Dreaming of landing that game design job or internship? Your portfolio is your golden ticket. It’s the first thing studios look at when deciding whether to hire you. It’s not just a collection of projects – it’s your chance to showcase your skills, creativity, and potential. But building a portfolio that truly stands out takes effort and strategy.

With over 15 years of experience as a creative lead in the games industry, I’ve reviewed countless portfolios. I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. Let’s break down exactly what your game design portfolio needs to shine.

Why Your Portfolio Matters

A portfolio isn’t just a formality; it’s how you convince studios you’re worth hiring. Resumes are fine, but in the games industry, practical proof tops theory. Your portfolio shows you can turn ideas into functioning games. It’s proof of your skills, communication abilities, and creativity.

Hiring managers don’t have time to dig through clutter. Your portfolio must grab their attention fast. Clean design, clear navigation, and quality content are non-negotiable.

Building a Professional Portfolio Website

Keep It Clean and Easy to Use

Your portfolio must look professional and function smoothly. Use free platforms like Wix, WordPress, or Carrd if you’re starting out. Choose a simple, modern design that’s easy to navigate. Avoid flashy layouts – they distract from your work.

Double-check spelling, grammar, and links. A broken portfolio screams “careless.” Organise your projects logically, ensuring everything is easy to find. Think of it like this: if someone visiting your site spends more time figuring out how to navigate it than exploring your work, you’ve already lost them.

Show Playable Work

Playable projects are the heart of a game design portfolio. Skip endless screenshots or videos where possible – they’re nice extras, but nothing beats a playable game. Include clear download links or browser-based options that make accessing your projects quick and simple.

If you don’t have the skills to build a full game, that’s okay. Create prototypes or text-based games instead. Prototypes are quick snapshots of your ideas, while text-based games can show off your narrative and creative writing abilities. Both highlight your ability to turn concepts into reality.

What to Include in Your Portfolio

Finished Games

If you’ve completed games, these should be front and centre in your portfolio. Even small games can make a big impression. Choose your best work – a handful of polished projects is better than a dozen unfinished ones.

Include descriptions for each project. Explain your role, tools used, and any challenges you overcame. Provide a short video trailer alongside the playable file if possible.

Prototypes Show Your Process

Game design is about turning ideas into systems. Prototypes are perfect for showing this. They demonstrate problem-solving, mechanics development, and your ability to test concepts.

For digital prototypes, use tools like Unity, GameMaker, or Godot. If tech isn’t your strength, go old school and make paper prototypes. Simple board games made with cardboard can still be powerful examples of design thinking. Document your process with photos or videos and include downloadable files.

Text-Based Games

If you’re unsure where to start, text-based games are a great option. Create a “Choose Your Own Adventure” game or an interactive story using tools like Twine. These games are quick to build but pack a punch. They show your game-making skills and highlight your creative writing, which is essential for communicating ideas in a team.

Game Design Documents

Design documentation can be a valuable addition when done right. Flowcharts, spreadsheets, and detailed system designs demonstrate your organisation and communication skills. But here’s the catch – don’t overdo it. No one wants to scroll through endless PDFs.

For smaller projects, skip including full documents. Instead, briefly mention them and offer to provide them upon request. On the other hand, if you’ve created complex, detailed systems, showing snippets of your documentation can help convey your thought process.

Collaboration and Teamwork

Game design isn’t a solo job. Being able to collaborate effectively is crucial, so make sure your portfolio reflects this.

Highlight Team Projects

If you’ve worked with others, detail your role and how you contributed. Did you design levels? Coordinate communication between artists and programmers? Make it clear. Team projects show you understand how to work within a development pipeline.

Showcase Testimonials

Ask your teammates to write short feedback about working with you. Did you keep communication clear? Were you easy to work with? Display brief, positive quotes on your portfolio. It’s a simple way to boost credibility.

Quality Over Quantity

One of the biggest mistakes designers make is trying to show everything they’ve ever worked on. It’s overwhelming, and assessors won’t have time to go through it all.

Aim to feature 4–5 of your best projects. If you’ve built a large backlog, pick the ones most likely to impress. Tailor your portfolio to the job you’re applying for. Applying to a mobile games company? Focus on light, accessible projects. Pitching to a 3D adventure studio? Showcase your most immersive worlds.

The Importance of Presentation

Even the best projects can lose impact if poorly presented.

Keep Projects Polished

Playable games or prototypes must be functional. If your game is riddled with bugs or downloads don’t work, it’s better to leave it off your portfolio altogether. Test every link and file before sharing your portfolio.

Include Context

Each project must be self-explanatory. Don’t assume the viewer knows what your game is about. Include short descriptions:

• The goal of the game
• The role you played
• Tools or software used
• Challenges you overcame

Adding videos or trailers for larger projects can also provide a quick overview, but the main focus should still be on playability.

Personal Interests and Side Projects

Employers want to see you’re curious and creative, not just skilled. If you’ve worked on hobbies or personal projects that show this, include them.

Relevant Side Projects

Worked on a travel blog? That shows writing skills and curiosity. Built a custom board game for your friends? That’s problem-solving and creativity in action. But keep it relevant – a journey tracking your gym progress likely won’t add much value to your portfolio.

Curiosity Matters

Game designers need to understand how systems work. Exploring diverse interests can help with this. Gardening, cooking, DIY, or even learning a new language – all these hobbies feed into your ability to create interactive systems.

Keeping Your Portfolio Updated

A portfolio isn’t a “set it and forget it” tool. Update it regularly. Remove outdated projects or broken links, and keep adding your best work.

Before sending your portfolio to a studio, double-check everything. Are the links working? Does the site still load well? Are the projects relevant to the job? This extra step shows you’re detail-oriented.

Final Tips

• Simplicity is key. Keep your layout clean and save assessors time.
• Prioritise quality over quantity in everything you show.
• Playable projects always trump videos or screenshots, but include both when possible.
• Tailor your portfolio to each job application.

Conclusion

Your portfolio is the gateway to your dream job as a game designer. It’s more than just a collection of games – it’s a way to show employers you’re capable, creative, and skilled. By including playable work, prototypes, and clear documentation, you’ll paint a full picture of your talent.

Remember, focus on quality over quantity, and always keep your portfolio updated. Tailor it to the company you’re applying to, and don’t forget to showcase teamwork and communication. With these tips in mind, you’ll have a portfolio that sets you apart from the competition.

Got questions or need advice? Drop a comment below or join our Discord server to connect with other game designers. Good luck!