{"id":5961,"date":"2022-01-31T16:55:07","date_gmt":"2022-01-31T16:55:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/?p=5961"},"modified":"2024-01-16T12:11:47","modified_gmt":"2024-01-16T12:11:47","slug":"8-ux-portfolio-best-practices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/8-ux-portfolio-best-practices\/","title":{"rendered":"8 UX portfolio tips &#038; best practices all designers should follow"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When building a UX portfolio, it\u2019s important to adhere to industry best practices. At the same time, you want to make sure your portfolio is unique enough to stand out.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So how do you tick all the right boxes <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">create a portfolio that\u2019s truly memorable?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Here are 8 tips and best practices to guide you, with examples throughout.<\/b><\/p>\n<section id=\"promotion\" class=\"promotion-content-raw inlinepromo inlinepromo_professional-diploma-in-ux-designp-1 my-4\" style=\"\">\n\t<div class=\"w-container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"row align-items-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col-md-12 promotion-info\">\n                <a class=\"link-content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/courses\/ux-design?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=blog_panel_pdux&utm_campaign=blog_promo\" style=\"\">\n                    <p>[GET CERTIFIED IN UX]<\/p>\n                    <span>Take our Professional Diploma in UX Design course<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<p>You can also check out our recent webinar with Mitchell Clements where he gives a low down on all things portfolios and best practices:<\/p>\n<div class=\"embed-yt ratio ratio-16x9\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Top UX portfolio tips - crafting compelling case studies with Mitchell Clements | UX Insiders\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/D5jjrQpQKrc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h2><strong>1. Honour the tried-and-trusted UX portfolio format<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s great to be creative, but you don\u2019t need to reinvent the wheel when building your portfolio.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you look at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/ux-portfolio-examples\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">existing UX portfolios<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you\u2019ll see that they tend to follow the same structure:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A homepage with an introductory \u201celevator pitch\u201d and links to case studies<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A more detailed \u201cAbout me\u201d section or page<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A portfolio section hosting several case studies<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A \u201cContact\u201d page<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This format has stood the test of time because it\u2019s logical and it works.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UX hiring managers will come to your portfolio expecting something similar (think about how we develop <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nngroup.com\/articles\/mental-models\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mental models<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> based on our experience with similar products).\u00a0 If you stray too far from this familiar format, you risk creating a portfolio that\u2019s confusing and tricky to navigate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5964\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screenshot-2022-01-28-at-13.07.17.png\" alt=\"Luke james taylor UX portfolio\" width=\"1356\" height=\"621\" title=\"\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h6><a href=\"https:\/\/lukejamestaylor.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Luke James Taylor\u2019s design portfolio<\/span><\/a><\/h6>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Key takeaway<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/span>Give hiring managers the user experience they expect; stick with the tried-and-trusted UX portfolio structure.<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/what-is-a-ux-portfolio\/\">learn more about the elements that make up a UX portfolio in this guide. <\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>2. Clearly communicate what kind of designer you are<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your UX portfolio isn\u2019t just a showcase of your work. It\u2019s an extension of your personal brand, and a very important marketing tool.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When a hiring manager lands on your portfolio, they should immediately see what kind of designer you are and where you can add value. As such, you need to be intentional about how you portray yourself.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ask yourself:\u00a0<\/span><b><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>What do I do? <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is how you define yourself as a designer. For example, are you a UX designer, a UX and UI designer, or a UX researcher?<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>What kinds of design problems do I solve? <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is there a particular space you operate in, such as digital product design, interaction design, or service design? Are you passionate about designing for social impact, or helping startups launch awesome new products?<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>What are my most valuable skills?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Come up with a shortlist of your top 5 skills, focusing on those that are most relevant to your two previous answers (what you do and the kinds of problems you solve).