What's your thing? If you identify as graphic designer, freelance artist, web developer, writer, photographer, performer (you get my gist) - you need a dynamic method by which to communicate your achievements and brand, and a traditional resume isn't the form. A personal website or online portfolio is a must have for anyone with work to show. An effective online portfolio can range from a simple resume with room for more project details to an interactive social media platform with job search capabilities. The portfolio examples below are from Tufts students and alumni and showcase some of the best FREE portfolio hosting websites for a variety of fields.
1. Behance: www.behance.net
Give and receive feedback on projects, “appreciate” your favorite designs, showcase works-in-progress, track your profile’s statistics, get featured in curated galleries, and apply directly for creative jobs--all through Behance. This is a perfect choice for interaction designers, artists, and web developers to showcase their best work.
Mario Hall (2015): https://www.behance.net/nadomars
Bernita Ling (2015): https://www.behance.net/bernitaling
Izel Maras (2015): https://www.behance.net/izelmaras
2. Coroflot: www.coroflot.com
For specialties ranging from urban planning or transportation to Toy Design or 3D modeling and everything in between, Designers use Coroflot present their projects. A job board of 1000+ active listings highlights opportunities for all levels and includes freelance work. (Coroflot also offers a comprehensive Design Salary Guide compiled from information across different specialities and locations worldwide; it includes average salaries and freelance rates as well as data on company size vs. medical benefits, work environment vs. level of education, and gender distribution across specialities.)
Allison Kuperman (2016): http://www.coroflot.com/Allisonlynn/portfolio
Bryan Wonson (2017): http://www.coroflot.com/brysonwong1/portfolio
3. Dribbble: dribbble.com
Like Behance and Coroflot, Dribbble offers a similar style of interactive / feedback-oriented portfolio. However, an added networking feature sets this platform apart; Dribbble describes their Meetups as “a chance for designers to socialize, talk shop, and foster their local design communities. They are self-organized events that range from the casual, five-person, coffee-shop roundtable to the chef-catered, bar-tended, 200-person extravaganza.” Dribbble also has “Team” or company profiles that post job openings. Designers can apply for positions and Teams can search for and recruit designers!
Nathaniel Hajian (2015): https://dribbble.com/NateChaseH
4. GitHub Pages: pages.github.com
If you have a GitHub account and basic knowledge of the version control system Git, this free website host may be for you. GitHub Pages is an easy way to launch websites with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files powered by Jekyll. There are both user/organization pages and project pages (for your existing GitHub projects) available with custom domain names. Get started here: https://guides.github.com/features/pages/
Anthony Cannistra (2015): http://anthonycannistra.com/projects.html
5. Carbonmade: carbonmade.com
Don’t let Carbonmade’s pricing page fool you -- this tool is free for up to 5 projects and 35 photos. (You can upgrade to 10 projects/100 photos for $6/month). Select your very best work and display it with pre-made, professional themes. Employers can key-word search for your portfolio through the “Talent Pool.”
Clay Neigher (2005): https://clayneigher.carbonmade.com/about
Emma Levitt (2015): https://emmalevitt.carbonmade.com/
Chinami Michaels (2015): https://cmichaels.carbonmade.com/
6. Bonus Tip for EECS Students:
Tap your university-provided web space using HTML to publish a website at http://www.eecs.tufts.edu/~yourUTLNhere. Learn more here.For more resources and ideas about creating your own website or online portfolio, check out The Muse's recent post 35 (More) of the Best Personal Websites We've Ever Seen.
If you enjoyed this article and want to learn more about putting together a portfolio, check out this event:
Portfolio
Workshop Series, Saturdays, October 3 and 10, 1 – 4 PM. This two-day
workshop is intended for Tufts students and alumni who may be seeking employment
or applying to graduate school programs requiring a portfolio. Registration
Required, Space Limited: Signup by Sept. 29 at the Dept. of Art and Art History
office. More
info.
