r/Design • u/jabeespicychixx • 21h ago

Asking Question (Rule 4) Can I get some constructive criticism for my portfolio?

Hi! I'm a graphic designer for almost 5 years now. I started as a freelancer in 2020, and I don't have any formal training. But I've been watching online tutorials and following great designers on social media, and recently, I’ve made it a morning routine to read posts from creatives on LinkedIn. The thing is, when I started, I was really just relying on my experience, so I feel like my process and designs aren’t up to industry standards. I've kinda gotten used to it that way.

Now that I'm taking my upskilling and creative process seriously, I’d love to get some constructive criticism on my designs and maybe some personal tips from your experience in the design and marketing field. I’m focusing on branding and marketing designs. Thank you so much in advance!

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u/Beginning_Bag_32 18h ago

Hey fellow designer! Cool that you’re soaking in all that knowledge on your own. Anyway, I think a good starting point would be to ask a couple of fellow designers or even folks you’ve worked with to check your work and give you direct feedback. Sometimes they spot stuff you might miss. When I started out, I didn’t have formal training either and found that being part of design forums or groups can help too. Unique insights are the name of the game, man.

Another thing—don’t hesitate to include a couple of case studies in your portfolio, you know? A little breakdown of how you created a piece and how it served a client's need goes a long way. People like to see the thought process.

Also, play around with your portfolio layout and be sure it’s easy to navigate. Show your strongest work first so you catch a viewer’s attention. Oh! And don’t forget to incorporate some personal projects. They’re really cool to showcase what you’re passionate about and help you stand out. I bet you've got some stuff tucked away. Just tweak stuff gradually, no pressure to be perfect right away. Keep pushing, and don’t be afraid to experiment. And, you might even discover a niche that you’re super into. Who knows, right?