Is it better to have a portfolio as a PDF or a website?
What you recommend?
Replies49
- I've been pondering this same question myself lately, and it's great to see it being discussed here! Both PDF portfolios and websites have their merits, and it really depends on the context and purpose. Personally, I've found that having a website allows for more flexibility in showcasing my work and providing additional context through text, images, and multimedia elements. By the way, speaking of PDFs, I recently stumbled upon a fantastic guide http://www.techguide.com.au/news/internet-news/adding-pdf-to-apple-wallet-a-travelers-guide-for-safe-pdf-document-storage/ for travelers on securely storing PDF documents using Apple Wallet. It's been a game-changer for me in terms of organizing and accessing important documents on the go. If you're interested in optimizing your digital document management, I highly recommend giving it a read!
- Website
- You want both; let your best work show up as soon as you are googled
- Both, simple. Sorry to say
- Website 100%. 1 in maybe 30/40 jop applications ask for a pdf of your portfolio; i just sent a pdf with a link to my portfolio html.
- pdf ain't a good idea buddy .. better a website
- For my experience both are essential; the website is your public place, maybe there's more general content and requires some time to navigate through. On the other side, a PDF portfolio can be customised to be more relevant to the needs or requirements of a particular position/client; you can take a look to the entire content of the PDF with just a few clicks, so it's almost essential for people who have to choose between several candidates.Keep in mind that there's a lot of competition with a lot of talented people; when you apply for a position, maybe your profile is one of the best but not having the PDF can definitely be a rejection if other designers had sent one.
- As someone who hires freelance graphic designers, I wouldn't consider meeting with someone if I needed to contact them to see a portfolio, rather than just accessing it online. PDFs are also a right pain for viewing on a mobile.If it's a competitive role, e.g. 4-5 designers getting in touch for the same role/project, a PDF is really helpful. It doesn't need to be complicated, and the easiest hires are always the ones who pick examples relevant to my business. For examplem, I only work with creative small businesses - so examples of POS desgin for Argos wouldn't be relevant.The biggest thing I look for in both though, is context. I want to know what the brief was, what the scope was, and how it was turned into the final design. Just a couple of paragraphs is enough, I've shared a post that touches on this here: https://www.instagram.com/p/B8Q7onth_yC/I also write the blog @Laura Hurst mentioned, so it's a bit of a nudge for me to turn this into a new entry too!
- I would say a website - just as I think an online presence can be quite important and its quite accessible - id maybe say a pdf version was more cv-esque? But I could be wrong. I just think a well thought out website always absolutely slaps when im looking at books.. just my two cents
- @Daniel Nieuwenhuizen thanks
- I think a website is great to position yourself and show your general approach to work, but I do appreciate a PDF for interviews. PDFs are can be adjusted and tweaked according to how much time you have, who you are talking to and their interests, and really help make a case clearly.
- @Evan Brown alright thanks
- @Tamryn Kerr thanks Tamryn, I will make use of this information.
- @Peter Jackson amazing thanks
- Website. I'll lose a PDF. I'll share a link. Also a website is easier for you to update and keep it fresh.
- Hi Michael, I would definitely say Website, although very occasionally people want to see a PDF. I've not been asked for a PDF for a number of years and normally emplyers are quite happy to look at my site. Hope that helps, Tamryn
- Think about the end user.If web design is part of your offering then it should probably be website.If that’s not in your skill set then a tailored pdf.If you envisage it being printed out think about format.In terms of parameters, I agree that six projects is the magic number.Skills, process, personality and potential are good areas to cover off.
- @Kojo Marfo Thanks
- I will say both if you can.Get a 1 web-pager and attach a link.Some email accounts filter might not accept PDF's over a certain size
- @Elliott Starr (he/ him) thank you I will give it a read
- @clare mullen thanks, my portfolio is open for anyone that has the link to it.
- Hi @Michael Gnadenou there might be some useful information here:https://medium.com/want-a-creative-job/the-future-of-portfolio-26fdf4e6403c
- As someone on the recruitment side, I can tell you most recruiting systems will as you to upload something, hence a pdf being better. Of course, some do just upload a pdf of their website link. But please, if you do share your website link, please please please share the password. You have no idea how many don't, and when you are reviewing hundreds of portfolios, you have no idea how frustrating it it.I also see loads of portfolios in tiny fonts or inaccessible colour palettes which just make it illegible
- @Laura Hurst that is amazing, thank you for taking the time to answer and send me the link.
You must sign up or log in before you
add a comment.