When I started as a graphic designer, I thought showing everything I'd ever made was the way to go. My portfolio was stuffed with every project, from my first attempts to my latest work. I figured this would impress clients. Spoiler alert: it didn't.
After ten years in the field and hundreds of portfolio reviews, I've learned a lot about showcasing design skills effectively. Many designers struggle with curating their portfolio websites. They worry that showing less work will limit their chances. But my experience shows that's not true.
In this article, we'll look at common fears about portfolio curation and why curation is actually your friend in attracting great clients and projects.
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Understanding Portfolio Curation
Curating your portfolio means choosing your best work and showing it off in the best way. It's like setting up a store window to attract customers. You wouldn't put everything you own in the window, right? Instead, you'd pick your coolest stuff to make people want to come in.
Your portfolio website works the same way. You don't need to show every project you've ever done. Instead, pick the ones that:
- Show what you're best at
- Prove you can solve problems
- Display your style
- Attract the kind of clients you want
When you curate your portfolio, you're telling a story about yourself as a designer. This story should show clients why they should hire you.
Now, let's tackle the big fears that hold designers back from curating their portfolios.
Fear #1: Limiting Potential Clients
One of the biggest worries designers have is that they'll scare away potential clients by showing only one type of work. But here's the thing: specializing can actually attract more clients.
Why? Because:
- You become the go-to expert in your field.
- Your work stands out more.
- You attract better-fitting projects.
- You can often charge more as a specialist.
For example, if you love designing websites for restaurants, focus on that in your portfolio. Restaurant owners will see you as the perfect choice because you understand their specific needs.
Specializing doesn't mean you can never do other types of work. It just means you're strategic about what you show. You can always mention other skills or show a few diverse projects in a separate section.
Fear #2: Not Having Enough Work to Show
Another common worry is not having enough good work to fill a website. But here's some good news: You don't need tons of projects to make a great portfolio. In fact, sometimes less is more!
Think about it this way: Would you rather see 5 okay projects or 1-2 awesome ones? Most clients would pick the 1-2 awesome projects. Why? Because they show what you can do at your best.
Even one amazing case study can be enough to win clients. A case study shows how you solve problems, your design process, and the results you achieved. One well-crafted case study can be more impressive than a dozen portfolio pieces without context.
If you feel short on work, try these tips:
- Go deep, not wide: Explain your best work in detail.
- Include personal projects: Create some if you don't have client work.
- Show your process: Include sketches and early versions.
- Focus on results: Mention how your design helped the client.
Remember, it's about showcasing your skills, not the quantity of work.
Fear #3: Narrowing Down Too Much
The third big worry is narrowing down too much and missing out on opportunities. But here's the thing: narrowing down doesn't mean closing doors. It means focusing on the doors you really want to open.
Specializing can actually lead to more diverse work:
- Clients trust experts with bigger, more complex projects.
- Happy clients recommend you for related work.
- Skills in one area often apply to others.
For example, if you focus on branding for small businesses, this could lead to creating visual identities, designing packaging, making signage, creating social media graphics, and designing websites.
To narrow down without limiting yourself:
- Choose a broad niche (e.g., "branding for tech startups" instead of just "logo design").
- Show range within your niche.
- Highlight how your skills apply to other areas.
- Keep learning new techniques and trends.
Fear #4: Getting Bored with One Specialty
The last big worry is getting bored doing the same kind of work. But specializing doesn't have to be boring. In fact, it can lead to some of the most exciting work of your career.
Specializing can be more exciting because:
- You become an expert, taking on more challenging projects.
- You gain deeper understanding, spotting opportunities others miss.
- Clients trust specialists more, giving you more creative freedom.
- You get to solve tougher, more rewarding problems.
Think of your specialty as a tree. At first, it might seem like just one thing. But as you grow, you'll find new branches to explore: new techniques, related areas, opportunities to innovate, and chances to teach others.
To keep things interesting:
- Set personal challenges within your specialty.
- Stay curious and keep learning.
- Collaborate with other specialists.
- Use personal projects to explore new ideas.
Why Curation is Important
Now that we've tackled the fears, let's talk about why curation is so important:
- You become an expert in your field.
- You attract higher-paying clients.
- You stand out in a crowded market.
- You stay excited about your work.
Curating your portfolio isn't about limiting yourself – it's about focusing on your strengths and passions. It helps you become an expert, earn more, and stay excited about your work. That's a win-win-win!
Start Curating Your Portfolio
Ready to start curating your portfolio? The process is simpler than you might think. It's all about choosing your best work, presenting it well, and telling the story behind each project.
For a detailed guide on how to curate your portfolio, check out my article "How to Curate Your Portfolio Website." It walks you through each step, from selecting your strongest pieces to arranging them for maximum impact.
Want to take your portfolio to the next level? Case studies are key. If you'd like a free video lesson on curating your hottest projects for your portfolio website, check out my course "How to Craft Sexy Case Studies." It'll help you create case studies that really show off your skills and attract great clients.
Conclusion
We've covered a lot of ground, tackling the big fears that hold many designers back from curating their portfolios. Remember:
- Narrowing your focus often leads to better, more fitting projects.
- A few great projects can speak volumes.
- Specializing can lead to more exciting and challenging work.
- Curating helps you become an expert and attract higher-paying clients.
Don't let fear hold you back from creating a portfolio that truly represents your best work. And if you want some extra help, check out my free video lesson in my "How to Craft Sexy Case Studies" course.
Your dream projects are out there waiting for you. With a well-curated portfolio, you'll be ready to seize those opportunities when they come. So go ahead, dive in, and start curating.
Not sure where to start?
Check out my online portfolio review options where we can strategize and get leveling up your portfolio website fast.
