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When does a project stop serving your portfolio? 👀
I’m currently working on a new website.
My work, knowledge, and vision have evolved a lot since I built the current one. Honestly, I think I disliked it about a month after launching… but it still did its job. It helped me share my work and build a business.
Now I’m moving into a more intentional direction, and I’m rethinking what actually deserves a place in my portfolio.
I know this isn’t always a clear or easy decision. So I’m sharing a few thoughts I’ve been using to evaluate my own work.
Would really love your perspective on this.
How do you decide what stays and what goes?
When you start explaining a project instead of being proud of it — that's when it's time to cut it
Thanks Stephanie! Interesting point. It’s a good reminder to check whether the work still speaks clearly on its own
I feel this a lot.
For me, a project stops serving the portfolio when it no longer reflects how I think — not just how it looks.
Sometimes it can still be “good work,” but if it doesn’t represent your current depth or standards, it starts creating the wrong expectations.
Exactly! I’d also say it’s important how we apply that thinking to the client’s vision. Sometimes they come with something strong, and our role is to refine, translate, and elevate it.
Absolutely 💯
Never put something in your portfolio that you don't like or want to do again. Clients will see it and ask you to do something similar for them, and you will be miserable doing it. Unless you don't have a lot of experience and really need it.
A portfolio is a positioning tool, not a highlight reel. The moment a project starts attracting the wrong clients or the wrong conversations, it's already costing you more than it's giving you.
What stays should answer one question: does this move people closer to hiring me for what I actually want to do next?
I love this perspective. It shifts the focus from showcasing work to being intentional about what you want to attract.
I like the design. cool
Thank you! I really appreciate it.
For me I choose the ones that has better quality and design than others. And also the way it fixes a problem matters a lot
Totally agree! How well it solves the problem make all the difference.
What an amazing design you made @Chantal Jemmott
Thank you so much, I really appreciate it!
When a project no longer reflects my current caliber or I no longer wish to work on projects in a certain niche. That's when a project stops serving my portfolio. If it no longer reflects my current level of expertise, I update it; but if I no longer wish to work on projects in a certain niche, I remove it from my portfolio.
Totally agree. If it no longer reflects your current level or the kind of work you want to attract, it stops helping.
Totally get this
I’d say a project stops serving your portfolio when it no longer represents the level of work you want to be hired for.
Even if it did its job back then, if it doesn’t showcase your current skills, vision, or the type of clients you want now, it’s okay to retire...
So true. A smaller and more intentional portfolio is usually much stronger than trying to show everything. It also communicates more clearly which type of project aligns best with you.
These are some good points
Thank you! There have been some really thoughtful points shared here.
I'll be the first to admit I have a problem with letting go of old projects lol, so these are some great guidelines to put in place the next time I plan to update it! A good rule of thumb I try to follow is keeping the work I'd like to attract more of, & getting rid of the work I no longer want to be doing.
I relate to that 😅 Letting go of old work is not always easy, but that’s such a good rule to follow.
amazing stuff
What an eye-catching concept! Super useful and innovative design.
Sometimes what we create and devoted most of our time to doesn't seems that way but with time it start becoming the best of best. Weldone Chantal
Thank you! That’s so true, the ones we spend the most time on often grow on us the most.
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As a freelancer, I'm sure you've experienced your fair share of feast & famine cycles. I've found the best way to avoid this loop is to always offer additional value to your current clients by building a genuine relationship rather than a vendor experience.
For example, a brand sprint may take 14 days and provide immediate value, but actually applying the brand to social templates, sales decks, etc. can be very overwhelming. By engaging with your clients and understanding their needs, fears, and goals, you can become part of their long term success.
By showing that a brand sprint is the first step of the journey and that you are able to support your client in the following steps, you not only add value, but you develop a deeper relationship with the client.
Seeking to build relationships rather than sharing a vendor experience has in return shown me the death of the feast and famine cycle.
Nice approach!
About the start an overhaul of the portfolio, any hints and tips on how to improve would be extremely welcome!
Here's a recent completed rebrand for a client, my first verified project.
Looking forward to more to come!
Superb!
Top 20% on Contra. ✨
It’s official! I’ve been ranked among the top independent creators on @Contra.
My goal has always been to blend high-end aesthetics with data-driven results, and seeing that reflected in my stats is the best motivation. Ready to take even more brands to the next level this quarter.
Let’s build something beautiful together. 🥂
That's awesome! Congrats 🎉
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