When we finish our graphic design studies we need to create a portfolio to present the skills acquired during the years of learning and show what we are capable of, our strengths that companies should bet on when hiring us.
The possibilities are very varied, from creating a portfolio in PDF format online, printed (this option is outdated by new technologies, but in some cases it can be highly recommended to make the difference between other candidates), a website or create profiles on certain websites to promote your work as a graphic designer as a portfolio.
In this article I want to share, what for me, are the most influential sites that have the best services when it comes to sharing and creating a gallery with the best work we have. It is also important to note that depending on the area you work in it is better to use some or other platforms, as some of them focus on very specific branches of design, such as UX/UI, or 3D modeling.
Behance
We started with Adobe, although Behance started independently and got a great reception from creatives in many areas internationally. Adobe took a quick look at it and could see the great potential that the service had, and indeed has. Here we can upload projects in practically all creative categories, from brand development, web design, motion graphics, typography, etc…
In addition to being able to upload the projects which best define our professional profile, we have access to a section dedicated to the publication of international job offers.
Dribbbel
Dribbbel is a platform dedicated almost exclusively to UX/UI design in all its areas. From the product design of an app, a website and even an app. It is also a good place to get ideas for projects of this type as we can find a variety of proposals and designs made by professionals.
They also have a section focused on the publication of job offers in these areas of graphic design that increase the chances of being seen by companies interested in these profiles.
Artstation
Artstation is a website that focuses on a more artistic field, more focused on the entertainment industry such as video games or film. They also give us the option to acquire a domain and present our portfolio under our own website.
As in the previous websites, here we also find a section with job offers from the top companies in the market, such as Blizzard or Ubisoft. Recently they have enabled a market place area where we can purchase mini courses – tutorials at very low prices so it is presented as a platform not only to promote our work as a graphic designer, but also as a search for inspiration, learning and job search as a graphic designer and visual artist.
Instagram is the trendiest social network when it comes to uploading images, so it should be important when it comes to promoting your work. A good use of hashtags and the mention of certain profiles will make your name resonate where you want to be heard.
Tumbrl
Honestly, I have never used this website, so I have little to say about it. I put it on the list because many creatives use it to publish their work. Who knows, maybe someday I will try it.
Linkedin is one of my favorite websites when it comes to publishing projects and work done, not so much for the possibility it gives you when it comes to having a portfolio, since visually it leaves much to be desired (although we can not reproach it for anything in that aspect since it is not its mission), but for the visibility of the publications, since being a social network dedicated exclusively to job search it is easy to reach who it has to reach.
It also gives us the option to create articles and leave a record of our knowledge in the area we work in, not only visually. I do not use this section because I can write them in this blog.
In many job offers, there are many companies that in addition to requesting a link to your website or your online portfolio, attach the URL of your profile in Linkedin, so it is important to take care of our profile in this social network.