6 portfolio websites designed to stand out
Get inspired to design and launch your online portfolio site
By Mat Vogels
Portfolio websites have become one of the most effective (and personalizable) ways to showcase one’s work.
They not only feel professional, but they’re also the easiest way to share, update, and manage your personal brand.
A printed resume has become a bit of a dinosaur in recent years for this very reason: When your latest and greatest work seems to change weekly, it makes sense to present it all in a place you can quickly and easily update. Our world just moves too fast for print.
Of course, making the decision to take your portfolio online is just the first — and easiest — of many decisions to come.
Now you’ve got to decide how to design it.
That’s why I’ve gathered these 6 gorgeous and carefully designed portfolios: to inspire you to build a website that highlights the uniqueness of both your personal brand and your design work. Along the way, I’ll explain why I love them, and why I think they’re so effective. For additional tips and tricks for your portfolio, be sure to check out our 10 portfolio design tips inspired by Webflow designers.
1. Minewire Design
Joshua Kratt’s elegant portfolio site breaks the “hero image” mold that has come to dominate the web, instead relying on succinct and beautifully typeset text to tell his story in a visual way.
Joshua also keeps his interactions subtle to ensure they stay in tune with the site’s overall look and feel. I also love that Mad Libs–style form!
2. Joe Mortell
The execution of this site is so good. Everything from the first sentence to the presentation of projects is done in such a simple and straightforward way.
I’m a big fan of being bold, direct, and putting your best foot forward. So don’t clutter up your website. Instead of showing all 20 of your projects, focus on your 5 best — they’ll speak volumes.
3. Jack Dusty
Two words: White space.
I love the use of white space on this site. It creates a sense of openness and freedom that’s so relieving in the too-often cluttered and frenetic world of the web. So often we forget that not displaying content can be a powerful design choice.
4. Jonathan Patterson
Looking for something a little more original? This site is a great example of trying something completely different, and displaying your work with a design that feels ultra-unique. Because this site relies on an unfamiliar interface compared to most sites, it adds an element of mystery and exploration as the user navigates.
5. Black Ninja
This site is unique in so many ways. Yes, it has a large hero image at the top of the page, but the rest of page features enough unique design and interaction elements to set it apart from any other site you’ll find online.
6. ABC Creative Agency template
This Webflow template also follows the trend of using a giant hero image at the top of the page — but it does so in a way that feels original. It’s just different enough to feel bold, but follows common design trends to ease the user experience.
Use this free, responsive Webflow template to build your portfolio site today.
Inspired yet? Share your work with us.
Obviously, there are millions of great portfolio sites out there — these are just my favorites of the moment. For more inspiration, I recommend looking through the amazing work on Dribbble, Awwwards, and our very own Discover page.
Do you have a portfolio you would like to share? Send it our way! If you made it in Webflow, be sure to use the hashtag #MadeInWebflow.
Mat Vogels: Mat is a web creator and evangelist at Webflow. Follow me at @matvogels.
Originally published at webflow.com.