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This forms the foundation of your personal brand. The next step is to communicate it in your UX portfolio. You\u2019ll do this through:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your headline and elevator pitch (a concise, introductory summary featured on your homepage)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The key skills you list on your \u201cAbout\u201d page<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The projects you choose to showcase in your portfolio<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For inspiration, take a look at these examples:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5965\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screenshot-2022-01-28-at-13.28.24.png\" alt=\"Dayla Green UX portfolio\" width=\"1826\" height=\"648\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5966\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screenshot-2022-01-28-at-13.30.13.png\" alt=\"Dayla green&#039;s info\" width=\"763\" height=\"483\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<h6><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dalyagreen.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dalya Green\u2019s UX portfolio<\/span><\/a><\/h6>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5967\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screenshot-2022-01-28-at-13.31.23.png\" alt=\"Ljubomir Bard\u017ei\u0107 UX portfolio\" width=\"1367\" height=\"395\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5968\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screenshot-2022-01-28-at-13.32.08.png\" alt=\"Ljubomir Bard\u017ei\u0107 about page\" width=\"1227\" height=\"589\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<h6><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ljubomirbardzic.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ljubomir Bard\u017ei\u0107\u2019s UX portfolio<\/span><\/a><\/h6>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Key takeaway<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/span>Define your personal brand and convey it clearly throughout your UX portfolio. Write an \u201cAbout\u201d section that tells the story of you, and showcase projects that support this narrative.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>3. Ensure that problem-solving and process take centre stage<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember in maths exams where you were always told to show your workings? The same applies to your UX portfolio.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In fact, this is a non-negotiable golden rule. Hiring managers want to see how you work and solve problems\u2014it\u2019s not enough to only show the final solution.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are several things you can do to bring your process to the fore and demonstrate your aptitude as a problem-solver. As you craft your UX case studies:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Lead with the problem, and frame it as such<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Instead of writing \u201cMy task was to redesign the checkout process for an ecommerce website,\u201d say something like \u201cThe XYZ ecommerce website was losing out on customers because the checkout process was too long and complicated. I saw an opportunity to simplify the process and boost customer retention.&#8221;<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Follow a logical structure<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Once you\u2019ve outlined the problem, structure your case study to mirror the process you followed, detailing your research and analysis, early designs, and any challenges you encountered along the way.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Look beyond the final solution. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you\u2019ve shared your outcomes, reflect on the impact of your work. How will it help to solve the original problem? What difference will it make to the end user?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some examples from real UX portfolios to guide you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-9515 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screenshot-2022-01-28-at-13.34.44-1-1.png\" alt=\"Dayla Green context page\" width=\"1716\" height=\"842\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<h6><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dalyagreen.com\/eventually\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dalya Green\u2019s \u2018Eventually\u2019 case study<\/span><\/a><\/h6>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5970\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screenshot-2022-01-28-at-13.36.23.png\" alt=\"Daniel Autry Goldman Sachs case study\" width=\"1156\" height=\"541\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<h6><a href=\"https:\/\/danielautry.com\/goldman.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Daniel Autry\u2019s Goldman Sachs case study<\/span><\/a><\/h6>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Key takeaway<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/span>Treat each case study as a story, documenting your process from problem to solution. You didn\u2019t just design an app or come up with a new feature; you solved a user problem. Be sure to frame it as such.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>4. Back yourself up with data and proof of impact<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best UX portfolios don\u2019t just <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">talk <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">about the value of the designer\u2019s work; they prove it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you really want your portfolio to stand out, validate your work with concrete results. This can be anything that speaks to the tangible impact of your work. You solved a user problem and you have the final deliverables to show for it, but how does this translate into real-world value?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Back yourself up with quantitative and\/or qualitative data. For example:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">My redesign of the XYZ ecommerce checkout process reduced abandoned cart rates by 67%, which ultimately resulted in more sales<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When we tested the new design, 15\/20 users rated the experience as a significant improvement<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A quote from a user or client about the impact of your work, for example: \u201cWith the new system design, we have been able to significantly streamline our operations and reduce the time spent on X, Y and Z\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">See how Lola Jiang uses a mixture of data and quotes to convey the impact of her <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lolajiang.com\/ai-training.