graphic design case study portfolio

Limited Time Offer! Save up to 50% Off annual plans.* View Plans

Save up to 50% Now .* View Plans

How To Write A Case Study For Your Design Portfolio

Case studies are an important part of any designer’s portfolio. Read this article to learn everything you need to know to start writing the perfect case study.

When you’re putting together your online design portfolio , design case studies are a great way to showcase your experience and skills. They also give potential clients a window into how you work.

By showing off what you can do and your design process, case studies can help you land more clients and freelance design jobs —so it can be smart to dedicate an entire section of your online portfolio website to case studies.

Getting Started

So—what is a design case study and how do they fit in your portfolio.

Let’s get some definitions out of the way first, shall we? A design case study is an example of a successful project you’ve completed. The exact case study format can vary greatly depending on your style and preferences, but typically it should outline the problem or assignment, show off your solution, and explain your approach.

One of the best ways to do that is to use a case study design that’s similar to a magazine article or long-form web article with lots of images throughout. When building your case study portfolio, create a new page for each case study. Then create a listing of all your case studies with an image and link to each of them. Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of creating these case studies.

Choose Your Best Projects

To make your online portfolio the best it can be , it’s good to be picky when choosing projects for case studies. Since your portfolio will often act as your first impression with potential clients, you only want it to showcase your best work.

If you have a large collection of completed projects, you may have an urge to do a ton of case studies. There’s an argument to be made in favor of that, since it’s a way to show off your extensive experience. In addition, by including a wide variety of case studies, it’s more likely that potential clients will be able to find one that closely relates to their business or upcoming project.

But don’t let your desire to have many case studies on your portfolio lead you to include projects you’re not as proud of. Keep in mind that your potential clients are probably busy people, so you shouldn’t expect them to wade through a massive list of case studies. If you include too many, you can never be sure which ones potential clients will take a look at. As a result, they may miss out on seeing some of your best work.

There’s no hard-and-fast rule for how many case studies to include. It’ll depend on the amount of experience you have, and how many of your completed projects you consider to be among your best work.

Use Your Design Expertise

When creating the case study section of your portfolio, use your designer’s eye to make everything attractive and easily digestible. One important guideline is to choose a layout that will enable you to include copy and image captions throughout.

Don’t have your portfolio up and running yet and not sure which portfolio platform is best for you? Try one that offers a free trial and a variety of cool templates that you can play around with to best showcase your design case studies.

If you don’t provide context for every image you include, it can end up looking like just a (somewhat confusing) image gallery. Case studies are more than that—they should explain everything that went into what you see in the images.

Check Out Other Case Study Examples for Inspiration

Looking at case study examples from successful designers is a great way to get ideas for making your case study portfolio more effective. Pay special attention to the case study design elements, including the layout, the number of images, and amount of copy. This will give you a better idea of how the designer keeps visitors interested in the story behind their projects.

To see some great case study examples, check out these UX designer portfolios .

Try a Case Study Template

There are plenty of resources online that offer free case study templates . These templates can be helpful, as they include questions that’ll help you ensure you’ve included all the important information.

However, most of them are not tailored to designers. These general case study templates don’t have the formatting you’ll want (i.e. the ability to include lots of images). Even the ones that are aimed at designers aren’t as effective as creating your own design. That’s why case study templates are best used as a starting point to get you thinking, or as a checklist to ensure you’ve included everything.

How to Write Case Studies

Maintain your usual tone.

You should write your case studies in the same personal, authentic (yet still professional!) tone of voice as you would when creating the About Me section of your portfolio . Don’t get bogged down in too much technical detail and jargon—that will make your case studies harder to read.

Since your case studies are part of your online portfolio, changing your usual tone can be jarring to the reader.

Instead, everything on your portfolio should have a consistent style. This will help you with creating brand identity . The result will be potential clients will be more connected to your writing and get the feeling that they’re learning what makes you unique.

Provide Some Context

Case studies are more effective when you include some information at the beginning to set the stage. This can include things like the date of the project, name of the client, and what the client does. Providing some context will make the case study more relatable to potential clients.

Also, by including the date of the project, you can highlight how your work has progressed over time. However, you don’t want to bog down this part of the case study with too much information. So it only really needs to be a sentence or two.

Explain the Client’s Expectations

Another important piece of information to include near the beginning of your case study is what the client wanted to accomplish with the project. Consider the guidelines the client provided, and what they would consider a successful outcome.

Did this project involve unique requirements? Did you tailor the design to suit the client’s brand or target audience? Did you have to balance some conflicting requirements?

Establishing the client’s expectations early on in the case study will help you later when you want to explain how you made the project a success.

Document Your Design Process

As you write your case study, you should take a look at your process from an outsider’s point of view. You already know why you made the decisions you did, so it may feel like you’re explaining the obvious. But by explaining your thought process, the case study will highlight all the consideration you put into the design project.

This can include everything from your initial plan to your inspiration, and the changes you made along the way. Basically, you should think about why you took the approach you did, and then explain it.

At this point, consider mentioning any tricks you use to make your design process more efficient . That can include how you managed your time, how you communicated with clients, and how you kept things on track.

Don’t Be Afraid to Mention Challenges

When writing a case study, it can be tempting to only explain the parts that went flawlessly. But you should consider mentioning any challenges that popped up along the way.

Was this project assigned with an extremely tight deadline? Did you have to ask the client to clarify their desired outcome? Were there revisions requested?

If you have any early drafts or drawings from the project saved, it can be a good idea to include them in the case study as well—even if they show that you initially had a very different design in mind than you ended up with. This can show your flexibility and willingness to go in new directions in order to achieve the best results.

Mentioning these challenges is another opportunity to highlight your value as a designer to potential clients. It will give you a chance to explain how you overcame those challenges and made the project a success.

Show How the Project’s Success Was Measured

Case studies are most engaging when they’re written like stories. If you followed the guidelines in this article, you started by explaining the assignment. Next, you described the process you went through when working on it. Now, conclude by going over how you know the project was a success.

This can include mentioning that all of the client’s guidelines were met, and explaining how the design ended up being used.

Check if you still have any emails or communications with the client about their satisfaction with the completed project. This can help put you in the right mindset for hyping up the results. You may even want to include a quote from the client praising your work.

Start Writing Your Case Studies ASAP

Since case studies involve explaining your process, it’s best to do them while the project is still fresh in your mind. That may sound like a pain; once you put a project to bed, you’re probably not looking forward to doing more work on it. But if you get started on your case study right away, it’s easier to remember everything that went into the design project, and why you made the choices you did.

If you’re just starting writing your case studies for projects you’ve completed in the past, don’t worry. It will just require a couple more steps, as you may need to refresh your memory a bit.

Start by taking a look at any emails or assignment documents that show what the client requested. Reviewing those guidelines will make it easier to know what to include in your case study about how you met all of the client’s expectations.

Another helpful resource is preliminary drafts, drawings, or notes you may have saved. Next, go through the completed project and remind yourself of all the work that went into achieving that final design.

Draw Potential Clients to See Your Case Studies

Having a great portfolio is the key to getting hired . By adding some case studies to your design portfolio, you’ll give potential clients insight into how you work, and the value you can offer them.

But it won’t do you any good if they don’t visit your portfolio in the first place! Luckily, there are many ways you can increase your chances. One way is to add a blog to your portfolio , as that will improve your site’s SEO and draw in visitors from search results. Another is to promote your design business using social media . If you’re looking to extend your reach further, consider investing in a Facebook ad campaign , as its likely easier and less expensive than you think.

Once clients lay eyes on all your well-written, beautifully designed case studies, the work will come roaring in!

Want to learn more about creating the perfect design portfolio? 5 Designers Reveal How to Get Clients With Your Portfolio 20 Design Portfolios You Need to See for Inspiration Study: How Does the Quality of Your Portfolio Site Influence Getting Hired?

A Guide to Improving Your Photography Skills

Elevate your photography with our free resource guide. Gain exclusive access to insider tips, tricks, and tools for perfecting your craft, building your online portfolio, and growing your business.

Get the best of Format Magazine delivered to your inbox.

Kickback Youths Photograph Canada Basketball Nationals: Spotlight on the Next Generation of Sports Photographers

Enter the Booooooom Illustration Awards: Supported by Format

The Art Auction for Old Growth: Artists Impacting Environmental Change

Winners Announced: Format Online Portfolio Giveaway in Partnership with BWP

How to Edit an Impactful Montage Reel for Your Portfolio That Highlights Your Skill

21 Essential Design Blogs to Spark Your Creativity in 2024

World Humanitarian Day and the Power of Visual Storytelling

Nigerian Artist Abraham O. Oghobase on Exploring Identity and Representation

*Offer must be redeemed by September 30th , 2024 at 11:59 p.m. PST. 50% discount off the subscription price of a new annual Pro Plus plan can be applied at checkout with code PROPLUSANNUAL, 38% discount off the price of a new annual Pro plan can be applied with code PROANNUAL, and 20% discount off the price of a new Basic annual plan can be applied with code BASICANNUAL. The discount applies to the first year only. Cannot be combined with any other promotion.

• mindful design
• student success
• product design
• ui/ux design
• watch me work
• design careers
• design inspiration

10 Exceptional Product Design Portfolios with Case Study Breakdowns

After working with many designers throughout my own career and helping many more build their job-ready portfolios, there are a few designers that I keep coming back to for inspiration and some that are inspiring a new generation of UI/UX and Product Designers to enter the field.

I've chosen 10 of our favorite UI/UX and Product Designers—a colorful tapestry of digital product architects that have evolved from graphic designers, marketers, architects, engineers and everything in-between. Their unique backgrounds and journey bring something special to our industry and illustrate how we can all do more meaningful, interesting and impactful work:

There are 10 things in particular that make these 10 designers really stand out:

• They have each honed their craft from the bottom up (whether having gone through a traditional academic program, an online course like DesignerUp , or being self-taught).
• They are all at different stages of their careers (some newly minted and others seasoned veterans).
• They continue to learn, grow, push the envelope, document and share their genuine experiences.
• They each hail from a different background (and sometimes non-design industry) that informs who they are and what they work on as a designer.
• Their evolution is apparent in their work.
• They are passionate about the problems they solve and find joy in connecting with the users they serve.
• They are transparent about their processes, thoughtful in their communication about it and not afraid to show what worked and what didn't.
• They have focused portfolios that reveal their unique point of view as a designer.
• They are a diverse group of designers from different cultural, gender and socio-economic backgrounds.
• They have so much to teach us all about design and how to use it to express authenticity and to understand and help others do the same.

Case Study Format:   http://simonpan.com/work/uber/

• The Challenge
• Early Insights
• Reframing the Problem
• The Redesign
• Design Strategy

“In a city as busy as San Francisco, over $1 million was wasted per week because of problematic pickups.”

Madeline Wukusick

Madeline is a graduate of our DesignerUp Product Design course. She was able to create an incredible portfolio working through our curriculum, blended with her background in graphic and data design that set her up for immediate success landing professional design roles.

Case Study Format:

• The Observed Problem
• The Research
• In the Insights
• The proposed How Might We Statements
• Lean Canvas and Product Strategy
• Business Requirements
• The Solutions and MVP Features
• Things that could be improved

"Thanks for helping me work through these iterations—it's been tremendously helpful! You have such a knack for fine-tuning and teasing out subtle themes that I hadn't noticed before. From these comments, I have a better sense of some of my growth areas to work on and ways in which to push myself. It also helped me realize that I am most interested in hybrid roles, or at least roles with a strong visual component. Really grateful to have discovered this course :-)" - Madeline

Not an Italian mobster; Johny Vino is an engineers' designer. I've been a long time admirer of his work every since his mind-blowing animations and micro-interactions arrested me mid Dribbble scroll many years ago. He is a thoughtful, meticulous designer that understands how to align user and business goals all while transmuting conventional interaction patterns into something that is altogether transcendent yet familiar.

Case Study Format: https://johnyvino.com/

Process, Goal and Task Oriented that varies with each project

• What he worked on
• What he aim to accomplish
• Business Goals
• Representation of complex data
• Integration

Humans are not perfect. I like to apply 3 principles to ever product I design to help me focus on that. Fitt's Law, Mimicry, Aesthetic Usability Effect

Steph Parrott

Steph is a product designer based in Toronto. Currently working on Plantd and most recently at Square in San Francisco.

Case Study Format: https://www.stephparrott.com/plantd/

• Roles and Process
• App Overview
• Feature proposal
• Design to Development
• Looking to the future and what's next

"As someone who hasn’t eaten meat in almost 20 years, I’m highly motivated to put in the work to find plant-based options, but for those starting to dabble, how can we except them to do the same?" - Steph

Tom is the co-founder of the community and event series Design Club , and an investor & advisor to Bricklane . He currently works  own clients, helping invent, design, and launch new ventures. Before that he held design leadership roles at fashion and fintech startups, and was as a senior designer at a global agency. Case Study Format: http://tom.pe/gc-dashboard.html

• Summary of the problem space, challenges, project and contribution
• Goal and Problem
• Design Principles applied
• Proposed solution and representation of dashboard and data
• Design frameworks used
• Future considerations

"The problem here is that by trying to create something for everyone, we risked helping no one. Avoiding the design equivelant of an identity crisis became a big focus of mine. I'd do this by finding ways to inject a point of view into the product. By knowing what it wasn't, as well as what it was." - Tom Petty

Want to create an incredible portfolio like these full of amazing case studies to get you hired? Enroll in our Product Design Course today!

Garett MacGillivray

Much like myself and other designers of a particular generation, Aussie/Canadian Garett MacGillivray has been around the block and through the evolution of graphic designer, web design, UI/UX Designers and now landed squarely as a full stack Product Designer.

Case Study Format: https://aucadian.com.au/project/goloop

• Exploration and Ideation
• Component Library
• B2B product interface

I've had many labels throughout my career in the digital industry. It's safe to say that I enjoy crafting digital experiences.

Elise is a Bay Area designer that jumped to the bay from NYU. She comes from an advertising and marketing background and has fine tuned her communication skills and processes vast knowledge of the tech and digital product industry has a whole having been on the broadcasting and marketing side of things.

Case Study Format: http://www.elisefu.com/work-komeeda/

• Impact/Metrics
• User testing
• User research
• Information Architecture
• Implementation
• Major Findings
• Formal User Testing

I was driven to design because I felt excited and rewarding to learn about people’s goals and desires, help them solve problems and make their lives easier.

Latiesha Caston

Latisha is a User Experience Designer passionate about holistic, accessible, and inclusive design, based in Seattle.

Case Study Format: https://www.latieshacaston.com/veggie-grill-online-ordering-experience

• The Problem
• The High-level Goal
• The approach
• Pain Points
• Optimizing flow and improving architecture
• Interaction model breakdown
• Looking to the future

"Our high level goal was to design a holistic order-ahead experience that keeps the core of what we've built, while delivering on opportunities, addressing pain points, and setting the stage for the future." - Latisha

Karolis Kosas

Having recently joined the amazing design team at Stripe as a Product designer, Karolis's portfolio is clean and minimal and his case studies really understand the mental model of the user, getting into their heads and revealing the friction points they are feeling and how he can insert a solution that improves on the experience with compromising the soul of the designer.

Case Study Format: http://karoliskosas.com/cinemaclub/

• prototyping
• Built the product from zero

Visual communication is a self-sufficient organism capable of adapting and evolving based on the input of multiple sources.Acting in such context, the designer is an initiator, establishing methods and boundaries for the system to establish itself as an independent entity.

Rohit Singh

One of o ur very own graduates ! Rohit Singh is an up and coming product designer with a focus on helping early-stage startups and new businesses blossom.

Rohit outlines his process for creating an MVP for his digital product from scratch, which serves as a sort of physical and virtual library for the poorest class of India.

Case Study Format: https://work.khadush.in/booksite-an-online-physical-book-sharing-platform/

• Inspiration
• User Interviews
• Lean Canvas
• Visual Design
• Final Words

I specialize in helping early stage startups validate their riskiest assumptions using leading design methods

After analyzing all of these case studies and working with 100s of designers in our product design course to get them ready for the job application process, we've created our own tried-and-true templates to make it easy for designers to replicate the successful format and structure of these top portfolios using Notion .

Each of these amazing portfolios tells the story of the product designer, their evolution, their process and shows what they bring to the world. But it's not easy doing what they do or knowing exactly how to show and tell who you are as designer. Having a solid design education and getting feedback from the design community is the best way to ensure that your work is up to par and being presented in a way the shows your skills and your worth.

Have a look at our partners' advice over at Pathrise on building a strong UX design portfolio .

The best design resources, in your inbox

Tips, tricks, articles and freebies. It's all happening in the DesignerUp Newsletter. View the archives →

We'll only send the occasional email and promise not to spam.

© Copyright 2022 DesignerUp. All Rights Reserved.

• Case Studies
• Free Coaching Session

Creating a Standout Graphic Design Portfolio: Tips and Strategies

Last Updated:  

September 16, 2024

Every graphic designer knows that a well-built portfolio is key. It's usually the first impression a client will get from your work, and it seriously sets the tone for whether you get the project or not. A well-curated portfolio may be the thing that tips the balance in your favour between landing that dream job and getting passed over for someone else. But what do you do if you don't have a ton of professional experience to highlight? Don't worry. But no need to freak out; there are other ways through which you can make it pop. You can add personal projects, freelance projects, or even some hypothetical designs in your portfolio to showcase your skills and creativity. With the right techniques, even a little portfolio can become a showstopper to the clients. If you need a professional to guide you through all this, consult graphic design agency

Key Takeaways on Creating a Graphic Design Portfolio that Stands Out

• Showcase only your best work: Focus on quality over quantity by selecting your most impressive and relevant projects to highlight your skills and style effectively.
• Highlight achievements and problem-solving: Emphasise how you solved design challenges and achieve specific goals, providing context that showcases your strategic thinking.
• Develop detailed case studies: Create in-depth case studies for key projects, explaining your design process, decisions, and the outcomes to give prospective clients valuable insights into your approach.
• Use real data to prove impact: Include metrics and outcomes, such as increased engagement or sales, to quantify your success and reinforce your credibility.
• Design an intuitive and clean portfolio layout: Ensure easy navigation with a user-friendly layout that categorises projects clearly, allowing clients to find relevant work quickly.
• Optimise for all devices: Make your portfolio responsive, ensuring it looks great and functions smoothly across all screen sizes and browsers.
• Include client testimonials and awards: Feature client feedback and recognitions prominently to build trust and demonstrate your reliability, creativity, and industry expertise.

