Tips for crafting your portfolio
By: Naveen K
Tags: Design, UX, Portfolio, User Experience, Resources

Portfolio:

A portfolio is designed to showcase a UX designer’s work. It typically contains detailed case studies of UX design projects, demonstrating skill and approach and their learnings, method of approach and works.

We can see how to fine craft your portfolio by following the tips given below.

The First Step When Creating A Portfolio:

First of all don’t jump right into the middle of the portfolio creation process! In this initial phase, it is easy to get lost in the details. Follow this instead:

Even if you have plenty of projects already, first, pick one , maybe your favorite and best.

, maybe your favorite and best. Content first! Collect the phases of the project you’d like to present.

of the project you’d like to present. Have an overview or conclusion in mind .

. Decide which parts and outcomes of the project to highlight.

Storytelling is Easier than You’d Think

Since people remember them, stories are powerful at building trust.

Good storytelling will make your portfolio engaging.

Don’t worry, storifying a case study is easier than you think!

Just use this template:

The hero started a long journey.

(Tell the desired project goal.)

She traveled seven days and seven nights.

(Tell the design process used.)

On the ninth day, a scary monster attacked her. The fight was long and nasty.

(Explain a hard challenge. Go into details, let them feel the struggle.)

But suddenly, she pulled out the magic wand and the monster disappeared.

(Tell how you solved the challenge, and of the solution’s greatness.)

She lived happily ever after.

(Show the results. Use stats and numbers.)

Copywriting is Part of Your Design

Copywriting is an essential part of a case study.

The copy is the glue between your pieces, creating a coherent whole, so dedicate enough time to it.

creating a coherent whole, so dedicate enough time to it. Copy that is easy to understand is a lot more persuasive , so the best is to make it logical, structured, and straightforward.

, so the best is to make it logical, structured, and straightforward. Start your case study by briefly describing the design problem, but focus on the eventual solution.

Highlight the main decision points all throughout the process, toward the project’s successful completion,

all throughout the process, toward the project’s successful completion, Make your copy easy to skim: use lists, subheadings, bolds, and italics.

“A consistent experience is a better experience.” — Mark Eberman

Optimize Your Case Studies for Impact

Employers spend an average maximum of five minutes, or even less, skimming your portfolio.

So make their job easier by

Giving descriptive titles to each phase in your case study. Highlighting the most important parts which the visitors’ eyes can catch. Deleting everything that is not straightforward enough to be understood.

Show Your Design Process, Not Just The Result

When creating a case study, it’s essential to demonstrate your design process and not just the result.

Most employers are looking for the design process and design decisions in candidates’ portfolios.

in candidates’ portfolios. Describe the problem you solved, and showcase your journey step by step.

At each step, emphasize your awareness and understanding of user needs and pain points.

“Want your users to fall in love with your designs? Fall in love with your users.” — Dana Chisnell

How to Write an Intro to Your Case Study

The introduction is where readers lend you their uncompromised attention up-front. You can either capture it or lose it right away. Let’s aim for the former!

A good case study intro can — and should — contain the following parts:

Describing the product

Introducing the target audience

Detailing the business challenge

Highlighting the project limitations

Explaining your role

Include Research Findings for Credibility’s Sake

Research lays the foundation of your design decisions and your case study too! Dedicate at least a section to your research. This is an effortless way to conjure an air of credibility.

Make sure to clarify the following details:

What research methods did you choose and why? (interviews, competitor analysis, field research, usability tests, etc.)

How did you customize the method for the product at hand?

How many users participated?

What were your conclusions?

What problems could you define?

How did you utilize and present your findings? (personas, charts, user flow, etc.)

Showcase Your Design Decisions

Design leaders appreciate seeing that you thought about different solutions and didn’t just go with the first idea. The thinking that goes into the final solution makes the difference!

If you have made a number of versions find a place for them in your case study.

find a place for them in your case study. Write some pros and cons to each version.

to each version. Explain how and why you selected the winner.

“Ease of use may be invisible, but its absence sure isn’t.” — IBM

Embed Your Prototypes

A prototype is worth a thousand words. Also, it can be the most fun for the viewer, since they can interact with it.

Make an Impact with Numbers and Statistics

Be proud of the work that went into your project: present numbers to validate your design choices.

A conclusive ‘Stats’ section can bear witness to all the effort that the project required. Here are a few numbers that you could present:

Interviews done

Usability tests conducted

Iterations created

Meetings and brainstorms organized

Time spent

Screens designed

Downloads or sign-ups by users

Conversion rates or other KPIs

Revenue growth

Make Your Case Study Easier to Grasp

Once your case study is more or less ready, you have to make it as structured as possible.

Remember, most design leaders do not have too much time to review your work. Therefore, inserting a linked contents section is something that they will definitely appreciate!

On top of convenience, it also makes it easier to grasp the scope of your work and your design process.

Test Your Case Study: Ask For Feedback

Get a second — or even more — opinions on your case study before finalizing it. When you are fixated on a task, it is easy to overlook some of the most basic mistakes and inconsistencies. However, another pair of eyes can reveal a lot!

Community review (Groups)

(Groups) Designer review (LinkedIn)

Also, while you are waiting for the reviews to pour in, you can take a step back from your work, and discover your own mistakes.