The Design Guy

11/10/2024

Most designers show everything they’ve ever worked on.

That’s a mistake 💀

Want high-paying clients to notice your work?

Curate your portfolio strategically, showing only your best work.

Here’s why this matters and how to do it:

🗣️ Stand Out in a Crowded Market
↳ Choose projects that highlight your unique strengths.
↳ Focus on quality, not quantity.
↳ Make people stop and notice.

😎 Showcase Your Expertise
↳ Highlight your top skills.
↳ Position yourself as a specialist.
↳ Let clients see your mastery.

🖤 Attract Ideal Clients
↳ Curate with your target audience in mind.
↳ Show work that matches the clients you want.
↳ Make them think, "This designer gets us!"

🔀 Streamline Your Workflow
↳ Focus your portfolio on a niche.
↳ Make your process faster and more efficient.
↳ Avoid the burnout of doing everything for everyone.

🤑 Increase Your Earnings
↳ Specialists often get paid more than generalists.
↳ Highlight niche projects to boost rates.
↳ Attract high-value clients who see your strategic value.

🤝 Build a Strong Network
↳ Become known in a specific community.
↳ Get more referrals and opportunities.
↳ Create a pipeline of aligned projects.

Focusing doesn’t limit you. It showcases your strengths. It attracts the work you truly want to do.

This week, look at your portfolio. Curate strategically and level up your projects.

09/10/2024

Most portfolio websites fail to impress on the first visit.

You miss out on potential clients if your site isn't optimized.

In this portfolio review I'm going to show you how to transform your portfolio site.

You'll turn visitors into clients with an engaging, streamlined site.

✅ Autoplay Videos
✅ Full-Bleed Layouts
✅ Streamline Your Homepage
✅ Showcase Your Best Work
✅ Incorporate Process Content

Watch the full portfolio review here 👇
https://youtu.be/J2tb04fmU8Q

What’s the first change you'll make to your portfolio website?

03/10/2024

If you’re a designer, writing a case study probably feels like doing your taxes. Not fun. But here’s the thing. Case studies are a must-have. They show off your expertise. Stand out in the crowded market. And demonstrate your strategic value to clients who might not grasp the difference between kerning and wireframes.

Most designers dread it. They compare their work to industry veterans and get stuck overthinking every detail. They struggle to find a clear structure and end up feeling overwhelmed. With the right approach, you can turn case study writing from a dreaded task into a powerful tool.

1. Start With a Strong Title
2. Give an Overview
3. Outline Your Process
4. Fill in the Gaps
5. End With Impact

By focusing on these steps, your case studies will do more than just document your work. They’ll demonstrate your strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, setting you apart from other designers. Mastering this framework will make the process quicker and less daunting over time.

If you want to learn more about my framework for crafting S*xy Case Studies, check out the link in my bio 👆

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03/10/2024

Most designers dread writing case studies.

Their portfolios remain ineffective without them.

If writing case studies feels like pulling teeth, keep reading.

I'll show you a simple way to write compelling case studies quickly.

☑ Save Time

↳ Use a clear framework.
↳ No more staring at blank pages.
↳ Focus on key points only.u

☑ Grab Attention

↳ Start with a compelling title.
↳ Use impactful, business-focused language.
↳ Make every section engaging.

☑ Show Your Process

↳ Outline from start to end.
↳ Highlight challenges and solutions.
↳ Detail your strategic thinking.

☑ Demonstrate Impact

↳ Present data-driven results.
↳ Showcase tangible outcomes.
↳ Use before and after comparisons.

☑ Structure Smartly

↳ Use the Problem-Idea-Development-Solution framework.
↳ Create a coherent narrative.
↳ Keep it concise and compelling.

☑ Craft a Strong Conclusion

↳ Reinforce delivered value.
↳ Showcase strategic insights.
↳ Keep it memorable and impactful.

Adopting this approach turns your case studies from a chore into a powerful portfolio tool. Well-crafted case studies showcase your expertise and help you stand out to potential clients.