Showcase Your Best Work:

Select only the best work that you want to feature in your portfolio; ensure that it is relevant to your business. Showcase only the best work, no matter how few the projects are. Make sure it's varied to show your flexibility with different work, but don't overdo it because that might be too much for any viewer to handle. Stick with work that speaks to your target audience or the kind of design work you'd like to do. Consider the impact and relevance of each piece. Your portfolio should tell one story about who you are, what you can do, and what your style is. Every project that you choose to include should represent only your best work and reveal your strengths.

Highlight Achievements:

In each project, though the final product is important, try focusing more on what kind of problems you have been faced with and how you solved them. If possible, provide before and after images to show what effect the transformation has caused. Comment on specific goals that you accomplished or metrics improved, like increasing user engagement or pleasing your client. That would help potential clients or employers gauge the dimensions of your expertise and problem-solving skills. Providing context for your work adds depth and showcases your strategic thinking.

Develop a Strong Case Study:

Develop deep case studies for a few projects. Describe the scope of the project, your design process, and the outcome. Include your sketches, wireframes, and iterations to demonstrate how your ideas developed. Describe your design decisions and how they helped to solve your client's problem or achieve their objectives. This transparency shows how one can solve complex design problems and provides valuable insight into one's thoughts and creativity. Visuals will help in presenting the case studies in an attractive yet informative manner.

Use Real Data:

Where possible, include real-world outcomes such as increased user engagement, sales, or conversion rate lifts that are the result of your design. Apart from real added value, quantifying your impact with concrete data lends credibility to your case studies. Including client testimonials or feedback about these results is further evidence to support your contributions. Presenting data not only proves how effective you are but also helps prospective clients understand your value in their freelance projects .

Design an Intuitive Portfolio Layout: 

Categorise your portfolio and use intuitive navigation. Filters, tabs, or similar functionality will enable viewers to show works or projects depending on particular features. Group similar projects together and think of implementing a search function in larger portfolios. Make your layout clean and clear, where the focus would be drawn to your designs. Avoid excessive scrolling or complicated menus.

Optimise for All Devices:

Your portfolio should be responsive and look great on all screen sizes. Your website needs to be tested for loading speed and smooth functionality on different devices and browsers. For this, use scalable images and flexible layouts that adjust to the resolution of the device. An easily navigated design says a lot about your design acumen. A portfolio working fine on mobile phones and tabs is proof that you understand the role of responsive design in modern times.

Gathering Client Testimonials:

Showcase the testimonials of your clients or collaborators to help you establish a trusting relationship. Reach out to past clients and ask for their feedback about working with you and your professionalism. Showcase these prominently in your portfolio, if possible, next to the project it relates to. Positive feedback is social proof of your good skills and reliability. Highlight endorsements that speak highly of your strong points, like creativity, timeliness, or problem-solving skills.

Highlight Awards and Recognitions:

If you happen to win some awards or special mentions, highlight them in your portfolio. Attach certificates, badges, or screenshots of online recognitions. That would not only give prestige but also serve to validate expertise and commitment to excellence in design. Being awarded or recognised means a lot to a portfolio's credibility, showing your ranking in the design community.

People Also Like to Read...

How to Find Remote Graphic Design Jobs

How to Start a Graphic Design Business and Get Clients

© 2016 - 2024 Robin Waite. All rights reserved.

Find the images you need to make standout work. If it’s in your head, it’s on our site.

• Images home
• Curated collections
• AI image generator
• Offset images
• Backgrounds/Textures
• Business/Finance
• Sports/Recreation
• Animals/Wildlife
• Beauty/Fashion
• Celebrities
• Food and Drink
• Illustrations/Clip-Art
• Miscellaneous
• Parks/Outdoor
• Buildings/Landmarks
• Healthcare/Medical
• Signs/Symbols
• Transportation
• All categories
• Editorial video
• Shutterstock Select
• Shutterstock Elements
• Health Care
• PremiumBeat
• Templates Home
• Instagram all
• Highlight covers
• Facebook all
• Carousel ads
• Cover photos
• Event covers
• Youtube all
• Channel Art
• Etsy big banner
• Etsy mini banner
• Etsy shop icon
• Pinterest all
• Pinterest pins
• Twitter all
• Twitter Banner
• Infographics
• Zoom backgrounds
• Announcements
• Certificates
• Gift Certificates
• Real Estate Flyer
• Travel Brochures
• Anniversary
• Baby Shower
• Mother’s Day
• Thanksgiving
• All Invitations
• Party invitations
• Wedding invitations
• Book Covers
• Editorial home
• Entertainment
• About Creative Flow
• Create editor
• Content calendar
• Photo editor
• Background remover
• Collage maker
• Resize image
• Color palettes
• Color palette generator
• Image converter
• Contributors
• PremiumBeat blog
• Invitations
• Design Inspiration
• Design Resources
• Design Elements & Principles
• Contributor Support
• Marketing Assets
• Cards and Invitations
• Social Media Designs
• Print Projects
• Organizational Tools
• Case Studies
• Platform Solutions
• Generative AI
• Computer Vision
• Free Downloads
• Create Fund

An Expert’s Guide to Creating Graphic Design Case Studies

Case studies are a powerful tool in the creative industry. Being able to review your work, look at what you’ve accomplished, and learn from it is incredibly useful. But beyond being a tool to sharpen your skills, a case study is an invaluable marketing asset to have at your disposal. In an industry as competitive as design, a graphic design case study could become the driving force of your portfolio.

Since case studies are so powerful — going beyond simple testimonials and work screenshots — spending the time and effort to create an effective, well-done study pays for itself many times over. So how do you get the most out of your graphic design case study?

This quick guide will cover how to make an effective case study for your portfolio. Here are the key components:

• Targeting : Focus on a past client that represents your ideal future client.
• Perspective : Write in the client’s perspective so potential clients can easily relate.
• Narrative : Don’t be dry – tell a story about the client’s needs and your design process.
• Data : Show the success of your work through cold hard facts and numbers.

Read on for more case study insights from Wes McDowell of The Deep End Design .

Write for your ideal client

The first step in any case study is figuring out who to write about. Most likely, you have dozens — if not hundreds (if you’re doing your job right) — of happy clients to choose from. So how do you choose the best of the bunch?

The easiest and most effective way to figure out which client to focus on is by figuring out who you want to appeal to. Take a moment and try to visualize your ideal client. Maybe it’s someone in the music industry because of all those record-label internships you had in college. Or maybe you want to attract people in the healthcare industry. Whoever your ideal client is, and whatever the reasons, start there.

Once you’ve got your ideal client in mind, think about similar clients you’ve already helped. Maybe you designed a website for a new band last week. Or maybe you created a logo for your favorite doctor’s group practice. Starting with related case studies helps you to attract more of the same.

Write about the client, not about yourself

Writing a case study from the perspective of the client is another effective method. Writing about the specific issues that made them come to you in the first place is a great place to start.

If a potential new client can read the study and easily put themselves in the shoes of someone you’ve already helped, then congratulations — you’re on your way to a study done right. Prospects who can read it and think, “That’s my problem too!” will immediately feel that you can really help them. And that leads to more inquiries and even more clients.

Tell a story

Everyone loves to hear a good story, whether it’s what your friend saw her neighbor doing on her lawn, or how that crazy SUV driver cut off your brother in traffic today. Case studies might sound boring, but a well-crafted one isn’t.

Take your potential client on a journey from start to finish. Begin with who the original client was, what they do, and why they contacted you. Take the reader through your process: how you identified ways to help, how you met with the client, and what changes you implemented. Then reveal what the work looked like when it was done, how the client felt, and the end results.

Here’s a good example from the folks at Erskine Design. They draw you in from the first line, explaining why they were contacted, and walking you through the process from start to finish. There are also plenty of visuals to show you what work was being done and how.

Share the results

Last, and most certainly not least, be sure to use real, hard data. Some clients will scan your case studies just for that data. Maybe they aren’t interested in the journey, or how your old client is now your best friend who brings you apple pie on Sundays. That doesn’t make the story less important, but prospects need also to be assured that if they hire you, you’ll get results.

By all means, give them what they’re looking for. Show how your client’s traffic jumped from 100 people a day to 300. Show how sales increased by 20% because they hired you. Use real, hard, and authentic data.

This is incredibly important for those of us who handle a lot of SEO, SEM, or writing work. SEO MOZ has a very well-done case study that drives the point home. Here, they show us all the before-mentioned tactics — plus plenty of data, showing off exactly what they were able to accomplish and how.

Final thoughts

While the thought of writing a full case study may sound daunting (and a bit like homework), it doesn’t have to be. Prospective clients don’t want to read inside jargon any more than you want to write it, so feel free to write the way you would speak. Just tell a good story about how you took a client with a problem and effectively solved that problem for them, along with why you made some of the choices you did. It’s really just that simple.

Wes McDowell is the lead designer, blogger, and podcast host at The Deep End Design in Los Angeles.

Top image by Dmitriy Domino

All other images by  Darko 1981

Recently viewed

Related Posts

Website Design Ideas, Examples, and Inspiration

A good website design merges usability with aesthetic style. We’ll…

How to Make a Coloring Book for Self-Publish or Just for Fun!

Coloring books aren’t just for children anymore! You can design…

Inspiring Graphic Design Portfolio Examples

Learn how to create a graphic design portfolio with style and impact in this complete guide to portfolio design.

How to Design a Book Cover: The 5 Elements of Best-Seller Cover Design

What makes a book a best-seller? A compelling story, fantastic characters, or the quality of the writing perhaps? It’s more visual than you might think.

© 2023 Shutterstock Inc. All rights reserved.

• Terms of use
• License agreement
• Privacy policy
• Social media guidelines

How to write engaging case studies for your portfolio

We examine 5 portfolios with powerful case studies.

Project case studies are one of the most important yet overlooked parts of building a design portfolio . In our efforts to design the perfect portfolio and showcase our visual work, we often rush the copy or omit it entirely, leaving only a shallow overview of who we are and what we can do. But dumping a bunch of photos on your project pages without any context sells your work short.

Case studies are so crucial to the success of a designer's website that we built Semplice , a portfolio system for designers, entirely around them. (If you're after design portfolio and case study inspiration, check out the Semplice Showcase .) 

Your portfolio case studies are your opportunity to show prospective clients and employers how you think, how you work and what you can contribute to the world. Here are five examples of designers who do case studies well. 

01. Liz Wells

As a UX designer, Liz Wells has the unique task of making sitemaps, sketches, prototypes and user flows both visually engaging and concrete for her readers. She strikes the perfect balance in her portfolio case studies, highlighting work for brands like Google, Viceland and Spotify. 

Wells shares the project story from challenge to solution, taking care to explain her process along the way. Photos, videos – even early sketches torn from her notebooks – are thoughtfully photographed and laid out. All of it works together to not only showcase Wells' work, but also who she is and how she thinks.

On my blog, I publish a series in which I interview top companies about how to get a design job where they work. Almost every company has voiced that they want to understand how you think and see your process. 

Think about your project in phases and share your work – even the less glamorous notes and sketches, if they’re important to the story – from beginning to end, and you’ll find you have plenty to say. 

02. Melissa Deckhert

Melissa Deckert ’s case studies may be minimal but they pack a punch. Some, like her Food Quote GIFs case study for Tumblr, hook you in with a little secret that makes you look closer at the work.

“Tumblr asked me to animate a few food quotes for an internal project,” Deckert explains in the case study. “Naturally I found a way to weave Beyonce into two out of three.” Short and sweet, but the last line creates intrigue and make you want to see more.

Others case studies, like her In Every Moment We Are Alive book cover project, surprise you with a big reveal at the end. The case study works in reverse, leading with the finished product (the final book cover) and ending with a behind-the-scenes shot that makes you rethink what you saw before. 

Despite all our excuses, designers can write too . While it’s good to share your process, it also helps to remember the one person who is reading your website. They’re tired, they’re busy and they’ve probably reviewed dozens of portfolios today already. If your case study surprises them and brightens their day, it will be remembered. 

03. Naim Sheriff

Naim Sheriff breaks his case studies into sections, making the page easy to read and digest. He leads with a brief paragraph introducing the client and task at hand, then shares each project element in bite-sized pieces. 

Most importantly, he explains his visuals instead of just dumping them on the page. Sheriff’s case studies are rich in imagery but he doesn’t just show, he tells.

Just as with a newspaper or magazine article, it’s important to remember people are scanning your case studies. They may decide to read deeper if something catches their interest, or they may just skim and move on to the next project. 

Use your layout to guide them through the content and draw them deeper. Make your captions meaningful for scanners, and write easy-to-read paragraphs for the ones who stay.

04. Mackey Saturday

Mackey Saturday ’s case studies, like his whole portfolio, are clean and light. His identity designs for brands like Instagram , Oculus and Luxe stand on their own (as logos must do) but his case studies, complete with videos, polished photos and before and after GIFs, explain the nuances and decisions behind the finished product. Most notably, Saturday reveals his entire perspective on branding and design in his case studies.

“Redesigning a globally recognised logo is a polarising opportunity: Do you put your personal style on display, or stay true to what the brand’s users are familiar with?” he writes. “I believe the best designs channel a company’s culture, not the designer’s.”

Don’t be afraid to share your opinion and perspective in your case study. While you should avoid sharing opinions like, 'I really hated working with this client', you should, where relevant, express your beliefs about design and how you applied them to your work. 

Tell people what inspires you, what principles guide you, share your feelings about the final result. This adds personality and helps visitors understand who you are as a designer. Read more tips for writing case studies here.

05. Kali & Karina

Kali & Karina tee everything up for their case study readers with a strong introduction, including the project challenge, the project brief (in one sentence), as well as the partnering agency, their client and their role. They then follow through with their approach and the outcome.

On of the most common portfolio mistakes is forgetting to mention your role and give credit to your team. Giving credit doesn’t make your work on the project any less impressive. 

In fact, it shows you can work well and collaborate with a team. It also helps a potential employer or client understand where your main skills lie and how you’ll fit into their team or project.

• Inspiring redesigns of design agency portfolios
• 6 ways to power up your portfolio
• How to start a blog: 10 pro tips

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Get the Creative Bloq Newsletter

Daily design news, reviews, how-tos and more, as picked by the editors.

Related articles

• 2 AOC 27G2ZN3 review: a budget-friendly monitor for gaming and maybe a bit more
• 3 How to paint vibrant creatures in Photoshop
• 4 The history of fonts in branding: corporate typefaces through the ages
• 5 Ugee 16 review: a perfect beginner drawing display at a good price

A Space for Creative Growth

How to write case studies for your design portfolio

A good case study on your design portfolio is a great way to make it stand out. Here’s how to get it right

Illustration: Yali Ziv

• Jul 13, 2020

Putting a work process into words might cause some to break out in a light sweat, but just like the rest of a design portfolio , a case study is a chance to shine. The key to approaching such a task is by realizing that crafting the perfect case study isn’t that different from any other design work you do.

Here’s everything you need to know about writing good case studies, from how to structure them visually, to which details to include and more.

What is a design case study?

In a nutshell, the main aim of a case study is to tell the story of a specific project of yours. The text you write can put your design work into context and make it more fully understandable. Integrating images with text, a case study outlines the most important details of the process, from the brief you were given, to how you approached the task, to the final result. Incorporating case studies into your portfolio helps give potential clients or employers a look into how you work, what you’re good at and what your thought process is.

When making your online design portfolio, note that not every project requires a full case study. You can pick the projects you’re proudest of, giving you the chance to highlight your skills and explain what made the design so successful. Now that we’re on the same page, here’s our best advice:

Include the relevant details

To make sure you’ve covered all the relevant information, here’s a checklist of the main details to include. Note that these aren’t strict guidelines - it depends on how thorough you want to be and what you feel is important for your project.

1. Background info: If you were working with a client, include their name and what they do, plus the date and location in which the project took place. Also explain what your role was within the project (for example “Web Design,” “Branding” or “Art Direction”). If you worked in a team, credit the other people and list their roles. This is also the place to give a brief sentence on what the project actually is.

Example: See how designer Ariel Sun , introduces her rebranding project:

“The Human Project at NYU (THP) worked with the agency Ogilvy & Mather to redefine their brand and develop a new logomark. As THP's internal graphic designer, I applied that visual language to a variety of marketing & communications assets and fresh brand collateral.”

2. Goal: Briefly explain what the aim of the project was. You can base this on the design brief you worked with throughout the project.

Example: Design studio and Wix user, Run Wild , state the goal of their UX project:

“The challenge was to redesign a convoluted site into an action-oriented site that provides clear navigation and call to action.”

3. Design process: You can really decide how much you want to elaborate here. Keeping it short is also an option. Either way, the idea is to talk about the main stages you went through in the design process, which decisions you made and why, what your approach was, and any changes made throughout.

You can include some of the research you did and what your inspirations were. Don’t be afraid to mention any challenges you experienced or concepts that were later scrapped - as long as you keep a positive attitude and explain the reasoning behind the decisions, remember that it’s all part of the process.

4. Results: Here, present the final outcome and your main learnings. You can also write about how success was measured. For example, state whether all your client’s expectations were met (this can be in the form of client quotes if you like), or perhaps include stats you have about an increase in sales, or describe how part of your design was later used on a larger scale.

