12 Finest On-line Portfolio Examples and Construct Yours

If you happen to’re available in the market for a brand new job or hoping to land greater, higher shoppers, a portfolio web site is a must have. It’s the last word method to showcase your work whereas additionally letting your persona shine by way of. 

Plus, not like social media and different platforms, portfolio web sites provide you with full management.

However having full management can really feel overwhelming while you’re getting began with the design course of. Plus, with so many portfolio websites on the market, how are you going to stand out? 

If you happen to’re questioning what separates the great from the dangerous, or simply want some net design inspiration, learn on. We’ve rounded up examples of top-notch portfolio websites from writers, designers, photographers, and extra.

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Listed below are 12 of the very best portfolio examples we’ve seen

1. Kristin Wong, author

Why’s this a very good instance to observe?

Whenever you pull up Kristin Wong’s web site, it’s instantly clear that she’s legit. She prominently options massive, recognizable names in her business utilizing copy and logos — The New York Occasions, Glamour, CNN, The Reduce, and many others. 

And it’s all proven “above the fold” — a time period originating within the newspaper business that basically refers to data a reader sees at first look. With newspapers, that meant the front-page headline. With web sites, it means the highest a part of the web page that’s seen with out scrolling. 

Why does this matter? As a result of the most up-to-date analysis from Nielsen/Norman Group exhibits customers spend about 57% of their page-viewing time above the fold, and 74% of viewing time within the first two screenfuls. Then, they largely scroll by way of the remainder of the content material earlier than perking up once more close to the footer.

Talking of which, Wong makes use of the footer on her private portfolio to her benefit as properly, that includes screenshots of her Instagram account that exhibit her work and a excessive following — social proof that she’s a well-regarded author. 

Key classes from this instance

• Put your most vital content material (like your worth proposition) above the fold. 
• If you happen to’ve labored with massive, recognizable firms, characteristic it prominently. 
• Showcase samples of your greatest work on the primary web page of your web site in a visible format. 
• Use social proof to persuade potential shoppers and increase conversions. This will come within the type of social media, as Wong’s does, or by way of testimonials. 

2. Daniel Grindrod, cinematographer

Why’s this a very good instance to observe?

As a cinematographer, Daniel Grindrod makes use of a high-quality, cinematic spotlight reel to hook guests on his private web site. Actually, as quickly as you pull up Grindrod’s web site, the video begins to play, instantly drawing you in. And there’s nothing else on the homepage — simply his title, the menu, and the video. 

Guests can then click on by way of the simplified menu to see different examples of his work, categorized into video or nonetheless type. And Grindrod’s web site contains an lively, up-to-date weblog that demonstrates business authority, improves Web optimization, and drives natural visitors to his web site. 

Running a blog helps increase Web optimization by making your web site a related reply to clients’ questions through search. And weblog posts that use a wide range of Web optimization ways usually rank greater in engines like google, main extra clients to your web site.

Key classes from this instance

• Use your whole web site, not simply your portfolio items, to indicate what you are able to do. Grindrod is a cinematographer, for instance, so he used cinematography. However writers can use distinctive copy, designers distinctive design, and many others. 
• If related, use video to each draw individuals in and maintain them there. In keeping with a 2020 survey by Wyzowl, 83% of respondents say video will increase the common time their guests spend on the web page. 
• Use an Web optimization-optimized weblog to drive visitors and exhibit authority.

3. Arlen McCluskey, UX designer

Why’s this a very good instance to observe?

Every little thing about Arlen McCluskey’s web site reads techy net designer, from the colourful shade scheme and blurred background to the typography. And whereas it appears nearly minimalist on the homepage, when guests click on by way of one in every of his initiatives, it’s full-on substance.

McCluskey dives deep into every mission’s challenges, objectives, and outcomes, nearly like a case examine — giving potential shoppers a completely developed thought of each his capacity and method. And like earlier examples, McCluskey’s portfolio mentions big-name shoppers like AirBnB, Dropbox, Section, and Xero above the fold.

Portfolios like these are particularly vital to these in UX design like McCluskey. As Nick Babich, Editor-in-chief at UX Planet, says, “In UX design, portfolios matter greater than levels. Employers and recruiters will use your portfolio to find out your expertise and aesthetic and, most significantly, your capacity to resolve real-world enterprise issues.”

