How to make a great Online Portfolio – 7 tips to creative success on the web!

How can an illustrator, photographer or designer make a great Online Portfolio? Here are seven steps to creative success on the web:


1. Select the right number of pieces. Choose 20 work samples that demonstrate the breadth and depth of your abilities. We've found that clients prefer to see approximately 10-15 pieces that represent your core specialization and another five to ten that reflect additional talents or areas of interest.

2. Keep samples current - Each item should be relatively current - generally no more than three years old - and preferably still in use. Timely material demonstrates that you're up-to-date with design trends and technologies. Exceptions to this would be award-winning images and pieces that are crucial to building a portfolio theme.

3. Organize strategically - The method of organization you choose will depend on the type of client you're targeting as well as your experience. Many corporate clients, for example, are interested in an industry-specific portfolio that demonstrates all the pieces you've produced that relate to their line of business. Some agencies and clients, however, will prefer to review samples by media specialty. It's a good idea to call ahead and see how the interviewer would prefer your work to be organized. Professionals just beginning their careers may want to organize their portfolios chronologically, with most recent projects first, since this method emphasizes creative development.

4. Invest wisely - Present your pieces in a professional portfolio that allows you to showcase your work most effectively (white background, black background, different layouts, Titanium, Leather or even Vinyl Portfolios). Invest in a quality online portfolio - it's worth the expense.

5. Label items with key information - Each piece should contain the following information: the client for whom it was produced, your role in the project, the software utilized, and one or two sentences explaining why the piece is important. All of this info adds keywords and key phrases into local and major search engines.

6. Be specific - Demonstrate specific proficiencies in your portfolio. For example, if you specialize in graphic design, consider including at least one example of cross-platform work. Ideally, 1 theme of 20 images, 2 groups of 10 images, or 4 subjects x 5 samples per. No more than 4 major specialization areas, see examples below.

7. Email your portfolio - Supplying electronic copies that are both PC- and Mac-compatible allows a buyer to bookmark or save your samples. The Email Promo Tool at Portyfolios.com allows you to send any one image or all 20 of your thumbnails anywhere in the world, with just a click!



Photographers, Illustrators, Designers!!! If you want to get a fantastic deal on a professional Titanium showcase at Portfolios.com, I am Senior Creative there, so don’t pay the online rates, just ring me thru 1.800.303.9277 x 255. Instead of one year for US$600 you can get two years for us699 or even a one year trial at just us399.

Here are a few examples of well-constructed portfolios:


Portfolios.com/Echo

Portfolios.com/PaulFrance

Portfolios.com/LucRobitaille

Portfolios.com/SuzanneDuranceau

Portfolios.com/ChrisGordaneer



I am Senior Creative there, so don’t pay the online rates, just ring me (Joe Trainor) at 1.800.303.9277 x 255 or email me through jt@portfolios.com . Instead of one year for US$600 you can get two years for us699 or even an annual trial at just us399.