You Don’t Need Clients - You Need Proof

Every job listing wants you to have a portfolio. But if you're brand new to instructional design or switching careers, how are you supposed to get one?

Good news: you don’t need paid work to build a powerful portfolio.
You just need smart, strategic projects that demonstrate your skills, process, and potential.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through 5 portfolio projects you can create without a client - plus pro tips to help them stand out to employers and recruiters.

First, What Makes a “Good” Portfolio Project?

Before we jump into ideas, let’s talk about what employers are actually looking for:

A strong project should:

• Solve a real-world problem (even if fictional)

• Follow the instructional design process (not just pretty slides)

• Show your thinking: from analysis to design decisions

• Be visually polished, engaging, and usable

Pro Tip: Don’t just show the project, explain it. Include a short case study or “project overview” for each one.

Project 1: New Hire Onboarding Module (Any Industry)

Why It Works:

Every company hires. Every company onboards. This is a universal need, and a great way to show you understand learner needs, structure, and interactivity.

Tools to Use:

• Articulate Rise or Storyline for a responsive module

• Canva for visuals or handouts

• Vyond for a welcome video

Learning Objectives Might Include:

• Understand company values

• Navigate internal tools

• Follow compliance processes (e.g., security training)

Project prompt:
“Design a 10-minute onboarding module for new remote employees at a marketing agency. Include a welcome video, a brief values quiz, and a job aid.”

Project 2: Soft Skills Training – Communication, Feedback, or Leadership

Why It Works:

Soft skills are always in demand. These projects allow you to show creativity in scenario writing, interactivity, and branching logic.

Tools to Use:

• Articulate Storyline for branching scenarios

• Vyond for character-driven storytelling

• Google Docs or Miro for scripting and storyboarding

Project Ideas:

• Handling difficult conversations as a manager

• Giving and receiving feedback

• Building team trust remotely

Project prompt:
“Create a branching scenario where a new manager learns how to give constructive feedback in a 1:1 conversation.”

Project 3: Product or Software Walkthrough

Why It Works:

This shows your ability to teach systems and tools - something that comes up often in corporate ID roles.

Tools to Use:

• Camtasia or Loom for screen recording

• Rise or Storyline for interactive simulations

• Canva for reference guides

Possible Focus Areas:

• Google Workspace tools

• Canva for beginners

• Internal tools like a CRM or learning portal

Project prompt:
“Design a short software simulation that teaches new team members how to create a project in Trello.”

Project 4: Compliance or Safety Training

Why It Works:

These are common corporate requests. They aren’t always sexy - but they matter. Plus, they show you can teach must-learn content with clarity and creativity.

Tools to Use:

• Rise 360 or Storyline for scenario-based lessons

• Vyond or stock video for quick intros

• Canva for printable checklists or visuals

Project Ideas:

• Cybersecurity awareness

• Diversity and inclusion basics

• Workplace safety rules

Project prompt:
“Create a compliance module for a manufacturing company to teach forklift safety basics to new hires.”

Project 5: Self-Directed Learning Resource

Why It Works:

Instructional designers also create job aids, toolkits, and non-course resources. This shows you’re thinking beyond “courses” and into actual performance support.

Tools to Use:

• Canva for job aids, infographics, or checklists

• Genially for interactive guides

• Google Slides or Miro for visual toolkits

Project Ideas:

• “How to Host an Effective Virtual Meeting”

• “Checklist: Prepping for a Job Interview”

• “Quick Reference Guide: Using ChatGPT at Work”

Project prompt:
“Design a downloadable job aid that helps remote workers prep for their first virtual presentation.”

Bonus Tip: Structure Each Project Like a Mini Case Study

To elevate your portfolio beyond “pretty work,” wrap each project in a case-study format that includes:

• ✅ Project title

• 🎯 Audience + learning goals

• 🧠 Your process (analysis, tools used, design decisions)

• 🔗 Link to live project or demo

• 💬 Reflection: what you learned or would improve

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Final Thoughts: Start Where You Are. Build as You Go.

You don’t need paid clients to prove your skills.
You need projects that:

• Solve a real-world problem

• Show your process

• Reflect your design voice

Start with one. Keep it simple. Then iterate and grow.

Your portfolio isn’t just a collection of work. It’s a preview of what it’s like to work with you.