Psychology and objective of a design portfolio

Understanding a Design Portfolio

A design portfolio is a collection of designer’s work showcasing their skills, creativity, experience, and range of work as a designer.

To create an engaging and professional design portfolio remember, a well-crafted portfolio usually includes project description, designer’s role, the challenges faced, and how the solution is applied. Each designer has their own approach to structure portfolio. The basic way is to first know the context of the project, understanding the problem, addressing the challenge effectively, and the outcome.

It is better to write down the narrative of the project before diving into the design process. A well-crafted story can engage the client more effectively than unaided visuals. It is an essential skill in any design tool. It will help the design process become more effective and efficient and the final product will reflect the client’s vision and needs more accurately. You must be selective when choosing which project to include in your portfolio. You are a designer, it’s your portfolio, so use your expertise while designing it. It should reflect your personality.

Choose quality over quantity. It serves as a resume to potential clients, demonstrating the designer’s capabilities, proficiency, and style to attract opportunities. It's either presented online via digital platform or as physical portfolios which are usually useful in in-person interviews.

There is a variety of work depending on the designer’s field, such as Graphic design, UI/UX design, Product design, Interior design, Fashion design.

Tools for Building Design Portfolio

1. Portfolio website- It is a central hub where all the work or presentation can be displayed professionally. Since it can be accessed anytime, your client can view it anywhere around the world. It facilitates easy networking through various means of communication. Also, you can update new work or projects on the site. It enhances visibility, reliability, and the ability to effectively market designer’s skills to a broader audience.

2. Website builder- A well-crafted website has aesthetically pleased and easy to navigate layouts, accessible in various devices, use of visually appealing template, color and fonts, and well optimized. Some popular website builders are- Adobe, Wix, Behance, and Squarespace etc.