What To Include In Your Graphic Design Portfolio
When it comes to your portfolio, less is more. You might be thinking, “Wait — shouldn’t I showcase all my work? I want clients to know I’ve got the experience.”
Trust me, I get it but we’re going for quality over quantity here. You want to showcase the cream of the crop, not every single project you’ve ever worked on.
Think about your ideal client
When building your portfolio, think about your dream client and only showcase work from those types of projects. By displaying this content, it’ll help you attract more of that type of work. Ideal clients will see a version of themselves on the page and discover that you’re someone who can help them too!
Keep it simple
Rather than clogging your portfolio with every case study and testimonial you’ve collected, focus on just a few amazing examples that can really stand out. I do the same on my portfolio page. Over the last 5 years, I’ve helped lots of business owners with branding and web design, but putting everyone on a portfolio page would be overwhelming and confusing for potential clients.
Include quality work you want to attract
On my website, I’ve featured a curated selection that represents the work I want to attract to my inbox and inquiry form. It makes it easier for the right clients to determine if my style is for them thanks to how my portfolio is designed.
Design for your niche
Even if you haven’t worked with your dream clients yet or you’re switching niches, you can still do this. I always tell people if you don't have those types of projects under your belt just yet, you can make them up. You can create sample work for your imaginary dream client that shows the type of work you’re offering going forward.
Get realistic
When showcasing your work you also want to show your designs in real-word scenarios that potential clients can relate to. Let’s say your dream clients are couples getting married, you create wedding suites of them. Everything from invites to table assignments.
Instead of showing them flat examples of your work that are hard to visualize in the real world, you want to create examples that help them envision the final result. Use photographs of the invites with flowers from the wedding, thank you cards that are filled out with stamped and beautiful handwriting.
If you don’t have photos you can use mockups to create a realistic view of your work. The easier you make it for people to visualize working with you on their project, the more likely they are to reach out to work with you. Check out Moyo Studio for some really amazing mockups that make it easy for you to share real-world examples of your work!
Designing or updating your portfolio may take a little bit of time to get the combination of projects just right, but the extra time is worth it. By creating the perfect portfolio for your niche, ideal client and favorite type of projects - you can really attract work that you truly enjoy!
Discover more ways to develop the business of your dreams through my free resource library! Click here to download the materials.
