As a designer, you need to be able to display your work to prospective clients in order to book more projects. One of the best ways and most common ways to present your work is through a design portfolio. In today’s world, having a digital design portfolio is especially important if you want to expose your work to a specific audience. Whether you are posting your portfolio to your own site, or a design website such as Dering Hall, you need to make sure it looks the best so you can maximize your presence. 

Here are some must-haves for your design portfolio:

1. High Quality Photography

High quality imagery is an absolute must for every designer’s portfolio. You invest hours of time and effort into your design projects, so your photos need to accurately showcase your creative talents. Bad photography can deter potential clients – no matter how incredible the design might be. If your photography skills aren’t up to par or you don’t have the right equipment, consider investing in a professional photographer. Important to remember: Always get permission from the homeowners before taking and posting photos of their personal design spaces. 

2. Have a good variety of images

Your portfolio should also include a healthy mix of photos. Having a good blend of different room shots can display your versatility in designing different spaces. Be sure to have a combination of full room shots and angled shots to show your versatility. It’s also a good idea to have both landscape and portrait images available – especially if you’re using the images on different platforms.

3. Avoid humans in your images

Having people in your design photos can sometimes be distracting for the viewer. After putting in the work to create those beautiful designs, the last thing you want is for the person in the image to attract all the attention — even if that person is you! Remember, these are supposed to be design photos, not lifestyle images. If you want your portfolio to focus on the design, keep it about the design.

4. Web Presence

Today’s digital landscape makes it absolutely essential for you to have your portfolio posted online–especially if your goal is to be discovered and get hired. While a physical portfolio is a great thing to have, a digital portfolio is much easier to maintain and share. If you’re looking to post your work online in a place where you can be discovered and booked (especially in your area), Dering Hall is a great place to get started. 

Interested in having your design portfolio published on Dering Hall? Contact info@deringhall.com today to learn more.