Underrated design portfolio formats that can help get you hired

A design portfolio speaks volume about your skills and creativity. After all, the way you present your work can say as much as the work itself. 

Let’s explore some unusual design portfolio formats that can help you make a lasting impression.

Design portfolio formats

Design portfolio formats examples include:

• Websites or landing pages
• PDF or interactive PDF
• Behance or Dribble pages
• Slide decks
• Printed books or zines

The choice of portfolio format often depends on the designer’s discipline. For instance, a digital designer might create a landing page that highlights their typography and layout skills. An illustrator, on the other hand, may prefer a printed book to reflect their experience with print media and publishing.

How I can make my portfolio stand out

Let your individual style come through but avoid clutter or overly complex layouts. Clear navigation and concise case blurbs help hiring managers quickly understand your role, the tools you used, and the results you achieved. 

At the same time, sprinkle in details that showcase your personality: a brief intro that hints at your design philosophy, small custom animations, or a signature color palette. Don't be afraid to use storytelling in both your portfolio format and introduction. Humans are wired for narratives, and the information you present as a story may stick with viewers longer than a list of facts.

5 proven design portfolio essentials

A great design portfolio should showcase your best work. These five tips will help you ensure that the projects you've worked on won't go unnoticed.

Clear navigation

Use a visible text menu (Work, About, Contact) and avoid hidden hamburger menus. Also, consider providing a full, clickable email address and a tested contact form. This will help potential employers navigate your design portfolio with ease. 

If you're building a web-based design portfolio, consider having a dynamic layout. Vary image placement (rectangles, circles, full-bleed) and alternate between flat designs and mockups. This will make your portfolio engaging. 

Quality over quantity

It’s better to show a few standout pieces than crowd your site with everything you’ve ever made. Lead with your best. Feature projects organized by client or project, not by work type. If you include fictional projects, pick different industries (e.g., consumer, B2B, nonprofit) so your skills look versatile.

Context and insights

For each project, include a brief case blurb (client, goal, challenges, tools) and show multiple applications (mockups, flat layouts, real-world usage).

Regular updates

Replace older or less relevant work with newer projects, and refine your layout, animations, or color palette to reflect your current direction. The best designer portfolio examples are often ones that show growth.

Results and impact

Whenever possible, include outcomes. Did the new brand identity increase engagement? Was there a bump in conversions after a redesign? Even if you don’t have hard numbers, speak to the value your work added. Examples of graphic design portfolios that mention results can help you convince businesses to hire you.

Underrated design portfolio formats

Here are five underrated and inspiring formats built with Readymag you can use as a reference for your own portfolio.

Portfolio by Lucas Vasconcellos
An underrated aspect of this portfolio is its minimalist design, which allows the work to take center stage. The consistent use of typography and color palette across the website reinforces his personal brand identity. Additionally, the inclusion of his roles as both a designer and DJ adds a unique personal touch, and you can feel the personality reflected in the design details. One standout feature is the custom cursor, cleverly styled to resemble a mini CD or vinyl record.

Portfolio by Mimi Guan
The layout of this graphic designer portfolio example is super minimal. One half of the screen is a solid pink sidebar with clean, bubble-style navigation buttons, while the other half features a rotating 3D cake on a white background—random, surreal, and very memorable. It’s not a portfolio that shows a ton of work upfront—but it makes you want to click through and see more.

Portfolio by Jun Ioneda
Jun Ioneda’s portfolio stands out through its vibrant, playful aesthetic. The homepage hits you immediately with oversized, colorful typography on a bright blue background. As you scroll, you experience a smooth parallax-like motion that creates a sense of depth—background elements shift at a different speed than foreground ones. 

Portfolio by Lena Kozlova
The homepage of this graphic design portfolio example resembles a letter or editorial layout. The deliberate use of white space evokes the feeling of a personal letter or a high-end magazine spread. This editorial sensibility not only adds personality, but also positions Lena Kozlova as a designer with a sharp eye for communication and composition

Portfolio by Laura Campos
Laura Campos's portfolio shows a balance between interactivity and clarity. Upon entering the site, visitors are greeted with a subtle yet effective animation that introduces the designer. Animations are well-placed throughout the whole portfolio, which is a great example of how a graphic and motion designer can tell the world about their talent. The “Open to Work” note in the upper right corner tells visitors something important right away: that she’s available.

Make a design portfolio with Readymag

You don’t need coding skills when working with Readymag, just a clear concept and your best projects. To build a design portfolio, follow these steps:

1. Create a Readymag account and click “New Project.” Choose a blank canvas or a simple template that suits your style.
2. Add a visible menu. This follows common design portfolio website examples and makes it easy to explore.
3. On the Work page, set up a grid or column layout. Upload your project thumbnails and label each of them clearly.
4. Choose a clean font and a consistent color scheme. Your design portfolio should reflect your aesthetic, not distract from your work.
5. Add interactive touches. Use subtle scroll animations or hover effects on project thumbnails.
6. Click through every link and page. Make sure images load quickly and text is readable on desktop and mobile. Fix any layout issues before publishing.
7. Choose a custom domain (e.g., yourname.com) and publish your portfolio. 

By following these steps, you’ll create a Readymag portfolio that looks polished and highlights your best work—just like top example graphic design portfolios online.

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