How can you use your portfolio to show that you are client-focused?

1 Know your audience

Before you start designing your portfolio, you need to know who you are targeting and what they are looking for. Research the industry, the market, and the type of clients you want to work with. What are their goals, challenges, and preferences? How can you tailor your portfolio to appeal to them and show that you understand their problems and can offer solutions?

2 Showcase relevant projects

Your portfolio should not be a collection of random projects that you have done, but a curated selection of your best and most relevant work that showcases your skills and expertise in the context of your audience's needs. Choose projects that demonstrate how you have solved specific problems, delivered value, and achieved results for your clients. Include a brief summary of each project, highlighting the client's brief, your role, your process, and the outcome.

3 Tell a story

Your portfolio is not only a display of your work, but also a narrative of your journey as a designer and a problem-solver. Use your portfolio to tell a story that connects with your audience and shows them how you think, work, and collaborate. Explain the challenges, the insights, the decisions, and the feedback that shaped your work. Show how you adapted to changing circumstances, learned from mistakes, and improved your skills. Use visuals, testimonials, and metrics to support your story and show the impact of your work.

4 Be user-friendly

Your portfolio should not only be visually appealing, but also easy to navigate, fast to load, and responsive to different devices. Make sure your portfolio is user-friendly and accessible for your audience, so they can find what they are looking for quickly and easily. Use clear labels, categories, and filters to organize your work. Use consistent fonts, colors, and layouts to create a coherent and professional look. Use high-quality images, videos, and animations to showcase your work, but optimize them for speed and performance.

5 Include a call to action

Your portfolio is not only a showcase of your work, but also a marketing tool that can help you generate leads and opportunities. Don't let your audience leave your portfolio without giving them a clear and compelling call to action. Invite them to contact you, follow you, subscribe to your newsletter, or book a consultation. Provide them with your contact details, social media links, and testimonials. Show them that you are eager to work with them and that you can add value to their projects.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?