Creating a Winning Infographics Portfolio: 7 Tips

Published on 1 August 2023 7 min read

Showcase your best work
Highlight a range of styles
Create original content
Explain your process
Feature client testimonials
Keep your portfolio up-to-date
Make your portfolio easy to navigate

Looking for the best way to show off your infographic skills? You're in the right place. Creating a winning portfolio for infographics isn't as hard as it sounds, and you'll be turning heads before you know it. Let's dive into it, step by step.

Showcase Your Best Work

First things first: you need to show off what you can do. Your portfolio should be a highlight reel of your best infographics. But don't just toss everything in there—be selective. Think of your portfolio as your own personal art gallery: you wouldn't fill an art gallery with every doodle you've ever made, right? Same goes for your portfolio.

But how do you decide which pieces make the cut? Here's a few things to consider:

Quality over quantity: Better to have five killer pieces than 15 so-so ones. Choose the works that you're most proud of, that show off your skills, and that you had a blast creating.
Fit for the job: Tailor your portfolio to the kind of jobs you want. If you want to create infographics for tech companies, make sure your portfolio reflects that.
Success stories: If you have an infographic that performed really well—maybe it got shared a ton on social media, or it helped a client achieve their goals—be sure to include it. It's solid proof of how effective your work can be.

Remember, your portfolio is your chance to show potential clients not just what you can do, but who you are as a designer. So, make it count!

Highlight a Range of Styles

Alright, you've got your best work lined up. But now, let's talk diversity. When crafting a portfolio for infographics, showing a range of styles is like hitting the jackpot. Why? Because it demonstrates your versatility as a designer.

Let's say you're a chef, and you're trying to impress a restaurant owner. Would you only show them your pasta dishes? Of course not—you'd want to show them a variety of dishes to prove you're not just a one-trick pony. Same goes for your infographics portfolio. By featuring a variety of styles, you're showing potential clients that you're adaptable and can handle whatever design challenges come your way.

So, what does a range of styles look like? Here are a few ideas:

Color palettes: Showcase your ability to work with a variety of color schemes. Some clients may want vibrant, bold colors, while others may prefer a more muted, corporate look. Show them you can handle both.
Data visualization: Infographics are all about presenting data in an interesting and engaging way. Show off your skills in creating charts, graphs, and other data visualization tools.
Themes: Display your ability to design infographics for different industries or topics. This could be anything from tech to healthcare to education.

By showcasing a range of styles, you're not just showing potential clients what you can do—you're showing them what they could do with you. It's a win-win.

Create Original Content

Okay, you've got your best work on display and you've shown off your range. Now, it's time to let your creativity truly shine by creating original content. This is where you get to show potential clients how you can take a concept and turn it into a unique, eye-catching infographic.

Remember, your portfolio is your chance to stand out from the crowd. So, rather than just rehashing the same old designs, why not use your portfolio as a blank canvas to experiment with new ideas? This is your opportunity to show off your unique creative vision.

Here are a few ways to inject originality into your portfolio:

Conceptualize: Start with an abstract concept or idea and transform it into a visual masterpiece. This shows your ability to think outside the box and create something truly unique.
Visual storytelling: Infographics are a powerful storytelling tool. Use your portfolio to demonstrate your ability to take complex information and turn it into a visual narrative that's easy to understand.
Innovation: Don't be afraid to try new design techniques or software. This shows potential clients that you're not just keeping up with industry trends—you're setting them.

By creating original content, you're not just building a portfolio—you're building a brand. And that's what will set you apart in the competitive world of infographic design.

Explain Your Process

Now, it's one thing to present a stunning infographic, but let's not forget about the journey that led to the final product. This journey, or your creative process, is just as important. This is the part where you show potential clients how you get from A to B, from concept to completion.

