I'm a recent graphic design graduate preparing to apply for my first full-time positions, and I'm struggling to curate and present my work in an online portfolio. I have a wide range of student projects but I'm unsure how to select which pieces to feature, how to write compelling case studies, and what platform would be best for a clean, professional presentation. For designers who have successfully landed jobs, what are your top artist portfolio tips regarding the number of projects to include, the depth of process explanation, and tailoring your portfolio for specific roles or industries?
Great move. Aim for 6–8 projects total. Feature 2 hero pieces with deep case studies (problem, process, impact) and 4–6 shorter entries. Keep visuals crisp and consistent, and tailor the hero projects to the roles you’re targeting.
Case study template: start with a brief brief, then list constraints and goals, describe your approach (research, concepts, iterations), show final deliverables, and finish with outcomes (metrics, stakeholder feedback). Include 2–3 process visuals per hero project (sketches, wireframes, mood boards) to make the narrative tangible. Use a uniform layout so scanning is easy.
Platform mix: host on a clean personal site (Squarespace/Webflow) for control, plus Behance for exposure and Dribbble for discovery. Keep 4–6 strong thumbnails on the homepage, with deeper pages for each project. Prepare a short PDF portfolio version for recruiters, too.
Tailoring is key. Maintain a master portfolio but create 2 tailored variants (or a dynamic toggle) that foreground different hero projects depending on the job. Edit intros to mirror the listing’s keywords and emphasize the skills they care about. A quick verbal 'pitch' of your process helps in interviews too.
Watch out for these: too many projects, vague context, missing outcomes, or no visuals of process. Keep text concise and readable; show impact with numbers when possible. If you share your target roles and industry, I can sketch a 4–project outline and a ready-to-use case-study template you can customize.