How to create a good design portfolio?

First of all, we should know what is portfolio.  

A portfolio is a collection of your work, skills, education, and qualification, whether it is written or visual. It shows that you are creative, innovative, and unique. It is a collection of your work that shows the abilities that you have. This is a place where we place our past experiences and whatever we want to show others in the future. Portfolios are displaying your work that represents your skills and achievements as well as your strength and weakness. Many are facing problems that how to create a good design portfolio for their interviews. Here, will show some points about designing a portfolio and what things to include. You can see some glimpses of my portfolio on Saloni Designs.

Importance of portfolio

It can cheer up students, freelancers, and professionals to grab opportunities in their fieldwork. When you make the portfolio, remember to keep it simple. During the search for work or a job, it displays your abilities to potential employers and your client. Having a portfolio that shows you are really good. And how impressed they are with you.

Why do you need a portfolio?

• It helps you to get organized. A portfolio serves you to arrange and store your documents such as your resume, certificates, training, awards and work samples, and professional references. Shows and keeps track of your achievements. Keeping all your important documents in one place, helps you to search for or get a job opportunity.

• Helps you with interviews. An analysis of your past work (your projects, reports, and work samples) will likely prepare you for interview questions. It will help you to give responses easily in the interview.

• Shows up your skills and abilities.  Here you can express your skills, abilities, and experiences. You can add your best work or samples, certificates, and achievements. Through this, easily you can grab any opportunity.

• Showcase of continued progression of your professional skills, and development.  Reviewing your portfolio with your supervisor during performance reviews will make your case for career advancement. If you are much potential then you can get a promotion. It helps you to assess where you are in your career.

What things do you need to include in a portfolio and How to create a good design portfolio?

• Your personal information.  Your portfolio with personal information will make it easier for the interviewer to get in touch. Include your full name, mobile number, email address, your LinkedIn profile, and other social media like Instagram, Twitter, and other accounts (if have one). For instance, if you are a graphic designer, then you should include your freelance business link on the website or an Instagram account you made for your projects. You can write about yourself who you are and mainly what work you like to do.
• Education- qualifications.   After sharing personal information, you should share short summary of your career. Your education (school, college), and any other course you can mention, including certificates, or your continuing education or professional development.
• List of skills and achievements.   It should include your skills and achievements too. It can boost your level in front of the reader. Add up to three to five skills according to the job requirement you are applying for.
• Work samples.   These are the shining jewel of your portfolio. This is the opportunity to show off the best work you have done throughout the course and to show your abilities and unique, creative work. Make sure to include only quality work for your portfolio. Don’t add everything just to make it seem that you’ve done so much work. What’s key point is the quality of your projects, not quantity.
• A reference list.   It can be optional. Cover a list of professional references, who can tell your all skills and achievements that are written in your portfolio. These can be your clients, former managers, and colleagues.
• Hobbies

Some more useful information.

An online portfolio allows you to share your work with a vast audience. So, go digital as you can. There are numerous choices for making portfolios online. You can create your own website and social media. Make copies of a portfolio to share. You should make copies of all your important documents from your portfolio like your resume and work samples. Also, make numerous physical copies of a portfolio. Update your portfolio occasionally. Try to upgrade your portfolio once a month or a year. As well as it is a valuable method for checking on your progress and search for areas of improvement. Use it as a tool to get ready for the interview. Above, you saw some points about how to create a good design portfolio.

You can get free templates for portfolios from Canva. And visit Behance to have a look at my portfolio.