UX Portfolio Case Study Quick Tips
A UX portfolio is a showcase of projects that highlight design thinking, and a user-centered approach to solving a business or customer problem.
1. Design for your audience.
Like any other design, you need to know your user. For portfolios, your users will be critically reviewing your work. (P.S. Get used to your work being criticized, that’s called feedback. 😀)
Your audience
Hiring managers (Design managers), Recruiters, and other designers on the design team.
2. Define your problem.
You know your work well. Your audience just sees screens. Describe the problem, and how you solved it, but do it short, like tweet-sized.
Your user is the hero
The problem you solved should map to a user pain point.
3. Show, don’t tell.
As a rule, show your work, but don’t spend a lot of words describing it. (No one will read it) Show your screens, supplement with short captions.
Limit your words
Use minimum detail to describe, by instead showing sketches, drawing, working prototypes.
4. Take us on the journey.
Your journey from the problem to the conclusion, is compelling! Show your audience how you got there. This is where you show your design process, sketches, iteration, research, prototypes are all fair game.
Process matters
Design thinking is rooted in user centered design, and your portfolio should demonstrate this understanding.
5. Tell a story.
There’s facts: I went to the store to buy bread.
And then there’s story: I was at the store, buying bread, they ran out, but just as I was walking away, the baker pulled fresh bread out of the oven, and I got the last loaf.
Projects are mini stories
Your portfolio brings the story of your user to life. The world has changed since your design made it all better.