Guide: Build Your Portfolio with AI

Jul 30

This is Part 1 of a practical guide to improving your portfolio with AI. Here I’ll show you 4 ways I’ve used ChatGPT to upgrade my portfolio - with ready-to-use examples and prompts.

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Content:

Create, adapt, or improve your renders
Build your visual thread
Create your narrative
Upgrade your drawings: from ChatGPT to CAD

Create, Adapt, or Improve Your Renders

Sometimes your renders don’t reflect the full potential of your design — or they just don’t match the style and format of your portfolio.

—> Use ChatGPT to adapt them to your portfolio’s look, change the mood, or bring them to life.

Upload the render into ChatGPT.
If you have a specific visual style in mind or references you like, upload them too, and add a prompt describing the result you want.
Here are 3 ways you can adapt your render with ChatGPT:
1. Change the atmosphere

“Turn this render into a [nighttime / rainy / foggy / sunny] scene while keeping the original design intact. Add [warm lights / reflections / serene atmosphere / sharp shadows].”

Adjust the style

“Generate a version of this render in [editorial collage / physical model / hand drawing / hyper-realistic] style, without changing the design of the space”

Bring it to life

“Add elements that bring this render to life: moving people, natural vegetation, contemporary furniture, and a warm atmosphere. Keep the lighting, original design, and format”

2. Build Your Visual Thread

Before starting your portfolio, it’s key to define the visual direction you want to take. You need a consistent vision. First, decide the aesthetic you’re going for (elegant, eclectic, minimal, etc.), then select a color palette, typography, and diagram style.

—> Use ChatGPT to help create your visual identity

Go to Pinterest and choose 3–4 portfolio references you like.
Upload them to ChatGPT and adapt this prompt:

“Create a visual moodboard and a short written analysis to define the graphic identity of [Name]’s architecture portfolio, using these images as reference: [insert images/links].

The result should include:

Color palette (max 5 tones, minimal and consistent with the aesthetic)

Suggested typography (titles, text, diagrams)

General look & feel (editorial, technical, rational, etc.)

Diagram style (linework, color, type of annotation)

The style should be [minimalist with character / sober / poetic and technical / brutalist / editorial].

Final format: graphic moodboard + short text with the 4 points above”

3. Done! You can request more examples or revisions if you want a specific color or style adjusted. At the end, you’ll have both a visual moodboard and a written style description.

3. Create Your Narrative

Once you’ve defined the visual identity, you need a narrative for your portfolio. The strongest portfolios have a thread that ties all projects together. They tell a story.

—> Use ChatGPT to help build your narrative.

First, define your profile as an architect/designer:

What do you want to explore?
What represents you?
How do you define yourself as a designer?

Think about themes, scales, or approaches that repeat in your work (technical, sensitive, narrative, social, material, etc.).

Then, make a list of your projects (bullet points).
—> Ideally, no more than 5 well-curated projects.

This part is important to do yourself - only you know what makes each project special. For each project, include:

Name, year, location, type (academic, professional, conceptual)
Summary & concept: What’s it about? What materials? What makes it unique? What’s its use?

Ask ChatGPT to detect a common thread.

“I’m building my architecture portfolio and need help defining the general narrative.

Here’s some context about me:
My name is [your name]
I want to work/study in [focus area: housing, sustainability, urban design, etc.]
I’m interested in [theme 1], [theme 2], [theme 3].

These are the projects I want to include:
[Project name], [year], [type: academic/professional], [summary], [my role], [tools used].

Can you identify a common thread between these projects? Then, write an intro paragraph for my portfolio based on that focus. Also, suggest an order for the projects (by theme, scale, process, etc.).”

4. Done! Now organize your projects intentionally.

Start with a strong project that hooks.
End with one that closes the story well.

If you’re unsure about order, ask ChatGPT for suggestions.

4. Upgrade Your Drawings: From ChatGPT to CAD

Drawings sometimes feel lifeless - missing furniture, people, vegetation. But finding CAD blocks in a unique style, from the right view, can be hard (or expensive).

—> Use ChatGPT to generate CAD blocks.