What's your biggest challenge in creating case studies

04/09/2024

25/01/2024

This is how designers can write amazing and interesting case studies for their design projects that will impress clients and hiring managers everytime on their design portfolio website

28/09/2023

tonight 👌

22/08/2023

My Creative Juice 🧃 Newsletter TLDR for August 21st, 2023
💎 Something Gorgeous: BARVA Vases by Pani Jurek
💼 Portfolio of the Week: Organize Everything in Your Portfolio Like This
🎨 Creative Finds:
1️⃣ Narraton by Aira Xiying Bao & Yubo Zhao
2️⃣ Hyde Park Picture House by Rabbithole
3️⃣ The DJ and The War Crimes by Rolling Stones 
📲 One Tok: Microwaving Pizza by Ryan D Anderson
🫢 One Lesson: Escaping The Jungle

You can sign up to receive Creative Juice at the link in my bio ☝️

12/06/2023

Freshly squeezed every Monday 🧃

15/05/2023

My Creative Juice 🧃 Newsletter TLDR for 05/15
💎 Something Gorgeous: Ikea Bomb Shelters
💼 Portfolio of the Week: Mark Hurrell
🎨 Creative Finds:
1️⃣ Wype by Among Equals
2️⃣ 9+ by Pràctica
3️⃣ BANANAIN by A Black Cover Design
📲 ONE TOK: Victoria Skolimowska
🫢 One Thing I Learned: Don't forget sunscreen!

You can sign up to receive Creative Juice at the link in my bio ☝️

13/04/2023

Still alive Mom ✌️

06/04/2023

Getting Sak Yants in Thailand ✌️

PS. I didn’t get one Mom…yet

14/03/2023

Creative Juice 🧃 Newsletter TLDR for 03/13

💎 Something Gorgeous: Lyric video for - Waiting
💼 Portfolio of the Week: .design
🎨 Creative Finds:
1️⃣ Syrupy Branding by Studio .studio
2️⃣ S*x Brand by
3️⃣ Critical Danger Website
📲 ONE TOK: Dioramas for Sneakerheads
🫢 One Thing I Learned: Work Smarter Not Harder

You can sign up to receive Creative Juice at the link in my bio ☝️

01/03/2023

I couldn’t help it

01/02/2023

Agency vs In-house as a graphic designer 🧑‍⚖️ some of the pros & cons 👇

Agency:
✅ More variety of work
✅ More "creative" work
➖ Faster paced
❌ More context switching
❌ More levels of approval

In-house:
✅ Less context switching
✅ Less levels of approval
➖ Slower paced
❌ Less variety of work
❌ Less creative work

14/12/2022

I am really really proud of this article that I just published about what it's like to be a graphic designer. I was able to interview 6 talented designers to be a part of this and give a realistic view into the life of a graphic designer. Thank you to .luedke .muldoon .co Farah Al Aqrabawi Batzorig Tsergiinkhuu Chelsea Strong & for being a part of this 🙏

In this article I asked each designer to share what type of work they do, what kind of clients they work with, and also give a full outline of their entire day. People who say graphic designers don't work are clearly delirious because each of these designers grind it out and create some amazing work while doing so 🤘

You can read full article at the link in bio. Please check it out and lmk what you think ☝️



Read the full article 👇
https://bit.ly/3YoNSuH

Explore the world of graphic design through the eyes of six professionals. In this article, we interview six graphic design professionals about their experiences and routines.

28/11/2022

Updated an article on my website callthedesignguy.com on how many projects should be in your design portfolio website. You can check it out at the link in my bio ☝️

Here is a shortlist:
1-3 years of exp: 1-3 projects is good
3-5 years of exp: 3-5 projects
4-6 years of exp: 4-6 projects
10+ years of exp: 6+ projects

What do you think is the perfect number of projects for your portfolio website?



Read the full article 👇
https://bit.ly/3uqX9VH

It is so easy to just throw every project you have into your portfolio, but should you? Sometimes less is more and the same goes for your portfolio.