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10 tips to prepare an awesome portfolio

Published Nov 15, 2018Last updated Nov 19, 2018
10 tips to prepare an awesome portfolio

Having a portfolio is crucial in today’s world. Everyone talks and brags about their deeds, but only a few of them are able to show off their work.

Here are the ten rules to keep in mind when creating one.

1. Showcase your best works
Pick the best ones among your projects. While thinking about which projects to choose, be a bit ruthless to yourself. Surely, choose the best for your projects. Put at least 3, at most 7 of your projects. More than 7 projects can be boring. On the other hand, if you put less than 3, you may look unexperienced, so you may want to pad it out.

2. Include the work you want to work on in the future
Put your future work into your portfolio. Include jobs that involve people will be buying from you. Do not keep the scale too wide, then nobody can tell you exactly what you are good at.

3. Explain all the projects’ briefs and goals included in your portfolio
What was the purpose of your work? Which problem have you tried to solve? The answer to these two questions is also very important for those who evaluate our portfolio. If they do not know what you’re trying to do, they will not be able to evaluate your success.

4. If it’s possible, transfer your design process into sketches
It is impossible to achieve good design without making a bad design. Ask the skilled hands, there is nothing as natural as making 99 mistakes before reaching the right conclusion. You can be selective here, but it may be true to show the design process and the obstacles that have not appeared before reaching the best. Include sketches, wireframes, and backstage photos.

5. Identify your roles in projects
In large projects, a team of at least 10 people usually works. So it is very important that you explain your own responsibility and how you are supporting it. Are you focused on the user experience? Did you have a partner? Did you guide the work or do you have your fingers everywhere? Besides project details, state your role in the project; do not pass it.

6. Include what you learned from your projects and add results
You also have to show the brief the end result. Did your client meet your needs? Did the project reach the targeted clicks? Have you been awarded for this job? Have you learned anything that you will use in your future work as a designer/developer/marketer thanks to this project? Although the project has not received any awards, there are many things you have learned in the process. Whatever happens, you share your end result in our portfolio, as important as the projects themselves.

7. Use the correct medium: Digital, Printed or Both
If you dedicate your career to press, of course, it must have a physical portfolio in your hands. But if you are interested in digital content, programming, social media, UX or digital design, then the portfolio must be digital. Do not forget to display mobile. If you have both printed and digital jobs, it’s awesome. In today’s world people are attached to their phones, so it is imperative to have a portfolio that is responsive and can be displayed properly on every screen.

8. Know your audience and do your presentation according to that
Who will evaluate our portfolio? Is the creative director a human resource specialist or a customer? Are their times too narrow? How detailed are they going to examine? Will they skip your projects and only look at your personal information and resume? Whoever it is, your works and presentation style should be understood by everyone.

9. Use the right tone of visuals
Watch out to show the right attitude as you carefully include your works. If you’re a relaxed person, act accordingly and be consistent. It may be true to create and present a language for the people and the brand you want to work with for the career path you choose.

10. Choose the best tool to create your portfolio, according to your needs
Project Showcase is developed to help you to create your portfolio, a showcase for your projects. It is very easy to share your work here and to present yourself to the millions of people. You can customize it as you wish. Also, if you need to have a more professional impression, you can connect it to your personal domain. It will help you increase your visibility with it’s built-in search engine optimizations.

It is available here and waiting for you to create your own! It is time for you to have a clear portfolio website.

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