Example: In this case study about a redesign for a website, Ariel Sun explains the results:

“The result is an engaging and unexpected twist on a garden party that tells a clear story while still leaving room for the viewer’s imagination. After reviewing a set of submissions that included work from our very talented colleagues, Tattly picked this design and will elaborate it into a full-on marketing campaign.”

Make it skimmable

We all know that we live in a time of short attention spans . Even when it comes to prospective clients or employers, they want to get a feel for your design project fairly quickly. That’s why you should make your case studies accessible, inviting and easy to grasp at first glance , both in terms of the design and the text itself.

The layout of the page should serve the storytelling process, revealing information in digestible, bite-sized chunks. Combine images with text cohesively, somewhat like the structure of a magazine or book. See how designer and Wix user, Brittney Johnson , separates the parts of her case study into drop-down sections, enabling you to focus on one point at a time.

Split up your text into paragraphs and add headers that will enable visitors to navigate easily from section to section. Consider emphasizing certain words by making them bold, changing their size or opting for a different color. Additionally, caption each image with a brief description, so that even people that aren’t into reading lengthy text can comprehend the context. It will also help make your design more accessible , offering your visually impaired site visitors an alternative understanding of the image.

In terms of the writing style, keep it concise and to the point . Use short sentences that explain exactly what you want to say, without repeating themselves just for the sake of sounding sophisticated. This doesn’t mean you need to sound robotic - you should still keep it personal and remember that at the end of the day, your target audience is humans.

Write it like a (short) story

Just like in any other design project, a case study simply tells a story. And that’s exactly the way you should write it. It should have a structure, including a beginning, middle, and end, made up of all the relevant details (scroll up if you missed what those are). It’s not just random sentences placed one after the other, but rather, an outline of a process, generally written in chronological order.

Maintain your tone of voice

On a similar note, remember that your case study describes your project, so feel free to let your individual personality shine through in your writing. Keep the same tone as in the rest of your design portfolio’s copy , in order to form a clear personal brand and consistent browsing experience.

You don’t need to be overly formal or use complex jargon, as this could just end up intimidating people. On the flip side, including jokes might be taking it a little too far. Simply focus on getting the point across succinctly and in your own language. As a result, the likelihood is that you’ll give your site visitors a better idea of who you are and where your specialty lies.

The combination of text and images helps break it up into a story-like layout, resulting in a more immersive and engaging experience, which is why you should make sure not to only include visuals. Plus, text is great for your design portfolio’s SEO (search engine optimization), increasing your chance of ranking higher on search results.

Get more inspiration on how to tell a visual story through your portfolio with these 8 graphic designers’ websites .

MORE POSTS LIKE THIS:

Sep 10, 2024

Designer Spotlight with Hana Na

Sep 2, 2024

Illustrator Spotlight with Ben Riback

Aug 21, 2024

Hustle and bustle: how to successfully juggle projects

• Reading Club New

How to write project case studies for your portfolio

Writing case studies might be the most dreaded part of building a design portfolio. After all the work and time it takes curating projects, designing pages, saving out images, etc., who wants to actually sit down and EXPLAIN it all? But next to your About page, case studies are the most important pa

Aside from showing your experience and skill, case studies give your potential client or employer an idea of how you work and think. Case studies are basically the whole point of building a portfolio — which is why Semplice and Carbonmade, our portfolio tools, were built around just that. Especially with more complex work such as UX design, a case study is a must to explain your work. Of course, your case study approach depends on your personal style and goals, but I generally recommend these rules when creating your project pages.

1. Write down your case studies before you do almost anything else

I know this is not as fun as designing your website but like most things in life, it helps to get the hardest task out of the way first. Near the end of the project you will just want to press that launch button, so anything you write at that time will be rushed and lazy. Or even worse, you will hit a wall and procrastinate launching the whole thing.

Write about your projects as early as you can, even if you have to adjust the copy slightly later to fit your final page layout. I usually just put all my thoughts in Evernote or a Google Doc. Think of your project in phases and start with Phase 1, which is usually the ideation or exploration phase. Write down your thoughts, and then continue to Phase 2. Don't bother with images just yet, this is just for you to help you get it all down.

If inspiration strikes otherwise, so be it. But in most cases you will thank yourself later by doing this first.

2. Keep it brief & caption everything

People are usually scanning your projects to get a general idea of your skills and the way you work. Don't write a novel, just share a short paragraph or two that makes your project interesting and relatable to your reader.

I've read research that says one of the first things people read in a newspaper are the little captions underneath the images. Think of your case study the same way. If someone scrolls through your case study and only reads the little 1-2 sentence captions, they should still understand your project. Focus on the captions first, and then fill in any lengthier content.

3. Include the right details

It all depends on your personal style and you don’t need to literally copy/paste this format, but your case study should loosely follow this outline or provide this information:

Name of client, what they do & their location: Give your reader context and write a quick sentence about what this project or product is all about. This will show your experience and interest in specific types of clients or design work. Naming the location will also help if you want to make it clear you work with clients all over, as opposed to just your hometown.

Goal for the project: What did the client ask you to do?  What was the briefing? What was the main challenge and measure of success? Did you have a certain idea or expectation for the project when you began?

Your experience: Anything interesting to share about your process for this project? Did you take a unique angle or notice some surprising insight? Do you have some early sketches we can see? Why did you choose that approach? Ask yourself WHY WHY WHY a thousand times, and then answer those questions.

The outcome: Did you feel proud of the result? Did it exceed your expectations? Did it increase the client’s sales by 2000%? Don’t get too technical or share some crazy analytics report (and definitely do not make anything up), just include a brief sentence or two that shares how the project was successful. A case study should ideally be a success story. If it's not, tell us why the project is still valuable or meaningful (maybe the client didn't choose your favorite concept for example, but you still love the work you did) and what you learned from it.

Again, it doesn’t need to be some stiff, clinical report. Just set everything up for the reader so they can fully appreciate what went into the project and how you approach your work.

4. Give credit & explain your role

This is especially important if it was a team project. If I just see a list of names without their roles, I might be a little suspicious about what you actually did on this project. But whether or not this was a team project, it’s helpful for us to understand what role you played. This could be as simple as listing “art direction & design” beside the project summary. Forgetting this detail is crucial and can mean the difference between getting hired or not.

"We should finish reading with a sense of your personality and design process."

5. Write in your voice

You and your client might know what they mean, but acronyms and buzzwords only distance your reader. Don’t try to impress with lofty language, just share your work in your own voice and be as clear as possible. We should finish reading with a sense of your personality and design process.

Whatever you do, don’t just copy/paste words about your client’s product from their website. The shift in voice will be obvious and will only make you seem lazy.

6. Don’t image dump

I’ve seen countless portfolios that either don’t include a case study at all or just have one sentence with a bunch of photos below for the reader to sort out on their own. That doesn’t sell your work the way it deserves. (Plus no copy = bad SEO, if you care about that.)

Consider a layout that lets you include a sentence or two beside each image, so you can explain your process and give us insight into what we’re seeing. A bunch of photos on a page might look pretty, but as almost every company in our "How to Get a Job at X" series has voiced, it's not enough. Your potential employer or client needs context. We need to understand who you are, how you work and how you might contribute to our team/culture.

7. Think of each case study like a magazine feature

This goes for your content and layout. Using a similar page template for your case studies is fine, but you should at least adjust it to fit the project and look of the work.

Think of the way magazine articles are laid out. They’re designed to fully immerse you in the piece and create an experience. They include photos at specific places to illustrate a point or bring a scene to life. They use pull quotes to pique your interest or point out an especially memorable part of the story. They break up paragraphs with photos, but take care to not disrupt your reading experience.

This is why Semplice allows designers to create fully branded case studies — meaning you can design every piece of your page to fit the project’s look and feel, from the navigation down to the footer. Every project is different and your case studies should be too.

I could go on and on, but when it comes down to it, no one-size-fits-all solution works for case studies. It all depends on you, your project, style and the kind of work you do. As we say in this article about writing as a designer (good tips in there as well), just remember to write for that one person on the other side of the screen. It's one person hiring you for the job after all – and often that person is a recruiter or someone who's not necessarily a designer like you. Design your portfolio and write your case studies with your reader in mind, and you'll be one step closer to doing the work you want to do.

Read more portfolio tips here and be sure to check out the Semplice Showcase for design portfolio inspiration.

Featured article image by Liz Wells

The secret behind inspiration

Das Gesamtkunstwerk

mymind keeps getting better

Most Popular

© 2021 House of van Schneider LLC All rights reserved.

MORE ABOUT TVS About DESK Curated mixtapes DESK partnerships

BECOME A FRIEND Twitter Dribbble Instagram

We're sorry, our pandas couldn't find any articles

Why don't you take a look at popular topics like Design , Productivity or Self-Improvement ?

• UI Designers
• UX Designers
• Creative Directors
• Web Designers
• Mobile App Designers
• Visual Designers
• Product Designers
• Responsive Web Designers

All About Process: Dissecting Case Study Portfolios

A portfolio is more than a cache of images, it’s a way to demonstrate design skills and problem solving to clients. We show how to elevate portfolios by explaining the inner workings of a case study.

By Adnan Puzic

Adnan is a UI/UX expert with a bold aesthetic and a passion for designing digital products for startups and corporations.

PREVIOUSLY AT

Designers have portfolios. It’s a precondition of our profession. We all know we need one, so we get to work assembling images and writing project descriptions. Then, we put our work on the web for all to see, tiny shrines to individual talent and creativity.

It’s a familiar process, a rite of passage, but why do we need portfolios in the first place?

If we’re honest, we must admit that most of our portfolio design decisions are influenced by what other designers are doing. That’s not necessarily bad, but if we don’t understand why portfolios look the way they do, we’re merely imitating.

We may produce dazzling imagery, but we also risk a portfolio experience that’s like strolling through an art gallery. “Look at the pretty pictures…”

The number one audience that design portfolios must please? Non-designers.

These are the people who seek our services, the ones working for the businesses and organizations that invest in our problem solving abilities.

Non-designers need more than beauty from a design portfolio; they need clarity and assurance. They need to come away believing in a designer’s expertise, their design process, and ability to solve problems in an efficient manner.

Luckily, it’s not difficult to design a portfolio to meet those needs.

The Advantages of a Case Study

What is a case study?

A case study is a tool that a designer may use to explain his involvement in a design project, whether as a solo designer or part of a team. It is a detailed account, written in the designer’s own voice (first person), that examines the client’s problem, the designer’s role, the problem solving process, and the project’s outcome.

Who can use a case study?

The beauty of the case study framework is that it’s adaptable to multiple design disciplines. It organizes need-to-know information around common categories and questions that are applicable to all kinds of design projects—from UX research to visual identities .

At its core, a case study is a presentation format for communicating the journey from problem to solution. Details within the framework may change, but the momentum is always moving towards clarity and uncovering a project’s most important whats , whys , and hows .

How do case studies benefit designers?

Many clients don’t understand all that goes into the design process. And while they certainly don’t need to know everything , a case study provides a big-picture overview and sets up realistic expectations about what it takes to design an elegant solution.

A case study can also be a handy presentation aide that a designer may use when interviewing a potential client. The format allows a designer to talk about their work and demonstrate their expertise in a natural and logical progression. “Here’s what I did, how it helped, and how I might apply a similar approach with you.”

Are there any drawbacks to using case studies?

Don’t let a case study turn into a ca-a-a-a-a-se study. The whole project should be digestible within 1-2 minutes max. If necessary, provide links to more detailed documents so that interested visitors may explore further.

A lot of design work, especially digital, is created within multidisciplinary teams, so designers need to be clear about their role in a project. Blurring the lines of participation gives clients false expectations.

Many make the mistake of treating portfolios as repositories of all of their past projects, but three to five case studies documenting a designer’s most outstanding work is enough to satisfy the curiosity of most potential clients (who simply don’t have time to mine through everything a designer ever did).

Case studies are professional documents, not tell-all manuscripts, and there are some things that simply shouldn’t be included. Descriptions of difficult working relationships, revelations of company-specific information (i.e., intellectual property), and contentious explanations of rejected ideas ought to be left out.

Crafting a Customer-centric Case Study

It’s one thing to know what a case study is and why it’s valuable. It’s an entirely different and more important thing to know how to craft a customer-centric case study. There are essentials that every case study must include if clients are to make sense of what they’re seeing.

What are the core elements of a case study?

Introduce the client.

Present the design problem.

Recap your role.

Share the solution you designed.

Walk through the steps of your design process.

Describe the results.

Note any key learnings.

Wrap it all up with a short conclusion.

Happily, the core elements also outline a case study presentation format that’s simple, repeatable, and applicable to multiple disciplines. Let’s look closer:

• Who was the client?
• What industry are they in?
• What goods or services do they provide?
• Keep this section brief.
• What was the client’s problem?
• Why was it important that the problem be solved?
• Are there any additional background tidbits that might be helpful or interesting?

• What, specifically, were you hired to do?
• What were the constraints? Time. Budgetary. Technological. Etc.
• Before diving into your process, summarize the solution you designed.
• Make the summary short but powerful.
• Don’t give all the good parts away, and don’t be afraid to use language that makes your audience curious about the rest of the project.
• Go through the various steps of your discipline specific process.
• Again, summarize what you did, but don’t overload. Find a balance between informational and interesting.
• If you can, try to make each step introduce a question that only the following step can answer.

• Use this section to share a more robust description of the results of your design process.
• Be direct, avoid jargon, and don’t get too carried away with the amount of text you include.
• Don’t go overboard here, but if there are interesting things that you learned during the process, include them.
• If they won’t be helpful for the client, leave them out.
• Quickly summarize the project, and invite potential customers to contact you.
• It doesn’t hurt to provide a call to action and a contact link.

*Note: This isn’t the only case study format, just one that works. It’s helpful for people to encounter a predictable framework so they can focus on what they’re looking at as opposed to interpreting an inventive presentation structure.

The Value of Overlooked Details

Want to create a case study with a top notch user experience? Don’t underestimate the value of design details. Design projects are more than problem-meets-solution. They’re deeply human endeavors, and it makes a difference to clients when they see that a designer goes above and beyond in their work.

Share client feedback.

How did the client feel about your working relationship and the solution you provided? When you deliver top-notch work and nurture trust, get client feedback and include it in the case study as a testimonial.

If something you designed blew your client away, weave a testimonial into the case study (along with an image of what you made). This combo is proof positive to potential customers that you can deliver.

Explain positive metrics.

Not all design work has direct metrics that prove its success, but if your work does, and the results are impressive, include them. Just make sure that you don’t mislead (easy to do with statistics), and be careful that the metrics make sense to your audience.

Show unselected work.

Sometimes, amazing work from the design process doesn’t make it through to the finished product. These unused artifacts are helpful because they show an ability to explore a range of concepts.

Highlight unglamorous design features.

Not every aspect of design is glamorous. Like a pinky finger, small details may seem insignificant but they’re actually indispensable. Highlight these and recap why they matter.

Link to live projects.

It can be highly persuasive for a client to experience your work doing it’s thing out in the real world. Don’t hesitate to include links to live projects. Just make sure that your role in the project is clear, especially when you didn’t design everything you’re linking to.

Win Clients and Advance Careers with Case Study Portfolios

Designers need clients. We need their problems, their insights, their feedback, and their investments in the solutions we provide.

Since clients are so important, we ought to think about them often and strive to make entering into partnership with us as easy and painless as possible. Design portfolios are a first impression, an opportunity to put potential clients at ease and show that we understand their needs.

Case studies push our design portfolios past aesthetic allure to a level where our skills, communication abilities, and creativity instill trust and inspire confidence. Even better, they take clients out of a passive, browsing mindset to a place where “That looks cool,” becomes “That’s someone I’d like to work with.”

Further Reading on the Toptal Blog:

• UX Portfolio Tips and Best Practices
• Ditch MVPs, Adopt Minimum Viable Prototypes (MVPrs)
• Breaking Down the Design Thinking Process
• The Best UX Designer Portfolios: Inspiring Case Studies and Examples
• Influence with Design: A Guide to Color and Emotions

Understanding the basics

How do i create a design portfolio.

Nowadays, it’s best to create a design portfolio online. Options vary: Some designers use a service like Behance or a WYSIWYG website builder like Squarespace, while others build custom sites with CSS. It’s also important that online design portfolios be responsive for multiple screen sizes.

How do I create an online portfolio for free?

Websites like Behance and Dribbble (among others) are free options for designers to publish online portfolios. Some designers have opted to forgo traditional web portfolios and instead document their work on social platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Free sites also take care of design portfolio layout.

How do you organize a design portfolio?

A designer ought to organize his portfolio according to his strengths. This means highlighting his best and most relevant work. Remember that design portfolios should be made with potential clients in mind. Avoid overly technical project descriptions, images without context, and excessively long case studies.

What is the purpose of a case study?

Many design portfolios consist of short project summaries and process images, but case studies are a way for designers to show their problem-solving skills to clients in greater detail. This is achieved by defining the client’s problem and the designer’s role, along with an overview of the designer’s process.

What are the advantages of a case study?

Case studies combine descriptive text and images and allow designers to demonstrate the details of their design processes to potential clients. They are also a great way for designers to highlight problem solving and small, but powerful, design features that may otherwise be overlooked.

• VisualDesign
• DesignProcess

Adnan Puzic

Sarajevo, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Member since September 28, 2015

About the author

World-class articles, delivered weekly.

By entering your email, you are agreeing to our privacy policy .

Toptal Designers

• Adobe Creative Suite Experts
• Agile Designers
• AI Designers
• Art Direction Experts
• Augmented Reality Designers
• Axure Experts
• Brand Designers
• Dashboard Designers
• Digital Product Designers
• E-commerce Website Designers
• Information Architecture Experts
• Interactive Designers
• Mockup Designers
• Presentation Designers
• Prototype Designers
• SaaS Designers
• Sketch Experts
• Squarespace Designers
• User Flow Designers
• User Research Designers
• Virtual Reality Designers
• Wireframing Experts
• View More Freelance Designers

Join the Toptal ® community.

