I'm in the process of building a portfolio. I've read articles about building your portfolio but they don't really answer the "big question". As an employer, what would you look for in a portfolio? I've googled other's portfolio's but I'm not 100% sure if they were professional. Most of them were businesses which don't apply to me since I'm solo and am looking to step up to be employed as a web designer.

So in your opinion, what should a portfolio consist of?

-Would you want it to be really graphical and show off your skills or keep it simple yet appealing and have your work do the talking?

-What kind of information would you want to know about the web designer?
*Obviously previous work
*Is there anything else that would be ideal to have in a portfolio?

-Should you list your skills even though it should be obvious what you know by the work you've done?

-Should you link your websites that you've previously done even though that it leaves it vulnerable to others to steal and claim? Is a picture fine to display your work?

-As an employer what are some key things you'd look for?

**You don't have to be an employer to answer these questions, but I'd just like to hear from the experienced in what one would look for if they were looking to hire. Thanks.

Your portfolio should have a minimum of 5 web projects, over 10 is not necessary. The pieces should cover a broad spectrum of design styles or possibly different types of functionality. You should indicate what programs you use and how well you know them, as well as languages. Include links to actual work, still images do not reveal the source code because that is where you really find out how good a designer is and what skill level they are at. Besides web design, include other skills that apply like marketing, copywriting, search engine optimization, etc.

Thanks Darren for your post. I hope what I am asking is clear, but judging by the amount of attention this thread is getting it seems like people hate me or I just asked a bunch of stupid questions?

Anyways, You said that I should put how good I am at a language... Shouldn't my work show that? You made a good point about the source code and that should indicate how good I am at all the languages and software I am using, right? Besides of course server side languages, but that could be given upon request... Your thoughts?

I go for all out.
what I mean is tell what ever you have. this will give you better partner/employer. but simplicity is still good.

I have two separate websites because I freelance, but am also looking for employment and required a resume type website. I had no luck researching any example resume sites either, so I had to wing it. If you click the link "Stephanie Kunder" below you can check out what I came up with on my own. It might be helpful.

Thanks Stephanie. I was thinking about using pictures in my portfolios rather than the actual link, but I'll probably end up showing links thanks to yourself and Darren. I suppose it provides a little extra trust between you and the client.

NewBreed, the source code is for others who know the code to verfiy, listing it out for those other people involved with the company who do not know how to evaluate the code. Sometimes those are the people who see it first and will recognize names of items rather than the code used.

Potential employers or clients also like to see the actual sites so that they can view the interaction. Rollovers, Flash, that sort of thing.

So in your opinion, what should a portfolio consist of?

-Would you want it to be really graphical and show off your skills or keep it simple yet appealing and have your work do the talking?

I would make it graphical but with regards to loading speed and the functionality of it to my possible clients.

-What kind of information would you want to know about the web designer?
*Obviously previous work
*Is there anything else that would be ideal to have in a portfolio?

I would put my most recent work until my very first. I'll put on my hobby and some more technical knowledge that I know.

-Should you list your skills even though it should be obvious what you know by the work you've done?

Yup, I still would list it down. It can also help.

-Should you link your websites that you've previously done even though that it leaves it vulnerable to others to steal and claim? Is a picture fine to display your work?

I think giving them the screenshots of the sites you've made is good rather than giving the real link. They could just search it over the internet anyway...

-As an employer what are some key things you'd look for?

The working experience and working attitude. I guess some of them will follow through...

Originally Posted by NewBreed

So in your opinion, what should a portfolio consist of?

-Would you want it to be really graphical and show off your skills or keep it simple yet appealing and have your work do the talking?

-What kind of information would you want to know about the web designer?
*Obviously previous work
*Is there anything else that would be ideal to have in a portfolio?

-Should you list your skills even though it should be obvious what you know by the work you've done?

-Should you link your websites that you've previously done even though that it leaves it vulnerable to others to steal and claim? Is a picture fine to display your work?

-As an employer what are some key things you'd look for?

