How to Make a Project Private on Behance: Controlling Who Can See Your Work

Are you an artist or designer looking to showcase your work on Behance but concerned about privacy? You’re not alone! Many creators want to share their projects without exposing them to the entire world. Fortunately, Behance offers ways to manage project visibility, keeping your work secure while still presenting it to the right audience. In this post, we’ll explore the ins and outs of making your

Why You Might Want to Make Your Project Private

Let’s dive into some valid reasons for keeping your Behance projects under wraps. Whether you're protecting your ideas or just prefer a smaller audience, privacy can be an essential tool for many creators.

1. Protecting Intellectual Property:
One of the primary reasons to consider making your project private is to safeguard your intellectual property. If you’re concerned about someone stealing your ideas or designs, limiting access can help mitigate that risk. This is especially true for:

• New concepts that are still in the development phase
• Unpublished works you plan to submit to clients
• Proprietary designs that could be copied easily

2. Controlling Audience Exposure:
Not everyone wants their work to be available to any random viewer on the internet. By making your project private, you can choose who gets to see your work. This is beneficial if you:

• Have a select group of clients or collaborators
• Want to share work only with friends or family for feedback
• Prefer to showcase certain projects to potential employers without competition from other creators

3. Testing and Feedback:
Sometimes, artists and designers want to test new concepts or gather feedback without the pressure of public scrutiny. A private project can allow you to:

• Share drafts with trusted peers for constructive criticism
• Experiment with styles and techniques without worrying about judgment
• Create a safe space for discussion before going public

4. Personal Comfort:
Let’s face it, sharing your work publicly can be intimidating. If you feel more comfortable sharing your work with a limited audience, a private project is the way to go. Maintaining control over who views your art can dramatically reduce anxiety, allowing you to share your creations at your own pace.

In summary, deciding to make your Behance project private is a personal choice that can serve various purposes—from protecting your creative ideas to simply feeling more comfortable sharing your work. Understanding the reasons behind this choice can empower you to navigate your artistic journey with more confidence and control.

Also Read This: How to Promote Your Behance Project and Gain More Exposure

3. Detailed Steps to Set Your Project to Private

Alright, let's get down to business! If you’re ready to make your Behance project private, follow these straightforward steps. Don’t worry; it’s all quite simple!

1. Log In to Your Behance Account: Start by logging into your Behance account. If you’re already logged in, you’re ahead of the game!
2. Choose Your Project: Navigate to the project you want to make private. You can find your projects on your profile page or in your dashboard. Click on the project title to open it.
3. Edit Project Settings: Once you’re viewing your project, look for the “Edit” button. This will allow you to change various settings related to your project.
4. Access Privacy Settings: In the project settings menu, scroll down until you find the section labeled “Visibility.” This is where the magic happens!
5. Select 'Private': You’ll see a few options for visibility. Choose “Private” to ensure that only you and the people you invite can see the project. Bam! It’s as easy as that.
6. Save Your Changes: Don’t forget to hit the “Save” button at the bottom of the page. Changes won’t take effect until you do this, so make sure to save before you exit.

And that's it! Your project is now private and completely under your control. You can always go back and adjust these settings whenever you want, so you’ll never be stuck with one visibility option.

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4. Understanding Behance's Visibility Settings

Now that you have your project set to private, let’s dive a little deeper into Behance’s visibility settings. Understanding these options will help you manage your work more effectively and tailor how your portfolio is presented to the world!

Behance offers three main visibility settings:

• Public: This is the default setting. When your project is public, anyone can view it, comment, and appreciate your work. It’s a great way to showcase your talents to a wide audience and connect with other creatives.
• Private: As we discussed, making a project private restricts access. You have control over who sees it. This is perfect for works in progress or pieces you may not want to share publicly yet.
• Invite-Only: This is a great middle ground if you want to show your project to select individuals. You can specifically invite users to view your work while keeping it hidden from the general public. This setting is excellent for client reviews or collaborative projects.

Understanding these options gives you more control over your artistic expression. You can share your art while protecting your creative ideas and ensuring your work reaches the right audience. Plus, you can always revert your project back to public if you decide you’d like more exposure!

In summary, whether you’re showcasing your portfolio to the masses or selectively revealing your creative ventures, getting to know these visibility settings on Behance allows you to curate your online presence just the way you want it.

