Displart is built around one simple idea: your public portfolio website should be connected to a well-organized private catalogue. When the records behind your website are clear, it becomes easier to publish, update, translate, and present your work professionally.
This guide walks through the first setup decisions that matter most.
1. Start with your main language
Choose the language you want to use as the main language for your portfolio. This is the language you will usually write in first.
You can add more languages later, but starting with a clear main language keeps your artwork titles, descriptions, profile text, and website labels easier to manage.
2. Complete your public profile
Your public profile gives visitors context before they start browsing individual artworks.
Add the essentials first:
- your artist, studio, or gallery name
- a short tagline
- a concise profile description
- a profile image if it supports your presentation
- website and social links that are current
Keep the profile focused. A useful profile helps a visitor understand who you are, what kind of work they are looking at, and how to continue the conversation.
3. Add a small, strong first group of artworks
You do not need to upload your entire archive on day one. A focused first selection is usually stronger.
Start with 6 to 12 works that represent the portfolio you want people to see. For each artwork, add:
- title
- production date
- medium
- dimensions
- artwork description
- one clear main image
- tags or collections if they help organize the work
Displart lets you decide which works are public, so you can keep drafts and incomplete records private while your website remains polished.
4. Use descriptions to help visitors understand the work
An artwork description does not need to be long. It should help someone understand the work without taking control of their interpretation.
A good first description can cover:
- subject or visual structure
- material or process
- series or collection context
- the idea behind the work
- anything a curator, collector, or gallery would need to know
If you use AI writing tools, treat the result as a draft. Edit it so the final text sounds like you and accurately reflects the work.
5. Organize with collections, tags, and mediums
Structure becomes more important as your portfolio grows.
Use collections for meaningful groups, such as a series, exhibition body, or long-term project. Use tags for flexible themes or keywords. Use medium consistently so visitors can understand the materials and methods behind your work.
Good organization helps both you and your visitors. It also makes future translation and website updates easier.
6. Choose a public website template
After you have a few complete artwork records, choose the website template and palette that best matches the presentation you need.
Different templates can support different kinds of visual rhythm:
- minimal presentations for quiet, image-first portfolios
- gallery-like layouts for a more curated feel
- denser catalogue views for larger bodies of work
You can change the visual design without rewriting your artwork records, because the content and website presentation are managed separately.
7. Preview before publishing
Before you publish, check your website like a first-time visitor.
Look for:
- clear navigation
- readable artwork titles and dates
- consistent image quality
- profile and contact information
- works that should remain private
- spelling and formatting issues
If your portfolio is multilingual, check each enabled language. A translated website should still feel natural, not like a mechanical copy of the original.
8. Publish, then keep improving
Once the first version is clear and complete, publish it. A portfolio website does not need to be final forever. It should be reliable, current, and easy to improve.
After launch, make a habit of reviewing your portfolio when you add new work, finish a series, apply to an opportunity, or prepare for an exhibition.
The best first version of your Displart website is not the biggest one. It is the one that presents your work clearly and gives you a structured base to build on.