1. In the modern web design trends, everyone is doing simplistic designs that use their portfolio to do the talking. Either one is fine because it shows you either know the current trend, or you are unique from the rest. In my portfolio, I chose to go very simplistic with one page. I have received many good comments about my portfolio and how they like my designs.

2. Previous work, your set of skills, about you, and a way to contact you. Besides showing your work and naming your skill, an about you page is more important than you think. Employers are looking for a freelancer with personality, somebody that they can remember for their personality. If you have a great personality, they will most likely refer others to you and possibly come back to you later on. A contact page is an obvious, how are you going to get employers to contact you without a contact page?

3. Absolutely. Employers will want it made obvious that you have certain skills. On my portfolio, I make it blatantly obvious that I design websites, develop websites, and design logos with a red introduction banner before my content. With that, I do not get many asking for me to do other skills.

4. A picture is fine for a web design; but if you coded the website, you can upload the coding to your server and link it to that. If you want to be cautious for the websites you upload, find a No-Right click script and put it on the index.html of the website. It will make sure no one can save your images and steal your coding.

5. Employers look for personality, quality web designs and somebody they can come back to. If you make a great impression, then they will come back to you. Whether it be a great personality and/or quality designs, they will remember you. You absolutely need employers you remember you.

I hope this helped you. It's hard looking at it from an employer's perspective because I am a freelance web designer and developer. Nonetheless, I can grasp why clients have chosen me over thousands of other freelancers. They always want somebody unique and with a great personality that they can remember and rely on to make quality web designs. Never forget that.

Originally Posted by Destinyx3

1. In the modern web design trends, everyone is doing simplistic designs that use their portfolio to do the talking. Either one is fine because it shows you either know the current trend, or you are unique from the rest. In my portfolio, I chose to go very simplistic with one page. I have received many good comments about my portfolio and how they like my designs.

2. Previous work, your set of skills, about you, and a way to contact you. Besides showing your work and naming your skill, an about you page is more important than you think. Employers are looking for a freelancer with personality, somebody that they can remember for their personality. If you have a great personality, they will most likely refer others to you and possibly come back to you later on. A contact page is an obvious, how are you going to get employers to contact you without a contact page?

3. Absolutely. Employers will want it made obvious that you have certain skills. On my portfolio, I make it blatantly obvious that I design websites, develop websites, and design logos with a red introduction banner before my content. With that, I do not get many asking for me to do other skills.

4. A picture is fine for a web design; but if you coded the website, you can upload the coding to your server and link it to that. If you want to be cautious for the websites you upload, find a No-Right click script and put it on the index.html of the website. It will make sure no one can save your images and steal your coding.

5. Employers look for personality, quality web designs and somebody they can come back to. If you make a great impression, then they will come back to you. Whether it be a great personality and/or quality designs, they will remember you. You absolutely need employers you remember you.

I hope this helped you. It's hard looking at it from an employer's perspective because I am a freelance web designer and developer. Nonetheless, I can grasp why clients have chosen me over thousands of other freelancers. They always want somebody unique and with a great personality that they can remember and rely on to make quality web designs. Never forget that.

So obviously you have a great personality.

#3 I was referring to skills not services... my fault I should've explained what I meant by skills. I was asking if one should list that I know XHTML/HTML, CSS, JS, PHP, Photoshop, other languages/software.
After thinking about it, it's very important to list that because some businesses might use .NET rather than PHP or CF or use different database software, etc...

Glad that you're having so much success at the age of 17.(saw in your portfolio) I wish I didn't have to go to school for something completely different to figure out that I wanted to be a web designer.

As for the no right-click script... it's basically useless because you can just disable javascript on your browser and right click all you want. But it would block some people from grabbing my stuff.

Thanks for your input. It is greatly appreciated. I've came to my conclusion on what I'm going to do in terms of my portfolio. I don't think I'll have time to make one considering that I'm working on 3 websites at the moment. I'm not too worried about rushing it until I have some work to show anyways.