You’ll always want to have a printed portfolio on hand for job interviews. But as the practice of architecture becomes more digital, having an online portfolio is becoming less of an option and more of a must-have. Here are four steps for displaying your work online.
- Pick a website platform.
There are plenty of options for creating your online portfolio—both free and paid. Websites like Archinect, Behance, Cargo Collective, and PortfolioBox all offer free portfolio templates, and platforms like Wordpress and Squarespace offer easily customizable paid options. In most cases, you’ll want to offer more than just a web-view version of a PDF, as those can be difficult to navigate and search.
- Select your content.
Once you’ve chosen where to create your portfolio, your next step is selecting content. Look for projects that show you’re proficient in a variety of areas. Websites offer you the ability to include more samples than you would in a print or PDF portfolio, but avoid the temptation to include everything. Like a resume, your portfolio should be easily skimmed by a busy client or potential employer.
- Organize your content.
When you’re organizing your content, simplicity makes for the best user experience. Whether you opt for chronological, project type, or something else, make sure that your viewer can understand how you’ve split up your work so they—and Google—can search your work.
- Add personality.
There are plenty of opinions about what to include in your portfolio and how to set it up—just check out our previous post on building an architecture portfolio. But the one thing everyone agrees on is that a portfolio is your opportunity to show the world your personality. Maybe that means featuring a blog or highlighting your photography skills, or maybe that just means focusing on the work you’re most passionate about. Either way, your viewers should be able to get a sense of who you are by looking at your website.
Looking for more portfolio tips? Read architect and blogger Bob Borson’s guide to building a “Website for an Architect,” or share your own suggestions in the comments
