Chapter 10. Create a Design Portfolio that Gets Results
Shanae Chapman
A design portfolio is one of the most important tools for job seekers. How you display your portfolio and choose the content to include can determine whether or not you hear back about your dream job. Follow this formula for building a portfolio that lands you interviews. Anyone from entry-level designers to senior-level designers and beyond can use this strategy to showcase their work.
Select a digital platform for your portfolio that is easy for you to use: Consider selecting a no-code or low-code template as a starting point. You can also customize the template using the platform’s editing features and make it represent your aesthetic as a designer. You can adjust the placement and dimensions of elements, fonts, icons, backgrounds, and more. My favorite framework for design portfolios is the WordPress Divi theme. Also consider Squarespace and Webflow, both of which have some portfolio templates available.
Tell your story: What drew you to design? Be creative in sharing your passion, personality, and career trajectory with personal photos, awards, favorite quotes, and efforts at community involvement that show who you are as a designer. Include any metrics you have regarding your design career, such as the number of user interviews you’ve conducted or the number of clients you’ve supported. Take the time ...
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