• Use cases Logos ic-brush icon Social Media Design Online ads ic-world icon Marketing assets ic-stack-order icon Branding Billboards Motion Graphics ic-effects-tab icon Digital Illustration Announcements Business cards
• AI Backgrounds
• Figma Plugin
• Background Removal
• Shape Builder
• Magic Eraser
• Auto Animate
• Animation Presets
• Design Mode + Animate Mode
• Business Marketing Teams ic-brush icon Creative Teams ic-effects-tab icon Startups ic-world icon Creative Agencies Education Tech Linearity for Business ic-brush icon Content Creation Asset Management ic-effects-tab icon Branded Templates ic-world icon Business Resources

How to make the most of your Linearity Workspace

What’s the best laptop for graphic design students?

11 creative ways to use Background Removal for your designs

• Motion Graphics
• Social Media Design
• Digital Illustration
• Marketing assets
• Announcements
• Marketing Teams
• Creative Teams
• Creative Agencies
• Linearity for Business
• Content Creation
• Asset Management
• Branded Templates
• Business Resources

Copyright © 2024 Linearity GmbH. All rights reserved

• Design resources

How to create a graphic design portfolio [+ pro examples]

• Inside Linearity
• Design Resources
• Animation trends
• Animation Resources
• Promotional design
• Creative Insights

Articles and Insights

Get inspired.

• 10 June 2024
• 18 min read

In this article

As a creator who has to prove their capability through evidence, a business card or sales pitch may not cut it. You need to show who you are and what you can do .

You can look to fellow designers' portfolios for fresh ideas and to see what's possible for your career. There are worlds upon worlds of design books , projects, styles, layouts, and niches to explore on the internet. We've listed a few of our favorites below.

Plus, we'll share some tips on creating your portfolio to help if you're just starting out or if you're a graphic design professional looking to launch your freelance career.

Jumpstart your creative ideas with Linearity Curve and Linearity Move

Choose a hosting platform

With the help of website-building software or professional web development, you can create something unique for your online design portfolio . A personal site is a great platform to showcase your creative skills.

Best website hosting platforms for designers

There are a few options when it comes to building your online portfolio. The most professional way to go is to get a custom domain and host your personal website on a hosting platform.

• Squarespace
• PortfolioBox

Graphic design portfolio platforms

There are many dedicated platforms for supporting artists and designers in getting their work out there, connecting with clients, and building community .

While the platforms listed below are somewhat customizable, this route is more limiting than building your own website.

• Carbonmade Talent Pool

The ideal approach is to showcase your work on one or multiple online creative communities listed above in combination with your own website to reach as many potential clients as possible.

What to include in your graphic design portfolio

Show a variety of your best work.

It's the chicken before the egg situation: you need a portfolio to get work, but to build a portfolio you need work to showcase.

It's a good idea to show some variety in your projects and skills. Choose the best from as diverse a range of projects if you can.

While you want to showcase a variety of work, don't put projects you're not proud of up simply for the sake of variety. Of course, you're not going to feel like every project is perfect and you'll have to have some lesser favorites up in the beginning but be sure to keep updating your site to make sure it's full of only your best work.

You could create an entirely imaginary brand just to use as an example. This is also good practice for improving your craft and experimenting.

Having the space to experiment will prepare you to deliver your best work when you're hired. You could even rebrand or create a mock project for an existing brand.

You can also participate in online design challenges to get the juices flowing.

Add your contact details and social media handles

Make sure your contact details are easy to find and that you include links to your relevant social media platforms.

LinkedIn, Instagram, and any other places you might share your work will be a good idea. Make sure that the links work and that you show your social spaces love by keeping them up to date.

Include your bio

Share a bit more about what you do and who you are. Potential clients or employers will be more drawn to you if they can feel a connection with who you are. Your bio or about page should include:

• A bit about your work and what motivates you
• A bit about who you are personally and what inspires you
• What makes your approach unique
• A profile picture

Keep it short and impactful.

Put some love into the wording

While a graphic design portfolio is visually driven, some clever copy here and there will guide the experience of your portfolio website and help bring the visuals to life.

Create case studies

Including case studies will provide social proof of your professional experience.

A case study needs to:

• Showcase a project you've completed in full
• Define the "problem" of the brief
• Share the thinking behind your solution
• Describe the design process that led to the end result

Whether it's for visual design, brand identity, 3D interaction, UX, environmental design, or any other kind of design, including comprehensive case studies about your projects will provide important information to your potential clients.

You'll notice that some designers get away with minimal case study information in their portfolios, but the more detail you can give regarding your design process and how you solve problems, the better.

Check out the case studies below for some guidance:

• The Making of Octicons

Share testimonials

Along with case studies, client testimonials are a very effective way to share your credibility and build trust. Ask clients if they wouldn't mind writing or recording a short testimonial and sharing it on your portfolio website.

Share your side hustle

Showcasing your personal art projects will only give anyone who's viewing your portfolio deeper insight into who you are—and hey, you might end up getting more work based on this.

Practical tips for your online portfolio

For an effective design portfolio website, there are a few fundamentals you need to get right. Below are some basic guidelines to make sure it stands out and communicates everything necessary to keep the gigs rolling in.

Make it user-friendly

Let's start with the basics here. You don't want your portfolio to be some kind of Avante Garde labyrinth of obscure artwork. You can create a separate site for that.

Choose a layout that showcases your work with ease and simplicity. When putting it together, you can employ basic UX best practices and put yourself in the perspective of the potential client visiting your profile.

Express your identity

This is an opportunity to express your originality as a designer . Clients are always looking for something unique to bring to their brand or project in this competitive space.

So, it will serve in your favor if you can show that you have something truly authentic or a signature style to contribute.

Ready to create brand assets that pack a punch?

Visit our Academy for free marketing design courses.

Consider your ideal client or job

It will be hugely beneficial for your career to get clear with yourself on the kind of work you'd love to create, the types of people and companies you'd like to work with, and the range of clients you'd like to have.

Be confident

The point of your portfolio is to show that you can deliver on a job. Show that you trust yourself through the wording you choose, and be confident in the pieces you choose to show.

Take the layout seriously

The layout is pretty much everything. If you have the skills, you can get creative with it, but you want to do your work justice by having it presented simply and cohesively .

A layout with a white background or muted colors works best. You can browse lots of layout options in the examples we provide below.

Don't forget the favicon

In case you don't know, the favicon is the little icon on the left-hand side of a browser tab. It's usually represented by the logo of the website.

When you don't customize this it will show up as a placeholder of whatever web builder you're using, like WordPress. This can look unfinished and unprofessional .

The favicon is another opportunity to get creative and showcase your skills as a designer with something that represents you. Remember to keep it simple as it's only about 16 x 16px in size .

Include your awards

If you're an award-winning graphic designer, shout about it (with humility). List the awards you've won on your site and provide details about the projects.

Include your resume

You might want to provide the option to download a PDF version of your resume. You could include it as a page on the website, too. You'll see some examples below.

Include a call to action

Make sure you're opening up a conversation with any potential clients browsing your site. Make a clear call to action to learn more, get in touch with you, or sign up to your mailing list.

Consider mobile viewing

When designing your online portfolio, keep in mind that most people might be browsing on a mobile device. Ensure your site design is responsive and the user flow works well on mobile.

Keep a blog

Including a blog on your portfolio site is an opportunity to share your thoughts, expertise, and personality. You can position yourself as a thought leader in your field through blog content and improve your discoverability online.

Design with Linearity Curve and animate with Linearity Move

Professional graphic design portfolio examples

Part of growing as a designer is looking to others in the community for inspiration.

We share some of the designer portfolios that have inspired us below.

Robby Leonardi

Robby Leonardi uses interactive design to make his portfolio website an exciting, gamified experience. This is a notable example of interactive design bringing a project to life.

Robby is a freelance designer focused on illustration, design, and animation . He combines design and illustration to specialize in “illustrative design.”

When you land on the website, there are three options to view three separate resumes: an interactive resume, an illustration portfolio , and a design portfolio. Segmenting a portfolio like this makes for simple browsing.

The interactive resume is inspired by the classic Super Mario game and is a personal project of Robby's.

As you scroll down, the character (Super Mario-ified Robby supposedly) passes through each level, communicating a section of information about his skills and personal details .

Once you arrive at the end, you're given the option to send Robby a message via email.

This designer portfolio showcases:

• Taking initiative by creating a personal project.
• Maintaining brand consistency through theme and demonstrating a distinct style.
• Creating an engaging user experience.
• The designer's personality and interests.

Want to get your fun on? Download one of our free design templates below to try a quirky style like Robby's.

Aries Moross

Aries Moross is an illustrator, art director, designer, and keynote speaker. This portfolio exemplifies a distinct style coming together in a captivating theme.

You're met with large text tickers linked to some of Moross' major projects when you first land on the site. But as you scroll down, you'll see tiled images showcasing Moross' work—most often based on colorful doodle patterns.

Once you click on a tile image, you’re taken to the project page, where there's ample visual evidence of their work and a short description.

The project descriptions aren’t exactly in-depth case studies, but the visual layout is eye-catching and worth drawing inspiration from.

The + symbol in the top right corner of the website reveals a menu that breaks down the projects into themed segments, which is a good idea to help guide potential clients toward work within the particular category they might be searching for.

There's also a link to the Studio Moross shop, which is an extra revenue stream. You might want to think of what you could sell in your own online shop as part of your freelance design business strategy .

Gavin Strange

Gavin Strange is a director and designer with a rich and diverse spread of work. He's a creative all-rounder with many side projects to be inspired by, from his book to music projects and more.

This is a place of personal creativity, which has its very own name—“Jam Factory.” You can also create a unique name for your portfolio to make it stand out.

The landing page of Jam Factory gives a succinct description of who Gavin is, making use of clever copy and guiding the viewer through a story of who he is, where he’s been, what he’s done.

Strange uses words in conjunction with visuals to bring his portfolio to life and guide the viewer.

Anthony Burrill

The profile on his portfolio website reads, “Graphic artist Anthony Burrill combines a knack for simplicity that packs a punch with analog craft skills and powerful, positive messages.”

The layout and flow of his website capture the essence of Anthony's work. When you scroll through, each project is presented in a simple gallery view on a white background. The minimalist style of the website helps keep the focus on the work itself.

Once the image is clicked on, a comprehensive written and visual description is provided.

Think about how you can combine the theme, layout, and messaging in your portfolio to reflect your design style.

Maria Marie

Marioly’s romantic, fairytale-esque website exemplifies how storytelling and a cohesive theme can be woven into a captivating personal brand, and the many business opportunities available through design work.

When you land on the page, you’re presented with a few images that capture the essence of Marioly’s style. This is encapsulated in a line of copy that reads “finding beauty in the unexpected.”

Following this is a bio that’s just as enchanting as the rest of the site. Her use of wording mirrors the sense of romance in the visual identity of her portfolio.

If you explore some more, you’ll find that Marioly also offers online courses and creative mentoring . She sells Lightroom presets and even has a blog on her site.

These are all noteworthy ideas you might want to integrate into your portfolio for creative expression and business opportunities.

MR Bingo is, according to his website, an “artist, speaker, and twat.” This is a good example of a bio that clearly states what you can expect from the designer.

His full bio reveals that he was a commercial illustrator for 15 years working with clients such as The New Yorker, The Guardian, TIME, CH4, The Mighty Boosh & The New York Times. But, the portfolio also states that “an archive of the thousands of illustrations from this period doesn’t exist online because he got bored once in a motorhome and deleted his entire portfolio website.”

It's a pretty edgy portfolio that positions MR Bingo as an artist who has moved on from the days of his client illustration work, but you'll find that he links to some of his earlier client work, too.

Julie Bonnemoy

Julie Bonnemoy’s portfolio is straightforward. No fluff.

Once you scroll, you see large tiles showcasing her best or most recent work. There are only two menu items: Projects and About. All the information the potential client needs to decide whether to hire Bonnemoy is easily accessible.

Bonnemoy brings the portfolio to life with animations and videos.

This is an example of how the Behance platform can successfully be used in its most simplistic form, allowing the work to speak for itself.

On Behance, you'll have an About tile on the left with all the contact details your potential customer needs. On the right, you can showcase your best work to win them over.

Tiffany Larson

This is a simple portfolio of a younger designer hosted on Crevado.

Larson provides a bio on the landing page and showcases her variety of work well. From UX/UI design to marketing, personal art, and logos, this is a good portfolio to get some guidance from if you're just starting yours up.

It also gives you good idea of what to expect if you're curious about using Crevado.

Tobias Van Schneider

Tobias Van Schneider is a designer working at the intersection of digital product design and graphic design. He founded HOVS design studio, which worked with NASA on the brand identity for their 2020 Mars Rover Launch.

Van Schneider has worked with some of the most well-known brands in the world, so his portfolio is a good place for any graphic designer to get inspiration. He even did a stint as art director for Spotify.

The projects in this portfolio are presented in an easy one-page scroll-down layout. The visuals for each project lazyload with eye-catching animations to keep the viewer engaged.

An important marketing channel for Van Schneider is his newsletter. His newsletter has an audience of 30,000+ and is worth signing up for to get industry-related insights.

Consider working on an email marketing strategy and adding a newsletter sign-up CTA on your portfolio site.

Pawel Nolbert

Pawel Nolbert is a visual artist and image-maker who explores color, expression, and visual languages.

Nolbert's portfolio is inspiring if you're a graphic designer who wants to stay true to your visual arts roots. Like Nolbert, you can make your mark on brands with your signature style.

Nolbert's vibrant designs speak loudly against the clean design of the website.

Timothy Goodman

Goodman is an illustrator, muralist, environmental designer, and through-and-through artist with an inspiring personal brand that communicates positive messaging .

When landing on the site, you're greeted with a lively, interactive illustration.

If you explore further, you'll find all kinds of ideas for how to present your projects and possibly turn your design work into a personal brand.

Goodman's About page is straightforward and mentions the impressive big brands he's worked with, showcasing social proof of his work quality and demand.

Anton & Irene

This portfolio is pretty mind-blowing. The homepage features an interactive photograph of the designer duo that reveals different poses when you hover over them or scroll.

This is a combined portfolio site for "agency directors turned hands-on designers" Anton Repponen and Irene Pereyra.

Many designers collaborate by creating duos and collectives, so having a site together with your partners will increase your reach and chances of getting work.

There are also a number of case studies on this website, so if you're looking for some comprehensive case study guidance, check it out.

Online communities for graphic design

Whether you're a design student or have been in the game for decades, every creative needs a place to connect and engage with a like-minded community.

Check out these graphic design communities if you're looking for an online space to connect and share your work:

Graphic Design Forum (GDF)

GDF is one of the oldest and biggest graphic design forums around with over 20k members. The community is very active, significantly large and consists of a variety of general categories that can help you with whatever it is that’s bothering you.

Designer Hangout

Designer Hangout is a dedicated, invite-only network of UX designers and researchers who discuss trends, give advice, share stories, uncover insights, and even connect in-person. If you’re into UX, you need to join.

Web Designer Forum

This is a popular community graphic design website where you can find answers to your questions and discussions quickly. The community is long running with membership in the thousands and constant new posts regarding trends and updates. In addition, the forum is split into useful sub-sections, so you can discuss design, get development help for any web programming language, or find what you need.

Your next step as a designer

Building and maintaining your designer portfolio is an exciting, ongoing endeavor. The more love and attention you give it, the more likely you are to get work that's aligned with what you truly want to do—which is why we're in this game to start with, right?

Stay inspired, keep creating, and use your portfolio to branch out your revenue streams .

If you haven't already, check out our new and innovative design and animation software, Linearity Curve and Linearity Move . These two platforms work together seamlessly to bring your static designs to life, and they're integrated with other design software like Figma .

"I love using tools and features powered by AI, like Linearity Curve’s Background Removal tool. These features are useful to speed up production, leaving more time for the creative process."—Maddy Zoli, Senior Designer at Linearity

You can start for free below, or check out our pro and teams pricing plans . We also offer special pricing for students and teachers .

Do I need a graphic design portfolio?

A graphic design portfolio site can aid your freelance business strategy. You can also broaden into teaching elements like online courses and add marketing elements like a newsletter.

You can include personal content creation in the form of a blog on your personal website as well. Your website essentially becomes an online studio representing your business.

Graphic designers need a portfolio to showcase their work and gain potential clients or jobs. Your portfolio is an opportunity to share your design experience and give potential leads an idea of your design style.

What types of graphic design portfolios are there?

The umbrella of graphic design includes many types of design. Some designers choose to focus on one niche, while others work on a variety.

This is really up to you as a designer, where your career takes you, and where you decide to direct it.

Types of graphic design portfolios include:

• Logo design
• Typography/ Lettering
• Illustration
• Editorial Design
• User Experience
• Interface Design
• Packaging Design
• Environmental Design
• Branding and Visual Identity
• Product design

Some designers even opt to have two websites: one for their personal art and one for their professional work.

Share this!

Adí is the SEO and marketing expert at Linearity, and Creative technologist. With expertise in web development, design, and illustration, she writes content on technology, marketing, and design.

What to read next

Designing with a digital pen on ipad, what’s the best ipad for design students, get started with linearity today..

Linearity runs on iPadOS 14 & iOS 14 and later, or macOS Big Sur and later (with native M1 support).

Get Started with Linearity

All the tools you need for truly great design.

• Business cards
• Animate graphic designs
• Animate illustrations
• Scalable templates
• App Store screenshots
• LAMY Safari note +
• Design mode + Animate mode
• Animation presets
• Adobe Illustrator
• Affinity Designer
• Get started with Curve
• Vectornator is now Linearity Curve
• Bring motion in house
• Privacy Policy
• ic-bilibili icon

12 Graphic Design Portfolio Tips (and Examples) to Help You Stand Out

Here’s what experts and hiring managers look for in your graphic design portfolio.

To be a successful graphic designer, a standout portfolio is essential.

