Portfolios
Creating and Developing a Portfolio
A portfolio is an interactive, visual showcase of professional and/or academic work samples. Portfolios can be digital or physical to display the work of individuals, teams, or organizations. Portfolios are often industry specific, vary in scope/nature, and focus on a personal brand. A portfolio is the most effective way to illustrate skills and creative accomplishments. Let's walk through the steps of creating (or even updating) your digital portfolio.
IDEATE
Begin by considering why you are creating your digital portfolio and who will be viewing it. Identify the projects, skills, and achievements most relevant to your goals. Reflect on your uniqueness and decide on the main message you want your portfolio to convey. Explore digital portfolios from others in your field to gather ideas and inspiration. Utilize the UGA Mentor Program to find a credible mentor in your field who can advice on the project.
Recommended Exit Criteria
- Identify key audience(s)
- Establish value proposition
DESIGN
Plan the structure of your portfolio by selecting sections such as “About,” “Work,” and “Contact.” Include extras like certificates, recommendations, awards, or videos if they add value. Focus on user experience by creating a clear landing page and/or navigation menu. Make it easy for visitors unfamiliar with your work to find information quickly through simple, intuitive navigation. Review your design strategy with your mentor for initial feedback on design & content.
Recommended Exit Criteria:
- Sketch a basic framework or navigation hierarchy
BUILD
Gather all content needed and write clear descriptions providing context for your projects. Upload and arrange these materials neatly using your chosen digital platform. Make sure each work example is accompanied by an informative description. Use high-quality visuals to engage visitors and ensure each section is consistent and polished. When in doubt, ask your mentor for advice on the quality and relevance of individual projects.
Recommended Exit Criteria
- Group content into a single folder for easy access
- Create your landing page, about me page, and at least three project pages
Recommended Tools and Platforms
- Google Sites: Available to any UGA student, faculty, or staff with a valid MyID; request the Portfolio template. Perfect for beginners and education majors seeking a simple, collaborative, no-code website for portfolios or projects. Customization is limited and there’s no true database back-end.
- Adobe Portfolio: Accessible through Adobe Creative Cloud on campus computers or by checking out a license. Geared toward design, photography, or fine arts majors for polished, professional portfolios integrated with other Adobe tools.
- Canva: A user-friendly design platform ideal for creative fields such as design or marketing. Allows easy sharing of work via link and excels at visually striking single-page sites and portfolios, but lacks advanced functionality and back-end/database features.
- Wix: Free to start; provides robust drag-and-drop design tools and e-commerce features. Recommended for business, arts, or IT majors requiring more customization, dynamic content, advanced apps, or interactive features thanks to its flexible back-end options.
- Issuu: Transforms PDFs into interactive digital Flipbooks. Best suited for publishing, journalism, or visual storytelling students who want to showcase magazines, lookbooks, or multi-page docs, but does not support traditional website interactivity or database integration.
TEST
Review your portfolio thoroughly for clarity, accuracy, and organization. Seek feedback from friends, mentors, or professionals especially about navigation and tone. Test your digital portfolio on various devices and browsers to find and fix any technical issues. Use feedback to improve your portfolio and highlight your strongest, most relevant work. Send your portfolio to your mentor and career consultant for initial feedback to implement for going public.
Recommended Exit Criteria
- Gather thorough and constructive feedback from at least two sources
- Explore your portfolio on both desktop and mobile devices
DEPLOY
Publish your digital portfolio online and make it easy for employers and educators to access. Prepare physical versions if needed for interviews or presentations. Commit to regularly updating your portfolio, adding new accomplishments and refreshing your content. Maintain your portfolio as a dynamic reflection of your evolving career and skills. Write a LinkedIn post celebrating your portfolio launch and thank/tag your UGA Mentor as well as the UGA Career Center to share your accomplishment!
Recommended Exit Criteria
- Publish your portfolio to the public
- Add your portfolio link to your LinkedIn, Handshake account, and resume
- Schedule a session to address necessary updates every 3-4 months