One morning, Greg Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin, the purpose of a portfolio is to tell your story. How did you end up here? What makes you a great designer? Even if you don’t have a design background, Tobias is a firm believer in embracing the past. He encourages new UX designers to reflect on their previous experience and identify certain skills and events that have shaped their outlook. Take Claire for example, a former nurse turned UX designer who has found many similarities between the two professions. On her portfolio, she explains: “UX design appealed to me because it embodies many elements of nursing including empathy, a user-centric approach, and understanding the needs and motivations of others.” So many things are transferable; the trick is to find the links and weave them into a flowing narrative.
Now you’ve made it clear that you’re a UX designer and have captured the recruiter’s attention, they’ll want to see some of your work. When showcasing your projects, it’s important to focus on the process. As Tobias explains: what makes a great UX designer is a deep understanding of the process and its purpose, and being able to execute that — it’s not necessarily about having the best idea or being able to create the best wireframe. Potential employers want to understand how you work: how do you solve problems? How do you come up with ideas?
Introduce each project with a meaningful headline, and state your role and how you contributed. Include an introductory paragraph where you explain the problem and what you set out to achieve, followed by an account of the process in your own words. Share the evolution of your project from paper sketches to mockups to high fidelity mockups, showing how you use and break down design thinking. This is what employers are really interested in, so make sure each case study in your portfolio allows a glimpse inside your designer mind.
Tobias also recommends including data if possible. Measurable results about the outcome of your projects can really set your portfolio apart, be it an increase in sign-up rate after a website redesign, or a boost in revenue. It’s important to understand that UX design is about business, not art, and numbers help to convey this. Don’t worry if you don’t have this data to hand, though: there are other ways to let your business knowledge shine through. When describing the problem statement and outlining the objectives, factor in the business goals and show that you are designing for both the user and the company.
Believe it or not, you can also enhance your portfolio by blogging. Even if you’re writing from a beginner’s perspective, topical blog posts show that you’re passionate and ambitious when it comes to UX. Tobias recommends picking a topic that you’re interested in — say, virtual reality or voice design — and learning more about it. Write about why it interests you, what you’ve learned and why you think it’s important for the field. This adds another unique dimension to your portfolio, helping you stand out and make an impression.
