The growing importance of electronic portfolios as a teaching and learning strategy is reflected internationally in the large number of higher educational programmes and disciplines that have implemented electronic portfolios as a part of the curriculum and the teaching and learning process. Given the long history and tradition of paper based portfolio use in the creative disciplines and the link to initial electronic portfolio development, it is surprising that a comprehensive literature review indicates that there appears to be very little research into the implementation and use and of electronic portfolios as a teaching and learning strategy in art and design, higher education. This paper covers the theoretical and historical background to electronic portfolio development in higher education, specifically the link between electronic portfolios, reflective practices and self-directed learning. The paper then presents a case study of an innovative electronic portfolio framework for product design students including the selection of appropriate electronic portfolio platforms, the development of resources and the process of implementation and evaluation.