Key classes from this instance

• Maintain your homepage easy and clear however don’t shrink back from substance on sub-pages. If somebody has stayed in your web site lengthy sufficient to click on by way of, they’re occupied with extra data. Don’t depart them wanting.
• Know your business and what individuals are in search of. McCluskey did a wonderful job of speaking his experience and problem-solving method proper off the bat.

4. Raewyn Brandon, graphic design

Why’s this a very good instance to observe?

For starters, you possibly can inform what Raewyn Brandon does proper off the bat — “Raewyn Brandon is a Tauranga based mostly Graphic Designer – Out there for initiatives worldwide.” This copy itself provides you every part that you must know in two easy strains. And the crisp, uncluttered white area directs your eye to the textual content.

Brandon’s graphic design portfolio showcases her design expertise, which is vital contemplating her line of labor. Her experience shines by way of the straightforward, clear structure she used and her mastery of shade.

Plus, Raewyn showcases her spectacular shopper work on the high of the web page. Guests can click on by way of to see a full run-down of every mission, full with high quality photos and descriptions.

The menu, horizontal on the high of the web page, can also be clear and shopper targeted. She categorizes her work into both print or model, so potential shoppers can simply discover the kind of samples they want.

And her about part is great. The copy is personable but in addition shopper targeted, emphasizing the advantages of her work quite than simply speaking about herself. She features a heat, trendy picture of each herself and her workspace that pulls you in.

Key classes from this instance

• All the time take into consideration your web site from a shopper’s perspective. It must be straightforward to navigate and you must current the data in a method that’s relative to their wants, not yours.
• Use white area to emphasise design and/or copy.
• You probably have plenty of big-name shopper work, showcase it instantly. 
• Maintain your menu easy and shopper targeted.

5. Anton Cristell, graphic and inside designer

Supply: Anton Cristell

Why’s this a very good instance to observe?

Whenever you first open Anton Cristell’s web site, you’re confronted with a clean web page. At first, it looks like it’s not loading — not sometimes essentially the most fascinating first impression. However as quickly as you progress your mouse (or thumb), you understand it’s an interactive canvas, permitting you to attract on it.

This distinctive and memorable method grabs the customer’s consideration, nearly daring them to click on by way of to see extra. The highest left options simply his title — the one factor on the web page. When you click on his title, two hyperlinks present up – Works and About.

Cristell’s work, showcased on his mission web page, is intensive, and clicking by way of every hyperlink shows photographs of every design mission. His about web page additionally explains a bit about his method and mixing of graphics, design, and structure.

Key classes from this instance

• Don’t be afraid to interrupt the foundations or buck design traits. Cristell’s homepage, whereas puzzling at first, motivates guests to click on by way of regardless that it defies the “above the fold” rule.

6. Tara Pixley, photographer and visible journalist

Why’s this a very good instance to observe?

Tara Pixley, a photographer and video journalist, is the primary on this sequence with a sidebar menu —  helpful as a result of her work is complicated, requiring a number of drop-down menus throughout the sidebar.

If it have been on the high, it will create a complicated consumer expertise. Being on the aspect, nevertheless, permits for simple navigation whereas protecting her pictures entrance and heart. This balances the complexity of the menu with the simplicity of the design.

Usually, it’s higher to maintain menus easy. Many web sites observe the mantra of the “Magic Quantity 7 +/- 2” — which refers to analysis displaying people can solely retain 7 gadgets at a time in short-term reminiscence.

However In Pixley’s case, she’s focusing on main journalism shops and high-profile organizations. So the complexity is acceptable for the meant viewers.

Plus, Like Raewyn Brandon, Pixley’s web site makes use of loads of white area to obviously talk what she does whereas concurrently showcasing her creative prowess.

Key classes from this instance:

• Contemplate your viewers when designing the menu in your personal web site.
• Sidebar menus will be helpful in balancing a depth of knowledge with a simplistic design.

Editor’s observe: Need to construct an internet site similar to this one? Right here’s how one can construct a pictures web site with our intuitive web site builder.

