- Ruth Kogan
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Creating an online college portfolio is one of the most effective ways to stand out in competitive admissions or creative programs. Whether you’re applying to art school, design programs or for scholarship opportunities, a portfolio website is an effective way to make an impression.
With Wix you can easily make an online portfolio that reflects your personality and achievements. With professionally-designed website templates and a drag-and-drop editor you can present your best work online, no coding needed.
TL;DR: How to create a college portfolio
Here’s what you’ll find in this guide:
How to create a portfolio for college
What to include to make a strong impression
Inspiring examples of student portfolio websites built with Wix
Why every student needs a college portfolio website
Why choose Wix for your college portfolio?
Your college portfolio should represent your creative talent and technical skills, Wix helps students and applicants build professional, personalized sites that do just this.
With Wix’s AI website builder, you can design a portfolio in minutes. Wix's editor includes mobile friendly website templates, media galleries and video integration, making it ideal for art portfolios, music portfolios, film portfolios or design portfolios. Wix also includes in-built SEO features, web hosting and website analytics, so your portfolio performs as well as it looks.
How to build a college portfolio website in 5 steps
Creating your college portfolio website should be simple and intuitive. Here’s how it can be just that.
01. Choose a portfolio builder
When it comes to choosing a portfolio builder look for one that combines user-friendly design with AI website building tools that automatically generate layouts for student portfolios, helping you focus on your content instead of coding.
Better yet choose a website builder, like Wix, that includes secure web hosting, a customizable domain name and enterprise-grade website security.
Most portfolio builders allow you to create a portfolio for free, or you can choose from one of a number of paid plans.
Learn more:
02. Pick a domain name
Your domain name should represent you, so try a simple format like yournameportfolio.com. With a paid plan, Wix makes it easy to register a custom domain and provides free hosting and SSL security as well.
You can create a college portfolio without a customized domain, what really matters is your work you include in it, not necessarily your domain name. But being able to put your own stamp on your portfolio with a unique domain name can really help with your personal branding.
Registering a domain name is easy with Wix. You can also conduct a domain name search to help you choose the right one.
03. Choose your portfolio template
Many portfolio builders, including Wix, have a large range of website templates to choose from.
Each template should include built-in sections for projects, about pages, and contact info. Pick one that matches your discipline, be it photography, architecture or digital media and customize it instantly with Wix’s drag-and-drop editor.
Explore these popular portfolio templates:
04. Customize your portfolio design
It's important to share your work through your use of layout, imagery and color within your portfolio design. Wix lets you adjust fonts, upload artwork, embed videos and use an AI Text Generator to describe your projects clearly.
Think about adding a résumé section, an artist statement and project descriptions that help viewers understand your work and goals.
05. Publish and promote your college portfolio
Once you’re happy with your site and you've shared it with other students who can give you feedback, then you can press publish and have your portfolio go live. Think about how to share it to a wider audience through social links, email signatures or QR codes on your printed applications. Use Wix Analytics to track visits and engagement and remember to keep your site updated with new projects as your college career develops.
What to include in your college portfolio
A great portfolio website should highlight both your skills and your personality. Here’s what every college portfolio should include:
About or Bio page: Use customizable layouts to craft a clear and engaging personal introduction to you and your work.
Project gallery: Showcase your best work using media galleries, video players or dynamic grids.
Resume or CV: Add downloadable PDF sections or use text widgets to format your achievements professionally.
Testimonials or references: Include short quotes from teachers or mentors.
Contact page: Make it easy for admissions teams to reach you with a form builder or custom email integrations.
Blog (optional): Use a blog maker, create a blog and share process updates, reflections, or inspiration—perfect for creative programs.
College portfolio examples (all built on Wix)
Victoria Lafave
Victoria’s student portfolio is a great case study for anyone in education. Her site includes a dedicated teaching tab, making it an excellent example for future educators researching the best website builders for teachers, how to make a teaching portfolio or browsing teaching website examples.
Alexis Delobelle
Alexis Delobelle’s student portfolio feels polished and career-ready. The site integrates striking visuals, straightforward website navigation and a professional tone that works well for both academic and career opportunities.
How to create a college portfolio website FAQ
How do I make my college portfolio stand out?
Choose a cohesive design, include only your best work and write short project descriptions that tell a story. Try to keep your design consistent across your portfolio.
Can I add video or animations to my portfolio for college?
Absolutely. Wix supports video backgrounds, embedded clips, and animation effects—perfect for film, animation, or digital art students.
Is Wix free for students?
Yes, Wix offers a free plan so you can start building right away. You can upgrade anytime to connect a custom domain or unlock advanced features.
Why do I need a college portfolio?
A college portfolio showcases your skills, creativity and growth beyond grades or test scores. It gives admissions teams a deeper understanding of your talents and personality, helping you stand out in competitive applications, especially for art, design, media, and performance programs.