A Letterhead That Frames Your Portfolio
When a designer, photographer or illustrator sends a portfolio, the cover letter is the first thing a client reads. A page with a clear creative personality helps it stand out. This letterhead uses faceted coral and indigo polygons, like cut paper, and a CREATIVE PORTFOLIO title. It suits people who apply for jobs, pitch to agencies or reach out to galleries and clients.
Coral and Indigo Faceted Shapes
The page is 8.5 x 11 inches, portrait, one page. Polygons in coral, indigo and lighter tints form an angular cluster at the top corner, and a smaller cluster returns at the foot. Warm coral against cool indigo gives energy without noise. The shapes are graphics and stay as designed.
Turning the Title Into Your Name
The words CREATIVE and PORTFOLIO are placeholders. For a personal portfolio, type your own name and a discipline, such as Illustrator or Motion Designer. For a collective, use the studio name. Keep the type size large enough to read at a glance, since the title is the main text in the header.
Contact Lines Built for Quick Replies
Three placeholder lines sit at the foot: an address, two phone numbers, and an email with a website. For a portfolio, the website line matters most. Use a short, clean address that goes directly to your work page. An email that includes your name looks more serious than one with random numbers.
Using the Date and Open Space
A Date line sits near the top. The writing area below is wide, and the page suits a short cover letter followed by a list of attached projects. Name each project in a bullet with a one line description, and add a link to the full case study.
Letters You Can Send With Your Portfolio
- A cover letter for a job or internship application.
- A pitch to an agency or a magazine.
- A proposal to a client for a fixed project.
- A thank you note after a portfolio review.
- A request for a reference from a former client.
Tone for a Creative Cover Letter
Be specific about why you are writing to this particular person. Mention one piece of their work that you admire, then name one of yours that is related. Close with a clear next step, such as a call next week. Short and confident beats long and modest.
Editing the Portfolio Letter
Every line of text is editable. The polygon graphics are fixed. You can add a small logo or a monogram to the header, as long as you keep it clear of the shapes. Keep to two fonts at most, one for the title and one for the body.
Printing a Portfolio Cover Letter
If you hand your letter to a client in person, print it on a good 120 gsm paper and place it on top of a printed portfolio. For email, export a PDF and name it with your own name, not a generic file name, so it is easy to find later.
For a colourful page, see the colorful letterhead for designers. For an agency, try the creative agency letterhead. For a person brand, see the personal brand letterhead. More are in letterheads.
