Should You Show Off Your Incomplete Web Design Pages? Absolutely.

If you’re anything like me, you’re the kind of person with a million web design projects going on at once. Most of them get completed, but some sit forever in “draft” mode, just waiting to have those final touches added. This becomes a problem when looking for work or building your design brand.

Do you show off websites that aren’t complete? Full of Lorem Ipsum? In draft mode?

In my opinion, I say yes, go for it! And here is why you shouldn’t be afraid to add them to your portfolio.

Incomplete Work Shows off Your Web Design Internal Process

Any good employer, especially one in the creative field, will know that it is a process—and a long one. From initial concept to testing, edits, and so much more. Designing a webpage is something that takes a lot of planning, and a lot of drafting. Therefore, any good employer would also want to see that process from their candidates.

When looking at a potential employee, oftentimes they want to determine how you got from A to B, the steps you took, and the decisions you made. When you show off websites that are in process, you can do just this, and give real-life examples of how you operate, and the workflow that you’ll bring to the company.

It Shows You’re Testing Out New Things

In the world of web design, there really are only a few guarantees. One of them is that things are always changing, and another is that you’ll probably break something when trying to learn new tricks—actually that one is guaranteed.

Displaying a website, even if it doesn’t work the way you want it to. shows that you not only have great problem-solving skills, but that you’re also working on the newest updates, trying to stay relevant in the field.

Granted, you don’t want to show something totally unusable, but if you have the chance to explain yourself, this can be an incredible tool.

Incomplete Websites Are Still Work

Finally, and most importantly, let’s not forget that incomplete works are still works. They are projects you have devoted legitimate time to, and resources to get to where you want to be. And it’s okay to show how you work through things, ideas you have, or tests you’re running. In fact, this is something that could even put you ahead of the field.

Everyone makes mistakes, there isn’t a person around who doesn’t. So showing ALL of your work is crucial, and shows you’re a real human trying to solve real problems—all while being joyfully creative.

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This article really is twofold, when it comes down to it.

If you’re looking for a job, don’t be afraid to show your mistakes, your steps, and your process. If that means showing off a website that is still in the works, then so be it. It will show your dedication to learning, and your creative thinking, and even give you an edge over someone who only presents themselves as totally polished. Because no one truly is.

And if you’re an employer, remember that everyone has to learn, nothing will ever be completely perfect, and that an intuitive mind is often better than the arrogant one.