I like to think I become a better designer everyday. While this is great from a skill level point of view, it is also a little bothersome. How could becoming a better designer be a drawback you ask? Well, mostly because it makes me look at my older work like it is a piece of crap.

I constantly look back at work I did even a month ago and feel like it is subpar compared to whatever I am currently working on. Sometimes it even makes me feel bad for the client. I think to myself;

“How on earth did they OK that design?!”

It is this feeling that makes me question if I should not show some of my past work in my portfolio. On one hand I feel like I shouldn’t show any work that I am not proud of or isn’t my best work. The problem with that logic is, that at the time I made those designs it was my best work.

So, should I assume that potential clients can see and appreciate the progress of my design skills? Or will they just see the older designs as a poor reflection of my skills?

This is where the other hand comes in and makes me think I should post almost everything that I have ever done.

I guess there is no right or wrong solution here. It is really what you feel most comfortable doing. My solution is to do a little of both. On my new portfolio site I will be showcasing about half a dozen of my own personal favorite projects. I will then have a past project archive page where people can view work chronologically if they want to see some more work.

This way they can see what I feel is my best work up front, but can also see that I have done a lot of work over the years.

What is your take on this?