7. Robby Leonardi, illustrative designer and animator

Supply: Robby Leonardi

Why’s this a very good instance to observe?

Robby Leonardi’s web site is without doubt one of the coolest round. An illustrative designer and animator, Leonardi places his web site to work by gamifying his resume. Customers scroll by way of the interactive web site utilizing both a mouse or the down arrow on the keyboard.

He breaks his resume down into “ranges” with the primary being an about part the place customers discover out he’s from New York and an NBA fan. In stage two, the character runs by way of an underwater world itemizing his graphic and net software program expertise, together with gaming and coding language chops.

Degree three exhibits Leonardi’s work expertise with visible charts breaking down how a lot animation, code, and graphics have been concerned in every place. Within the final part, the character floats up in a scorching air balloon displaying banners that spotlight his awards and publications. The balloon “lands” at a contact part, full with enjoyable little fireworks and a celebration such as you gained the sport.

Key classes from this instance

• Much like Daniel Grinrod’s web site, take into consideration your particular expertise and business. Is there a method to make use of your web site itself to indicate individuals what you are able to do? If that’s the case, go for it.

8. ToyFight, designers

Supply: ToyFight

Why’s this a very good instance to observe?

ToyFight goes to indicate you that portfolio pages aren’t just for solo acts. They can be used for companies and organizations. 

Utilizing vibrant colours, distinctive figures, and visible storytelling, this portfolio makes you wish to maintain scrolling simply to see extra of it. ToyFight’s web site additionally makes use of cheeky visuals and conversational copy to get their personalities throughout. Testimonials are “candy nothings,” for instance. They usually describe themselves as “artistic rustlers” and “mainly, your new BFF.”

Plus, ToyFight’s cellular optimized web site options its personal brand design and a full web page of shopper design work.

Key classes from this instance

• Generic websites that attempt to be every part to all people are a dime a dozen. Don’t be afraid to let your persona shine by way of. It won’t please everybody, however it’ll appeal to the proper of shoppers.
• Nearly all of guests to your web site will probably be on cellular so be certain your web site is cellular responsive. Meaning taking the time to design how your web site seems to be on cellular gadgets along with desktop screens. 
• You probably have any main accomplishments, showcase it. ToyFight has gained quite a few awards for his or her designs and the web site options the awards within the “What” part.

9. Ashley N. Diers, illustrator

Supply: Ashley N. Diers

Why’s this a very good instance to observe?

Ashley N. Diers is a letterer, illustrator, and adventurer. Her web site showcases her work above the fold and even features a call-to-action (CTA) button as properly.

The examples of her work embrace descriptions that present up while you hover over it, eliminating the necessity to click on by way of and making a easy consumer expertise.

Plus, Diers’ web site is exclusive on this listing as a result of it contains hyperlinks to purchase her merchandise. Along with working with shoppers, she additionally sells her wares on Etsy and Redbubble — each featured prominently within the high menu.

Key classes from this instance

• Portfolios are available in all styles and sizes. Think twice about what you want yours to do for you and construct it to go well with. For instance, your portfolio doesn’t have to solely showcase your expertise. It can be used for promoting merchandise.

• Efficient CTAs drive conversions and generate leads. They usually do it higher than AdWords! The typical click-through price (CTR) for Google Advertisements is 2 % — whereas the common CTR for a CTA on a web page is nearly 3.5 %.

10. Elna Cain, author

Supply: Elna Cain

Why’s this a very good instance to observe?

Elna Cain’s portfolio web site leads with a smiling picture of herself together with a transparent worth proposition in animated kind, instantly drawing your consideration. She additionally contains social proof above the fold, letting guests know she’s written for main manufacturers in her area of interest, together with glowing testimonials additional down the web page.

Cain’s portfolio web page is intensive however options visible snippets to make it extra digestible. It’s additionally up-to-date, that includes a 2021 article proper on the high. She additionally features a “rent me” tab in her menu which communicates clearly that she’s out there to work.

