18th November 2011

Finding Inspiration: Creating a portfolio site

If you’re a photographer, videographer, graphic designer, writer or creative brain - then you should have a portfolio site. A portfolio site really serves two purposes: the first is to expose people to the best of the best of your work. The second is to give potential clients or employers an idea of your strengths, your point of view and your most recent work. In this economy, I can genuinely say that my portfolio site has helped me to reach a lot of new clients and reconnect with previous clients again. The one thing they always say: “I’m surprised by how often you update your work.”

Here’s some key tips for creating a portfolio site that will get you a job, clients and even clarity about your own work.

1. De-clutter your work. A lot of people’s first instincts is to get as much content as possible on their site. That’s the exact opposite of what you should be doing. Identify your best, most recent and most impactful work and feel confident that when you sit down with someone, you’ll have a chance to go over more of your work. Your portfolio site should really just give the visitors some quick, high-level impressions of you.

2. Put your name on it. This is so painfully obvious, but it needs to be said. Your name should be prominently displayed in some capacity when visitors first arrive at the site. On my portfolio site (top), my name is repeated in all its forms in many fonts and colors. It’s integral to the design AND serves a purpose. On my friend Jacey’s site, her name serves as a logo.

3. Make it easy to connect. If the point of your portfolio site is to attract clients and potential employers, then you best make it easy to get in touch with you. Email, Twitter, LinkedIn - give your visitors options and make it obvious.

Need inspiration for something? Send us your biggest inspiration pitfalls to [email protected] and we’ll try to help.