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Building a Design Portfolio & Online Identity
Portfolios aren’t what they used to be. In this episode, we (Gemma & Chloe) dive into the evolving role of portfolios across creative, tech, and product careers. From physical lookbooks to PDF dumps and personal blogs, we unpack how our own portfolios have changed—and what we now look for when hiring.
Whether you’re a designer, marketer, or product manager, your portfolio can either open doors or get lost in the noise. We talk about storytelling, structure, tailoring for roles, and the biggest red flags we see when reviewing portfolios. Plus, how personal branding, case study libraries, and even this podcast count as part of your digital footprint.
Connect with Us!
🎙️ Chloe’s LinkedIn: Chloe Leatherdale
🎙️ Gemma’s LinkedIn: Gemma Jackson
📸 Instagram: @takingctrlpodcast
📱 TikTok: @takingctrlpodcast
Our Portfolio Journeys
- Chloe’s evolution from textile zines to digital showcases.
- Gemma’s pivot from design school to SaaS and freelancing.
- What we used, what worked, and what flopped.
From Print to Process
- Why finished outputs used to matter most—and why that’s changed.
- Case studies, storytelling, and showing your thinking.
Tailoring Your Portfolio
- How Chloe keeps 15+ case studies in a “swap in/out” library.
- Why Gemma built a no-visual PDF portfolio to land a UX role.
- The power of picking 2–3 stories that match the job, not just your past.
The Rise of Personal Branding
- How blogs, podcasts, and LinkedIn are replacing old-school portfolios.
- Why sharing your voice now matters as much as sharing your work.
- Being Googleable is part of the game.
Hiring Real Talk
- What we notice reviewing 100s of portfolios.
- What instantly gets a “no”—and what stands out.
- Why bad UX in your portfolio can cost you a UX job.
Common Mistakes We See
- Unclear storytelling and no visible process.
- Wedding photos as headshots (yes, really).
- Too many projects, not enough clarity.
Final Thoughts
- You don’t need a perfect portfolio, you need a relevant one.
- Your story matters—make it easy for someone to understand it.
- Personalisation beats perfection, every time.
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By Taking CtrlPortfolios aren’t what they used to be. In this episode, we (Gemma & Chloe) dive into the evolving role of portfolios across creative, tech, and product careers. From physical lookbooks to PDF dumps and personal blogs, we unpack how our own portfolios have changed—and what we now look for when hiring.
Whether you’re a designer, marketer, or product manager, your portfolio can either open doors or get lost in the noise. We talk about storytelling, structure, tailoring for roles, and the biggest red flags we see when reviewing portfolios. Plus, how personal branding, case study libraries, and even this podcast count as part of your digital footprint.
Connect with Us!
🎙️ Chloe’s LinkedIn: Chloe Leatherdale
🎙️ Gemma’s LinkedIn: Gemma Jackson
📸 Instagram: @takingctrlpodcast
📱 TikTok: @takingctrlpodcast
Our Portfolio Journeys
- Chloe’s evolution from textile zines to digital showcases.
- Gemma’s pivot from design school to SaaS and freelancing.
- What we used, what worked, and what flopped.
From Print to Process
- Why finished outputs used to matter most—and why that’s changed.
- Case studies, storytelling, and showing your thinking.
Tailoring Your Portfolio
- How Chloe keeps 15+ case studies in a “swap in/out” library.
- Why Gemma built a no-visual PDF portfolio to land a UX role.
- The power of picking 2–3 stories that match the job, not just your past.
The Rise of Personal Branding
- How blogs, podcasts, and LinkedIn are replacing old-school portfolios.
- Why sharing your voice now matters as much as sharing your work.
- Being Googleable is part of the game.
Hiring Real Talk
- What we notice reviewing 100s of portfolios.
- What instantly gets a “no”—and what stands out.
- Why bad UX in your portfolio can cost you a UX job.
Common Mistakes We See
- Unclear storytelling and no visible process.
- Wedding photos as headshots (yes, really).
- Too many projects, not enough clarity.
Final Thoughts
- You don’t need a perfect portfolio, you need a relevant one.
- Your story matters—make it easy for someone to understand it.
- Personalisation beats perfection, every time.