Making a Portfolio as a Total Beginner

My name is Kaydence, and just a few years ago I thought I was a big shot expert in the ways of art. As it turns out, doing a few drawings for $20 during high school isn't exactly the best way to freelance. For a bit of reference, I'm currently a student (a sophomore at university) as of writing this.

I do have lots of experience creating art- from charcoal drawings made from twigs I burnt myself to giant sculptures made from random items I've found around campus- but I don't have any "real" experience. Trying to build a professional portfolio when you've only professionally made art for about 5-ish months is a bit of a daunting task. My professor, Christian Webster, has been my primary resource on how to handle all of this (she's great). There are many ways to go about making items to put into your portfolio, and there are some right ways and wrong ways of doing so.

The Big DO's (as a freelance illustrator)

1. Create an Image for Yourself

   Find out what colors, shapes, and styles speak both to you and as you. I personally knew that large, bold, interactive, and playful elements speak volumes about myself and my work.

2. Show Your Best & Brightest Work

   As a beginner, you probably don't have a lot of work you'd call perfect- but try to stay away from adding your less pristine work solely for the purpose of making your portfolio look fuller. Let your great work speak for you.

3. Play Around With Your Site Builder

   Look around and experiment with the features your site builder has. It may seem easy and convenient to just place your images on a template and call it a day, but your viewers want to see you, not John Smith.

4. Ask People for Criticism

   This is pretty self-explanatory. Of course YOU think your portfolio looks good, but everyone else should, too. Ask people you know who have different taste than you to share a few thoughts!

5. Check Your Site on Many Devices

   So many times I've checked my site on devices of different dimensions and been met with an ugly mess. Make sure to not only follow the grid lines, but before you publicly share your site, try to look at it on several different screen sizes.

The Big DON'Ts  (as a freelance illustrator)

1. Display Work You Don't Want to Do

   This relates heavily to the idea that you don't want any filler in your website/portfolio. If you don't see yourself making a career out of a specific medium, keep that medium far away from your portfolio!

2. Share Too Much of the Same Thing

   Each project, page, and asset on your portfolio needs a purpose. While you should have a consistent image, you don't want to appear monotone or close-minded by limiting yourself too much.

3. Use a Template

   Okay- you can use a template- and honestly, it will probably work much smoother than how my own did. I just wouldn't recommend it if you're looking to stand out. I personally want to be bold andorigial, and part of that is an ability to work from scratch and make a site that practically screams who I am. Quick side note- if you're looking to get highly structured work, maybe that structured template really is for you.

Am I an expert in the art of portfolio making? No. Do you have to take my advice? Definitely not.

But..

I do stand on this advice.