Learning from Magazines
Portfolios and magazines share a secret: success lies in thoughtful structure and compelling visuals. Just like a magazine, your portfolio needs a strong cover, clear contents, and engaging content that keeps your viewer turning pages. Here’s how to borrow that format—and make it look great.
1 | Cover Page
Your portfolio’s first impression—treat it like a magazine cover.
Will you feature an image or bold typography?
Choose something original that reflects your style.
Make your name crisp and visible, choosing a clean, readable typeface.
Quick Tip: Center your name and image against a minimal background for a bold, confident opener.
2 | Table of Contents
Even short portfolios benefit from a TOC, magazines use them to guide, so should you.
Use subtle color or layout cues to link cover and content.
Include project name, year, building type, or key facts—just enough context.
Quick Tip: Digital portfolios? Make your TOC clickable so readers can jump to your favorite project.
3 | Contents Layout
This is where the storytelling happens—like the core of a magazine.
Decide early: is your portfolio vertical or horizontal? Choose what suits most of your drawings.
Use full-page images with minimal text to create magazine-style immersion.
Ask yourself: does each project tell a visual story at a glance?
Quick Tip: Let powerful images dominate—but use layouts to guide the viewer’s gaze thoughtfully.
Final Thought
“Less is more.” Lean on clarity and structure—not clutter.
Next time you design a layout, flip through a magazine and notice how it balances visuals and text effortlessly. Your portfolio should do the same.
“Less is more”
Any questions or suggestions? Leave a comment!
*these examples are only for graphic inspiration, their contents are unrelated to this website.
Article by Stefani Fachini