Drawar

I know it’s Friday and there shouldn’t be any reason why the title is worded the way it is. Instead it should read 2 Great Ways to Improve Your Portfolio Site, but I just can’t bring myself to change it. The issues I am about to bring up are just a microcosm of some of the bigger issues I see in portfolios across a number of industries. I am going to be the superhero of your world today and the knowledge I am about to impart upon you might blow your mind. Lucky for you it’s Friday so you have all weekend to pick up the pieces of your brain that just got splattered on the wall.

Reason #1: I design websites.

You know the first thought in my head when I go to the site of a designer? I wonder if they design websites. Wait, no I don’t. I know they design websites because they are a website designer so why in the world are they telling me they design websites? Better yet, why are they telling me they create beautiful experiences, simple and easy to use websites or helping to make the web a better place? If they are doing those things I would hate to know what the other designers of the world are doing.

You need to change your message. You sound like every other freelance designer out there. Don’t tell me what you do or how you do it, tell me why you do it.

The web sucks. I was sent here from the future to make it better.

I design websites because someone has to stomp out your competition.

I know you won’t go with those, but they are already better than the generic drivel that I am used to seeing. Seriously, if you can’t take the time to think of a unique message for yourself then are you sure you want to be a freelancer? Show some personality, live a little. I promise I won’t tell anyone.

Reason #2: They call me the work example hunter.

Portfolio sites are the easiest site in the world to make. They are only a couple of elements you need on a basic one.

1. Your message.
2. Your work.
3. Contact information.

I’ve already covered #1 above and if you can’t take care of #3 then there is no hope for you. As for #2 that is really why we peons go to visit your site. We want to see your work. We really don’t care about the words on your site, we just want to see images of the stuff you have done. So why do you hide your work behind a myriad of clicks? Just show it to me on the first page I visit. I won’t be mad at you. I won’t think you are rushing too fast into this relationship. I don’t want to take it slow on this one, I know what I want and I need you to give it to me. Don’t tease me.

A small bit telling me that this is the page of an interaction designer and then nothing but work examples and some bits about them. The perfect portfolio.

Identity

You know those superstar designers that we all love to hate because the community fawns over them like rockstars? They get that honor because they have their own identities. Sure they took some lessons from the people before them, but eventually they created their own mark. You might be starting off so you are looking around trying to see how things are done, but make sure you are copying the right people and if you see everyone doing something it doesn’t always mean that it is the best way. Once one person thought it was a great idea to say “I design beautiful websites”, then everyone figured that was the way to go.

Also, if you can’t figure out that potential clients want to see your work first and foremost then how can you figure out the needs of your clients?

The success of your freelance business rarely hinges on your website. It comes down to word-of-mouth, reputation and the quality of your work, but why handicap yourself when you have so many people fighting to take the clients you are going after? You should probably go and fix your site now, stop telling yourself you are too busy and you will get around to it later.

You probably were hoping I would provide you with some excellent examples of portfolio sites, but I won’t. You were lucky that I even provided you with one. You will just copy them anyways. You are on your own for this one. Besides you have nothing going on this weekend.

Do you think it is a coincidence that Dribbble has become a hotbed for hiring designers? Companies go and see the work being posted and that is how they measure the quality of a designer. Doesn’t mean this is the best way of doing it, but if they aren’t bothering with any of the copy that a designer might use on a portfolio and going straight to the work then maybe you should consider doing the same.

Don’t forget to pick your brains off the wall. You might have company coming over tonight.