From Ordinary to Extraordinary: Personalize your portfolio

These days, with AI coming into the spotlight, having a well-built portfolio is a must for any graphic designer. The point is not only to showcase your work and achievements. It is an opportunity to exhibit your unique personality and leave a lasting impression.

Presentation is everything

It doesn’t matter if you use tools like Dribbble and Behance, or decide to create a dedicated website – although this way, you can let your creativity unwind and reveal who you are as a graphic designer. Therefore, your portfolio will stand out and the chance of people ordering your services will be much higher.

However, the first step is to put together a portfolio, of course a digital one. This way, your potential clients can easily find you online and even recommend you to someone else just by sending a link.

But what's most important, you get a chance to prove your skill as a designer and present your previous experience and successes to your audience – just like a graphic alternative to the classic CV.

According to FinancesOnline, 90% of graphic designers are freelancers. They don't rely on an agency to bring clients to them but have to attract them on their own. So if your competitors have a portfolio while you don't, they can pull in a lot of potential clients from you.

What should be included? Basically, anything that displays what your work looks like, which can include:

• Product design
• Original illustrations
• UX design
• Ad campaigns
• Brand identity
• Animation
• Motion graphics
• Video
• Storyboards

Remember to make it organized so that your potential clients can easily navigate through it. For them, this is a new territory and they need to be able to find the samples of your work that might be important to them intuitively.

To make your online portfolio shine, it's important to be selective when choosing designs you want to share. Remember, your portfolio acts as the first impression for potential clients, so you want it to showcase your absolute best work. By incorporating a personal touch into your portfolio, you can make it even more attractive and engaging.

It's not just about the graphics

Even though the main purpose of a portfolio is to show off your work, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Potential clients may like your graphics from a personal perspective, but that doesn’t say anything about the impact it will have on their business profit and customer experience.

Unveiling the power of case studies

One of the best ways to showcase your experience and skills is through case studies. What are they? Basically, stories about the times when you accomplished a project successfully. And most importantly, about the added value your designs brought to your client.

The specific structure of a case study can differ based on your personal style and preferences. However, it generally involves presenting the client’s problem or task, showcasing your solution, and describing your approach. A highly effective method is to adopt a case study design resembling a magazine or long-form web article, complemented by visual content.

As you construct your case study portfolio, dedicate a separate page to each case study. Additionally, compile a comprehensive list of all your case studies, each with an accompanying image and link for easy access.

Remember that ten positive references (ask your clients for them!) are more than a hundred great case-studies. But it's great to have them because they give you an expert perspective and increase your credibility with potential clients.

Get your blog up and running

Another way to communicate your expertise is to set up a blog that will complement your graphic portfolio. Some designers are reluctant to write about how they work out of fear that someone will steal their know-how. How about turning that around and taking it as an opportunity to show that you understand your field?

Through well-written content on relevant topics, you can drive your audience to your portfolio from organic search as well as social media. Even though we live in an era of video content, in a Databox.com survey, 84% of online entrepreneurs said that blog posts bring them more traffic than videos. So their statement – video may have killed the radio star, but blogging is still alive and kicking – definitely holds true.

In your blog, you can cover a wide range of topics, such as design tutorials, industry trends, or insights and analysis. Furthermore, you can provide tips and advice for aspiring designers or offer insights into their personal experiences and challenges. Additionally, you can review design tools and resources and share design inspiration.

The possibilities are endless, allowing you to create engaging content that resonates with your audience.

3 perfect examples of well-crafted web portfolios

But enough theory – it's time to move on to examples of well-crafted portfolios. All the samples mentioned below are created in the Webflow visual editor.

Pudding Studio - The studio immediately presents its greatest achievement and draws you into its storyline. You have the opportunity to look into their processes, design skills, and creative mindset. The graphic design is original and leaves a long-lasting impression.

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thirteen23 - Experience Design Agency - This graphic design team relies on a more subtle and organized layout. You can easily find out what they do, who they are and who they've worked for. In their blog, they share industry insights and updates about their work and development.

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Pepperclip Studio — Studio créatif à Paris - This presentation is minimalistic, but really creative and unique. Their graphics and text have wit and draw you into the portfolio. There's not too little nor too much on the site – just enough.

What’s the takeaway?

Creating a well-crafted graphic design portfolio is an essential step towards showcasing your skills and attracting potential clients or employers. It serves as a powerful tool for making a lasting impression and establishing credibility in the design industry.

When building your portfolio, consider utilizing the Webflow website editor as an excellent choice. With its user-friendly interface and extensive design functions, Webflow empowers designers to create visually stunning and interactive portfolios that captivate audiences.

Remember to choose your best work, present it in a compelling manner, and continually update and refine your portfolio to reflect your growth and expertise. Embrace the opportunity to showcase your creativity, skills, and unique design perspective in a professional and impressive way.