This guide aims to help you understand best practices for featuring your design projects in your portfolio. Throughout this guide, we'll explore several situations that can be effective in creating an efficient information hierarchy.
These observations were made by me, Vinícius Müller, during my research and curation of projects to be published in Abstract Logotypes. Keep in mind that what is being described below is not a rule or a guaranteed path to project success, but guidelines that I use the criteria in the selection and my projects as a brand designer.
Captivating the User with Your Portfolio
The key to captivating a client with your portfolio is to carefully present your project structure. Your presentation should allow everyone to understand not only the aesthetics but also the concept behind the project. Here are the steps to creating a successful presentation:
Impact Cover
Your project cover is the first element viewers see. It must be impactful and arouse immediate interest. Choose an image or element that is fundamental to the project and that conveys its essence in a visually appealing way. Avoid the excessive use of mockups on the cover, as this can detract from the originality of your project.
On the cover image, be careful when using mockups to ensure they don't attract more attention than the concept behind the entire visual identity.
Project Introduction
The project introduction should provide an immediate overview. Prefer to use an image that describes the identity of the project without the need for detailed reading. This makes the concept more accessible and easy to understand at first glance. The introduction is the gateway to the rest of the presentation.
Brief Description
Provide a brief description of the project, including the challenges faced and the solution you or your company developed. This context helps the viewer understand the purpose of the project and the approach used to solve the problem.
A good idea might be to present information about the decisions made on specific elements such as typography, colors, shapes, etc., through specific images and small topics. This makes understanding the universe of the brand more dynamic for the user.
Presentation of Identity and Mockups
This section shows identity applied in various contexts. Use relevant mockups and examples that demonstrate how the brand is applied in practice. Make sure the chosen images and applications make sense and complement the project narrative.
Prioritize showing mockup images that are aligned with the brand you are presenting. It is much better to have a project with fewer images, as long as these show the identity where it can be relevantly applied, than a project with several applications of the brand in generic situations.
Extrica by Andstudio
Be wary of mockups that look outdated or overused. Whenever possible, prefer to create or purchase mockups that have high image quality and a well-designed presentation. Establishing a consistent presentation or photography style for your mockups is critical to maintaining a high standard of project presentation. For example, mockups with the same photography angle, shadows, and application background create a visual uniformity that provides visual comfort and maturity to the project presentation.
Careful Organization
The organization of the images is fundamental. Pay attention to the fluidity and sequence of images and mockups. Make sure the presentation flows logically and coherently, allowing the viewer to follow the project's development naturally.
Be careful with the order of presentation. A tip is to intersperse throughout the project an image of the brand applied in the digital environment (social media, stationery, etc.) with another applied in the offline environment (billboards, applications in the real world, with people, etc.). This will help maintain a more dynamic presentation, allowing each image captured by the user to have greater impact and focus.
Crux project by Order
Clear and Objective Finalization
Close the presentation clearly and objectively. Recap the main points of the project and highlight the achievements or results achieved. Leave a lasting impression, conveying confidence and professionalism.
At the end, we usually have complementary images to what was already being presented. Towards the end of the presentation, applications can be presented a little more
While there is no strict standard to follow, by following these guidelines you will be well on your way to creating an effective design project presentation in your portfolio. Remember that the presentation is an opportunity to tell a compelling story.