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5. How to Share Your Private Project with Specific Individuals

So, you’ve decided to make your Behance project private — great choice if you want to keep your work exclusive! But what if you still want to share it with a select few? Fortunately, Behance offers a way to share your private projects with specific individuals. Here's how you can do it:

1. Access Your Project: First things first, log in to your Behance account and navigate to the project you wish to share.
2. Edit Project Settings: Click on the “Edit” button to access the project settings. This opens up a variety of options related to your project.
3. Change Visibility Settings: Look for the visibility options. Since your project is currently set to private, you’ll want to keep it that way, but now you can add collaborators or viewers.
4. Add Specific Users: You'll find an option that allows you to invite specific individuals to view your project. You will typically need the email addresses of these users, so have them handy!
5. Send Invitation: Once you have entered their email addresses, hit the send button! This will send an invitation directly to those users, letting them know they can access your project.

Keep in mind that the people you invite will need to have a Behance account to access the project. If they don't, you might need to point them in the right direction to create one. It’s that simple!

The beauty of this feature is that it allows you to maintain control over your visibility while still letting you showcase your work to the most important people in your network. Whether you’re sharing your project with a client, a mentor, or a friend, you can rest assured that it remains securely under your control.

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6. Common Issues and Troubleshooting Tips

As with any platform, you might run into some bumps along the way when managing your Behance projects. Let’s tackle a few common issues and how to troubleshoot them:

• Project Not Showing as Private: If you notice that your project is still visible to the public, double-check the settings. Go back to the visibility options to make sure it's set to private. Sometimes, it requires a quick refresh or re-save after you've made changes.
• Invitation Emails Not Being Received: If the people you invited can’t find the invitation, ask them to check their spam or junk folders. Sometimes, email filters can be a bit too enthusiastic!
• Unable to Add Collaborators: If you’re having trouble adding someone, ensure they have a Behance account. If they don’t, they’ll need to create one before they can access your project.
• Technical Glitches: If you’re experiencing general issues with the site, consider refreshing your browser or clearing your cache. Sometimes, a simple reset can work wonders.
• Feedback or Confusion about Visibility: If you’re having trouble with project visibility or what’s being shared, feel free to reach out to Behance’s support team. They are quite responsive and can help clarify any uncertainties.

Remember, mastering the privacy settings on Behance takes a bit of time and familiarity with the platform. Don’t be afraid to experiment and explore! Your projects deserve the audience they deserve, and with these tips, you should have a smoother journey in managing their visibility.

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7. Best Practices for Managing Your Portfolio on Behance

Managing your portfolio on Behance is crucial for showcasing your creativity while maintaining control over your work's visibility. Here are some best practices to keep your portfolio organized and professional:

• Regular Updates: Keep your projects up to date. Regularly adding new work showcases your growth and keeps your audience engaged.
• Categorization: Use categories to organize your projects. This not only helps viewers navigate your work but also allows you to present your diverse skills effectively.
• High-Quality Visuals: Always use high-resolution images and videos. Quality visuals make your projects stand out and reflect your professionalism.
• Clear Project Descriptions: Write informative descriptions for each project. Explain your role, the tools you used, and the concept behind the design. This adds depth to your portfolio.
• Engagement with Comments: Respond to comments on your projects. Engaging with viewers can help build a community and might even lead to collaboration opportunities.
• Privacy Settings: Regularly review your privacy settings. Ensure you’re aware of who can see your work and adjust your settings as needed.
• Portfolio Balance: Aim to present a balanced portfolio. Include a mix of projects that showcase different skills and styles. This can attract a wider audience.

By implementing these best practices, you’ll create a visually appealing and well-organized portfolio that resonates with your audience. Remember, your Behance profile is often the first impression potential clients have of your work, so make it count!

8. Conclusion and Final Thoughts on Project Privacy

As you navigate the creative landscape on Behance, understanding the importance of project privacy is essential. Striking the right balance between visibility and confidentiality can influence how your work is perceived by potential clients and collaborators.

In conclusion, making your Behance project private is not just about restricting access; it's about exercising control over your creative identity. Here are a few final thoughts on ensuring your project privacy aligns with your goals:

• Know Your Audience: Understand who you want to reach with your projects. Tailoring your visibility settings according to your target audience can help you manage your reputation effectively.
• Leverage Curated Collections: If you're concerned about sharing certain projects, consider curating selective collections that showcase only the work you're comfortable with others seeing.
• Stay Informed: Regularly update yourself on Behance's privacy policies and features. This knowledge can help you utilize the platform effectively while safeguarding your work.
• Communicate Clearly: If you decide to share your projects with specific clients, communicate clearly about your privacy preferences and expectations.

Ultimately, your portfolio is a reflection of your journey as a creative professional. By prioritizing privacy and actively managing your visibility on Behance, you can create a safe space in which to share your work without compromising its integrity. Remember, the way you present yourself online can have a lasting impact, so approach it thoughtfully. Happy creating!