Dos and Don'ts for Your First Portfolio

Show your creative work the right way. Here are some tips to create a perfect portfolio

In all creative fields, especially those with a visual component, a portfolio becomes the main cover letter for potential clients or employers. Designing yours correctly is, therefore, essential.

The content of your portfolio will largely depend on your area of expertise, your level of experience, and the quantity and quality of the projects you want to include. These are decisions that you need to make yourself (helpful tip: quality beats quantity). The choice of where to publish it is also in your hands. You can use a creative platform, such as Domestika, or your own website. Regardless of how many projects you choose to include, there are a series of tips that you should consider when showing your projects and skills. Here, we will give you some advice on what to do and what not to do when you design your portfolio:

What you should do:

- Images are important. Use images as a way of showing what you can do and, if possible, show some sections in greater detail. Make sure they are good quality images so that your work looks better and can be appreciated in all its splendor. Also, take into account the resolution. With today's retina displays, higher-quality images are required if you want them to look sharp.

- Show the process. A creative project does not stand out solely for the final result; the process to reach that result, in most cases, is as, or even more interesting than the outcome. Don't be afraid to show the sketches and ideas that led you to the final version.

- Explain the project. You don't need to write a very long text, but it is advisable to explain the context of the project, why you decided to solve it that way and any other element that enriches and better shows the work you have done. This will help the reader to better understand the reasons behind your decisions throughout the creative process.

- About and profile picture. It never hurts to add some area in your profile or a section of your website to talk about yourself and your context, mentioning relevant information about your training, your experience, and your interests. In addition, it is highly recommended to include an image of yourself.

What you shouldn't do:

- Show it all. If you are starting, you may be tempted to show all your work, but it is better to select your best pieces. Think of your portfolio as an art gallery you are the curator of. If you are not proud of the project, better not to include it.

- Forget about the context. Do not show your projects assuming that there's a designer or an illustrator on the other side of the screen. Use mockups and other elements to make your work more accessible and help the viewer understand the context.

- Uninspiring covers and thumbnails. Just as important as showing the best images of your projects is choosing a cover that is true to life. Remember that a good thumbnail will make the reader decide if it's worth clicking to know more about that work.

- Play with ambiguity about authorship. If you have worked as part of a team on a large project, make clear what your role was and attribute the respective authorship to your colleagues whenever you can.

As a final recommendation, once you have developed your portfolio, you should share it through social networks, as they are now the perfect showcase for any creative professional. And remember that at Domestika, in addition to learning from the best professionals, you can create your portfolio and be inspired by the work of creatives from all over the world.

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You may be interested in:

- 4 Tips on How to Choose the Perfect Profile Picture for Your Portfolio.
- Illustration Tutorial: How to Launch Your Instagram Profile.
- 10 Skills to Boost Your Visual Portfolio.
- What makes a good (and bad) portfolio?
- Some courses to expand your creative skills.