Four Essential Items to Include in Your Graphic Design Portfolio

As a graphic designer, your portfolio provides insight into your artistic vision, your talent, and your skills. Whether you're planning to apply for a graduate or certificate program to expand your design prowess or seeking jobs in your field, use this checklist to ensure that your portfolio highlights your assets and paints a comprehensive picture of your experience.

Artist Biography

Don't be afraid to give your portfolio personality with a creative, vibrant bio page. Help those who view your portfolio get to know you as a person and as a designer. Talk about how you became interested in design and showcase a few professional accolades of which you're particularly proud.

Selected Work

Your design portfolio isn't the place to maintain a comprehensive archive of your work. Instead, it should be a carefully curated, well-rounded selection of your most innovative, exceptional designs. Pick pieces that tell a story about you as a designer and effectively illustrate your personal brand. If you work in diverse industries, for example, make sure you reflect that in your portfolio with a diverse selection of designs. When choosing each portfolio image, ask yourself if it reflects the way you want people to see you professionally. If the answer is no, leave it out.

Design Context

The portfolio should be more than a slideshow. Write a short paragraph for each piece that gives the viewer context about the project. Talk about your role in creating each design, the creative process you used, and why it was so successful. Client testimonials are also appropriate in this section.

Contact Information

It doesn't matter how beautiful your designs are if the viewer doesn't know to get in touch with you. Create a clear call-to-action that leads to your inbox. A button with text like "Reach Out" or "Get in Touch" along with a contact form is simple, elegant, and effective.

Tulane School of Professional Advancement can help you advance your career with our B.A. in Digital Design program and Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Digital Design. Choose from a traditional classroom experience or a completely online program that fits your busy schedule. Enhance your creative skills and start your online application today.