How to put together a great creative portfolio

It is never too early to create an online presence to market yourself.  Whatever channel you choose, make sure your online portfolio displays your creative work in the best way possible.

Start with a bang – put your strongest work first, not necessarily your latest – and then keep it up to date!

Here are 8 Tips to Making a Great Portfolio

1. Approach your portfolio as if you’re doing it for a client – be clear about your style, be consistent and take high quality photographs of printed work.
2. Show your most unique and creative work and demonstrate variety and quality, not just your personal favourites. As for quantities - 10 is too few  – 20 too many.
3. Make it easy to navigate. Check load times for images and make sure everything is functioning properly on every commonly used browser – and on mobile.
4. Captions are important – write a short easy-to-follow description of each piece, including who it was for, main goal, challenges and successes (when appropriate). If it was a group project, explain your role.
5. Google and observe the platforms used by artists/designers you admire - and follow suit.
6. If you’re not sure what platform to use for your portfolio, try wix.com as it is a great starting platform for design and blogs etc.
7. Instagram is another way to showcase your work and your interest and involvement in exhibitions, events, conferences, shows. Just make sure you set up a professional account.
8. Use resources like Graphicburger to improve your online look and presentation of pdf files, magazine pages or posters for print projects

Don't forget to show your versatility

According to Jessica Pearless, art services agency owner and artist,  if you are a student or a new graduate it is really important to show your breadth of skills and creativity. How to do this?

If you want a single online portfolio or website, then set up tabs/pages for the various skill sets you offer, for example ART/CREATIVE WORK/DESIGN WORK.

Otherwise set up different portfolio platforms to show each skill area. It's fine to have a cross over of work on different platforms, but caption appropriately.

When applying for a specific job or contract make sure you -

• Include pieces that reflect the particular medium you are highlighting
• Include pieces that reflect the industry of the job advertised if you can
• Showcase work that is relevant to what you’re applying for
• Do ask for permission to use it if it’s owned by another company

Good luck, have fun, and show your creativity!

Compiled by Angela McCarthy drawing on the experience and knowledge of Paragon Matter art services/ artist Jessica Peerless, and AUT employability managers.