For any kind of fashion job–technical design, pattern maker, merchandiser, etc–you’ll want to create a Process Portfolio. This means sharing how you work, not just the final product. It shows brands how you develop ideas, your workflow and how you solve problems.

For roles beyond design, a Process Portfolio could include:

• Pattern Makers: Pattern adjustments, before-and-after fit photos, and draping work.
• Technical Designers / Product Developers: Tech packs, fit corrections, and proto comments.
• Visual Merchandisers: Inspiration, sketches/mockups, and display execution.

You also need to follow the Portfolio Golden Rule.

The Portfolio Golden Rule

“This [project/collection/design] speaks to the brand, tells them that I understand their market, customer, and aesthetic, and visually shows them that I am the right [designer/TD/PD/etc] for them.”

For more detailed step-by-step help, check out my Ultimate Guide to Fashion Portfolios.

What Should a Pattern Maker / Technical Design / Visual Merch Portfolio Look Like?

Pattern Maker Portfolio

For pattern maker work, you may have to create sample self directed projects to share since a lot of your work may be proprietary. You can also include a cropped screenshot and not the entire pattern. Use your judgment!

Here’s how to apply The Portfolio Golden Rule for pattern makers:

“This [pattern / before + after fit photo / etc] shows the brand that I understand how to create and adjust patterns that make great fitting garments.”

Here’s How to Showcase Your Work as a Pattern Maker:

• Starting Patterns: Show what your patterns look like in their initial stages.
  • If they’re on pattern paper, take a photo to demonstrate how you lay them out.
  • If you transfer them to digital, show a side-by-side comparison of paper vs. digital.
  • Show how digital patterns optimize fabric consumption and print directionality.
• Fittings & Adjustments: Document how you refine your patterns.
  • Show photos of fittings on a dress form or model. These don’t need to be professional looking – iPhone snaps work fine.
  • Include photos to show how you pin or mark with chalk.
• Pattern Modifications: Demonstrate how you improve garment fit.
  • Include before-and-after photos of a pattern piece with notes on adjustments (i.e., “Increased bust curve for better fit”).
  • Pair these with corresponding before-and-after fit model photos to show your process and that you know how to make a great fitting garment.

Your portfolio doesn’t have to be overly complicated or detailed. Even with just two images, you can show the process much more powerfully than one photo of the finished product.

Bonus Points: Consider doing some timelapse videos for interest. If you draft by hand or drape in muslin on a mannequin, set up an overhead camera (as simple as a smartphone with a tripod rig and a timelapse app) to record your drafting in timelapse.

One of my FAST students, Alexandra Agreda (LinkedIn), is a very successful freelance pattern maker. She has a timelapse video of drafting a digital pattern in her portfolio. (You can hear how she quadrupled her income and took 2 months off in this Fashion Designers Get Paid podcast episode.)

Technical Design (TD) / Product Development (PD)

For TD / PD work, you may have to create self-directed projects to share since a lot of your work may be proprietary. 

Depending on the company, TD/PD may be multiple jobs or just one. To keep things simple, we’re going to discuss on a broad scope and assume it’s one job.

Here’s how to apply The Portfolio Golden Rule for technical designers / product developers:

“This [tech pack / before + after fit photo / proto comment sheet] shows the brand that I understand how to create and use tech packs that result in accurately produced garments.”

Here’s How to Showcase Your Work as a TD/ PD:

• Tech Sketches & Tech Packs: Show samples of your tech packs.
  • Include flat sketches and detailed construction specifications to show that you understand how to create garments.
• Proto / Fit Comments: Demonstrate how your work evolves.
  • Show how your comment pages look from one proto to the next.
  • Show how you track and communicate changes to POMs (Points of Measure) or tech sketches.

Including this kind of work in your portfolio immediately lets brands know you have skill and expertise to create and refine production-ready garments.

Visual Merchandiser

Depending on the brand and what this role really means, there could be variations in your portfolio / work. For this example, we’ll assume visual merchandising to mean creating trade show / in store / window displays.

Here’s how to apply The Portfolio Golden Rule for visual merchandisers:

“This [project / window display / trade show booth] shows the brand that I understand how to creatively merchandise products in a way that connects with customers and entices them to buy.”

Here’s How to Showcase Your Work as a Visual Merchandiser:

• Mood Boards & Concept Development:
  • Include mood boards or sketchbooks that show your ideas and inspiration.
  • Show how you curate color schemes, layouts, and visual themes.
• Mockups
  • Include Photoshop or Illustrator mockups of your trade show, in-store, or window display concepts.
• Merchandising Display Photos
  • Show before-and-after photos of the actual display compared to your initial mockups.
  • Bonus points if you take photos of the process while you’re putting up the display

By structuring your portfolio this way, you present a clear, step-by-step visual story that shows brands your ability to conceptualize and execute attractive merchandising displays.

Final Takeaway: Show Your Process, Not Just the End Result 

Just because a lot of “non-design” roles aren’t as visual as a fashion designer portfolio, doesn’t mean that there aren’t a lot of visual aspects to your job that you can show.

A process portfolio is still your key to standing out.

• Hiring managers want to see how you work, problem-solve, and execute ideas. 
• Use before and after visuals, highlight adjustments, and explain your decision-making process. 
• If your work is proprietary, ask for permission first. Otherwise, create sample or self-directed projects.

Check Out My Other Portfolio Guides:

• 6 Steps to Create Your Fashion Portfolio in a Weekend (for Job Seekers & Freelancers): The full portfolio breakdown: formats, layouts, how much to include, and more.
• Portfolios for Fashion Design Students and Entry-Level Jobs: Here’s how to get started when you’re a fresh grad in need of a portfolio.
• 12 Fashion Design Portfolio Examples (that resulted in PAID work): Fashion portfolio examples if you’re in need of inspo.