Creating a portfolio is a must for visual artists. A personalized showcase of your best work, it’s useful to have on hand whenever anyone asks about your art. It’s typically required—with specific criteria—when applying for art school programs or jobs in the field. A custom portfolio book can also be a professional (or aspiring professional) artist’s sales pitch. Most of all, your personalized portfolio should fill you with pride and be something you’ll treasure forever.
Just like your best works of art, it’s always worth putting considerable time and thought into your portfolio book. Every part of a portfolio matters, from the cover to the quality of the pages. It needs to make an excellent first impression and continue to wow with every page, while clearly communicating your artistic vision and skillset.
Follow these seven tips to create your expert artwork portfolio in Mixbook Studio™
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1. Know your purpose
The first consideration when creating an art portfolio is its intended purpose. Is it just for you? Something to show friends and family, or for organizing and preserving your best works as a personal archive? If so, the design, content, and format only need to meet your own expectations (and budget).
If your portfolio is going to be part of an application, for example for art school, a job, a grant, or award, then start with any official requirements or guidelines. The format, size, and content of the portfolio need to match those guidelines, although there will generally be room for design decisions.
Perhaps you intend to use your portfolio for marketing purposes e.g. showing to potential clients or buyers, or being part of a display table. Consider how many people might handle each copy of the book. High-quality papers and a smudge-free hardcover might be important choices. Maybe you want to give away copies of your portfolio, making smaller softcover books a more sensible choice.
For more about photo book formats, read our guide: Mixbook Photo Book Paper & Cover Types
2. Use a portfolio photo book theme
Mixbook’s professionally designed themes make it easy to create any style of photo book. They act as templates that you can customize simply by dragging and dropping your photos into place, optionally adding your own text, and editing the design assets as desired.
The following Mixbook themes are designed especially for art or photography portfolios:
Start with one of these themes and benefit from designs that are already prime for portfolios.
3. Curate your art collection
The contents of your portfolio needs to be customized for the intended viewer. This might mean creating different versions of your portfolio for different events, applications, or purposes. For example, if you’re asking to be considered for a show at an art gallery, the content of your portfolio should align with the style of the gallery. If you’re a muralist who also dabbles in portraits, you might want separate portfolios for each niche.
The best portfolios will feature works in various styles, subjects, and techniques to show the breadth of your talent. However, the portfolio collection should be cohesive and communicate your clear vision as an artist. A portfolio featuring oil paintings, digital art, and sculpture could fit this description if there’s a common theme uniting the works. If those pieces all have little in common, your portfolio will instead confuse the reader.
Related: How to Incorporate Your Artwork into Photo Books
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4. Tell a story through images
Even though your photo book is filled with individual pieces of art, it still tells a story as you flip from cover to cover. The way in which you arrange your pictures—both on the individual pages and from start to finish—should take the viewer on a journey that’s enjoyable and that makes sense.
This can mean dividing the book into “chapters,” each focussing on a different media, style, or theme. You might include photos that offer a glimpse into your creative process, such as preliminary sketches next to the finished piece. Generate a sense of dynamic flow by showing increasingly complex or evocative compositions, then flowing back toward more serene pieces toward the end.
Pay special attention to the first few pages of your portfolio. They should grab attention and set the mood for the entire browsing experience. Showcase some of your finest work upfront to give a positive first impression. Recapture any waning attention in the middle, with full-page, showstopping imagery. The end of your book is your last chance to reiterate your message and leave the viewer with a positive impression. Hold back one or two of your best pieces as the grand finale that ensures your portfolio is memorable.
Related: A graphic artist explains how to create an art portfolio with Mixbook
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5. Be thoughtful about text
As long as any guidelines allow it, consider adding text to your portfolio. Use small, discreet captions in an easy-to-read font to provide key information about your art, such as titles, media, size, and date.
Your portfolio might benefit from some background information about you as an artist, your vision, and any inspirations for the works in your portfolio. Rather than scattering this kind of text throughout the book, create a profile page at the beginning or end of the book with an optional headshot or portrait pic. You might mention awards, any media coverage, and other significant achievements in your profile.
Also find a subtle but easy-to-locate spot for your contact information and social media or website links.
6. Ask a third-party’s opinion
Your favorite pieces might not necessarily be the best examples of your work to fulfil the purpose of the portfolio. It’s very difficult to be objective about your own art, so it’s smart to get an outside opinion before you complete your portfolio book. This can also help you understand how the admission officer or employer will see your art.
Ask a trusted friend, colleague, or advisor to look at your portfolio while you’re still putting it together. Mixbook’s collaboration tools make it easy to invite others to view, or view and edit, your book at any time.
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7. Take inspiration from other portfolios
Research online to find pictures of layouts, sizes, and shapes of portfolios to find one that catches your eye and matches your needs. While you can use other portfolios as inspiration, find ways to give your portfolio your own unique twist, so it reflects you and doesn’t blend in with other portfolios.
Check out some of these artists’ Instagram pages to find inspiration for creative ways to display your art:
Create the perfect portfolio in Mixbook Studio™
Mixbook offers a wide variety of themes, book sizes, covers, and paper types that meet most portfolio requirements. Take pictures or scan your best artwork, upload the files into a portfolio theme, and customize a beautiful and unique album that highlights your talent.
Need help with your portfolio? Our design experts are available 24/7 through the Help Desk.
