Online Portfolio Workshop
I had the absolute joy of running a workshop for young artists and creatives these school holidays - it was on how to make an Online Portfolio.
The workshop was held by LAUNCH and the City of Darwin and the group of young creatives were AMAZING! There were musicians, actors, writers, a typography designer, a cos-play expert and more. So pleased to have met them all.
Here's my Top 5 Tips for Making an Online Portfolio of Creative Work.
Tip1: Don't be afraid to make one
In the competitive creative job market a portfolio lets you be found. It shares what you can do and it connects you to peers and the community. You don't have to be a professional or looking for work to have one, it's a way to share your creativity and gives people a sense of who you are.
Tip 2: It's ok to promote/share your work
Creative people tend to be incredibly modest and afraid of coming across arrogant. They often feel talking about themselves is bragging... I want to be super clear THIS IS NOT THE CASE! If you are creating you shouldn't be afraid to share your work – you could inspire someone else, you make the community a more vibrant place and everyone deserves the right to share what they do. Also remember, others judgements do not define you as a creative human.
Tip 3: Let your work tell the story
Portfolios can have a heap of information on them but I really think it's best to let your work do the talking. Keep the intro and about section short and sharp, reduce the text on the website (unless you're a writer) and let the creative work you do tell your story. This also means make sure it's your best work and the images you use are high res and good quality.
Tip 4: Make it quick and keep it fresh
People will wait for websites to load for about 3 seconds, so make sure your online portfolio is optimised for quick loading (this will mean resizing huge photos to make them more web-friendly). Don't have heaps of tabs and pages, keep it super simple to see the work and find information. And always keep it fresh ad updated. Google loves new content, so if you keep your portfolio up to date Google will make it easier for people to find you.
Tip 5: Pick a great template and keep it simple
Weebly, Wix, Squarespace and Wordpress have amazing, dynamic and responsive templates that you can use for your portfolio. Making a website is so much easier than it used to be. Pick a good template that matches your vibe, change the colours, fonts and content and then share. Don't be afraid to have a play and get some people you trust to check the site before you launch.
If anyone needs help with an online portfolio or skills in this area, please get in contact with me.
