5 Questions to Ask Before Pitching Your Art Portfolio

Welcome to The Repeat Report—where surface design meets smart strategy.
Whether you’re here to fix a pattern, find a workflow hack, or get unstuck in your art biz, you’re in the right place. I don’t do fluff—I do structure, strategy, and design systems that make your art click. (with a little caffeine-fueled chaos thrown in).
Let’s dive in 👇

Ever feel like building your art portfolio is like catching a waterfall in a shot glass? Same here. It has to express YOU, be exhaustive but not exhausting, and somehow stay fresh and relevant all at the same time. No pressure, right?

After many, many tweaks (and probably a few existential crises), I’ve nailed down a process that works. Before you hit send on that pitch to your dream company, take a sec to ask yourself these five key questions:

1. Who am I pitching to?
Your portfolio isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. Research the company, brand, or client to make sure the work you showcase aligns with their style and target audience.
For example, if you’re pitching to a brand that specializes in adorable apparel for kindergarteners, this is NOT the time to flaunt your moody, avant-garde abstract pieces. Instead, bring out your most playful, colorful, and whimsical designs. Your goal? To make the Art Director (or another bigwig) look at your work and think, “HECK YES, this artist is exactly what we need!”
If you’re not sure your repeats are working, test them in PatternPAL—my free seamless pattern tester.

2. Am I overwhelming them?
Yes, your art is amazing, but too much of a good thing can be… too much. Imagine a client sifting through an endless scroll of portfolios. They have limited time, limited patience, and (let’s be real) probably 50 other submissions to review. You have a few seconds to catch their eye and impress. If they feel confused or overwhelmed, they’ll move on.
My sweet spot? A minimum of three collections (about 10 designs) and a max of 10 collections (around 30 designs). Follow the Goldilocks rule, not too much and not too little. Keep it digestible and leave them wanting more!

3. Does my portfolio tell a story?
Your portfolio isn’t just a random collection of pretty pictures—it should feel cohesive, like a well-curated gallery. Each piece should showcase your signature style while also demonstrating range.
Think of it like a greatest hits album: sure, every song should be a hit, but you also want variety. Show you can handle different projects while staying true to your artistic voice.

4. Is this work actually pitch-perfect?
It’s tempting to throw in that one piece you love but be honest. If you know, deep down, this isn't your best work, resist the urge! Your portfolio should be filled with your absolute best, most polished, and pitch-perfect pieces.
When in doubt, ask a trusted fellow artist or mentor for feedback. A fresh pair of eyes can help you spot weak links before they land in front of a potential client.

5. Am I making it easy for them to say yes?
Make sure your contact info is clear, your website/socials are easy to find, and your portfolio is simple to navigate. Then go a step further: personalize your pitch—mention why you love their brand or how your work fits into their vision.

At the end of the day, your goal is to make it as effortless as possible for them to hit that reply button with a resounding, “Let’s work together!”
So, before you fire off that pitch, run through these five questions. A little extra prep can make all the difference between getting ghosted and getting that dream gig.

XO Mandy

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