🥳 How to Make a Design Portfolio That Gets You The Clients You Want · The Bunker #22

Crafting a portfolio that showcases the breadth of your design abilities can be a daunting challenge. But, it doesn't have to be.

By following a few key guidelines and utilizing some helpful tricks, you can assemble a portfolio that will surely draw the eye of any potential clients or designers.

To make sure your portfolio stands out from the crowd, try to include a selection of pieces that demonstrate your range of design knowledge and experience. Choose pieces that show different approaches and techniques, from traditional to modern, to highlight the versatility of your design capabilities. Don't forget to include a few samples of your most successful projects and any awards or accolades you have received for your work (Behance awards are a great example).

Additionally, feature a brief biography that outlines your professional background and qualifications. Lastly, be sure to include a portfolio statement that explains your design philosophy and approach. With these tips, you can create a portfolio that will make you stand out from the competition and help you secure the design job you desire.

Let’s get started!

🏆 Highlight Your Best Work

When crafting a design portfolio, it's wise to concentrate on presenting your best work. Potential employers and clients are curious to see what your best work looks like, and will be seeking evidence of your capabilities.

Showcase your greatest accomplishments regardless of whether or not they directly coincide with the kind of design you are currently interested in. This will help to demonstrate your design abilities and potential to learn and grow. Not only will it provide a great impression, it will also help illustrate your creative potential. It is important to remember that potential employers and clients are looking for evidence of your creative aptitude and what you can bring to the table.

📔 Showcase Your Process

In addition to showcasing your best work, it's important to show off the process behind your design. This can include sketches, brainstorming sessions, research, mockups, prototypes, and more. Showing your process will give potential clients and employers a better understanding of your creative process and how you think, as well as provide a glimpse into the amount of effort you put into each project. By giving a comprehensive look into your creative journey, you demonstrate your commitment to the craft and help potential clients or employers get a better idea of the value you can bring to their project. Through your process, you can also help build trust and show that you’re the right person for the job.

Showing the process behind your design is an important way to demonstrate to potential clients and employers your commitment to your work, as well as the amount of effort you put into each project. By showing your creative process, you can also help to build trust and demonstrate that you are the right person for the job. Additionally, by showing your process, it helps you to provide your clients and employers with a better understanding of your creative process and how you think, as well as a look at the amount of effort you invest in each project.

📅 Keep It Up to Date

It’s vitally important to ensure that your design portfolio is always up to date. Whether you have been in the field for years or are just starting out, it is important to show off your latest work and any new skills you’ve acquired.

This helps to show that you are dedicated to your craft and that you are on top of the newest trends and techniques. Additionally, having a portfolio that is current and relevant will make it easier for potential employers or clients to get a clear picture of your abilities and experience. Keeping your portfolio up to date is an important part of standing out in the competitive design field.

🎧 Focus on 1 discipline

A common mistake among designers (particularly those in the field of graphic design) is to showcase their work across a variety of disciplines, such as packaging, posters, merchandising, sports, etc. However, it is often best to focus on one discipline as much as possible, as it can be hard to find people who are specialised in any given area.

If you are interested in UX/UI Design, for example, then you should post only about that. You should select the discipline you are most interested in and ensure that the work you post reflects the kind of job you want to be hired for. If you are aiming to make websites, for instance, then it makes little sense to post projects about packaging.

⭐️ Conclusion

Creating the perfect design portfolio can be a daunting task, but with the right guidelines and advice, it doesn't have to be. It's important to focus on your best work, highlight your creative process, and continuously keep your portfolio up to date.

Showcase the best of what you have to offer and demonstrate your skills with every update; make sure to add new pieces and remove ones that are no longer relevant. With a little effort and dedication, you can create a portfolio that will help you stand out from the crowd and showcase your unique skills.

Cheers, Jordi Espinosa.