A graphic design portfolio is a collection of graphic products or projects that you have participated in or accomplished so far. It's no doubt that a well-presented portfolio brings a door to professional success.
In this post, you will find out how to build a knock-out graphic design portfolio and 5 awesome examples for inspiration.
What will you learn from this post?
1. What makes a great graphic design portfolio
The next three components can make all the difference if you want to take your portfolio from good to exceptional.
Simple Layout
A simplistic design is essential for your portfolio website, especially if you have a lot of projects to highlight. To avoid confusion, make sure your portfolio is simple to peruse and that different projects are separated from one another. Your pal here is space. The best option for your graphic design portfolio is a straightforward image grid, but if you want to highlight your web design skills, feel free to get a little more inventive with the arrangement.
Descriptive Case Studies
Case studies are crucial, so remember that if you only remember one thing from this article. Each project in your portfolio should have its page. The following items should be covered in the description you provide for each project: • The target audience for the project • Your contribution and whether you worked with anyone else • Project objectives and goals are included • a summary of your method (you may choose to add sketches and early revisions to further clarify your thought process). • Project outcomes and client feedback are also included The images you produced for the project should be the primary emphasis of your case studies. Through the use of sizable visuals, images, and mockups, showcase as much detail as you can in your graphic design portfolio. Case studies for their portfolios are rarely written by independent graphic designers. In addition to establishing you as a professional, doing so will provide you with an advantage over the opposition.
Excellent Mockups and Images
Image quality is crucial for any graphic design portfolio, as should go without saying. Mockup a variety of scenarios and applications to showcase your work.
2. Graphic design jobs & Awesome Portfolios
There are 08 types of graphic design jobs you might want to know:
Brand Identity Design
Marketing & Advertising Design
Packaging Design
Web & User Interface Design
Print & Publication Design
Lettering & Type Design
Graphic illustration
Data Visualization & Infographic Design
Christina Michelitsch: brand identity design portfolio example
Christina Michelitsch is an Austrian graphic designer and art director based in NYC, working with clients like Nike, Google Play, and Romance Journal.
Jordyn Brenner: marketing & advertising design portfolio example
Jordyn is a Senior Art Director at Amazon Studios who ideates and develops innovative, effective, and award-winning 360° marketing experiences that tell stories and drive customer viewership.
Christina Haskett: an example of a packaging design portfolio
There are thousands of excellent packaging design examples that can be found on Behance. I picked Christina Haskett's since its strong visual impact.
Gloria Lo: web and user interface design portfolio example
Gloria Lo is a product designer based in Sydney, Australia with experience in delivering end-to-end UX/UI design for software products. Her detailed project descriptions definitely will inspire you best.
Gabriel Castilho: printing & publication design portfolio example
Grabriel Castilho is a visual designer based in Sao Paulo, Brazil. His intense visual portfolio will give you some ideas when it comes to creating a printing and publication design portfolio.
Harbor Bickmore: Lettering & Type Design portfolio example
Clara de Lorenzi: Graphic illustration portfolio example
Infonewt: data visualization & infographic design portfolio example
3. How to Build a Graphic Design Portfolio
You need to decide what you want to include before you put your labor of love into a stylish gift that displays your artistic talent. To make the greatest graphic design portfolio, follow these steps:
Curate Your Best Work
Even if you're a new freelancer, you've made significant progress in terms of your design abilities. But a visual autobiography of your previous design endeavors is not what your graphic design portfolio is. Highlight all the eye-popping visuals because it's more like a business card paired with a movie teaser. You only have a few seconds to capture the audience's attention and make them want you and you alone. Don't blow this opportunity.
Edit your designs ruthlessly and, if you feel they are worthy, choose 15 to 20 of the greatest examples of what you do, including your most recognizable designs.
Check out your handpicked work once more. Do all of your chosen photos showcase the style or styles you want to be recognized for? Are there any exceptions? Then throw them out. Imagine that you are defining your brand identity and letting creative people know who you are.
Include a Case Study
Clients are interested in how you approach the design difficulties they present you with as well as the details of your design methodology. Offer them what they desire!
Briefly describe the project assignment, then demonstrate how you progressed from the start (the assignment) to the finish using a previous project that you're especially proud of (the final deliverable).
Include some of the draughts, screenshots, or other revisions of the work in progress that preceded the finished product. Use your design abilities to thoughtfully arrange them.
Pick the Appropriate Platform
A website for a graphic design portfolio is the most obvious option for an online design portfolio. The optimal layout for you will depend on how much information you want to include and how you want it organized.
Display Your Individuality
It's time to put the finishing touches on it by ensuring that your individuality shines through. Your personality is demonstrated in many ways than only your designs. Your use of language to describe yourself and your work, the typefaces and colors you decide on, your profile picture or other prominent photos, and other small details all give away who you are.
Make sure your graphic design portfolio contains a healthy dose of you because you're marketing both yourself and your work.
Spread the Word
It's time to launch your graphic design portfolio after it has been finished. Social media is an excellent platform for showcasing your visual skills, and keywords can help with SEO so that you show up in design-related search results. Platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest may easily serve as miniature portfolios that showcase your distinctive designs to clients you aren't even aware are out there. Create a PDF portfolio to finish. It's crucial that potential customers can access your work offline.
Keep one on your desktop or hard drive, offer it for download from your website, or do both. After completing everything above, you will have a professional portfolio. Congratulations! You just made a significant investment in your future. Don't forget to update your graphic design portfolio as you continue to work new jobs and have fresh work to share. When the portfolio template is perfect, updating it is simple.
Conclusion
Building a graphic design portfolio website is the first step toward establishing a strong online presence. Highlight your greatest design efforts and incorporate elements that will make your site easy to use and navigate while developing your website. So, what are you waiting for? Build your site!
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