Revamp Your Portfolio: Graphic Design Edition
If you’re a budding graphic designer or a seasoned professional, the importance of an up-to-date portfolio should never be underestimated.
Not only can it help book jobs, but it provides clarity to clients on your design style and the type of work you offer.
Whether you dream of going freelance or want to work at a top-tier company, refreshing your portfolio should be routine.
In this blog, we’re sharing our top tips to revamp your graphic design portfolio, so you can feel confident applying for the jobs you want.
Reflection and Assessment
The first step in evaluating your portfolio is taking a look at what you already have; What projects you’ve worked on and what’s worth sharing. Create a folder on your computer or drive and start dropping in any pieces of work that are up to date and that you’re proud of.
Developing a Strong Portfolio
Once you have the work you're proud of compiled, it’s time to bring everything together. From experience in the field, here are some of our top tips to keep in mind when refreshing your portfolio:
Include Project Variety: Include a range of project types. A well-rounded portfolio should include a mix of personal projects and client work. Especially if you’ve worked in multiple industries, it’s important to highlight and showcase your adaptability and range of skills.
Demonstrate your Skills: This is your time to shine. Within your portfolio, make sure you showcase different technical skills - and what makes you stand out from the rest. If you’re proficient in different design software, motion graphics, or illustration, each of these should be represented with relevant projects. For example, if you specialize in product branding, showcase how you would create a garment tag, a printed thank you card, and a 3D animated shopping bag.
Include Case Studies: Rather than just displaying the final product, include case studies for selected projects. Get quotes from your clients, and explain the design process, problem-solving strategies, and the impact of the design. This provides your soon-to-be clients with depth and context to the showcased work.
Ensure your Portfolio is Cohesive: A portfolio should always tell a story. You should showcase your work in a way that captivates your potential clients and brings them along a journey of your capabilities. Make sure each page has a flow, and that the portfolio as a whole, tells a cohesive story.
Showcase your Style: while you may have a variety of skills and qualifications, in most instances, you’ll have a distinct style that you gravitate toward or that you enjoy working with. If that’s the case, make sure you share that in your portfolio. Regardless of who looks at your portfolio, they should be able to tell it's yours.
Set Clear Goals for The Future
Throughout this process, it’s important to keep tabs on what piece of work you no longer want to share and identify areas of improvement for future work. Knowing what you like to showcase, and your breadth of skill, you can set clear goals and intentions for future portfolios.
Haven’t started their portfolio yet? It’s never too late to start. Joining a comprehensive program is the first step to developing your skills as a graphic designer and getting projects to begin creating your portfolio.
To learn more about Graphic Design and how to get started, click here.