Paper artist portfolio website design
Laura K Sayers is a Glasgow-based illustrator and paper artist who builds intricate images from layer upon layer of hand-cut paper shapes, paired with gouache-painted backgrounds. Her site is a warm, considered art portfolio example that matches the handmade quality of the work itself. The navigation is minimal and unhurried, letting each piece speak before the visitor clicks anywhere. It is the kind of artist website design that feels personal from the first scroll.
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Website design
The site runs on a warm cream and off-white palette that mirrors the paper textures in the work itself. Typography is quiet and understated, keeping attention on the imagery rather than competing with it. The homepage opens with a short, direct statement about celebrating color, shape and detail before the portfolio grid draws the eye in.
Navigation is grouped into clear sections: Illustration Portfolio, Shop Paper Goods, Workshops and Tools, and About. Each section has a distinct purpose, and the layout across all pages stays consistent and calm. This is a clean, editorial art portfolio layout that puts the work front and center without visual clutter.
The paper artist behind the portfolio website
Laura trained in Children's Book Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art and now works from her studio in Glasgow. She is a member of the Paper Artist Collective, and her stamp-inspired miniature artworks have been featured on Colossal and shortlisted for the V&A Illustration Awards 2026 and the Batsford Prize. Her client list spans Farrow & Ball, Puffin Books, HP and G.F. Smith, and her limited edition prints and cards ship internationally from her studio.
Who this website is a good example for
Illustrators building a portfolio site for the first time. The Laura K Sayers site shows how to organize a creative practice with multiple output types: books, miniature originals and a print shop, without the site feeling cluttered. Each section has a clear purpose, and the navigation makes it easy for a first-time visitor to find the work they came for. It is a strong artist portfolio example for anyone juggling illustration commissions alongside a direct-to-customer product range.
Artists who sell both originals and prints. Laura runs a shop alongside her illustration portfolio, stocking framed original paper cuts, limited edition prints and greetings cards. The site handles both the commercial and the creative without one overshadowing the other. This is a useful reference for art portfolio website examples where the artist also sells directly to collectors and gift buyers.
Paper artists and craft-based illustrators. The visual design of the site reflects the physical process of making: layered shapes, careful shadows and the warm texture of paper. The design reinforces the medium rather than dressing it up in a generic template. Any paper-based artist or mixed media illustrator looking at art portfolio design ideas will find something specific and applicable here.
Paper artist portfolio design tips
Let your making process show in the design. Laura's site uses warm, textured tones that echo the paper and gouache of her actual work. The visual language of the site and the art are in conversation with each other. For a paper artist or any craft-based illustrator, choosing design elements that reflect the medium makes the portfolio feel coherent rather than generic.
Separate your portfolio from your shop. Laura keeps Illustration Portfolio and Shop Paper Goods as distinct sections of the navigation. This matters for visitor intent: someone browsing for a commission needs to see the range of work, not be sent straight to a product page. Keeping these two things clearly separate is one of the most practical art portfolio layout examples worth borrowing.
Use an FAQ to handle commission questions at scale. The About page includes a detailed FAQ covering process, turnaround time and project briefs. For illustrators who get repeat enquiries, this reduces back-and-forth before a project starts. It also communicates the working process clearly to potential clients, which builds confidence before any email is sent.
Show the work at the right scale. Paper cut illustration has fine detail that disappears in a small thumbnail. Laura's portfolio grid gives images room to breathe, and pieces open to a larger view. For any artist portfolio example built around intricate or textured work, size and spacing in the gallery make a significant difference to how the craftsmanship reads on screen.
Include press and clients on the About page. A short line listing Farrow & Ball, Puffin Books, the V&A and award shortlists signals credibility without a separate testimonials page. For artist website examples targeting editorial or commercial clients, this kind of social proof embedded in the About page does quiet, effective work.
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