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AI training platform redesign<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5971\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screenshot-2022-01-28-at-13.39.07.png\" alt=\"Lola Jiang UX portfolio\" width=\"761\" height=\"624\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5972\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screenshot-2022-01-28-at-13.40.23.png\" alt=\"Validation of Lola&#039;s Jiang work\" width=\"850\" height=\"404\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5973\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screenshot-2022-01-28-at-13.41.22.png\" alt=\"The process of Lola&#039;s work\" width=\"1128\" height=\"256\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s not always possible to get hard-and-fast proof, and it\u2019s certainly not a deal-breaker if you can\u2019t. But, if you can find a way to measure and report on the success of your work, your portfolio will definitely stand out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Key takeaway<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/span>Where possible, add proof of impact to your UX case studies. Include data in the form of percentages, ratios or charts, and\/or quotes. Anything that can testify to the value of your work will set your portfolio apart.<\/p>\n<section id=\"promotion\" class=\"promotion-content-raw inlinepromo inlinepromo_ux-design-fundamentalsp-1 my-4\" style=\"\">\n\t<div class=\"w-container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"row align-items-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col-md-12 promotion-info\">\n                <a class=\"link-content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/courses\/ux-design-fundamentals?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog_panel_text&amp;utm_campaign=blog_promo\" style=\"\">\n                    <p>[UX DESIGN FUNDAMENTALS COURSE]<\/p>\n                    <span>Get the Best Start in UX Design<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<h2><strong>5. Adopt \u201cLess is more\u201d as your UX portfolio mantra<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ultimate goal of your UX portfolio is to showcase your best work <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tell a story about who you are as a designer. Anything that doesn\u2019t achieve this goal should not be included.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Earlier, we looked at the importance of defining your personal brand and using your portfolio as a marketing tool (scroll up to tip number 2 for a refresher).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep this in mind as you select your portfolio case studies. Which projects demonstrate the core skills you want to highlight? What work best illustrates your process and captures your value?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eliz<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00e9<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Todd is an accomplished designer with a wealth of experience. Notice how, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.elizeux.com\/projects\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in her portfolio<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, she only features three case studies? This doesn\u2019t cover the entirety of her work; instead, it shines the spotlight on her best and most relevant projects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5974\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screenshot-2022-01-28-at-13.45.18.png\" alt=\"Elize&#039;s UX portfolio work\" width=\"978\" height=\"876\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5975\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screenshot-2022-01-28-at-13.46.11.png\" alt=\"Elize&#039;s portfolio work on Artkive\" width=\"974\" height=\"462\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You don\u2019t need to fill your portfolio with everything you\u2019ve ever done. Focus on the story you\u2019re trying to tell, and remember: Less is (often) more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Key takeaway<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/span>Be selective when deciding what to include in your UX portfolio. If it doesn\u2019t contribute to the story you want to tell\u2014or align with the direction you want to take in your career\u2014leave it out. Two relevant, detailed case studies are better than twelve random ones.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>6. Keep your portfolio a jargon-free zone<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best UX portfolios are clear, accessible, and easy to understand. Your portfolio might pass through a recruiter before it gets to a UX professional, so you want to make sure that anyone can make sense of it\u2014not just the experts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pay attention to the language you use throughout. Is your meaning clear? Is it jargon-free and coherent, even to a non-UX professional? Is it user-friendly and digestible?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Steer clear of long, complicated sentences and overly technical explanations. Instead, aim to write concisely and approachably.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">See how product designer Jonathon Dakarai uses short, clear sentences and user-friendly language in their <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dakarai.design\/ux-case-study-designing-the-friend-zone-for-an-lgbtq-dating-app\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Believr dating app case study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5976\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screenshot-2022-01-28-at-13.49.44.png\" alt=\"John Dakarai UX portfolio\" width=\"1004\" height=\"560\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5977\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screenshot-2022-01-28-at-13.51.29.png\" alt=\"Dakari&#039;s work on dating apps\" width=\"1002\" height=\"938\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You don\u2019t need to be a skilled writer to nail this best practice; just try to write as you would speak. Read your writing back and trim any unnecessary prose that doesn\u2019t contribute to the story you\u2019re trying to tell (in the literary world, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.masterclass.com\/articles\/what-does-it-mean-to-kill-your-darlings#what-are-the-origins-of-the-phrase-kill-your-darlings\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this is known as \u201ckilling your darlings\u201d<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also make use of spacing to break your writing up into shorter sections. This is easier on the eye and will make the text more scannable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, have someone else (ideally a non-UX professional) read through your portfolio. If they can easily understand the gist of your case studies, you can consider this box checked.