So, how can you effectively communicate your process? Here are a few pointers:

Start with the Brief: Explain how you start with a client brief or an idea, break it down, and identify the key points that need to be communicated.
Your Research: Talk about your research process. How do you gather data? What resources do you use? This is a great place to show that you don't just make things look pretty, but you also understand the data you are representing.
Sketch and Design: Here, you can discuss how you move from an initial sketch to a polished design. You might even include a few of your rough sketches or early drafts to show how your work evolves.
Revisions: Don't shy away from mentioning revisions. This shows that you value client feedback and are willing to refine your work until it's just right.

Explaining your process not only gives potential clients insight into your working style but also demonstrates your attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality work. It's another impressive way to show how to create a portfolio for infographics that grabs attention and lands you those coveted projects.

Feature Client Testimonials

Word-of-mouth remains one of the most potent forms of advertising. So, why not leverage it while you're figuring out how to create a portfolio for infographics? Including client testimonials can be a game-changer. They're like your personal cheerleaders, praising your work and building trust with potential clients.

But how do you go about this? Here are a few tips:

Ask for Feedback: It's perfectly okay to ask your clients for feedback after a project. Most are more than happy to share their positive experiences, especially if they're thrilled with the outcome.
Be Specific: Encourage your clients to be specific in their testimonials. Rather than a generic "great job," ask them to talk about what they liked about your work—was it your creativity, your ability to stick to deadlines, or your superb communication skills?
Use Names and Photos: If your clients are comfortable with it, use their names and photos next to their testimonials. It adds an extra layer of authenticity and credibility.

Remember, the aim is to provide future clients with a sense of security and trust in your abilities. Testimonials help show you're not only good at creating infographics but also at maintaining positive client relationships—another key aspect when people look at how to create a portfolio for infographics.

Keep Your Portfolio Up-to-Date

As you continue on your journey of understanding how to create a portfolio for infographics, it's important to remember that your portfolio isn't a "set it and forget it" type of project. Just like the plants in your garden, your portfolio needs regular attention and care to truly flourish.

But what does it mean to keep your portfolio up-to-date? Well, let's break it down:

Adding New Work: As you complete new infographic projects, add them to your portfolio. This shows your prospective clients that you're actively working and improving your craft. Plus, it gives them an idea of your most recent style and skills.
Removing Old Work: It might be hard to let go, but removing older work that doesn't represent your current skill level is a must. Think of it as a closet clean-out. You want your best pieces on display, not those that are outdated or no longer fit your style.
Updating Client Testimonials: Just like your work, your testimonials should also be current. New testimonials can reflect more recent experiences and showcase your ongoing commitment to client satisfaction.

Keeping your portfolio fresh and up-to-date is an ongoing task. But it's this continuous effort that will keep you on top of your game when it comes to creating a stellar portfolio for infographics.

Make Your Portfolio Easy to Navigate

So, you've put in the hard work, you've created a collection of stunning infographics, and you know how to keep your portfolio up-to-date. But none of this matters if your visitors can't find what they're looking for easily. That's where navigation comes into play.

Imagine this: You walk into a store looking for a pair of shoes. But instead of clearly marked sections, you find a maze of aisles with no signs. Frustrating, right? That's exactly how your clients feel when they can't easily navigate your portfolio.

Effective Layout: An easy-to-navigate portfolio starts with a smart layout. This could be a grid layout showcasing your pieces, or a list layout with each project detailed. The key is to make it visually appealing and easy to understand.
Clear Categories: If you've worked on various types of infographics, categorizing them can help your visitors find what they're looking for. This could be as simple as separating corporate infographics from educational ones or as detailed as separating by design style.
Easy-to-use Navigation Bar: A navigation bar is like a roadmap for your portfolio. It should be clearly visible and contain links to important sections, like your about page, contact information, and different portfolio categories.

Remember, the easier it is for clients to navigate your portfolio, the more likely they are to stick around and check out your work. After all, the goal of learning how to create a portfolio for infographics is not just to showcase your work, but to make it accessible and appealing to those who might need your services.

If you want to take your infographics portfolio to the next level, we highly recommend checking out 'Making an Amazing Portfolio' workshop by George Dyson. This workshop provides essential tips on creating a powerful and compelling portfolio, which will help you showcase your best work and land your dream projects.