Portfolio sites seem simple. A name, some projects, a contact form. In practice, they're one of the most subjective and emotionally loaded projects you can take on — because the client IS the product. Here's what I've learned.
1. Clients don't know what they want until they see what they don't want
Every client starts with 'keep it minimal, clean, professional.' Then you show them something minimal and clean and they say it feels empty. Build three variations before the first review — let them react, not describe.
2. Typography does 70% of the work
The right font pairing transforms a portfolio. I stopped treating typography as decoration and started treating it as the primary design element. Get the type right and the layout follows.
3. Mobile-first is non-negotiable
Clients will share their portfolio from their phone the moment it launches. If it looks wrong on mobile, that's the first impression. I now design for mobile before desktop — always.
4. Animations should be felt, not noticed
When animations are done right, users don't notice them — they just feel the page is more alive. When they're overdone, users notice and get annoyed. The rule: if you can name the animation while watching it, it's too much.
5. The best portfolio is a finished portfolio
Clients will want to keep tweaking indefinitely. Set a clear scope, deliver it well, and launch. A live imperfect site is infinitely more valuable than a perfect one that never ships.