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Key takeaway<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/span>Aim to appeal to a broad audience of both UX professionals and non-experts. Stick to clear, user-friendly language and avoid unnecessary jargon.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>7. Deliver a flawless user experience (with beautiful UI)<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re building a portfolio to showcase your UX skills, so it\u2019s absolutely crucial to deliver a flawless user experience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That almost goes without saying. But if you want to jump from \u201csolid UX portfolio\u201d to the \u201ctruly impressive and memorable\u201d category, you\u2019ll need to polish up the UI.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Starting with the basics, your colour palette and typography should create a harmonious and consistent brand (while adhering to the usual rules regarding <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.prototypr.io\/how-contrast-works-in-ui-design-21bf75a5a2bf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">contrast<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/uxplanet.org\/7-things-to-remember-when-selecting-fonts-for-your-design-ec1e592266c5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">legibility<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). From there, go the extra mile with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.groovecommerce.com\/ecommerce-blog\/web-design-effects\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">special effects<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> such as hover reveals, background fades and animations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some examples of UX portfolios with impressive UI design:<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5978\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screenshot-2022-01-28-at-13.54.27.png\" alt=\"Sarina&#039;s UX portfolio\" width=\"1438\" height=\"792\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<h6><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sarina.us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sarina Katznelson\u2019s UX portfolio<\/span><\/a><\/h6>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5979\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screenshot-2022-01-28-at-13.56.55.png\" alt=\"Jung&#039;s UX portfolio\" width=\"1620\" height=\"743\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5980\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screenshot-2022-01-28-at-13.58.15.png\" alt=\"Jung&#039;s Creativity Kit\" width=\"1820\" height=\"878\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<h6><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jung Hoe\u2019s UX portfolio (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.junghoe.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">view their portfolio live<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the full interactive effects)<\/span><\/h6>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best UX portfolios by far are those that deliver the whole package: seamless UX and impressive UI. If you\u2019ve got the skills and resources, it\u2019s well worth going the extra mile with your portfolio\u2019s design.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Key takeaway<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/span>Good UX is a must for your portfolio, but if you really want to stand out, do something unique with your UI design. Whether it\u2019s opting for bold colours, adding special effects, or getting custom illustrations created\u2014the web is your oyster.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>8. Treat your portfolio as a work-in-progress<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Last but not least, make sure your UX portfolio evolves with you. Treat it as a work-in-progress and update it in line with your development as a designer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might start out as a UX generalist but end up specialising in UX research. Perhaps you go on to learn UI design and become a UX\/UI unicorn. That\u2019s the great thing about working in UX; it can take you absolutely anywhere!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wherever you end up, make sure your portfolio still tells the right story. Remember: it\u2019s a powerful branding tool, so it should always accurately reflect who you are as a designer, the value you can offer, and where you\u2019re at in your career.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Key takeaway<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/span>Your portfolio isn\u2019t a one-time project. Keep it updated in line with your career evolution: swap out old case studies for newer, more relevant ones, update your core skills, and ensure your \u201cAbout me\u201d copy is still true to your brand.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With these tips and best practices, you\u2019ll be well on your way to creating an industry-approved portfolio. For help <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/how-to-create-a-ux-portfolio-from-scratch-your-step-by-step-guide\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">building your portfolio from scratch, follow this actionable step-by-step guide<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When building a UX portfolio, it\u2019s important to adhere to industry best practices. At the same time, you want to make sure your portfolio is unique enough to stand out.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":6011,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[269,265],"tags":[287,298],"class_list":["post-5961","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ux-portfolio","category-career","tag-new-to-ux","tag-ux-portfolios"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5961","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5961"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5961\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11656,"href":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5961\/revisions\/11656"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6011"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5961"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5961"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5961"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}