoples work and think OOFT I need to design like that….but that means your own work is probably pretty different. So why fight that? Instead lean into what you’re already doing. If it feels natural and you enjoy it then you’ve probably found your niche, or you’re at least on your way to it. Good things take time.

Whatever it is, focusing on a niche allows you to develop a deep expertise and attract clients who specifically seek your specialized skills. So don't be afraid of only showcasing your niche. If that’s what you enjoy doing then that’s what you want to be hired for. No point in having a portfolio full of work you don’t enjoy doing all to be hired for the wrong job.

Who’s your ideal client?

Screenshot from https://georgeboyce.work/Loyle-Carner-hugo-Vinyl-Packaging (Great design Style).

Knowing your ideal client is crucial for tailoring your portfolio to the right audience. Think about the type of client you enjoy working with and who values your design style. Consider their budget and project preferences. Defining your ideal client will seriously help you focus your portfolio on projects that resonate with them and increase your chances of landing those dream projects. Not every client is a good fit, and that’s all good. Identifying your ideal client empowers you to attract those who truly appreciate your style.

MISE EN PLACE (KEEP IT ORGANISED).

Screenshot from https://www.joshwarner.design/

Just like a chef sort’s their workspace, you need to sort your portfolio out before you start cooking. Visual hierarchy is the secret ingredient to a successful portfolio. It’s about guiding the viewer’s eye through your work in a logical and intentional way. By thoughtfully arranging your projects and employing visual cues like size, colour and typography, you can create a portfolio that’s easy to navigate and visually appealing. A well-organised portfolio not only showcases your design skills but also reflects your professionalism and attention to detail. If done correctly you’ll be fighting off the clients.

SEO - Search Engine Nightmare……Sorry, Optimisation.

Screenshot from https://chaseshewbridge.works/ (Seriously Inspiring work).

This could really be a whole blog of its own but that’s for another day.

Don’t do what I did and think you can throw up a website that looks nice but has absolutely nothing going on in the background. At the end of the day clients or employers need to find you! And how are they ever going to do that if your website isn’t optimised to be found on search engines? By using relevant keywords and understanding how search engines work, you can boost your online visibility and attract potential clients. Please don’t avoid it, it’s really not that bad! Slightly time consuming but well worth it in the end.

KEEP IT MOVING!

Screenshot from my portfolio - https://www.mcmahongraphics.co.uk/

Consistency is key! Rome wasn’t built in a day and all that usual stuff. In order to hit your goals and collaborate with your dream clients you’ve got to keep at it. If it feel’s like a waste of time I guarantee you it’s not. By continuing to create and hone your craft you’ll get better at your niche, you’ll have more work that you really love to put on your ever changing portfolio and you’ll hit the major design goals you always wanted to achieve. The designers curse it that unfortunately you will never create the “perfect” design portfolio in your own mind. But instead you will constantly get better, acquire more knowledge and funnel it all back into your website! Good luck!