Tumblr is a microblogging platform similar to WordPress in some ways, but without the hassle of a content management system. You have less control over how your portfolio site looks and functions, though there are many themes for you to choose from. If you are just looking for a straightforward way to upload your images and projects then Tumblr is worth considering.
Tumblr is also a social networking site, allowing you to connect with fellow designers and build a following. The ability to reblog your content is one of its most powerful features. If your work goes viral your brand could reach hundreds, if not thousands, of people and become an overnight success. As such, even if you have a portfolio site it’s not a bad idea to include Tumblr as part of your social media marketing strategy.
Let’s go through the steps needed to create your portfolio site on Tumblr.
CREATING YOUR PORTFOLIO ON TUMBLR
When creating your account, be aware that the username you choose will be used as part of your address. So if your username is fraphic, then the address you link to clients will be fraphic.tumblr.com. As such, it’s recommended to use your brand name as your username.
You will then be asked to select 5 genres that you are interested in. Naturally, choose those that involve the visual arts such as design and illustration. From there Tumblr will personalize your dashboard so related posts are displayed. Each post allows you to follow, share, like and reblog. You can also Talk to a Tumblr and reach out to designers and illustrators that inspire you.
With the onboarding out of the way, it’s time to create your portfolio site. A default theme (Optica in this example) is already chosen for you, but you might want something that looks more professional, so go to Edit Appearance and Edit Theme.
Here you will be able to customize appearance and theme options. Browse through the many free themes available and pick one that works best for your site. You can see a few recommendations on the sidebar, but most of them are displayed under Themes. Categories allow you to narrow down your search, while price tags differentiate the free and premium themes. You also have the ability to preview each theme before installation.
In this example we will be choosing a theme with a grid layout, which is great for displaying images and photos — ideal for a portfolio site. Bazice is clean and has features such as infinite scrolling, so let’s go with that one.
After installing the theme it’s time to upload a few projects. Go to your dashboard and Make a Post (located on the top right). There are 7 post options to choose from, but Photo will probably be the best one for you.
From there, upload images and photos related to the project, and add a caption if desired. Also, be sure to include relevant tags so your post is easily searchable. Once done, you can either post now or schedule it for later.
After adding a few projects, your portfolio site should look more substantial and easier to customize. Now it’s just a matter of going to Edit Theme and experimenting with theme options to get the exact look you want.
IN CONCLUSION
It’s easy and free to create your portfolio site on Tumblr. In addition, the social features makes Tumblr a great choice, especially if you are starting out as a freelance graphic designer and looking to get the word out there about your services.
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