It can be a challenge to catch the attention of recruiters and clients, though — they may only spend a few minutes reviewing your portfolio, so it has to make an impression from the get-go.

And while there’s no standard approach to crafting a graphic design portfolio, keeping a few expert-approved tips in mind may help you stand out from the pack.

Tips for Designing a Graphic Design Portfolio

• Specialize in a graphic design discipline.
• Show off your personality in your portfolio. 
• Demonstrate your experience through case studies.
• Explain how each case study solves a problem. 
• Communicate your thought process behind each project.
• Give your colleagues due credit.
• Select case studies meaningful to you. 
• Advertise your work on social platforms. 
• Focus on specific projects with a PDF portfolio. 
• Break from popular design trends to be original. 
• Keep your portfolio lean and relevant to your interests. 
• Stay persistent when sharing your portfolio.

12 Graphic Design Portfolio Ideas and Tips

1. specialize in a graphic design discipline.

To the broader public, the term graphic design applies to virtually any type of digital design. The design ecosystem, however, tends to be discipline-specific. Drilling down on the type of work you want to do, whether that’s creating logos or custom illustrations for a digital branding agency, designing social media cards for a marketing department, or working on an app’s iconography as part of a product team, can be crucial to landing an interview.

“I started as a designer eons ago,” Michael Sacca, former chief product officer at the design portfolio platform  Dribbble , said. “The biggest mistake I made, which applies at Dribbble, is not making it clear what you do well. You might be okay at everything, but what do you excel at and where have you focused your attention? Make a decision: You can’t be everything to everyone.”

2. Show Off Your Personality in Your Portfolio

Give the hiring manager a glimpse of your personality. A short bio on the landing page of a personal web portfolio can illustrate this well. On Almost Studio ’s website, multidisciplinary designer and founder Odes Roberts introduces himself in a large, sans serif font that dominates the screen. A biography on the “about” page gives viewers an immediate sense of who he is and how that identity manifests in his design ethos. “Everything real comes from honesty,” the site announces candidly. 

That touch of individuality can make a difference, not only to potential clients, but to hiring partners.

“When you’re hiring, you’re not just hiring a set of hands, you’re hiring a brain, you’re hiring somebody with lived experience, everything they’re bringing with them,” Michael Johnson, executive director of design and experience at agency  Happy Cog , said. “And however that comes through, that’s something that I’m definitely looking for.”

3. Demonstrate Your Experience Through Case Studies

A web portfolio is a good place to house a gallery of case studies that showcase the breadth of your work. Whether this is scratch-created or produced from a template, the important thing is that the layout matches the designer’s personality. 

“There are tons of website builders out there: Webflow, WordPress or Squarespace,” Roberts said. “The main thing that needs to come out is you, not only you as a designer, but you as a person because that’s what sells what you know how to do.”

Roberts showcases work by clients such as Shutterstock and Northwestern Mutual, as well as more personal projects like MixTapes (in which he designs cover art for friends’ playlists) on a carousel because it reflects his design sensibility. “I enjoy a little bit of interactivity when I look at something,” he said. But other designers may prefer another format — a masonry grid or a long page of stacked cards — and that’s just fine, as long as it reflects their distinctive points of view.

That said, portfolio builders like Semplice can help spark ideas. Many template-based sites offer drag-and-drop workflows and options for interactive features such as page transitions, block layouts, cover effects and split grids.

More on Design & UX The Era of Cookie-Cutter Website Design Is Ending

4. Explain How Each Case Study Solves a Problem 

It’s easy to overplay the interface gymnastics, though. When it comes to the layout, what you really want to do is arrange your work in a way that is direct, accessible and easy for a hiring manager to navigate.

“You don’t need to reinvent the wheel,” Cielle Charron, a freelance graphic designer and instructor at Portland State University, said. “I think UX and UI designers, especially, feel they need to make something completely new and completely custom. But in reality, the portfolio should be more about the work than the format itself.”

Yet the form of the written content is often its own proof of competency. Sacca recommends structuring the narrative hierarchy of each case study after author Simon Sinek’s  Golden Circle model , a value proposition that leads with “the why.”

“Why does the project matter?” Sacca paraphrased it. “What problem were you solving and how did you solve it? That should be your opener.”

The framework doesn’t necessarily follow conventional wisdom, he added: “The problem isn’t that you got hired to design a dashboard. Why did you get hired to design a dashboard for the client, and what problems does it solve for the people using it?”

5. Communicate Your Thought Process Behind Each Project

Roberts is unequivocal in his belief about the function of design: “Design is not art. Design is solving problems. Art is for whatever you do outside of design.”

Not all designers share this view, but many will tell you that treating a portfolio like a pristine art object sends the wrong signal. 

“We don’t hire designers for their technical skills,” Sacca said. “The medium in which you create — Sketch, Figma or Photoshop — doesn’t matter as long as you’re open to learning and adjusting to the company’s method. Tools can be learned: the deciding factor is how you approach problems and solve them.”

While showing off your mastery of design tools is helpful, it doesn’t get at the core of who you are as a graphic designer. Explaining how you address different challenges and tasks is just as important as proving that you can deliver an eye-catching final product.

“From a hiring perspective, you want to know the kind of person that you are hiring,” Charron said. “Not just that they can make beautiful work, but how do they arrive at that? What is their process like? So thinking about how in a portfolio you can show not only the glossy, beautiful final product, but also the messy bits in between.”

For each featured project, this might include a brief description that outlines the goals of a creative brief or project assignment, describes the designer’s role, and includes web pages, sketches, wireframes , user testing studies and other visual artifacts that trace the narrative of the project.

“Explain what your role was in the project and how you felt about it,” Roberts said. “Two to three paragraphs, max. Everything else should just be a visual of how you actually work.”

More on Web Design Your 9-Step Guide to Website Planning

6. Give Your Colleagues Due Credit

Design doesn’t operate in a vacuum, and failure to acknowledge one’s colleagues can leave a smudge on an otherwise strong portfolio. In fact, it’s one of Johnson’s biggest pet peeves.

“If you have been working at an agency or studio or whatever, you had partners in this work,” he said. “You may have had a strategist or researcher help you. You had a creative director, an art director, who might have been guiding the work. Anybody who is involved in the work deserves a mention and it can be terribly frustrating and feels almost deceptive when you get somebody in a room who has misrepresented their contribution to this great, big beautiful thing when what they did was, maybe, put the style guide together. And it can harm your reputation.”

7. Select Case Studies Meaningful to You  

The flashiest portfolios don’t always stand out the most to recruiters, according to Sacca. Overwhelmed hiring managers tasked with scanning a high volume of portfolios may be drawn by big names — say, Nike or Adidas — but it’s often the writing embedded in case studies that sets candidates apart.

While some light name dropping might get you noticed or help you slip past screeners, Roberts agrees that it’s not likely to set you apart in the end.

“Young designers get really caught up in big names, like, ‘Oh, I need to have an Apple or Microsoft,’” Roberts said. “But I think what’s more important is how you feel about the design that you’re creating and putting up there. And as you’re curating, even if you’re just starting off, show me the stuff that you care about, even if it’s a mom-and-pop art gallery and you’re just doing signs. Why do you like it? Why is it important to you?”

8. Advertise Your Work on Social Platforms  

Sacca calls social platforms like Dribbble, Behance and Instagram a “front door to opportunities for freelance or full-time work.” Though they don’t replace a personal website hosted on a designer’s own domain, they can help you get your work in front of chief design officers and design leads, and reveal a snapshot of your evolving style. 

Design agency websites can also offer a good model for portfolio building. 

“Agencies can often make something look a little bit overblown or self important,” Johnson said.” But, at the same time, a lot of consultancies are really good at selling design work and putting together some very good case studies. Pentagram’s always the obvious example, but BSM Consulting, Wolff Olins — agencies that lead with the visual to give you the hook and bring you in — can be good models.”

More on Resumes and screeners How to Write a Stellar UX Designer Resume

9. Focus on Specific Projects With a PDF Portfolio 

While PDF files have size constraints and animation and video are impossible to convey, PDFs offer “a very quick, almost holistic evaluation of a candidate,” Johnson said. “I know they’re a bit of a boogeyman within the web profession, like, ‘All PDFs are bad,’ but in some cases it’s fine.”

‘Here’s what I made for you and why I’m sending it to you.’

Charron, who in addition to her freelance design work and teaching duties runs a risograph print studio called Secret Room Press, agrees that PDFs can be effective, largely because they offer greater control over the viewing experience and can be produced quickly when an open position has a short hiring window.

10. Break From Popular Design Trends to Be Original 

Be careful of aping the latest fads.

“A lot of designs are trendy, so you can be like, ‘Oh, I just look at Pinterest and mimic what I see,’” Roberts said. “I can immediately pick that out.”

In fact, according to Johnson, it’s work that flies in the face of design trends that often leaves the strongest impression: “You want to know that somebody knows the rules well enough to execute them, they understand conventions, etc., but they also know how and when to break them. So there’s this sort of awareness and consciousness of what’s appropriate in a given context.”

11. Keep Your Portfolio Lean and Relevant to Your Interests 

A portfolio submitted as part of a job application should be ruthlessly curated, Charron said — more of a highlight reel than a compendium.

Roberts said any more than seven or eight large case studies “is a little too much.” (Five to six projects is a good target). And, in some ways, big, ambitious portfolios have become passé.

Still, you want to include a large enough range of work to show you’re not a one-trick pony. Let’s say you’re responding to a brief from a children’s museum calling for a vibrant color palette. A thoughtful case study might show how you adapted your style — gothic black lettering and faux- metal logos — to suit the client’s needs. 

Work that doesn’t make the cut in your personal web portfolio can still be useful on social sites.

12. Stay Persistent When Sharing Your Portfolio

Above all, it’s important to see your portfolio as a work in progress, not a measure of your self-worth.

“I have a lot of these conversations with students who are like, ‘I’ve been out of school for a few months, and I’ve sent so many portfolios, and I’ve had so many interviews, and I’m still just out there struggling,’” Charron said. “It’s good to be aware that’s totally normal. You could have a beautiful portfolio, and maybe the company just hired somebody else already and the timing was wrong. You can’t get down on yourself. It just kind of comes down to persistence.”

15 Graphic Design Portfolio Examples

Now that we’ve covered the essentials for creating a graphic design portfolio that sets you apart, feel free to glean more inspiration from the examples below.

1. Chip Kidd

Famous for his T-Rex design on the Jurassic Park cover, Chip Kidd doesn’t need to introduce himself on his website, choosing to let his works speak for themselves. Kidd’s portfolio page showcases the range of colors, designs and styles he has incorporated into his book covers over the years. His website is easy to interact with and avoids any glamorous features, allowing users to take in the breadth of his work uninterrupted. 

2. Aries Moross

As a creative director and founder of Studio Moross, Aries Moross has developed a diverse portfolio. Their work archive consists of a colorful collection of paintings, digital art and other projects, with short descriptions giving readers some context for each case study. While the page includes work as far back as 2007, the projects are spaced out accordingly to prevent the page from feeling overcrowded.  

3. &Walsh 

Founded by Jessica Walsh, New York-based &Walsh organizes its expansive portfolio into a group of tabs that are easy to navigate. Website visitors can easily find specific types of work, whether it be advertising campaigns or print projects. When users click on an image, they also can read more information about the client, case study and the roles different &Walsh members took on for each project.  

4. Milton Glaser

Milton Glaser might be best known for designing the “I ‘heart’ NY” t-shirt, but he doesn’t rely on name recognition alone to spread his brand. He has maintained a professional portfolio that demonstrates his strong foothold within the industry with only 12 examples. Each case study includes a description to keep readers informed, as well as accompanying photos that run on autoplay. The result is a clean design that still manages to capture Glaser’s decorated career. 

5. Anderson Newton Design

Founded by Gail Anderson and Joe Newton, Anderson Newton Design shows that a simple layout can go a long way in organizing a collection of works. The company’s portfolio page highlights three featured projects at the top, with additional projects below. Users can sort through these projects by selecting a category at the bottom left, singling out relevant case studies. This basic visual feature makes the page very user-friendly.  

6. Pentagram

Pentagram is a multidisciplinary design agency that works with 22 partners across Europe and the U.S. Despite accumulating a host of clients, Pentagram keeps its portfolio accessible by allowing users to group projects by the type of client or the type of work. Each case study comes with a detailed description, high-definition images and videos, giving users plenty of context while engaging them with attractive visuals. 

7. All Time Design

All Time Design is a graphic design service that demonstrates its abilities through a well-constructed portfolio . A slate of tabs near the top of the company’s works page enables users to home in on the type of projects they’re curious about. Even though All Time Design doesn’t include written descriptions for projects, some of their case studies tell visual narratives by depicting their designs in action via motion videos.  

8. Happy Cog 

Happy Cog is another design agency that breaks down its in-depth portfolio into digestible visuals. The company presents its numerous case studies in rows, with each project being introduced with a bold name for the client and regular font giving a quick overview. In addition to photos, each case study is accompanied by detailed descriptions explaining the problems of each client and how Happy Cog delivered solutions. 

9. Lauren Hom 

Lauren Hom’s website conveys a very unique personality, which shines through in her collection of works . Hom’s portfolio page contains projects that not only cover a range of industries, but also glow with a spectrum of bright colors. Hom mixes her graphic design skills with her culinary interests as well, choosing projects that meet at the intersection of food and art. This is a picture-perfect example of a portfolio that enhances a designer’s personality and vice versa.  

10. Maria Marie 

Marioly, founder of Maria Marie, expresses a distinct personality and aura through lighter colors that keep her site easy on the eyes. The agency’s portfolio goes for quality over quantity, displaying images that match the gentle color palette of the website. As a result, Marioly reinforces the brand of Maria Marie, keeping the agency’s portfolio focused and consistent with the site’s written and visual messaging.

11. Shawna X 

Shawna X communicates a bold and vibrant personality through a website with a mustard-yellow background, and her portfolio matches this energy. Each case study comes with a short description up top, but the larger images and videos draw users’ attention to the rich aesthetics of her projects. Shawna X’s portfolio only includes 10 case studies, confirming that a small group of powerful projects is all that’s needed to captivate site visitors.  

12. Lance Wyman 

Lance Wyman’s site depicts a clear specialization in logo design, and his portfolio page adds a fun touch to his experience. Wyman’s collection of logos reveals itself in a spiral pattern, starting at the center before rippling out into wider circles. Wyman may not include much context for each logo design, but the basic yet eye-popping layout of his portfolio page leaves viewers wanting to get to know the person behind the website. 

13. MetaDesign

MetaDesign is an agency that presents its international portfolio in a standard format of rows of images. Users can click on an image to read more about the projects, including the challenge each client brought to MetaDesign and how the agency developed customized solutions. For some of its branding and UX design projects, MetaDesign also provides pictures of the final design in action on mobile or desktop devices.   

14. House Industries

House Industries is a design agency that dabbles in various creative disciplines, especially typography . The portfolio page remains unnoticeable with a plain white background, placing the spotlight on the case studies. Each case study comes with a short description of the fonts employed, as well as examples of the fonts and images of the final products. This site opts for a cleaner layout, enabling the case studies to bring the portfolio page to life.   

15. Pavlov Visuals

Pavlov Visuals is a creative firm run by Ryan Dean Sprague. The agency breaks up its portfolio into two tabs, showcasing work done in the areas of illustration and merchandise design. While Sprague has compiled a collection of professional projects, he also sprinkles personal projects into his portfolio. As a result, Sprague demonstrates his skill in diverse styles while instilling more character into his work archive.

Recent Career Development Articles

17 Stunning Graphic Design Portfolios & a Guide to Create Yours

From student to senior: a definitive guide to building your portfolio.

• March 2, 2023

Learn how to stand out and create a graphic design portfolio that tells your story. Scroll through our ultimate guide with beautiful examples and straightforward tips. Whether you’re a student, beginner or senior, we’re here to help you build your portfolio in no time at all.

Graphic Design Portfolio Examples

• What is the best way to organize my graphic design portfolio?
• What should be included in a graphic design portfolio ?
• What format should I use for my graphic design portfolio ?
• How can I make my graphic design portfolio stand out ?
• How often should I update my graphic design portfolio ?

1. Iman Naser

This sophisticated portfolio is perfect for marketing and advertising designs. The subtle layout lets the vast array of designs shine, which are organized according to theme and color scheme.

Pro tip : this elegant portfolio took less than 30 minutes to build. A dedicated portfolio builder website like Copyfolio lets you display your work with no coding skills.

2. Forensics & Flowers

Mockups are magic . This portfolio allows a glimpse into a dark and dazzling world. The featured designs include book covers, phone cases, mugs and logo design.

Pro tip : use mockups so your clients can see your design in action. Display the mockup on a well-designed poster for the maximum wow-effect.

3. David Milan

A riot of color with fun animations: David’s portfolio is bold and beautiful. Images are fitted together in a tile view, revealing more detail as you click on them.

Pro tip : if you have a massive selection to display, cohesion is key. Arrange the images so they rhyme according to color, theme or technique.

4. Erik Marinkovich

Erik specializes in lettering . By using a classic grid view layout, he can showcase an abundant sample of his work without visually overwhelming the onlooker.

Pro tip : your calligraphy work may be tough to challenge, because words tend to be distracting. Smaller thumbnails like Erik’s allow your viewer to take in your work without diversions.

5. Aries Moross

Aries has a lot of outstanding projects to show. They collaborate with big brands and design everything from packaging to products, logos, apparel and magazines. The careful labeling and the white space lets the portfolio breathe .

Pro tip : you don’t need to overthink your layout. Sometimes less is more.

6. June Digan

June’s full-size header image and moving thumbnails let her take full advantage of the website format so she can show her designs and illustrations in their full glory. All projects have several photos in their subpage to let viewers explore each detail.

Pro tip : if you lean more towards illustration than design, check out our guide to illustrator portfolios .

7. Chelsea Cardinal

Chelsea’s text-centric portfolio neatly organizes decades worth of work. Her playful approach to spacing, size and color creates an impactful layout that’s easy to navigate.

