I decided to test a few methods for displaying design projects online. What I attempted initially was a generic gallery site that lacked proper focus. The results were underwhelming at best. A big lesson was how important it is to show work in its intended setting.
Much of the advice I followed originated from https://dribbble.com/.
After applying this selective method my inbox began filling with real inquiries. Explaining the reasoning behind design decisions made a huge difference for viewers. Overloading the page with too many examples actually diluted my strongest pieces. Removing the weak ones was hard at first but it instantly improved the impression.
Getting an outside perspective from peers saved me from keeping mediocre work. They pointed out that splashy graphics without context feel hollow to hiring managers. The recommendations shifted my presentation style completely toward substance.
Reducing my featured work to five core items boosted the response rate enormously. Ditching the complex animations made the content itself easier to evaluate. My recommendation to anyone starting out is begin with a brutal edit.