If you’re a student or fresh out of school, the following question has most likely crossed your mind at some point:

Can you use class work in a portfolio? The short answer? Yep.

Nobody expects you to have a stacked resume with actual client work yet. What really matters is how you showcase your thinking, creativity, and execution—that’s what agencies are looking for. 

Your portfolio is your first impression—your chance to show off what you can do. There’s a time and place for everything and when it comes to being humble, this is not the time. And, honestly? Your portfolio is more important than your GPA. Companies don’t hire students because of their resume; they hire them because they can see their skills in action.

This article breaks down how to turn your completed class work and spec work into a powerful professional portfolio that’ll help you land that first gig. We’ll cover how to pick the best projects, polish them to industry standards, and organize them in a way that gets recruiters’ attention. Let’s go! 🚀

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Can You Use Completed Class Work in a Portfolio?

Wondering if you can use completed class work in a portfolio? The answer is absolutely! But let’s be strategic about it.

Recruiters don’t care if a project was for a class or a real client. They’re concerned about your ideas, execution, and how polished the work looks. What matters to them is quality. Most top agencies actually hire creatives straight from portfolio schools, where literally all the work is class or spec work.

✨ The key: Make sure the work looks polished and professional before you add it to your portfolio. If it looks like a last-minute group project? Hard pass. Your portfolio should feel like a collection of real-world work, not just a bunch of homework assignments. It’s time to cross the bridge from student to professional.

Also, you should be very selective. Don’t just throw in everything you’ve ever done. Choose the projects that showcase the skills you actually want to get hired for. Or if there are specific companies that you want to work with or industries that you want to focus on, choose projects that are applicable to those.

How to Choose the Right Class Projects for Your Portfolio

Not every school project is portfolio-worthy (looking at you, group research paper). There are certain criteria you want to keep in mind when selecting portfolio pieces. Let’s look at some tips for how to pick the best ones.

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Pick Projects That Show Creativity and Conceptual Thinking

Remember, your portfolio isn’t about showing everything you’ve ever done, but rather about showcasing your best work. This is the time to be picky! Strong portfolios aren’t about quantity—they’re about impact.

Choose projects that highlight:

• Big, original ideas 💡
• Strong execution (copywriting, design, art direction)
• Your ability to solve a problem or tell a story (aka making people feel something)
• Work that shows you think differently—aka not the same boring concepts as everyone else

If a project doesn’t excite you? It won’t excite a recruiter either. Keep the fire work only. 🔥

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Make Sure the Work Reflects Your Career Goals

Wanna be a copywriter? Include projects that show you can write compelling copy and campaign ideas 💡

Aiming for art direction? Focus on layouts, typography, and visual storytelling. 🎨

Thinking about UX/UI design? Show off wireframes, user flows, and sleek interfaces. 👩‍💻

Pro Tip: If your project feels like every other student’s work, it’s gotta go. Find a way to make it uniquely yours. 

Ask yourself, “What makes this stand out from other pieces that are similar to it?” or “How can I make this a stand-out portfolio piece?”

How to Elevate Class Work to a Professional Level

There’s no doubt that you’ve got some solid projects. Now, let’s just give them a glow-up before they hit your portfolio. 

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Refine and Rework Before Adding It to Your Portfolio

A project that got you an A in class isn’t automatically portfolio-ready. Be careful in your consideration.

Before you include it, ask yourself:

• Can it be improved visually or conceptually?
• Does the writing/design feel polished?
• Would I be excited to present this in an interview?
• Can I add more executions to make it feel like a more integrated campaign?
• Is it solving a real problem, or does it just look good?

If the answer is no to any of the above—tweak it.

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Design Matters—Make Your Work Look Industry-Ready

A strong idea can get overlooked if the layout is a mess. Don’t risk a great idea getting ignored. Presentation is everything. Depending on your field of expertise, there are a few things you want to be certain of. 

• For writers: Pair your work with clean, minimal visuals to enhance readability and make it pop. 📝
• For designers/art directors: Make sure your images, typography, and colors are sharp and professional. 🎨
• For UX/UI designers: Make sure your case studies are clear, logical, and visually engaging.

Need support in building a strong portfolio? You can always make your life easier and get the support of an online portfolio school like book180. Schedule a chat with us to see if we’re the right route for you.

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Don’t Forget Context: Show Your Thinking

It’s all in the details. Give ‘em the behind-the-scenes. Add a short case study or project description that answers:

• The brief (What was the challenge?)
• Your idea (How did you approach it?)
• The execution (Why does it work?)
• The results (Even if it’s just class feedback, what did you learn?)

Hiring managers love seeing how you think—not just the final product. And remember, great storytelling makes your work 10x more compelling.

The Role of Spec Work and Passion Projects 

Strong class projects are great as book pieces, but you don’t have to stop there. You can also include spec work that you created on your own time.

Agencies don’t care if the work was for a real client or a fake brief—as long as it’s high-quality work. Passion projects (like rebranding a company you love or redesigning an ad campaign) can make your portfolio stand out even more, setting you apart from the others.

Wanna be extra bold? Take a brand’s existing campaign and make it better—then explain why your version is the superior one. 🔥 If you ever feel stuck and hit a creative block, take a moment to get reinspired. 

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How to Structure Your Online Portfolio

Remember, your portfolio should be ✨ clean ✨, easy to navigate, and all about your best work. Here’s how to structure it:

• Lead with your strongest project. Recruiters skim—grab their attention and hook them fast. 👀
• Keep the layout simple. Make it easy to navigate. No clutter, no complex navigation, just vibes.
• Show 5–6 of your best projects. Think quality over quantity.
• Make your contact info easy to find. (Because getting hired is the whole point, right?)
• Add a little personality. A short “about me” blurb with a bit of flavor can make you more memorable.

If you want to rest assured that you have a great portfolio to kickstart you into the professional world, you may want to consider an online portfolio school. Say hello to book180 👋

Polish Your Portfolio and Get Noticed

At the end of the day, yes, you can use class work in your portfolio, as long as it’s refined and industry-ready.

Choose projects that showcase your creative thinking, originality, and execution skills. And don’t stop improving—your portfolio should evolve as you do. It’s never in a “finished” state. 

Need help making a standout portfolio that actually gets you noticed? book180 can help you build a job-ready portfolio that has recruiters sliding into your inbox. 🚀 Ready to take that first step? Apply for our online portfolio school today!

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