Pro tip : never underestimate the power of text. This is the main way you can orient your viewer. Communicate as much information as you can, with the smallest amount of words. An AI tool like the Hemingway app will come in handy.

8. Hom Sweet Hom

Lauren Hom is not only an expert hand lettering artist, but a marketing genius as well. She regularly shares blog posts about freelancing, motivation and career advice.

Pro tip : if you’re a senior designer, include a blog in your portfolio to become a thought leader. You can talk about your design process or advertise your services.

9. Mike Kus

Mike’s well-designed website lets viewers interact with their design. The animations, pop-ups and zoom-ins invite you to visit every corner of his website.

Pro tip : a little UX design never hurt nobody. Fade animation is just one of the many simple tricks you can use to elevate your portfolio.

10. Mike Perry

Mike’s daring designs call for a cheeky portfolio. Flashy, shiny and constantly moving, this is a website you won’t forget.

Pro tip : you need to be bold to be remembered. Unleash your creativity to stand out.

11. Tanamachi Studio

Tanamachi’s art deco inspired works are perfectly paired with an airy layout and understated design. The featured artworks include murals, packaging, ex libris stickers, stamps, and even custom made skateboard designs.

Pro tip: the first thing you see on this portfolio is the logo , which is a great way to add a personal touch.

12. Velvet Spectrum

This studio specializes in 3D art . Their portfolio is an immersive experience with gifs, videos and sounds.

Pro tip: if you work with 3D designs, you need to include videos in your portfolio. To guarantee accessibility, having your own portfolio website is the best choice.

13. Anthony Burill

Anthony’s work is displayed in black, white and yellow. The colors perfectly evoke the quiet melancholy of his work.

Pro tip : color, or the lack of thereof is a defining feature of your portfolio. Choose the colors of your personal brand and stick to them on the landing page to make an impact.

14. Alex Trochut

Alex’s portfolio perfectly balances chaos and order. While the website features a wide variety of work, the titles and labels always let you know what you’re looking at, and where you can find more info.

Pro tip : guide your viewers with interactive labels. It’s a simple way to let them explore the type of content they want to focus on.

15. Timothy Goodman

Timothy is a designer and illustrator drawn to patterns, colours and whimsical lettering. His portfolio doesn’t simply feature his designs, but photos of his designs–and of himself at work.

Pro tip: this is the simplest trick on our list–get a photo of yourself working on a design. It makes a better impression and a lasting visual impact, compared to a headshot with a white background.

16. Leta Sobierajski

Every single element of Leta’s portfolio screams delight and whimsy. She’s a trend-setter unafraid to go against convention.

Pro tip : rules are made to be broken. If deliberate chaos fits your aesthetics, a rebellious layout has a higher chance of landing you clients than a more restrained one.

17. Ive Penkova

Ive’s portfolio uses soothing pastel colors which fit her soft aesthetics . The layout is similarly relaxing, with lots of space to breathe.

Pro tip: your portfolio should evoke a mood. Think about what you want your viewer to feel, from joy to excitement to curiosity, and convey that emotion through the design of your portfolio.

Graphic Design Portfolio Guide

All of the designers featured above started their portfolios from zero, like you. The following guide provides practical tips and tricks so you can create a portfolio in a blink.

Let’s start with the basics.

What is the Best Way to Organize my Graphic Design Portfolio?

Portfolios follow a standard format, which typically consist of four pages.

1. Home page

The home page is the heart of your portfolio. This is where you include your work and projects.

Some designers create a landing page that focuses on navigation besides a picture spread. This is an effective way to utilize the website format and make sure that your viewers can find everything.

2. About me page

The about me page is the place for your graphic design resume, but it allows you to be less formal. Talk about your professional background, from your education to your relevant work experience. Mention the techniques and software you prefer and the type of graphic design you do:

• Advertising and marketing design
• Brand design
• Logo design
• Packaging design
• Print and publication design
• Typeface design and lettering
• Illustration
• Game design
• Environmental design
• Motion design

3. Contact page

Your contact information should be all over your portfolio, from CTA-buttons to footers. Still, a dedicated page is the fastest way your viewers can find where to reach you. Besides a professional email address, you should include social media platforms where you display your work.

4. Services

If you do freelance work, this page is paramount. You may be a jack of all trades, but it’s important not to overwhelm your viewer. Select which services you want to highlight, and mention additional types of designs you can create.

Your service page’s goal is to get the viewer to contact you. You can always talk about details later.

Don’t forget to repeat your email address and include some additional design examples from your portfolio.

What Should be Included in a Graphic Design Portfolio?

The type of work you should display depends on your level of experience.

• Student portfolio
• Beginner portfolio
• Medior and senior portfolio

Student Portfolio

1. Sketches and complete designs

Remember: drawing is not design, and nor is Photoshop. Illustrator portfolios have different requirements. When applying to a graphic design course, your typography skills are more important than watercolors or your ability to use the lasso tool.

Include sketches that show your design process, then focus on completed designs. Unless otherwise specified, you can create anything you’re passionate about, from merch for your favourite brand to re-designs of a cherished book’s cover.

Mockups are an effective way to see how your designs would exist in the real world. You can use instant mockup generators like Mr. Mockup , or create your own with your favored design tool.

3. Examples of digital and traditional techniques

Show the versatility of your skills by mixing digital and traditional techniques. You’ll need both for your studies. If you’re hopeless with a pencil or never held a tablet, don’t fret: think about how you can re-interpret what you’re already good at in a different format. Create new, unique pieces for your portfolio instead of frantically searching through your sketchbook.

Beginner Portfolio

1. Polished designs

Easier said than done, right? Don’t despair: here’s a few tricks.

• Recycle your student work . The more recent, the better. You may want to patch them up or redesign them, but at least you’ve got a starting point.
• Create designs for nonexistent brands . Remember: the point is not to trick your client. Make sure your viewer knows that they’re not looking at examples of actual client work. Say so in the description and use fanciful names.
• Embrace social media . Browse a social media holiday calendar and create designs for hashtags that inspire you, be it a campaign for recycling or international space day.
• Participate in design challenges and competitions . You don’t need to win: showing up is evidence of your dedication to your art.
• Volunteer . Seek out local non-profits, do contract work or gigs to get some experience that you can include in your portfolio.

Remember to favor quality over quantity, and curate a selection of your best work.

2. Professional bio

An about me page is always necessary, but it’s especially useful for beginners. Include the following information:

• Education and experience , even if you feel like it’s nothing to brag about.
• Goals and aspirations . What kind of work do you want to create? Think about this section as a summary of your graphic design cover letter.
• Mission statement . What’s your work all about? What values would you like to bring to a company or agency?
• Personal magic . You’re an artist. Wear your heart on your sleeve and share the things you love the most, from your design icons to your inspiration.

3. Statistics and results

Celebrate your results in the description of your projects.

• Statistics . If a piece garnered a lot of love online, make sure to mention it.
• Awards . Any sort of official recognition is a badge of honor.
• Client work . Landing a client as a beginner is very impressive, so you should definitely highlight this experience.

Medior and Senior Portfolio

1. Recent design work

You’ll be expected to keep your portfolio constantly updated, so make sure to highlight your newest designs. Always add a project brief: when was the design created, and for what purpose?

Feature projects that you’re not only proud of, but which represent the type of work you’re looking to do.

2. Testimonials and case studies

• Testimonials : think ahead and get feedback as soon as the project is delivered. A happy client will be glad to help you out with a punchy blurb you can use in your portfolio.
• Case studies : include case studies in your portfolio to give your client a better understanding of what is it like to work with you. Case studies allow you to show your process in-depth.

Selling prints and merch is a great opportunity for some extra income. Including your webshop on your portfolio might not just win you some new buyers, but it’ll show employers the marketability of your products.

If you do any sort of contract or freelance work, your portfolio is the perfect place to advertise it. The type of services you should list include:

• Graphic design services , from brand identities to logo design and video game UIs. Make sure your client has a clear understanding of your exact field of expertise.
• Designer training from webinars to in-person classes. An eager student browsing your portfolio for inspiration certainly wants to know where they can learn more from you.
• Workshops are more popular than ever with remote work getting standardized. Seek opportunities to spread your knowledge.

Should you have a knack for copy, don’t let it go to waste. Share your insight and experiences to gain authority in your field. Consider the following graphic design blog topics to write about:

• How-to guides for juniors
• Graphic design career tips
• Resource recommendations
• SEO blog posts to boost your services
• Your biggest lessons and most exciting challenges
• Graphic design trends to embrace or avoid

+ Bonus tip

Learn what differentiates an art director portfolio and a graphic design portfolio. If you have experience in art direction, make sure to highlight it.

What Format Should I Use for My Graphic Design Portfolio?

Portfolios come in many shapes and sizes. Let’s review the pros and cons for each.

Pro : a portfolio website is the best option if you’re looking to get hired or find new clients. A website is easy to update, curate and organise. You can include direct calls to action, so emailing you or purchasing a product is only a few clicks. What’s more, the quality of your work will never be compromised. Mobile optimization guarantees that you can pull up your portfolio anytime, anywhere. Portfolio builders such as Folioeditor let you build a website in a matter of minutes.

Contra : having a website can be costly. It’s worth the investment, but if you have doubts, start with the free trial version to see if it’s a good fit.

2. Social media

Pro : dedicating a social media platform to your design work allows you to be part of a vibrant community. Exposure is easy, as you can purchase ads or hop on hashtags.

Contra : it’s very difficult to stand out on social media. You’re right amidst your competition. Unless you’re constantly producing viral content, mediocre statistics will reflect badly on your work.

While social media is popular, it’s not considered professional, so your portfolio has a higher chance to be rejected. One reason for this is that the image quality is lackluster.

3. Art platforms

Pro : art platforms like Behance, Art Station or Deviant Art let you upload full-sized images and a complete portfolio. Many of them offer beautiful layouts, or great ways to easily organize your work. Connecting to your fellow designers is easy.

Contra : just like on social media platforms, your competition is merely a click away. There’ll always be someone with a flashier portfolio and more experience. The lack of customizability on some of these platforms means it’s impossible to stand out. Your options are limited and you have less freedom than with your own website.

4. PDF and slides

Pro : PDF portfolios or slideshows are easy to attach to emails. You can reach them in the cloud, and may even print them if necessary.

Contra : these kinds of portfolios are harder to edit than a website. You may lose track of which version is the newest, or risk losing the file entirely.

The image quality is compromised, and the file sizes are often massive. If you are required to send your portfolio as an attachment, it’s better to transport your website to a PDF and compress it.

5. Portfolio book

Pro : some places will require you to hand in your portfolio in a hard copy, and there’s no way around it. It can be especially relevant if you work in print design. You may find this video useful.

Contra : even if paper portfolios are required for your particular niche, it’s vital to have an online presence. A portfolio website is the most professional choice.

How Can I Make my Graphic Design Portfolio Stand Out?

Hiring managers see hundreds of portfolios, and clients are looking for the best. Here’s how to make a portfolio that doesn’t just get you noticed, but remembered.

Don’t settle on merely creating a collage of your best work. Apply your skills of art direction and strive for a unified vision. Each piece should come together in a harmonious design, from your layout to the typeface and color scheme of the works displayed.

Storytelling

The best way to communicate your vision is through storytelling. As a creative, you have a talent for evoking emotions. Think about what you want your portfolio to be about , and how to convey the mood you want to achieve through design.

The devil is in the details. Your portfolio needs to look polished, even if you set out to break the rules. Make sure that the copy has no typos and that every pixel is in the right place.

Create some clout for your portfolio on social media. Include a link to it in your email signature and on your business card. Make sure people know where to find you.

How Often Should I Update my Graphic Design Portfolio?

Your graphic design portfolio needs to be updated constantly, so it reflects your evolving skills. There are several ways to go about it.

• Add and delete . Whenever you have a new piece you’re proud of, add it to your portfolio and delete an old piece that you no longer consider your best work.
• Schedule updates . Dedicate a day each month to reviewing your portfolio and see if you’re still happy with it.
• Rise to the occasion . Whenever a new opportunity comes, adjust your portfolio to maximise your chances. Think about what your viewer wants to see, and highlight it to the best of your abilities.

The easiest way to keep your portfolio up to date is to use a dedicated portfolio builder like Folioeditor. Subscribe to our newsletter and be the first to test it.

Written by:

Johanna Székelyhidi

Online marketing manager @ Folioeditor. I'm extremely passionate about arts and culture, with a PhD to show for it. Throughout my career, I've seen hundreds of creative portfolios. I'm happy to share what I've learned.

Different professions, unique challenges. Get tailored tips for your portfolio here.

The 23 Best Graphic Design Portfolios I've Ever Seen, & How to Start Your Own

Published: June 10, 2024

A great graphic design portfolio doesn’t do the work for you, but as an ever-running marketing tool, it can change your life by reeling in new opportunities.

AI-generated design as well as online design platforms like Canva are impacting graphic design hiring, making your portfolio more important than ever before.

So whether you‘re a full-time graphic designer or dabbling in graphic design as a freelancer, it’s critical to create a tailored graphic design portfolio to showcase your work to potential clients.

To that end, I've created a list of over 20 impressive graphic design portfolios, instructions on how you can create your own, and tips to curate the perfect space for your unique work.

Table of Contents

• What is a graphic design portfolio?

Graphic Design Portfolio Website Examples

Where to find inspiration for your design portfolio, how to make a graphic design portfolio, graphic design portfolio ideas, graphic design portfolio tips, what is a graphic design portfolio.

A graphic design portfolio is one of the most important elements a client or employer needs to see when choosing a graphic designer. A portfolio should include a selection of a graphic designer’s best work, as well as professional samples from client projects.

It’s important to note that while there’s definitely still a place for physical portfolios, graphic designer websites can really offer a host of advantages when done well.

HubSpot's Free Website Builder

Create and customize your own business website with an easy drag-and-drop website builder.

• Build a website without any coding skills.
• Pre-built themes and templates.
• Built-in marketing tools and features.

With a decade in the floral design industry, I know from experience how quickly you can share your expertise and create a great impression with an online body of visual work at hand. Mine is simple and has ads on it, but the landing page represents my abilities in pavé design, wedding work, and high style.

150+ Free Content Creation Templates

Access ebook, blog post, CTA, case study, and more content templates.

• Ebook Templates
• CTA Templates
• Blog Post Templates

Download Free

All fields are required.

You're all set!

Click this link to access this resource at any time.

6. Gail Anderson

Chong added, “Mockups are great at showing your visual design skills, but don't necessarily demonstrate your ability to work in a real-world context, so you'll want to take the time to explain how you would have approached it in a true business setting.”

4. Create graphic design materials for a made-up company.

If your designs are impressive enough, potential clients won't care that you created them for a fictitious company. In fact, you could impress them with your innovation and creativity.

Don't forget to share this post!

Related articles.

14 Essential Design Tips for Beginners: Transform Your Skills and Create Stunning Graphics

13 Graphic Design Trends to Use in 2021 — and Two to Avoid

10 Projects to Improve Your Design Skills

6 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Freelance Graphic Designer

The 7 Elements of Graphic Design, and How to Apply Them This Year

28 Graphic Design Terms Every Marketer Should Know [Infographic]

Free templates for blog posts, images, ebooks, CTAs, and more.

Marketing software that helps you drive revenue, save time and resources, and measure and optimize your investments — all on one easy-to-use platform

• Suomen kieli

August 3, 2024

How to Use Mockups and Case Studies in Your Graphic Design Portfolio

Tags : #Mockups #Designer #Portfolio

Author: Helene Lindblom

Table of Contents

Benefits of using mockups, choosing the right mockup style, creating custom mockups, identifying key projects, crafting a compelling narrative, showcasing problem-solving skills, creating visual harmony, balancing detail and overview, guiding the viewer's journey.

You're a graphic designer looking to make waves in a sea of talent. How do you ensure your portfolio doesn't just float by, but makes a splash? The answer lies in two powerful elements that can elevate your work from a whisper to a roar: striking mockups and captivating case studies.

By leveraging eye-catching mockups, you're not just presenting your designs; you're bringing them to life. These visual representations allow your work to leap off the screen, giving viewers a tangible sense of your creations in real-world contexts. Meanwhile, compelling case studies serve as the narrative backbone, weaving a story around your design process and problem-solving skills.

Together, these elements form a potent formula that can catapult your graphic design portfolio from the realm of "good" to "unforgettable." They showcase not just what you can do, but how you think, adapt, and innovate – qualities that make clients sit up and take notice.

So, if you're aiming to stand out in the crowded world of graphic design, consider this your secret weapon. With the right mix of dazzling mockups and engaging case studies, your portfolio won't just be seen – it'll be remembered.

Let's dive into how you can use mockups and case studies to level up your portfolio website. We'll explore why mockups are so powerful for showcasing your work, and how case studies can tell the story behind your designs. You'll also learn how to combine these two elements effectively, creating a graphic designer website that wows potential clients.

And here's a pro tip: Portfoliobox is a top choice for designers to create their online portfolio , making it easy to show off your best work.

Understanding the Role of Mockups

You know what mockups are, right? They're like magic wands for designers! Mockups let you show off your designs in a super cool way. Instead of just staring at a flat image, mockups make your work look real and ready to go. Pretty awesome, huh?

Mockups are great for lots of reasons. First, they help you explain your ideas to clients or bosses. With a mockup, they can see exactly how your design will look on a product, website, or whatever you're working on. No more guessing games!

Second, mockups make it easy to try out different ideas without starting from scratch each time. You can quickly swap in new designs and see how they look. It's like having a playground for your creativity!

And last but not least, mockups make your portfolio look super professional. When you show off your work in a realistic setting, it's way more impressive than just a plain old image. Mockups help your designs shine!

Now that you know why mockups are so handy, let's talk about picking the right style. There are lots of different mockup types out there, so you'll want to choose one that fits your project.

