PORTFOLIO
WEBSITE
description  
  
A portfolio website is a cornerstone of a designer's communication toolkit. While its primary purpose is to allow clients, potential employers, or collaborators to access your projects online, it serves an invaluable secondary role: showcasing your design language, culture, and approach.

In most design projects, constraints such as budget, functionality, and client preferences can shape the final outcome. However, your portfolio sends an unspoken message: If there were no limitations, how would you structure and present your personality, perspective, and approach to design?

With this in mind, your task for this project is to design your own portfolio website. This website should not only exhibit your design philosophy but also provide your audience a glimpse into how you see and interpret the world through design.

While numerous pre-designed templates are available on website builder platforms, none can fully capture your personal branding, values, and unique approach without compromise. As a designer, you have the opportunity to craft your own narrative and visual identity—showcasing your taste, creativity, and originality.

Remember: You don’t just use templates; you build taste.




 
   
guidelines
READING/RESOURCES

  • Personal Branding ➜ D2L
  • Stand Out by Denise Anderson ➜ here
  • Brand Guideline Archive ➜  here
  • Logo Modernism ➜  here
  • Online logo archive ➜ here
  • Dribbble Online logo archive ➜ here
  • Adobe Illustrator tutorial on LinkedIn Learning. ➜ here

 

RULES

  • For this project, you may use any website builder, such as Cargo, ReadyMag, Wix Studio, Squarespace, or similar platforms. Alternatively, if you feel confident, you are welcome to write your own code to create the website. 
  • It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the website builder you choose to use. Most of these platforms are compatible with custom coding if needed.
  • You do not need to purchase a subscription; the free version with a non-custom, long URL is acceptable. However, if you wish, you may purchase a domain and connect your website to a custom domain—this is optional.
  • Your personal brand (P1) should be the central theme of this project. Elements such as your logo, color palette, typeface(s), and potential graphic or ornamental elements, including patterns, should be thoughtfully incorporated into your website.
  • The website must include at least three pages: a landing page, a single project page, and an about page. Feel free to add more, as there are no restrictions beyond that. 
  • Your website should be responsive, meaning it must function properly and remain legible on both mobile devices and desktop screens. Be sure to check and optimize the mobile view to ensure a seamless user experience.
  • Please ensure that your website remains live until final grades are submitted for the course. If you update your domain at any point during the course, make sure to provide the updated link in your submission before the final grades are released.
  • A unique design and personalized approach are the primary goals of this project. Using templates or cloning other designs will not reflect your individuality or make the project truly your own.
  • Your concept should be original and unique. Please refrain from copying, using AI image creator, or any other pre-existing materials. 



PROPOSAL

Please follow all steps on the Project 2 worksheet.

  • Make a SINGLE pdf file of all pages (crop edges and adjust the contrast of scanned materials) and submit it before the deadline with the proper file name (Last_first_P2.pdf).
  • Have your copy ready for the proposal session and one-on-one review.


DIGITAL SUBMISSION

Before submitting your project, please ensure that it meets all the requirements in the final project. 


You need to submit TWO files for this project:

  1. A link to your website. (post it to discussion board on D2L)
  2. Submit your self-assessment in the comment section. 



    SELF ASSESSMENT

    You will write this on D2L at the same time you submit your file. Your entry should include the following:

    • Identify what elements of your design gave you the most problems.
    • Identify what elements of your design you feel are most successful.
    • In your opinion, how do you evaluate your performance in this project?

    Please focus on discussing your design work and the creative process rather than any struggles or successes related to technology or time management.
    worksheet
    INSTRUCTION

    • Unique Design: How does your portfolio website stand out from typical layouts?
    • Main Visual Element: What is the key visual element on your homepage that will catch the viewer’s attention?
    • Animated Logo: Will your logo be animated? If so, provide examples or inspiration. This can show your diverse skills indirectly.
    • Inspirational Websites: Share links and screenshots of websites that have inspired your design.
    • Wireframe: Create a wireframe of your website (either digital or a clean hand sketch) to show the layout of elements such as the logo, navbar, hero image/animation/video, etc. (Figma wireframe/ Flux Academy Wireframe).
    • Homepage Layout: Provide a digital design of your homepage using any software you're comfortable with (e.g., Adobe Illustrator, Figma, Adobe InDesign). This does not need to be a functional website, just a layout showing the homepage composition.
    • A link to your under-construction website: This could be a free version of the website platform builder, such as Wix, Readymag, etc. (Please post your website link on the discussion board in D2L and keep it updated until you receive the final grade for this project. If you obtain a permanent domain, please update the link accordingly.)
    • File Format : Combine all required items into a single PDF file. 
    • Layout: Use a landscape (or portrait) layout, as the document is intended for digital viewing, not print. DO NOT USE TEMPLATES!
    • Attention to Details: Since this submission represents your personal brand, make sure everything is polished and carefully presented. 
    • Functional Links: Double-check that all links in your document are working correctly.

    Design tip: Design is a demanding process that requires time and dedication. While it's possible to complete all the stages of this project in a few hours, only expect great results if you invest enough time and effort into it. Remember, solid design takes time!
    checklist
    INSPIRATIONS

    As this project is focused on a functional design portfolio, there is no checklist for this project. However, I have listed some websites that you may find interesting and that could serve as inspiration for your portfolio website. Please note that the list below may not represent the perfect example of best practices for portfolio websites.


    https://www.fuse.kiwi

    https://edition.studio/

    https://diegogildebiedma.com/

    https://andwalsh.com/

    https://fiddle.digital/work

    https://grids.obys.agency/

    https://bibliothequedesign.com/

    https://spin.co.uk/

    https://www.hort.org.uk/

    https://bureauborsche.com/

    http://wvvolumes.com/

    https://martens-martens.com/

    https://studiodumbar.com/

    https://thonik.nl/

    https://heystudio.es/

    https://norm.to/

    https://neubauberlin.com/

    https://onlab.ch/

    http://www.bold.studio/

    https://www.2dpete.com/

    https://neubauladen.com/




    RUBRIC
       
    Compliance with Personal Brand Guideline (P1)25%
    Creative approach, personality, and uniqueness15%
    Layout, structure and functionality35%
    Mobile and Desktop15%
    Active critic participation10%
    Total100 Points
     

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    All content on this site is created by humans. Any harvesting of data for any purposes, including AI training, is not allowed.Sajad Amini Studio. All rights reserved. 2025.