: How do I build my webdesign portfolio when all sites I've designed have been taken offline? This is my first time on this site. Here's the problem. I've been designing since I graduated from

@Voss6371140

I have another suggestion
Start creating a portfolio. You don't need clients for that. Just start designing. You'll be surprised how fast it goes without clients.
Don't program websites, don't design every screen and every hover and verification, just 5-6 beautiful screens per project. Even if it's not for "real clients" it will show your abilities, your style and that you have good taste.
Set 2-3 websites and 2-3 apps in a cargo collective website or any other good platform (cargo is my personal favourite) and you'll have a fairly good portfolio, that is definitely better than nothing!

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@Smith574

Well not to be rude but I think you will know next time to make a backup. Always try to keep backup even up to five years if a client calls you and says hey remember me I want to order X like you did before. To add to cockypup's answer its going to be hard to bill four figures when you have nothing to show for it. I would advise knocking out some ideas for basic sites. Nothing really CMS driven right now unless you are pitching that but I would do some sites such as:


mobile first responsive site
single landing page
single responsive landing page
user interface website
contact form landing page
eCommerce website
Mobile eCommerce website


I hope you have have a portfolio website and your own domain. If you do then make sure to backup the sites, create a subdomain with a no follow and link the functioning code to it. I wouldn't nick pick your details right now because you need live sites, you can always go back and tailor or fine tune it down the pipe or even go to a CMS version of it later. So you can either go two ways with this.. Walk away and look at it as a life lesson or take this opportunity and freely design for yourself.

I would not get over worked on the design. In the wireframe/mockup phase I would do quick sketches and limit your time. If you dont, also take this time to design in the browser. Code a functioning prototype in black and white. You could even swing that as an idea of a possible site in a portfolio. If you do go this route make sure to have fun!

If you are only a designer then there are plenty of mockups you could do in regards to mobile, laptop, desktop, angled, etc. etc. If you have access to After Effects or Photoshop you can animate functionality in your design if you dont know how to code:





If you're wanting to know how to make something like this we have a great question by Joonas on it from How to create animated GIFs of prototype mockups, like the ones on Dribbble?

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@Alves566

These are more questions than answers, but asked in the spirit of answering your question.

Do you still have visuals elements of the websites you created? Do yo have mock-ups, visualizations, screenshots, etc? If so, you could use them to create a portfolio, even if the site is not live anymore. You could even animate them to convey the mood of the sites, although it is not necessary.

Sites go offline, or get updated or change hands, so it is always a good idea to keep those visuals for future references. Mind you, if you only have those 2 sites to backup your experience, it is going to be difficult building a portfolio that looks convincing.

Do you have any other design work you could add to your portfolio? It does not need to be web design necessarily. Most designers nowadays design for many different media.

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