For example, if you're designing a website, you'll probably want a mockup that shows your design on a computer or phone screen. But if you're working on product packaging, you'll need a mockup that displays your design on a box or bottle.

Don't worry, though – there are tons of mockup templates and tools out there to help you find the perfect fit. Just do a quick search online, and you'll find lots of options to choose from.

Of course, sometimes you might want to create your own custom mockups from scratch. This can be a bit more work, but it's totally worth it if you want something really unique.

To make a custom mockup, you'll need some design skills and the right software tools. Programs like Photoshop or Illustrator are great for this kind of thing. You can start with a blank canvas and build your mockup from the ground up.

It might take some practice, but creating custom mockups is a super valuable skill for designers. Not only will your work look amazing, but you'll also have complete control over every detail.

So there you have it – the lowdown on mockups and why they're so important for graphic designers. Whether you use templates or create your own, mockups are a fantastic way to take your portfolio to the next level. 

Mastering the Art of Case Studies

Okay, let's talk about case studies! They're like little stories that show off your awesome skills. With case studies, you can let people see how you solved tricky design problems. Pretty cool, right?

First things first, you need to pick the best projects to feature in your case studies. Think about the ones that really let your creativity shine. Maybe you designed a super fun logo for a new business. Or perhaps you made a website that's easy for everyone to use. Whatever it is, choose projects that make you proud!

Now it's time to tell the story of your project. Start by introducing the client and explaining what they needed help with. Then, walk through each step of your design process. Show your early sketches and ideas, and explain why you made certain choices.

Don't forget to include lots of pictures and examples! That way, people can see your work come to life.

One of the most important things in a case study is showing how you solved problems. Maybe the client had a specific challenge, like making their website more accessible. Or perhaps you had to find a way to make a logo stand out from the competition.

Whatever the issue was, explain how you tackled it. Share the different ideas you tried and why some worked better than others. This shows off your creative thinking and problem-solving skills, which are super important for designers.

Remember, case studies are all about telling a story. So make it an exciting one! Show off your best work, explain your thought process, and let your personality shine through. With a little practice, you'll be a case study master in no time.

Combining Mockups and Case Studies Effectively

You know what makes mockups and case studies even better? Combining them! When you use mockups and case studies together, your portfolio becomes a super powerful tool. It's like having a secret weapon to impress clients and show off your amazing skills.

The key is to create visual harmony between your mockups and case studies. This means making sure they look like they belong together, like two best friends who always have each other's backs. Here are some tips to make that happen:

• Use the same color scheme and design style across your mockups and case studies. This will make everything look nice and cohesive.
• Choose mockups that complement your case study projects. For example, if you're showcasing a website design, use a mockup that displays your design on a computer or phone screen.
• Arrange your mockups and case study text in a way that's easy to follow. You want the viewer's eyes to smoothly move from one element to the next, like a fun little adventure!

When you're combining mockups and case studies, it's important to strike the right balance between detail and overview. You want to give enough information to really show off your skills, but not so much that it becomes overwhelming or confusing.

Here's how to find that sweet spot:

• In your case studies, start with a brief overview of the project and your role. This will give viewers some context before diving into the details.
• Use your mockups to showcase the final design in a visually striking way. This is where you can really let your work shine!
• In the case study text, go into more depth about your design process, the challenges you faced, and how you solved them. This is where you can show off your problem-solving skills and creativity.
• Don't forget to include some behind-the-scenes sketches or drafts in your case studies. This gives viewers a peek into your creative process and shows how your ideas evolved.

When you combine mockups and case studies, you're not just showing off your work – you're telling a story. And just like any good story, you need to guide the viewer on a journey from start to finish.

Here's how to make that journey as smooth and engaging as possible:

• Start with a strong introduction in your case study text. This should hook the viewer and make them want to learn more about your project.
• Use your mockups and case study text to take the viewer through each step of your design process. This will give them a behind-the-scenes look at how you work.
• Highlight the key moments or challenges in your project. This will keep the viewer engaged and show off your problem-solving skills.
• End with a clear conclusion that showcases the final design and explains why it was successful. This will leave the viewer with a strong impression of your work.

Remember, the goal is to create a cohesive and compelling narrative that showcases your skills and leaves the viewer impressed. With the right combination of mockups and case studies, you can make that happen!

Mockups and case studies are super helpful tools for graphic designers to show off their best work. They let you display your designs in a real-world setting and tell the story behind your creative process. By using these tools together, you can make a portfolio that really grabs attention and shows what you can do.

Remember, a great portfolio is key to impressing clients and landing exciting projects. It's all about finding the right balance between eye-catching visuals and interesting stories about your work. Create your graphic design portfolio with Portfoliobox to showcase your skills in the best possible way. With some practice and creativity, you'll have a standout portfolio that opens doors to amazing opportunities in the graphic design world.

How should I format case studies in my graphic design portfolio? Begin by documenting all details of the project and proceed to the next steps. Keep the content concise and use captions for clarity, as most people prefer scanning over reading detailed text. Always acknowledge any collaborations and clearly state your specific role in the project. It's important to set the scene by providing context about the project and outlining your design process. Treat each case study as if it were a feature in a magazine, making it engaging and informative.

What are the steps to writing an effective case study for a graphic design portfolio? Start by introducing the client and the design challenge they presented. Outline your role in addressing these challenges. Describe the solution you developed and the steps you took in your design process. Discuss the outcomes of your project and any significant achievements. Reflect on what you learned from the experience. Conclude with a brief summary that wraps up the case study neatly.

What is the ideal number of case studies to include in a graphic design portfolio? Your portfolio should start with a concise introduction that gives a snapshot of your background and the contents of the portfolio. It is recommended to feature about three to five case studies. This number allows you to delve deeply into each project, explaining your approach and the process from inception to completion in detail.

How can I create a mockup portfolio? To create a mockup, begin by launching a design tool like Canva, either on the app or through your web browser. Search and select a mockup template that fits your needs. Upload your design onto this template. Make any necessary adjustments to perfect the mockup. Finally, you can download the finished mockup or use it directly in your designs.

More on this

• 5 Proven Strategies to Build a Strong Brand as an Illustrator Discover proven strategies to build a strong brand as an illustrator. Learn about defining your style, crafting your story and creating an online portfolio. September 18, 2024
• How to Decide Which Projects to Include in a Graphic Design Portfolio Discover how to curate your graphic design portfolio to impress potential employers. Learn to showcase your design style and your problem-solving skills. September 16, 2024
• Stand Out in 2024: Optimizing Your Portfolio Website Learn how to optimize your portfolio website to stand out in 2024. Discover unique design styles, compelling value propositions, and SEO best practices. September 12, 2024
• Starting a Fashion Blog: Tips and Tricks for Aspiring Bloggers Learn how to start a fashion blog with our comprehensive guide. From choosing your niche, setting up with Portfoliobox to creating compelling content. September 8, 2024

Get started for free

Create your online portfolio website now

• 01. Sign up for free
• 02. Build your portfolio
• 03. Get your own domain

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. More info here

10 UX/UI Design Portfolio Examples to Inspire You (Updated for 2024)

Explore these unique, standout UX/UI design portfolio examples from UX Academy graduates who landed new jobs in the field of product design.

Stay in the know with The Brief

Get weekly insightful articles, ideas, & news on UI/ UX and related spaces  – in to your inbox

Switching careers at any point is challenging.

Switching careers during a time of global and economic uncertainty is an even bigger challenge. That’s why we continue to be awed by the creativity of our UX Academy graduates who commit to pursuing their dreams of a creative career despite the challenges they face. 

As we enter a new calendar year, it's become more important than ever for new UX, UI, and product designers to enter the field with tools and training they need to stand out from the competition of entry level designers and top level talent.

A huge part of the career pivot into the world of product design includes a unique, relevant UX design portfolio. While we regularly publish success stories of UX Academy alumni that profile how and why they made their career switch to UX/UI design, we also like to spotlight a few standout portfolio examples to showcase the original, creative ways that they showcase their abilities.

With the help of mentors and career coaches, the Designlab community continues to create noteworthy portfolios. Read on to explore a selection of UX design portfolios from Designlab students— that are sure to inspire you.

What Is a UX Design Portfolio?

A UX design portfolio is a compilation of work samples that demonstrates your skills and abilities as a UX designer. It should include examples that span the UX design process for relevant projects you've worked on—research insights, concept sketches, wireframes, and prototypes.

One of the most important aspects of a portfolio is to showcase your design thinking process and results. Furthermore, the best UX portfolios demonstrate an applicant’s ability to think critically and solve problems creatively in order to come up with innovative solutions—all valuable components when it comes to hiring managers finding the right candidate.

UX design portfolios are incredibly important for job-seekers because they provide hiring managers with a glimpse into your skill set and experience. The quality of a portfolio is used to quickly weed out potential candidates whose abilities may not match the specific requirements of the job.

Read more: How to Make a UX Design Portfolio: Tips & Examples to Help You Stand Out

What Should I Include In My UX Portfolio?

When building your UX portfolio, think about the types of projects you've worked on and the skills you have developed that would be valuable to potential employers.

Your portfolio should include a mix of work samples from each part of the UX design process, such as concept sketches, wireframes, prototypes, case studies, usability testing insights, or interactive design concepts. The overall look and feel should reflect your personal style while also highlighting the technical expertise you possess. Additionally, consider including any certifications or achievements that help to bolster your credentials.

Ultimately, your goal is to create a portfolio that demonstrates both your technical proficiency as well as creative problem-solving ability. Your portfolio should be concise yet comprehensive – so don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to cram too much into one.

[MID_ARTICLE_CTA]

What Makes a Good UX UI Design Portfolio?

There are some fundamentals to include in your portfolio, from projects that align with the type of company or role you're applying for (like how Grace Guibert tailored her portfolio website to highlight the UX writing elements of each project she worked on in UX Academy).

As you create your own portfolio , it's worth remembering that hiring managers aren't looking at your UX case studies in a silo to see if they check all the right boxes—if the UX work displayed in the projects is stellar but your portfolio website as a whole contains bad UX, that can wave a red flag.

For more insight and tips on crafting an effective UX design portfolio, watch this video by Kelly Stevens, who shares her top tips for design portfolios:

Read more: 6 UX/UI Design Portfolio Builders You Should Try, From Low Effort to Highly Customizable

10 UI & UX Design Portfolio Examples

Before they can graduate from UX Academy, each student must have their design portfolio approved by a panel of experts. This helps to ensure that each student has the strongest chance of success in the job search process as they move into the Career Services phase.

Each UX designer portfolio in this roundup is unique and stands out for a different reason. But it's worth noting that each UI / UX portfolio site also embraces visual design and UX best practices to create a powerful, engaging experience for curious viewers and prospective employers alike.

Nicole Locklair, formerly in charge of Talent Partnerships and Career Services at Designlab, selected these ten portfolios to showcase, along with insights into what was particularly great about each one. (Portfolios are listed in no particular order.)

10 Great Portfolio Examples from Designlab Students

Here are some of our top student portfolios, and insights into what we particularly liked about each. (Portfolios are listed in no particular order.)

1. Jane Noh

Jane's portfolio stands up for its bold color palette, strong research, and attention to detail. Using vibrant imagery and font choices across her work, Jane creates a portfolio that is incredibly visually dynamic.

Jane also has a background in education and brings what she learned from teaching to her UX design work. This shows particularly in products such as Domokos, a responsive project geared towards helping teach math—her area of expertise from when she was an educator herself.

2. Josie Allison

We talk about keeping things clean and minimal in design, but sometimes going over the top with visual elements works out. Josie has a background in Graphic Design, and clearly illustrates her ability to surprise and delight in her own portfolio. 

Her unconventional case study presentations challenge the norms, but the details are all there for someone who wants to take the time to learn more. In a sea of grids and san serif, Josie's work is a breath of fresh air. 

3. Florinda Sgueglia

With high contrast colors and an easy-to-read case study layout, Flo’s design skills truly stand out in every part of this eye-catching, beautifully well-done portfolio. It's also clear to see that she has a background in graphic design, with fun, playful elements such as dynamic illustrations in her "About Me".

4. Paula Wrzecionowska

When recruiters or hiring managers are sifting through 50-100 UX portfolios for a single role, they may only look at one case study. Paula does a good job in her feature projects of summarizing the client/brand, task at hand, and work she did on the project in the rollover state. 

By including that information, the viewer can choose what's most relevant to them, instead of clicking on a random project that might not resonate. 

5. Gloria Ha

This is another great portfolio website that adds unexpected touches and a bold personal brand into the viewing experience. Elements on the homepage animate if you stumble across them, but aren't moving so quickly or intrusively as to detract from the work. 

'Gloria also has a good variety of work: a skincare e-commerce experience, a bank feature, and a travel booking redesign. Showing your versatility in this way can certainly help when looking for your first UX/UI design role.

6. Celia Hazard

Celia takes a fresh and unconventional approach to the presentation of her UX materials. Calling herself a "design scientist", Celia's work is heavily rooted in strong research to back up her project work. There are some bold visual choices, and Celia's well laid out case studies are comprehensive but still scannable. This is an exciting portfolio showcasing a unique perspective on UX design.

7. Jared Bartman

So many portfolios are grid images on a white page, and while there’s nothing wrong with that approach, Jared’s portfolio stands out for its light grey background and use of color in general. One important feature is the “Back to Top” button on the right-hand side of the case study pages. Instead of having to scroll all the way back to the top of the page after you’re done, he’s made it much easier to navigate and keep going. 

8. Siriveena Nandam

Another great example of how a subtle color shift can make the design that much more compelling. Siriveena also has a nice variety of projects in her portfolio. It’s tempting to only pick what you find most interesting or exciting, but in the real world, you’d be much more likely to work on a very specific feature, or for an audience you have no expertise with. It’s nice to show that you’re interested and able to design for all, and it’s great to see Siriveena reflect that here. 

9. Katherine Chen

Katherine’s portfolio is clean, consistent, and easy to navigate, with section buttons on the left-hand side of the page for navigation on the case study pages. She also shows how to feature a confidential project, which will often happen as a designer. The “Healthcare Staffing” case study shows you a bit of the branding, outlines the ask and deliverable, and when you click on it, brings you to a page where you can email her for access. 

10. Chofi Chang

Chofi's portfolio is a great study in how to display different types of projects without feeling fragmented. Chofi specializes in creating brand identity, and has project work across both UX and other types of design. The visual presentation showcases the various design projects, but still communicates a sense of cohesion.

Are you pursuing a career change into the field of UX/UI design?

If you want to create a UX/UI design portfolio that inspires, we invite you to learn more about our UX Academy bootcamp: a fully online, intensive bootcamp that equips you with the UX/UI skills and portfolio you need to launch a new career in the field of UX/UI design.

Get weekly insightful articles, ideas,& news on UI/ UX and related spaces  – in to your inbox

Launch a career in ux design with our top-rated program

Top Designers Use Data.

Gain confidence using product data to design better, justify design decisions, and win stakeholders. 6-week course for experienced UX designers.

HOW TO BECOME A UX DESIGNER

Send me the ebook and sign me up for other offers and content on transitioning to a career in UX design.

Related posts

10 of the Best UX Design Bootcamps For 2024

How to Export Images from Figma

Must-see graphic design portfolios: 22 inspiring examples

Get inspired to create your own graphic design portfolio by checking out these stunning examples.

Design and build a custom portfolio website, visually, within 21 days.

In need of some inspiration for your graphic design portfolio? We got you covered. Here’s our list of 22 stunning graphic design portfolio examples.

A graphic design portfolio visually presents your past achievements and future aspirations, essential for freelance designers to exhibit their talents to potential clients.

Having an online portfolio to showcase your design work is absolutely essential if you want to scale your reach and secure new, potential clients as a graphic designer.

You know this. That's why you're here.

However, not just any design portfolio will do in today's online marketplace. 

To stand out from the crowd and, more notably, from the likes of AI-powered graphic design platforms, your portfolio website needs that extra 'oomph' — that oomph being you.  

‍ Me? Yup, you read correctly. 

Not only should your graphic design portfolio website demonstrate your design skills and versatility as a graphic designer, it should also serve as a visual embodiment of your personal brand or ‘ brand identity ,’ showcasing who you are and the kind of work you do.

Before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s discuss what makes up graphic design portfolios. We’ll then explore 22 visually stunning graphic designer websites — each demonstrating the skill and personality of their designers.

What is a graphic design portfolio, and what should it include?

Your graphic design portfolio should include a curation of your best work, the disciplines, brands, sectors, or industries you specialize in, your design process, and a method for contacting you.

‍ Best work — Your portfolio website is an online introduction or first impression to site visitors. To secure the best first impression, quality over quantity is key here.

‍ Specializations & disciplines — Your online portfolio should demonstrate your graphic design style . Highlight the kind of work you do or the brands, sectors, or industries you specialize in. Doing so displays your expertise and affirms you are the go-to graphic designer for that particular niche.

‍ Design process — Showcase your design process by including concept development through sketches, rough drafts, mood boards, and other visual materials. Employ the occasional case study where applicable within your graphic design website.

‍ Contact information — Be it your email, LinkedIn, Behance, or social media, include your contact information so intrigued onlookers can express their interest in working with you.

With the key elements laid out, let’s see them in action with these inspiring graphic design portfolio examples, each beautifully crafted using Webflow.

22 inspiring graphic design portfolios

1. howsem huang.

To kick off our list, take a look at Howsem Huang ’s brilliant portfolio website.

Howsem’s use of bold sans-serif typography placed atop contemporary imagery wonderfully displays their unique yet tastefully stylized design work — truly an eye-catching display of their artistry.

2. damn website

If a name could speak for itself, it is most certainly Nando’s damn website . Nando’s gaudy yet tasteful vaporwave -esque design is a testament to fully showcasing your brand identity and design skills as a graphic designer.

Nando ties in the motif of “damn” by employing choice repetition of the word alongside visual design elements to further support his claim of being a damn good designer — and it works.