Key classes from this instance

• Take the time to maintain your portfolio up-to-date, demonstrating to shoppers that you just’re lively in your area.
• Use visible cues to hook guests akin to animated kind, daring colours, and crisp photographs.
• Portfolio web sites don’t all the time have to be stunningly artistic. Actually, typically it’s higher in the event that they’re not. In Cain’s case, for instance, she’s a author. So she desires that to shine by way of, not the design.
• Use testimonials to drive conversion charges by as a lot as 34%!

11. Ximena Vengoechea, researcher, author, and illustrator

Supply: Ximena Vengoechea

Why’s this a very good instance to observe?

Speak about utilizing white area! Ximena Vengoechea takes it to the subsequent stage. Her portfolio is straightforward and clear, letting her illustrations shine by way of utilizing a novel slideshow format on her homepage.

Vengoechea makes use of her high menu to divide her portfolio into classes, making it simpler for potential shoppers to seek out what they’re in search of. Inside every class, Vengoechea lists shoppers throughout the business that she’s labored with like Tradition Lab, Designer Fund, and Quick Firm, offering social proof for her distinctive work.

And the handwritten illustrations all through her web site make it really feel personable and alluring whereas showcasing her creative expertise.

Key classes from this instance

• Use your distinctive expertise to make your web site stand out.
• Social proof is particularly vital when your work is exclusive.

12. Ian Enders, software program architect

Supply: Ian Enders

Why’s this a very good instance to observe?

Ian Enders’s portfolio is an effective instance of an excellent easy, one-page web site. It’s additionally fascinating as a result of it doesn’t showcase his work in the way in which most portfolio websites do. As a substitute, Enders’ portfolio works a bit extra like a resume (he really has one linked) written in a snarky, hipster tone.

Reasonably than displaying his precise work, Enders is displaying who he’s labored for, linking to firms throughout the copy itself. This possible works for him as he appears to be utilizing his portfolio to land jobs with potential employers as an alternative of shoppers.

Why hassle to create a portfolio on this case? In keeping with Tom Scott, Co-Founder at Fearless, “In an age the place there may be extra emphasis on hiring individuals who match the tradition of the enterprise, a portfolio is an ideal alternative to indicate that you just’re a cultural match.”

Key classes from this instance

• Guidelines are supposed to be damaged. Make your portfolio be just right for you and your business, even when it’s completely different from others.
• Ender’s portfolio is an effective reminder that it’s not simply entrepreneurs and freelancers that may profit from on-line portfolios. Folks in search of new 9-5 kind jobs can use them as resumes and stand out within the crowd.  

Questions you will have relating to on-line portfolios:

How do I make a portfolio?

Making a portfolio isn’t practically as exhausting because it was once due to easy-to-use web site builders that remove the necessity for coding or web site design expertise. Take the GetResponse builder, for instance.

Utilizing fundamental details about your expertise, the AI know-how generates at the least three personalised portfolio templates so that you can select from in simply minutes — simplifying the design course of. After that, it’s only a matter of including your work and utilizing the beginner-friendly editor to get it excellent.

This video will present you ways this works in motion. If you happen to’d like to check the instrument by your self, you are able to do so on our Web site Builder product web page (no registration wanted).

What ought to an internet portfolio embrace?

A web-based portfolio ought to embrace a homepage with a transparent worth proposition, name to motion, and testimonials. It must also embrace a portfolio web page that includes your greatest work, an about web page, and a contact data web page, and a companies web page. Portfolios must also hyperlink to related social media profiles like Fb, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Listed below are some examples of ready-made portfolio web site templates you’ll discover in GetResponse that embrace these web page varieties:

How do I construct a robust on-line portfolio?

As these examples have proven, spectacular on-line portfolios share some widespread parts. First, they need to exhibit your experience shortly, that includes a few of your greatest work on the primary web page.

They need to additionally embrace parts that increase conversion charges like movies, CTA’s, and social proof. And they need to talk each your persona and elegance utilizing a mix of textual content and design. Lastly, together with and sustaining an lively weblog is an effective method to exhibit experience whereas driving visitors to your web site.

Conclusion

Portfolio web sites are a must have in at present’s digital world. They showcase your work and function an internet resume and shopper magnet. So whether or not you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur, or full-blown company, we hope these examples offered some design inspiration. Now get on the market and begin constructing your individual portfolio! Better of luck!