from print to digital.

I have to admit there hasn't been many times in my college career where I have thought about what my personal portfolio would look like. I honestly thought that portfolios were more for artists, photographers, and graphic designers to display their visual work, so it never crossed my mind that I would need to display my written work in a similar fashion.

To my delight, I really enjoyed the process of creating a digital portfolio, not only to represent myself, but also my written work. Which I assume is one in the same. Previously, I have written about the taunting task of choosing which written piece to include in my portfolio. Much of my early written work was lost in the crash of my very first personal laptop, which as I have since learned via Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and The City to "back it up!" However, I was able to find some key pieces that would round out my writing samples, and display range of topics and content.

There are a few things that are different in a digital portfolio, rather than a print portfolio. Where one would typically look for a stylish portfolio book to take to interviews, online you must pick the perfect theme for your entire website, complete with font styles transitions between pages, graphics, and the list goes on. Where I would normally print my written work for said physical portfolio, I now have to find a way to display/attach/link my pieces in a way that is aesthetically pleasing and easily accessed. Also, text online displays much differently than on a word document, so there had to be editing of my actual written work to look like it belonged on the internet.

When choosing a place to create my digital portfolio, I was looking for a site that would allow me to pick a template and then completely change said template. I needed a good base to work with, without having to create a website from scratch. Insert "Ain't nobody got time for that" meme. I finally decided to use the website creator Wix. This site allowed me to choose a portfolio theme template, and there were so many, all customizable, which I found was remarkably easy.

Stylistically, I wanted my portfolio to be clean and simple with a little POP! I chose a basic template and made it my own with personal photos of myself and pictures I had taken specifically for this portfolio. I chose a feminine font for my titles, but remained fairly neutral when it got down to where a lot of my written content. I decided o attach my resume and blog, so that others could seek more information about me if they chose too, this kept the site looking simplistic, as it was not too wordy. My motto with personal information is not to over share, but to always allow others the opportunity to learn more about you if they wish. Generally, this means viewers are seeking more information because you have something that peaks their interests, very flattering, no?

Although I am traditional at heart, I have to say my digital portfolio put my theoretical print portfolio to shame, seriously… it's hiding somewhere in the theoretical print portfolio shadows. Though I do recommend always having something in a hard copy to show to interviewers, people like to hold stuff, it's a fact.

Check out my portfolio here, share with employers, give me recommendations, whatever you will.