Having a portfolio is necessary for any designer. A trick to balancing creating a portfolio that works and getting clients is doing it with shortcuts. We know you want to impress your clients. Until you have time to tweak it, you can use pre-made solutions to help you begin.

1. Buy an existing theme. Depending on the platform you select to go with for your website, you can buy existing themes. WordPress has many portfolio sites that you can customize with the business logo and colors. One new WordPress theme called The Client Machine, which allows users to brand your image. Other themes exist for web 2.0 sites that cater to designers’ portfolios. Using a pre-existing theme may feel like a cop-out, but many designers do it until they have time to work on their site. Buying a theme that allows customization can simplify for you later and still show off your skills. Mainly, the theme should pop out at the customer and your portfolio will impress.
2. Use a portfolio site. Free portfolio sites are great for newer designers that need a place to display their work. Some sites offer different styles for the themes and skins you can choose. Upload your own on other sites. Using a free portfolio site should supply you with a URL so you can send clients in that direction to show off your work.
3. Use a free theme. WordPress offers many free portfolio themes. Many designers constantly upload them onto the web. Try checking Smashing Magazine for several free choices. Designers also upload designs that you can use to change the style on the website. Having a design in WordPress gives you a site to post your designs and create a blog with pages about your work. This gives your site a way to communicate with your clients and visitors.
4. Use Dreamweaver. If you have this powerful program, you can use it to create or tweak a site in a few minutes. Dreamweaver comes packed with existing site designs. You can use one of the stores as your site until you can design a site. By adding your pictures as thumbnails, users can click on the pictures to view the larger pieces on the website. Using Dreamweaver, or another program, lets you change the CSS style for a site and design a little when you have a few spare minutes.
5. Set up links to work online. This is one of the minimalist ways to creating a do-it-yourself portfolio. You can set up a site with links to work on the web or write a short description about the piece. If you have designs on other websites for customers, this is the easiest site to set up.  You can use any platform from WordPress to Blogger and any other free site or blog. Give potential clients the URL so they can view the links and visit the sites to see your work.
6. Create a PDF document. This choice is becoming more popular for new and experienced designers. Clients love viewing examples in print. You can arrange your portfolio using Adobe In Design or simply by arranging them in PDF from Microsoft Office and Adobe. Having your portfolio created in PDF form makes it simple to email. When you present a proposal or apply for a position, you can easily send your PDF in one file for the potential client to see.
7. Print a book. Having your work in print is simple when using the photo kiosk at your local store. You can also upload your portfolio online and buy a printed book for low prices. It’s like how grandma shows off her grandkids. Having a printed copy of your work can only work for in-person clients. Keep it with you always and show it with your business card when you come across new contacts.
8. Copy the experts with your own style. Looking at other designers’ work helps stimulate new creative opportunities for your own work. Copy some of their space use or designs from portfolios they created to give yours a new look. Using just one or two in your own style can create that splash of color or minimalist look to your own portfolio. This is especially true if you have an existing portfolio that needs updating.
9. Keep it minimal. Using white backgrounds with sparingly used graphics and text can create the boldest statement. It is also pleasing to the eyes of your potential clients. Take time to set up your website through a blog or web 2.0 sites. Add only what you need to in the form of pictures for your portfolio and minimal text. If you do not have time to create a full-blown design, this is a simple alternative.
10. Use social networks. You can create a page on Facebook for your portfolio and have your friends and family “like” it to spread the word. Upload your pictures and designs through their upload files. Keep sections separate for the designs and you can provide links in the comments section. Create your easy do-it-yourself portfolio on a popular social network that you can use to direct clients to see your work.

Now that you know how to create a portfolio in record time, let us know how your effort goes. How did you create your portfolio? Did you use one of these tips listed?

photo credit: kalleboo