Hongyu Jasmine Zhu

Hongyu Jasmine Zhu

Hongyu Jasmine Zhu, from Chengdu, translates between Chinese and English, words and worlds, grief and joy. A third-year undergraduate student at Brown, she studies Comparative Literature, celebrates international students as an IMP mentor, and serves as Editor-at-Large for China at Asymptote Journal. In her essay “Leaping Seasons 妈妈眨眨眼” (PEN Transmissions), Hongyu reflects on grief work, mother-daughter body language, and moving between winter and spring. Jasmine’s translation of Taiwanese author Zhou Jian-Xin’s picture book Little Squirrel and Old Banyan (Balestier Press), passing memories from branch to branch, invites readers to see death as part of—not after—life. As a Community Storytelling Fellow at Swearer Center for Public Service, Hongyu Jasmine will co-create with grieving children in Providence to explore loss anew.

Hongyu Jasmine Zhu, from Chengdu, translates between Chinese and English, words and worlds, grief and joy. A third-year undergraduate student at Brown, she studies Comparative Literature, celebrates international students as an IMP mentor, and serves as Editor-at-Large for China at Asymptote Journal. In her essay “Leaping Seasons 妈妈眨眨眼” (PEN Transmissions), Hongyu reflects on grief work, mother-daughter body language, and moving between winter and spring. Jasmine’s translation of Taiwanese author Zhou Jian-Xin’s picture book Little Squirrel and Old Banyan (Balestier Press), passing memories from branch to branch, invites readers to see death as part of—not after—life. As a Community Storytelling Fellow at Swearer Center for Public Service, Hongyu Jasmine will co-create with grieving children in Providence to explore loss anew.

Woman Alone
Woman Alone
Woman Alone
Black Man
Black Man
Woman Beach
Woman Beach
Woman Flowers
Woman Flowers

Building a portfolio that’s curated, immersive, and deeply personal:

Today’s creative portfolios are no longer just grids of past work. They’re living spaces for storytelling, process, and personal voice. It’s not just what you show—it’s how you show it. They’ve evolved into expressive, living spaces—curated not only to showcase what you’ve made, but to tell who you are. A portfolio isn’t a résumé in disguise; it’s a narrative. It speaks through structure, reveals through motion, and connects through voice. In the past, portfolios were about quantity—more logos, more case studies, more slides. Now, it’s about intention. It’s about what you choose to leave in, and more importantly, what you choose to leave out. A strong portfolio doesn’t overwhelm—it invites. It doesn’t impress—it resonates. It doesn’t just present the outcome—it honors the process. Find more curation insights on Akihiko Blogs.

Eyes
Eyes

Balancing simplicity with standout moments in layout and motion:

Don’t overfill—edit. Let the work speak, but add personality in how it's presented. Subtle motion, clear hierarchy, and structure built for scroll create portfolios that feel effortless yet intentional. The strongest portfolios have a rhythm—strong intro, tight case studies, and contact that feels like a conversation. Treat it like design, not just documentation.Structure is no longer linear. It flows like a story, shifting from introduction to immersion, allowing the user to feel as though they’re stepping into a mindset rather than just browsing thumbnails. Each page, each scroll, becomes a chapter. Transitions aren’t just for effect—they create rhythm. Motion becomes pacing. Typography becomes tone. Interactivity becomes voice. What you’re really building is a world—one that reflects your way of thinking, your way of making, and your way of seeing. A portfolio like this isn’t just a design object. It’s a philosophy in motion. It shows not only what you did—but why. Not only how it looked—but how it felt. More tips available now on Akihiko Blogs.

Triple Pose
Triple Pose
Working Alone
Working Alone
Man Classic
Man Classic
Man Motion Blur
Man Motion Blur

Making your portfolio a living system, not a final product:

Portfolios should evolve. They’re not static showcases—they’re design systems in motion. As your work grows, your site should adapt too. New sections, refined structure, bolder narratives. Every detail matters. From the opening headline to the spacing of a caption, every pixel has the opportunity to say something about you. A simple microinteraction can tell more about your care and thinking than a paragraph of explanation ever could. This is where presence lives—not in decoration, but in decision-making. And most importantly, a great portfolio feels unfinished in the best way possible—it leaves room for growth, for surprise, for evolution. Because portfolios should evolve as you do. They should adapt with your voice, shift with your interests, and expand with your ideas. Get more strategies on Akihiko Blogs.