Crafting a Winning UX Portfolio: Focus on the 20% That Matters
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To create this article, I analyzed over 50 exemplary UX portfolios, identifying trends and best practices. We will cover 12 essential elements to include in your case studies, alongside 5 fundamental components for your overall portfolio page, highlighting the critical 20% to prioritize.
Are you ready to enhance your portfolio?
Hello everyone! Today, we're diving into a pivotal topic in the UX field: “P-O-R-T-F-O-L-I-O.”
The Pareto principle, often referred to as the 80/20 rule, suggests that roughly 80% of results come from 20% of the efforts. This indicates that instead of spreading yourself too thin, you should concentrate on the areas that yield the most significant outcomes.
So, what is this 20% you should focus on to optimize your portfolio for better results?
This article will be divided into three sections:
- Case study structure — 12 elements/sections
- Essential components for your portfolio website — 5 elements
- The critical 20% effort to invest
Let's get started!
Case Study Structure — 12 Elements — Plus Essential Tips
First, let’s play a little game: imagine you are a recruiter looking for someone to enhance user bookings and experience on an app, such as booking.com. What aspects would you want to see in a candidate's case study? What kind of case study would capture your attention?
Keep this in mind as we explore the structured case study template.
This structure serves as a framework for a generalist UX designer's case study. You can adjust the sections based on your niche or specialization, but here’s a general outline to consider:
- Your role and your team's roles in the project
- Introduction — problem/scenario/goals
- User demographics
- Design Process (methodologies, roadmaps, metrics, research, etc.)
- Tools utilized in the project
- Research conducted
- Sketches, wireframes, graphics, prototypes
- Results and insights from usability testing (before and after UX implementation)
- Your final design — style guide
- Conclusion/Impact assessment
- Key takeaways from the project
- Suggested next steps
Your Role and Your Team's Roles in the Project
This aspect is crucial. If recruiters appreciate your project, they will want to know if you were instrumental in the elements they valued.
Your explanation can be straightforward, as seen in Lisa's portfolio, or more detailed, like Jonny's, which provides a richer narrative.
First example:
Second example:
Third example:
Introduction — Problem/Scenario/Goal
What problem are you addressing? What are your objectives?
Think of this section as an introduction to the project. Ask yourself, what is the essence of this project? How can I frame this narrative?
Some case studies may revolve around product discovery, stemming from a problem that needs resolution. Conversely, while working on established products, you may focus on specific features, necessitating justification for why these features were prioritized.
First example:
Second example:
Third example:
Who Are the Users?
Identify the clients of your clients and the end-users of the product.
This section often includes personas, although you can also describe users succinctly or represent them visually, depending on your project's nature.
Design Process
Detail how you navigated design challenges and prioritized tasks throughout the project.
Every project will present its hurdles; perhaps your research yielded unexpected results, or budget constraints forced you to find alternative solutions.
Document challenges as they arise, as they are vital for your case study narrative. The structure of your design process may vary, but elements 6 to 8 will provide insights into various approaches.
Tools Used in the Project
Highlighting your proficiency with specific tools can be valuable to recruiters, who often seek candidates familiar with particular software mentioned in job postings.
Research
Research methods vary widely; specify which techniques you applied and the data you sought. Did you conduct user interviews? Draft a research plan?
Discuss the organization of your research efforts, your objectives, and the insights gleaned post-analysis, as well as how you implemented those learnings.
First example:
Second example:
Sketches, Wireframes, Graphics, Prototypes
As a designer, your ability to present the evolution of your project visually is crucial.
Translate complex information into easily digestible designs and showcase your design process through compelling visuals.
Results and Takeaways from Usability Testing
Highlight your usability tests and improvements made from identified issues. This can integrate with your research section.
Illustrating the before and after can be particularly effective.
Your Final Design
Display the screens you've created, any animations, and showcase your skills.
Acknowledge your contributions to the project.
Conclusion/Impact
Wrap up the case study much like you would conclude a presentation or article. Emphasize the key strengths of the project and use metrics or testimonials to illustrate its impact.
Lessons Learned from the Project
Every project offers valuable lessons, regardless of the number of projects you've completed. Take notes throughout the process to capture your insights.
Next Steps
Remember, a product is never truly finished. What steps will you take to enhance what you’ve created?
Wow! This section turned out to be more extensive than I anticipated. Take a moment to pause and gather your thoughts as we transition to the portfolio webpage.
Portfolio Basics
I’ll cover these elements quickly:
Where to build a portfolio?
The choice is yours. A few popular options include WEBFLOW, NOTION, and SQUARESPACE.
- You can also consider using Materialize or Bootstrap for building your site.
Quick contact method
Make your contact information readily accessible. Provide your email and include a call-to-action button directing users to your email inbox, WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. Ensure this info is easy to find.
Downloadable PDF CV
Include a button for recruiters or clients to download a printable version of your CV.
User-friendly interface
Keep your design clean and straightforward to avoid overwhelming visitors.
Two to six case studies are ideal
While having multiple case studies is beneficial, don’t inundate recruiters with too many. Select your strongest pieces.
The Critical 20% Effort
This 20% represents the pivotal aspect of your portfolio. You could provide an extensive description of your case studies, yet if you overlook this, you might invest 80% of your effort only to yield 20% of the desired results.
Let’s shift this paradigm!
Beyond the elements discussed, nothing else will yield results unless you master the art of storytelling.
Indeed, the 20% of your effort should focus on how you weave everything together to narrate a compelling story.
Enhance your storytelling with visuals and graphics to captivate your audience.
Craft a narrative that resonates, as recruiters primarily seek individuals who can make a difference, collaborate effectively, and deliver results.
How can you convey this to recruiters/clients through your portfolio?
Have you ever heard that it’s not just about being excellent at what you do; you must demonstrate that excellence? Your portfolio should serve as proof.
Ultimately, recruiters will be more interested in your design process after reviewing your portfolio. To facilitate this, you must showcase your impact. Initially, the specifics of how you achieved that impact are secondary; it’s crucial that the results are evident.
Here’s a quick example of a case study narrative:
We encountered this problem, so we conducted research and identified this solution. We designed, tested, refined, tested again, launched, and achieved an impact of this magnitude. We also discovered areas for further improvement to meet specific goals within a defined timeframe.
Bonus: Include recommendations from clients and colleagues in your portfolio.
Conclusion
The most common thread among successful portfolios is that they tell a compelling story—not just any story, but one that underscores impact and is supported by tangible results.
It's perfectly fine if you haven’t yet had the chance to work on high-impact projects. Keep this principle in mind so that when you tackle your next project, you remember to document insights that highlight your value as a designer.
Thank you for reading, and I look forward to our next discussion!
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