What Should Be in a Graphic Design Portfolio?

A graphic design portfolio is a vital tool for any aspiring creative professional. It’s the ultimate showcase of your best work, a platform for you to demonstrate your unique design style and skills to prospective employers and clients.

Whether you’re a freelance graphic designer or employed by an agency or company, having an impressive portfolio is essential to success in the field.

So what should be in a portfolio? It’s important to include only your best work, as well as pieces that show off your range of skills and ability.

A good portfolio should feature projects from all stages of the design process, from conceptualization to implementation.

Design Concepts

Start with the initial concepts and sketches that helped you create the final designs. This could include mood boards, wireframes, storyboards, flowcharts, etc., which can give potential employers insight into your creative process.

Iterations & Final Designs

Include multiple iterations of each project, including ones that didn’t make the cut. This will demonstrate how you took feedback and evolved the design to meet the project goals.

And don’t forget to showcase the final designs!

Case Studies

If possible, create comprehensive case studies for each project in your portfolio that explain how it was conceived and executed—from research to design to development—as well as its impact on users or clients.

Testimonials & Reviews

Testimonials from clients or colleagues are a great way to add credibility and context to your work. Include reviews of projects where possible (especially if they’re glowing) as well as client feedback.


A good graphic design portfolio should contain only your best work that showcases your range of skills and abilities across different stages of the design process; from concepts and sketches to iterations and final designs; alongside case studies with client feedback and testimonials that provide context for each project included in the portfolio.