What sets award-winning portfolios apart

Every year, Readymag hosts the Websites of the Year award to celebrate outstanding designs made with our tool. Among the many types of sites submitted, portfolios are by far the most common. So we asked ourselves: what makes a portfolio stand out?

To explore this, the Readymag design team commented on the Websites of the Year winners from 2024, 2023, and 2022. From their insights, we attempted—inductively—to draw some general conclusions and recommendations for creating an award-worthy portfolio.

Comments from Readymag designers:

Alexandra Golubeva, product designer. 

Francisco Pires, marketing designer.

Mariia Chupina, marketing designer.

Denis Devyatko, marketing designer.

2024: Aziiata Septel’s portfolio

Francisco Pires: This is a distinct website, fascinating to look at. Simple yet beautiful, it embodies the “less is more” principle. The attention to detail and typography is masterful, the content engaging and clearly curated. Even the graphic layers are thoughtfully designed.

2024: Baran Ceylan’s portfolio

Denis Devyatko: The website grabs attention right away—bold, animated visuals, vibrant contrasts, and a carefully structured layout. Everything works together under an outstanding visual hierarchy. Clean typography balances readability with striking imagery, creating a polished, even sophisticated look.

But what makes it award-worthy? Maybe it’s the subtle finishing touches: unusual yet elegant hover shadows, gently moving images that add depth and dynamism, and scroll animations that enliven the composition. Together, they make the site not only visually impressive but also inviting to explore with greater attention and interaction.

2023: Roman Sazonov’s portfolio

Mariia Chupina: This portfolio is fun to explore, almost like a game full of Easter eggs. Animations made with Shots—like the spinning chair or BeReal screenshots on the About page—add personality and charm. These small interactions grab attention and spark the urge to find them all, yet the navigation stays smooth and never overwhelming. Even the work presentation is eye-catching: projects appear on billboards or laptop screens, with large renders and bold typography leaving a strong impression.

2022: Julie Freund-Poulsen’s portfolio  

Alexandra Golubeva: Two things stand out in this portfolio. First, the typography: a balanced, thoughtful mix of styles and excellent font pairing that gives the whole project a solid foundation. Second, the interplay of serious and playful elements. Calm, precise typography sits alongside images, sketches, animations, bright colors, and an informal tone. Together, they strike a balance between seriousness and playfulness, revealing the designer’s personality.

What did we learn from these reviews?

1. Typography is everything. Across all examples, it’s cited as essential—balanced, clean, and expressive. Good typography sets the tone for the whole project; without it, a website loses its foundation.

2. Balance simplicity and expressiveness. Both minimalism (“less is more”) and rich detail are valued, but the key is balance. A simple structure holds attention, while vibrant accents add personality.

3. Add dynamics and interaction. Animations, microinteractions, and smooth scrolling enliven a site and turn browsing into exploration. Even small, game-like elements hold attention and encourage discovery.

4. Show personality and character. Each project stands out for the creator’s personality, whether through humor, unique visuals, or unexpected details. A portfolio isn’t just a showcase of work but a reflection of the designer’s style and voice.

5. Don’t forget about tiny details. Small finishing touches—subtle motion, unusual shadows, hidden Easter eggs—make a site memorable and award-worthy. Success comes from a simple, clear foundation, with details providing the wow effect.

This year, Websites of the Year breaks formats, welcomes experiments, and embraces boundary-free creativity. Both polished commercial projects and wild experimental sites are welcome. If your portfolio launched on Readymag after October 14, 2024, it’s eligible: you can submit it here.