When I started as a graphic designer back in 2008 I had some very basic knowledge of Photoshop and Corel Draw and my portfolio was a zip.- archive with a few examples of my work. I think a handful of logos, some digital illustrations, and GIF animations were inside there. I have grown up as a designer a lot since then. Many times I adjusted my preferences within the design industry and the industry itself changed a lot. But still, there is no right or wrong when creating your design portfolio but the way you present your work matters.

I know, there is a lot of advice out there on how to present your work and it could be a certain time pressure: maybe you are finishing a UX Bootcamp right now, and looking very much forward to starting job hunting. Under these circumstances, it could be very possible that your design portfolio won’t be a masterpiece. And it’s okay. There are at least three important things to think about before jumping into doing:

What to showcase

Think about three finished projects or case studies that you are comfortable discussing. It's okay if some of your accomplished projects are still in a messy Figma file. The creative process is never linear, and a button design can go through several iterations. It is important to tell a short but clear story in your case study. Explain the challenge, who else was involved, and what you have learned from the process. To find inspiration, take a look at this project of mine.

Where to showcase

Now you need to decide if you want to create a custom website with or without coding. Alternatively there are creative networks like Behance, Adobe, Webflow, Dribble, or Notion. I myself didn’t want to depend on rapidly changing conditions and decided to get into WordPress. To make my designer life easier and a bit more visually appealing I got me a version of Semplice and I am still very happy about my decision. 

How can I make my creative process more effective?

Very often, your creative work can become your daily routine. This can be isolating, frustrating, and even intimidating, as you may unknowingly byppassing the imposter syndrome. If you're feeling stuck at any stage of your process, it might be a good time to look for some external opinion. Reach out to me at ADPList or Meander, or find other mentors who generously share their time and resources. Remember, a feedback or a fresh perspective can revive a project that seems almost dead but still has potential.