A digital portfolio shows what you can do, rather than telling people. It is useful for designers and artists, and just as useful for writers, developers, tradespeople, researchers and students.
Start with your audience
Ask who will look at it and what they need to decide. A gallery curator, a hiring manager and a prospective client each want different things. Shape the portfolio for the person you most want to reach.
Choose fewer, better pieces
Six to twelve strong examples usually make a better impression than everything you have ever made. Lead with your best and most relevant work, and remove anything you would not want to be hired to do again.
Show your thinking
For each piece, add a short note:
- What the brief or problem was.
- What you did, and why.
- The result, if you can share it honestly.
These notes help reviewers understand your judgement, not just your output.
Keep the structure simple
- Home: your name, what you do, and your strongest work.
- Work: the portfolio pieces, each with its own page if there is a story to tell.
- About: a short, human biography and a photograph if you are comfortable.
- Contact: an email address at your own domain and links to relevant profiles.
Mind the practical details
- Optimise images so pages load quickly on phones.
- Write descriptive alternative text for images, so the work is accessible to everyone.
- Ask permission before showing client work, and credit collaborators.
- Use a domain based on your name, such as
yourname.comoryourname.art, so the portfolio can follow you through your career.
Keep it alive
Add new work every few months and retire older pieces. A portfolio that is clearly maintained tells visitors you are active and available.