3 Ways to Grow Your Design Portfolio
Building a portfolio is essential for professional designer looking to advance their career. While there are various ways to grow your portfolio there are three easy strategies to take advantage of: participating in design brief challenges, creating detailed case studies, and engaging in freelance work. These approaches not only enhance the quality and depth of your portfolio but also showcase your skills, expertise, and unique design aesthetic to potential clients and employers. Here, we will dive into these three methods and explore how they can help you grow your portfolio.
Hi! My name is Kristin Ardese and I am a professional Graphic Designer and Marketing Strategist. I hope that by sharing some of my expertise, I can help offer valuable insights and build an engaging community.
Design Brief Challenges
Participating in a design brief challenge is a great way to add to your graphic design portfolio. These challenges are usually found in design blogs, social media pages, and online forums and often focus on branding fictional companies.
You may be wondering, “What is a design brief?” A design brief is a document that outlines the objectives, requirements, and expectations for a design project.
“(A creative brief) makes for a very simple and fast way for you to get back on your creative flow of inspiration whilst still creating very original content” (FakeClients, 2020)
Some suggested deliverables include a primary logo, secondary logo, menu design, packaging design, stationery, and campaign ideas. Even if you do not win the challenge, participating and practicing your delivery skills when you are in a creative rut will elevate your portfolio.
Some of my favorite design brief challenges are:
@azlogochallenge
@briefclub
@theglowandgrowclub
@brand.brief
So, try it out! It’s actually pretty fun when there is no pressure, no deadline, and no client. Let your creativity run wild, and see what you can develop. It might even be the project that helps get you hired.
Case Studies
Creating detailed case studies for select projects in your portfolio provides valuable insight to clients or hiring managers into your design process and decision-making.
Including visual assets such as sketches, wireframes, and mockups is also helpful and is an excellent display of the detail and time that is put into every project. You should also think about including the triumphs and pitfalls throughout your process. This will demonstrate your problem-solving abilities as a person and designer.
Writing about your work will also make it easier to find online. By using keywords for SEO, prospective clients may be able to find a case study relevant to their own business needs. Case Study Buddy provides some helpful ways to use case studies for SEO:
Target [service] + [customer]
Target “how to” phrases
Target brand names
Link to related services, products, or offers
Freelance Work
If you have put yourself out there enough and told the world, “Hey, I’m a graphic designer,” then you probably have started to get inquiries about your work. When you first start out in your career, freelance work can be a great way to diversify your portfolio while also working with real clients.
A significant aspect of freelance work is the opportunity for client testimonials. Positive feedback from existing or previous clients will build your brand trust and help win other clients over to use you as their designer.
“Clients would prefer to hire freelancers who have positive reviews, which gives them confidence that this is a person that they can rely on for high-quality work and prompt delivery” (Singh, 2024)
A testimonial is like a review of your talents and services. You probably wouldn’t buy something off Amazon without any reviews! The same goes for being a designer. Featuring positive feedback from clients on your website can significantly increase the conversion rate from potential prospects to actual clients.
Once you have made your mark as a designer in the field, you may start to consider being more selective about what projects you pursue. This will help emphasize your niche and elevate the style of your personal brand and your delivery. As you move along in your career, you should find what speaks to your passion and build your portfolio around that.
The Bottom Line
By actively participating in design brief challenges, crafting comprehensive case studies, and seizing freelance opportunities, you can expand your portfolio while showcasing your talents and expertise. Each project you undertake adds depth and diversity to your portfolio, attracting potential clients and employers. Take advantage of these 3 methods and watch your design portfolio flourish.
