Use the exercises in our free workbook to determine if freelancing is right for you.
The email you entered is invalid.
Thank you for subscribing.
By entering your email, you indicate that you have read and understood our Privacy Policy and agree to receive marketing from Squarespace.
As a graphic designer, your portfolio website is one of your most important marketing tools. Whether you're seeking freelance clients, staff positions, or building your professional brand, a well-designed portfolio site should present you at your most polished.
The website examples below are powerful multitaskers. Along with displaying your work, they demonstrate your understanding of layout, typography, color, and user experience. And they offer a simple way for visitors to contact you or book your services. Read on to see the nine Squarespace templates that are made with designers in mind, so you can put your best work forward.
1. Best for simple portfolios: Reseda
Reseda offers generous gallery space with clean layouts that let your work shine. The template uses fullscreen images and minimal distractions, making it ideal for graphic designers who want their portfolio pieces to be the main focus.
This layout works particularly well for designers working in branding and identity design. Apart from giving each project room to breathe, the spacious layout also streamlines navigation, so your services and contact information are easy to find.
2. Best for freelancers: Ortiz
Ortiz strikes a balance between showcasing your work and communicating your professional services. The template blends large project images with text sections, so you can provide context for each design while maintaining visual impact.
This is an excellent choice for freelance graphic designers who want to give background on their projects. The mixed-media approach makes it easy to explain your design process, list your capabilities, and include clear calls to action for potential clients to book consultations or request quotes.
3. Best for full-service designers: Adri
Made for creative professionals and web designers, Adri pairs contemporary layouts with modern design embellishments. The template's clean structure and attention to visual hierarchy demonstrate good design principles, all before visitors even view your individual projects.
Adri is ideal for graphic designers who work in digital spaces and like to update their portfolio regularly. The template’s flexibility means you can organize and reorganize your projects as needed, all while maintaining a sophisticated, design-forward aesthetic.
4. Best for behind-the-scenes context: Sketchbook
Sketchbook started as a cultural and art newsletter template. But it offers a unique approach for graphic designers who want to share their creative process, insights, and curated content. Its format is perfect for building an audience and establishing thought leadership in the design community.
If you want to go beyond traditional portfolio presentations, Sketchbook is a good option. You can share behind-the-scenes looks at projects, discuss design inspiration, critique design trends, or create a regular digest of design-related content. It's an excellent tool for building relationships with potential clients and establishing your voice in the design world.
See the full Sketchbook template
5. Best for minimalist designers: Cami
Built specifically for designer portfolios, Cami embraces minimalism, putting your work front and center. Large images and strategically colorblocked spaces create breathing room. As a result, visitors can appreciate the details, textures, and mood of your design work.
This template is a good fit for graphic designers working in branding, packaging, or editorial content where those fine details matter. Its minimalist approach also works well for bold portfolio pieces that benefit from an uncluttered presentation.
6. Best for editorial design: Montclaire
Montclaire was originally designed for fine artists. It channels a sophisticated aesthetic that works beautifully for graphic designers with a classic, refined style. The template emphasizes clean presentation and allows you to showcase detailed creative work.
This option is excellent for graphic designers who want to position their work as art-driven or who specialize in areas like editorial design, book design, or high-end branding. The layouts communicate a professional seriousness and attention to detail.
See the full Montclaire template
7. Best senior designers: Hawley
Hawley is made for established designers who want to present strategic portfolio work. The template accommodates larger project case studies and allows you to demonstrate not just visual execution but also strategic thinking and problem-solving.
Consider this template if you’re a senior graphic designer, creative lead, or transitioning into a strategic role. It provides space to explain project objectives, your contributions, and outcomes alongside visual work, helping potential clients or employers understand your impact.
Best practices for making a graphic designer website
Your portfolio website should reflect your design sensibilities while meeting practical needs. Keep these considerations in mind:
Strong visual hierarchy: As a designer, your website is a demonstration of your skills. Use typography, spacing, and layout to create a clear visual hierarchy that guides visitors through your content naturally.
Curated portfolio selection: Quality over quantity matters in design portfolios. Choose 8-15 strong projects that represent your best work and the type of projects you want to attract. Include variety to show your range while maintaining consistent quality.
Project context: For each portfolio piece, provide brief context about the project objectives, your role, and any notable outcomes. This helps visitors understand not just what you created but why and how, demonstrating your strategic thinking.
Clear contact options: Make it easy for potential clients or employers to reach you. Include a contact form, email address, and links to your professional social media profiles. If you offer design services, add a booking page or clear call to action for consultations.
Professional presentation: Ensure all portfolio images are high quality and professional. Poor image quality undermines even the strongest design work.
Case studies: For key projects, consider creating detailed case studies that walk through your process from initial brief to final solution. This demonstrates your problem-solving approach and helps differentiate you from designers who only show finished work.