The Proper Way To Display Your Portfolio To Get Hired
If you want to prove yourself to your future clients, you need a professional portfolio that stands out. This is especially true if you’re in the highly competitive design industry. Regardless if you’re after a creative full-time or freelance job, it’s one of the most vital tools to have. Not only will it showcase your creativity, but it’ll also show your problem-solving and technical skills.
It’s an excellent idea to have an online portfolio as it may serve purposes. Not only can it attract new clients, but it can also give your future employer an insight into what you can offer. Additionally, doing so can make you more visible, boost your personal brand, and eventually aid you in accomplishing your goals.
Nevertheless, when you’re starting, your portfolio may look like something that a student designer put together. It’s probably a mere image of the final outcome of your designs. You may have even used the grid type of online portfolio where people can browse and look around at your various projects. But doing something this basic will not gain you any traction.
If you want to close that deal, it’s vital to show and tell. And the best way to do it is to begin creating detailed case studies that can take your online portfolio to the next level. Also, this will ensure that people can better visualize what you can bring to the table.
Why Do I Need To Come Up With An Extensive Case Study?
You want to build trust
Establishing trust with any of your likely clients is essential. It is your job as a designer to show them that you can provide them with what they need and deliver favorable results when they hire you. Also, having case studies will show them that you have a steady process in place.
Likewise, try to put yourself in the shoes of your target client. Presenting your clients with a grid of different images on your website, you’ll simply leave them with plenty of questions in mind. Plus, they’re more likely to make assumptions about your work.
However, providing them with an exact layout of what you can do for their business can help you establish yourself both as a professional and an asset to them. Still, there will always be barriers in terms of getting that deal. What you can do is look at all the elements of your case study as additional steps into eliminating those barriers one by one.
It will ensure that you’ll stand out from the rest of your competition
There is plenty of competition out there, but not everyone is doing comprehensive case studies. At best, most designers have a mockup or two with a brief background about their clients.
You can stand out from the rest of your competitors by adding a few extra details. Additionally, it will show your clients that you take your job seriously. And by working with you, they would always receive the results that they want to see every time.
It can help increase your professional value
You can become a successful freelancer and take things to a whole new level by positioning yourself as an expert in your field. And there’s no better way to start than having a combination of a solid portfolio and extensive case studies.
Giving your future clients a detailed guideline of your work will prove your expertise and value as a designer. This will then lead to attracting your dream clients as well as help you increase your prices.
Important Things To Include In Your Case Study
Here are the elements you need to include to ensure you have a strong case study:
- Project Overview.
It should be around 2 to 3 sentences, which include the name of your client and a brief description of their company. - Final Image Of The Project.
Make sure the image you’ll use for the end result of the project is clear from the get-go. - The Services You’re Offering.
You have to be clear about the role you’ll play in the entire project, such as web design, branding, logo design, etc. - List your Collaborations.
Make a list of the people you’ve had a collaboration with. It could be anyone, from illustrators to creative directors. This will give them credit and show that you can and are willing to work with others. - State The Problem And Provide The Best Solutions.
Describe the main objective of the project. And then explain the steps and strategy you need to take for the final product. Be straightforward when doing it and avoid overthinking. Two sentences or so that showcase how you were able to solve the problem effectively will be sufficient. - Share Your Process.
Share some bits and pieces of your plan of action during a creative brief. Doing so can help you gather key ideas for the project. Consider taking pictures of the sketches you have and add some captions which describe the different directions you took. - Final Design Or Mockups.
Prove you have what it takes and provide at least two high-quality images of your design. - Previous client feedback is one of the most significant components of your portfolio. You don’t have to make it elaborate. Simply putting in an excellent review from your past client can make a huge difference when closing a deal.
- Try to add the expected start and end dates of the project. It’ll be especially convenient for those looking to hire someone right away.
- Don’t Forget To Include A Call To Action Button.
Calls-to action will provide your likely client a clear idea of what their next step should be. Don’t let them wonder what to do next after they’ve assessed your work. Add a CTA, such as “Click To Find Out More,” “Let’s Get Started,” or “Inquire About My Services.”
The key here is to make things as simple as you can. You don’t have to make your case study like an essay. Be honest, get down to business, and even with several sentences, your online design portfolio will be just as effective. Are you ready to give it a try? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
Aileen Cuaresma
Aileen is a Technical and Creative writer with an extensive knowledge of WordPress and Shopify. She works with companies on building their brand and optimizing their website. She also runs a local travel agency with her family. On her free time, she loves reading books, exploring the unknown, playing with her two adorable dogs, and listening to K-pop.
0 Comments