Include graphics or photographs on your cover page. These could be done by hand or with a computer. Include your name and photo as well. Its appearance should match the rest of the text and graphics in the portfolio as much as possible. Any graphics or photos you use should be professional in appearance.
Write a letter to serve as the cover for your portfolio. The letter should discuss what pieces you included in the portfolio and why you chose them. This is appropriate for a portfolio covering your writings, for example. A portfolio of artwork requires a more graphic approach as discussed previously. If you are creating a portfolio that covers a number of subjects and topics, a combination of a letter with some graphics on it is the best choice.
Target your audience when you design your cover letter. If you are creating a cover letter for a portfolio of your undergraduate studies, your college might require you to submit a preformed cover page for your portfolio. Some scholarships and admissions committees require the same. Closely follow any instructions you have been given about creating your portfolio's cover page.
Discuss the relationship between your knowledge of the subjects your portfolio covers, what you think your strengths and weaknesses are in those areas and how your portfolio selections speak to those strengths and weaknesses in your letter. Write about what you have learned as a result of your study of the subjects over time. Keep your letter to one page so that it can be easily read when the viewer initially looks at your portfolio.