His portfolio website is a complete representation of his bold artistic approach to design, competency as a graphic designer, and overall personality as a highly imaginative individual.

3. Rani Vestal

Next on our list is Rani Vestal’s online design portfolio. If you don’t have a flair for the dramatic and want a minimal yet high-quality way to demonstrate your best work online, look no further than Rani’s portfolio website.

Similar to Howsem’s design approach, Rani lets her notable design projects speak for themselves. Brand identity is Rani’s forte. In just a few words, you can define her brand as aesthetic functionality that meets creative professionalism.

4. Stensen design

Oslo-based graphic designer Mailinn Stensen ’s portfolio website wonderfully portrays their innovative and creative take on graphic design.

Their choice of a bold burnt orange alongside a contemporary sans-serif font matching their self-portrait totally encapsulates both their work and themselves — a subtle display of their innovative creativity.

5. Alex Fisher

Alex Fisher’s online portfolio is a breathtaking visual display of a graphic designer’s and illustrator’s artistic prowess.

Visiting Alex’s website is like stepping into a time capsule reminiscent of a classic fairy tale. Its feminine and eloquent elements are perfectly complemented by hints of a whimsical innocence that you’d find in a Disney classic. Her artistry and website alike will leave you in awe, wishing this was your own portfolio.

Alex’s site beautifully and brilliantly functions as a visual testament to her creative and artistic talent. Do yourself a favor and visit this gorgeous website for yourself.

6. Roos Beeldt

Roos Beeldt’s online portfolio evokes a spunky sentiment similar to the American pop art movement of the 1950s and 60s. Roos uses typography, shapes, hover effects, and colors to demonstrate her creative approach as a graphic designer and illustrator throughout the site’s design.

‍ Roos’ approach is seen most notably in her creative take on the services section on her homepage. Roos incorporates the hover effect and shapes to guide visitors to select one of the services she offers. Her attention to detail and unique take on visual cues within web design is made evident by the way she reframes the site’s narrative flow to fit her brand identity and her style as an artist..

7. Be Kind Design

Next on our list is Be Kind Design , a design studio known for turning frowns upside down since 1986, and it shows! While the design is simplistic, its functionality and content design make it stand out.

By featuring a homepage, social media icons, and case studies, Be Kind Design strips down its online portfolio to only the bare necessities — and for good reason. The case studies feature some of their best work. They’re incredibly detailed and stunningly put together, demonstrating their deep knowledge of art direction, graphic design, and product design

8. Sierra Plese

Sierra Plese is an award-winning graphic designer with years of industry experience. What makes Plese’s portfolio most memorable is her employment of textured geographic shapes to serve as a visual design motif, a nod to the principles of graphic design.

The addition of hover effects for these textured shapes breathes life into her portfolio, making it feel fun and playful. These effects transform an already good design into a great one.

9. Annie Szafranski

Immediately upon opening Annie Szafranski’s website portfolio, the typography catches your eye. Her portfolio serves as a perfect example of how to effectively use typography as the central theme for a design.

If you’re at a loss as to how you should design your portfolio website, choosing typography to complement the white space and layout is a great way to infuse personality into your design.

10. Luke Meyer

Luke Meyer ’s graphic design portfolio website is more than meets the eye. At first, we find a minimal off-white color scheme; however, hovering over each work sample unveils a color-changing background of each individual work sample. An added cursor effect reveals a further creative flair.

11. Andreas Gaida

Andreas Gaida is a freelance graphic designer, art director, and web designer with a clean, modern portfolio website that exhibits his expertise.

While his design is more muted in comparison to other graphic design portfolios on the list, the content design within the site is what makes his portfolio worth mentioning. Take a look for yourself, and you’ll come to appreciate his play on layout and content — both of which come together beautifully to create a functional site that maintains the appeal of modern design.

Build completely custom, production-ready websites — or ultra-high-fidelity prototypes — without writing a line of code. Only with Webflow.

12. Cristiaan the Designer

Cristiaan the Designer ’s play with white space, typography, color, and layout should not be overlooked. Her choice of typeface brings her online portfolio together in a unique and playful way.

13. Sylvain de la Porte

Sylvain de la Porte is a French web and graphic designer with over 15 years of industry experience. 

His design is exquisite, combining motion graphics and scrolling effects that both captivate and intrigue viewers. Sylvain tactfully fills the folds of each page’s layout with relevant content that is also pleasant to look at, a feat that takes skill that isn’t acquired overnight.

14. Travis McClure

Travis McClure is an Austin-based graphic designer specializing in brand identity, logo design, package design, and illustration. While his portfolio may appear simplistic, his case studies are the true champion of his site.

The layout for his case studies differs from the homepage, about, and contact pages — a design choice he executes marvelously. His side-by-side layout of an aesthetic, still juxtaposed by a detailed brief on his design process, demonstrates how to effectively deviate from the more traditional page layouts and structures we so often see on sites.

15. Graphic Department

Graphic Department is a German design studio with a simplistic yet effective online portfolio. While the site is only available in German, its minimalist design makes the site’s navigation effortless and easy to comprehend.

Creator Diego Toda de Olivera created the cloneable portfolio template, Bilbao , to showcase Webflow’s blend mode.

The graphic designer website opens with a large photo of a man, filled with video footage of various natural landscapes. Diego continues to highlight the effect with a video of cascading coffee beans filling the shape of a coffee bag.

17. Tony Mayer

Tony Mayer is a New York-based freelance web and graphic designer with a lineup of work that can only be described as impressive. This impressive design translates to his online portfolio, specifically his case studies and the interactive elements within the mockups of his case studies.

While this subtle inclusion of motion may appear insignificant to some, it serves as a visual theme within his portfolio website’s narrative. It’s employed with the arrow at the bottom of his site’s page and, most importantly, immediately upon redirecting to his homepage. This approach is an excellent way to add subtle hints of flair and vigor to your graphic design portfolio site.

18. Mauricio Barreto

(Motion warning)

For another example of exercising subtle accents, check out Mauricio Barreto ’s online portfolio. Though his homepage isn’t exactly subtle, you will find little Easter eggs of personality throughout the rest of his site by hovering over text items or searching in the site’s white space.

What’s particularly fun is how Mauricio guides the visitor on his contact page. Instead of using a traditional form for someone to fill in their contact information, Mauricio facetiously uses pixel arrows that literally point visitors in the direction of his Instagram. Who needs a boring old contact form when you have pixel arrows to guide potential clients to your Insta’s DMs?

19. Rhianna B Dunn

Rhianna B Dunn ’s portfolio website is an aesthetic wonder. Their load screen, static-noise-like background, chosen typography, and work samples beautifully come together to create a cohesive, aesthetic haven — a gorgeous display of themselves and their creative niche.

Never be afraid to put your full personality on display for your website portfolio, as Rhianna beautifully demonstrates their aesthetic expertise.

20. David Klaus

(Motion & photosensitivity warning)

A simple paragraph wouldn’t do justice when it comes to describing this online portfolio. Web designer and digital artist David Klaus ’ portfolio is where profound artistry meets the digital medium, where creativity truly has no bounds when given the means to, well, create — and create is precisely what David did.

21. Harry Moses

Harry Moses ’ portfolio website is reminiscent of high fashion editorial spreads you’d find in magazines such as Vogue or during promos for fashion week in New York and Paris.

Harry makes his skill set as a brand designer, digital designer, and art director evident through his online portfolio. Harry uses text and layout as the primary narrative devices within the site. This strategy is genius. Imagery is appropriately hidden within each project’s case study, found after clicking and scrolling to reveal high-quality visuals relevant to each study.

22. WW Studios portfolio template

Last but certainly not least is this portfolio website template by WW Studios . Not only is the template a wholesome visual treat for the eye, but it also communicates Sandra’s delightful, creative nature.

Your next best graphic design portfolio is a click away

There you have it, our list of 22 inspiring graphic design portfolios designed beautifully with Webflow. Find more inspiration from graphic design blogs or check out our 21-day design portfolio course to learn how to create your own portfolio.

Our comprehensive course teaches you how to build and design your own portfolio website without a single line of code. Enrollment is completely free, and we update the course periodically to ensure the content remains relevant in this ever-changing digital landscape.

Now fly, my friend! We’re excited to see what you create.

Subscribe to Webflow Inspo

Get the best, coolest, and latest in design and no-code delivered to your inbox each week.

Related articles

9 inspiring portfolios and insights from the designers behind them

Get inspired by some of our favorite portfolios built in Webflow. Go behind the screens with the designers who built them.

The best graphic design ideas for your next project

You know you need a graphic design portfolio. But what projects should you put in it? Get inspired with four graphic design project ideas.

9 freelancer portfolios designed to stand out

Find the inspiration you need to build a portfolio that communicates your talents — and brings in new clients.

9 best web developer portfolios: Examples to inspire your own

Here’s a look at 9 portfolios that have inspired us, and we hope will inspire you as well.

7 websites with inspiring typography

These 7 sites reveal the beauty and power of the written word.

Minimum viable products: 6 steps to launch a successful MVP with minimal risk

Learn how a minimum viable product (MVP) allows you to cut down on unnecessary resources, collect feedback, and release a product with reduced risk.

Get started for free

Try Webflow for as long as you like with our free Starter plan. Purchase a paid Site plan to publish, host, and unlock additional features.

Transforming the design process at

How to Make the Best Graphic Design Portfolio to Showcase Your Business

Jessica Michael

If you're a graphic designer , then you are already an expert at using visual imagery to communicate ideas and concepts. Whether you're creating logos, designing packaging, or developing print layouts, you're constantly inventing new ways to perceive products and services.

With that being said, it's imperative that as a graphic designer, you have a way to showcase your talent and style in order to land jobs and score clients.

One of the most effective ways to do this is by creating an online graphic design portfolio that highlights previous projects and gives new clients an idea of the types of graphic design you excel at. By using your expertise at graphic design, you can create an amazing portfolio that impresses clients and helps your work stand out.

In this article, we'll go over top tips to help you build a graphic design portfolio that's sure to get you hired.

What is a graphic design portfolio?

A graphic design portfolio is a collection of your work that speaks to your areas of expertise and your style of design. It's a way for potential clients and employers to get to know you and the type of work you do, and it's the number one determining factor in whether or not you'll get hired. Because of that, your portfolio is the top tool in your tool box when it comes to landing gigs and is worth spending some time on to get it right.

These days, most portfolios are online. Digital graphic design portfolios can be your own personal website, or they can be hosted on more boutique portfolio sites. The important thing is that your portfolio is well-designed and reflective of you.

The good news is that as a graphic designer, you already have the skills you need to make an interesting and marketable online portfolio. You just need to know how to get started!

Why do I need one?

Most employers require a graphic design portfolio before they'll hire you as do most design schools. In addition, freelance clients want an easy way to see what kind of work you do and if it lines up with their goals. By far, the most effective way to provide that is with an online portfolio .

Some of the benefits of having an online portfolio are that it's easy to share with anyone in the world, it's simple to keep updated with your latest and best work, and it can be leveraged for marketing purposes via newsletter sign-ups and social media sharing.

What should my portfolio look like?

The simple answer for this is that your portfolio should look like you ! If you have a more modern style of design, you'll want a portfolio that reflects that. If you utilize pops of color, make sure your graphic design website pops too.

Perhaps more than any other type of online portfolio, graphic design portfolios need to be able to show a prospective client or employer what you are capable of building in terms of layouts, imagery, branding, effective use of text, and overall cohesiveness. Your future clients will be viewing your portfolio as a kind of case study.

In addition, portfolios don't need to be overwhelming to be impressive. You'll want to include enough samples of your work to show your range and skill level, but it's unnecessary and counterproductive to clutter your site with every project you've ever worked on. You want a portfolio that's easy to navigate and makes it simple for clients to find examples of what they're looking for.

And don't be afraid to let yourself shine! Getting noticed in the crowded field of graphic design often requires bringing something special to the table. If there is something unique about you, your art, or your work, be sure to include that as part of your portfolio.

What do I include in my graphic design portfolio?

While your portfolio should be a unique expression of who you are as a designer, it's also important to include certain elements that employers will be looking for. We'll break all of that down here, as well as let you know some great options to include if you'd like an even more impactful portfolio.

Graphic Design Samples

The most important element of a great design portfolio is great samples! In fact, highlighting your excellent work is the reason portfolios exist, but it can be challenging to figure out what to include and how to include it.

To start with, a portfolio isn't a collection of all of your work samples--it's only a collection of your best work samples. More isn't necessarily better when it comes to your graphic design portfolio, so take some time to comb through your samples and really decide which ones are truly indicative of the quality of work you do.

You'll also want to include more recent projects, as new clients want to know that you are actively working in the field. If all of your samples are older, your work can appear outdated and may leave a client wondering if you are currently up to speed.

If you've worked with more recognizable brands or bigger companies, be sure to list those as well. The quality of your work will be the most convincing, but it helps your credibility if clients recognize a brand or two you've worked with.

Range and type of samples

Graphic design samples can include anything from logo design and packaging to website layout and brand identity creation. Figuring out what's most relevant to include is an important part of curating your graphic design samples.

If you specialize in a particular area like logo design, build a portfolio that showcases your specialty and include enough different samples that a client can get a sense of the range of design you can do within your area of expertise. Giving each sample in its own section can be a great way to organize this so each one can shine.

On the other hand, if you have multiple areas of design that you work in, you'll want to include at least one great example for each type of design you excel in. Again, you can divide your types of work into sections, or if you have enough different samples of each, you can create a separate page on your graphic design website for each.

The biggest takeaways for your collection of samples are to make sure you are including only your best and most recent work and to organize your site so that it's easy for clients to find and compare the type of graphic design they'd like to hire you for.

Case studies

Case studies are more comprehensive examples of your design than work samples and are an important part of any graphic design portfolio. Where a work sample provides a quick glimpse of your graphic design skills, a case study goes into the details of your creative process and design strategy.

It's a good idea to include one to three case studies in your portfolio where you define what the client's objective was, what you started with, how and why you created your design, and your ultimate deliverables. If you have any concrete numbers on how your deliverables benefited your client or how they utilized them, include those as well as they can be very convincing. For example, if you designed packaging for a client that's now being used nationwide, or your website redesign resulted in a specific increase in conversions, make sure to state that loud and clear.

Case studies are the place for you to really convince clients and employers that you know how to take on a project and see it through to a favorable outcome. They're also a great place to include any testimonials from the clients you worked with on each project. Nothing is more convincing to future clients than work that's been done well for previous clients.

We recommend organizing your case studies onto a case studies page, or separate each case study onto its own page on your site. Features such as buttons or hover effects over images that allow you to learn more about each study can also be impactful design elements for case studies.

The next most important feature on your graphic design portfolio website is your About Me section or page. Not only does your About Me give your clients a chance to get to know you a little more personally, it can also be a great place to highlight your relevant experiences.

Some people choose to make their About Me entirely professional by sticking to educational background, work experience, and graphic design philosophy. Others choose to inject some personality by including hobbies, life experiences, and more personal information. It's up to you what feels most comfortable, as long as you remember the goal of an About Me is to introduce yourself to a prospective employer in a way that both humanizes you and creates professional credibility.

A professional bio pic is also excellent to include alongside your About Me. Putting a face to the name can go a long way to creating a sense of connection, especially if you work remotely and may never meet a client in person. Make sure the photo is high-quality and professional as it stands in for the first impression you would give at an in-person interview.

Contact info

This seems like a no-brainer, but once you've impressed a client, you'll want them to know how to contact you. Having contact information displayed in prominent spots on your website like your nav bar, header and footer can help seal the deal.

These days, contact information goes beyond a contact form and an email. Contact information also comprises your professional social media accounts, so including social media buttons on your site is another great way for clients to find you. These can be placed in your menu, at the bottom of each page, or in your About Me section.

In addition, you may want to consider including a link to a site like Calendly , so potential clients can book a consultation directly. 

Additional options for your graphic design portfolio

While a graphic design portfolio is complete with the above inclusions, it makes sense to add some bells and whistles if you can. Here's a few additions that we think make a stellar portfolio:

CV/Resume. If you have extensive relevant educational experience or work-related experience, uploading a pdf of your resume can be a boon. This is especially true if you are using your portfolio to job hunt.

Testimonials. Client testimonials give instant credibility. Including these on your Home page or in a scrolling banner can be an excellent addition

Brand names. Similar to testimonials, recognizable names help you stand out. Including logos in a header or footer can be convincing. 

Newsletter sign-up. Newsletters can be a great way to update existing clients and to keep potential clients on the radar. If you have one, make sure to include a sign-up on your site.

Consider your ideal client

Whatever you decide to include in your graphic design portfolio, and no matter how you choose to design it, make sure you are building it with your ideal client in mind. If there's a type of graphic design you'd really like to focus on or an industry you want to work with, design your portfolio with those clients as your target audience . In other words, create a portfolio for the business you want to have in the future and not just the business you have now.

I'm ready to get started. Now what?

Figuring out what to include in your portfolio is the tough part. Now all you need to do is decide what platform you'd like to host it on. You can design a website from scratch on a website hosting platform, or you can choose a portfolio hosting site like Journo Portfolio that's specifically built for portfolios and includes templates and features that are ideal for a graphic design portfolio.

Get started today on designing your ideal graphic design portfolio!

25 Best Marketing Portfolio Examples + Why We Love Them

Jamie Mendes

9 tips to build a professional photography portfolio.

How to Make a Showstopping Digital Portfolio for Hair Stylists & Cosmetologists

Curated by journo portfolio.

Subscribe to a monthly email of useful links, tips and advice for people interested in portfolio-building.

No spam, ever. We take your data privacy seriously and you can one-click unsubscribe at any time.

Prefer English?

portfolio case study

Amazing portfolio case study work, designs, illustrations, and graphic elements

• New & Noteworthy
• Illustration
• Product Design
• Select a Timeframe
• This Past Week
• This Past Month
• This Past Year

• For designers
• Hire talent
• Inspiration
• Advertising
• © 2024 Dribbble
• Freelancers