In my 25 years of experience evaluating talent, hiring designers, and building multi-disciplinary design teams, I’ve seen what makes a portfolio stand out.
And, as someone who has reviewed hundreds of portfolios and currently teaches a UX Portfolio class at Pratt Institute, I know what separates good from great.
In this article, I’ll share three areas that are key to a great portfolio.
Let's dive in:
1. Pay attention to the details
Competition for design jobs are at an all time high.
Which makes it important to focus on the things really matter. Like details.
Most portfolios I review ignore them. I see many with blurry images, inconsistent styling, too many font sizes, etc.
You want to show how you not only make each project aesthetically pleasing, but your overall portfolio should be aesthetically pleasing as well.
👉 What details should you pay attention to in your portfolio?
- Ensure your images are high-resolution.
Avoid tiny, blurry images that require zooming.
- Maintain cohesive visual style throughout, from color palettes to typography. Pay attention to alignment, spacing, and other design principles.
- Proofread your text carefully to eliminate typos and grammatical errors.
- Choose visuals that complement each project and highlight its strengths.
Your portfolio not only showcases your design skills but also reflects your professionalism and commitment to quality.
Next:
2. Clearly articulate your design process
Recruiters and clients seek problem-solvers who can effectively identify and address design challenges.
At the heart of great design lies a robust problem-solving process.
👉 Here's how you can show it in your portfolio:
Consider adopting a clear, storytelling approach for your portfolio.
Define the problem:
- Clearly articulate the specific design challenge you faced
- Highlight the user needs, business requirements, and technical constraints that influenced your approach
Present the solution:
- Explain the design methods and tools you used to tackle the problem
- Detail the key decisions made and the rationale behind them
- Showcase how your design effectively addresses the identified problem
Evaluate the outcome:
- Discuss the project's results and how well it met expectations
- Reflect on the project's successes and areas for improvement
- Outline potential next steps or future iterations
Make sure each project in your portfolio uses this approach.
Finally:
3. Showcase your collaborative skills
Design is inherently collaborative.
You'll often work alongside designers, clients, and other team members.
Demonstrating your ability to work effectively within a team is crucial, especially when applying to companies with established design teams.
👉 How to showcase your collaborative skills in your portfolio:
Highlight your role:
- Outline your specific role and responsibilities within the team.
Describe how your unique skills and perspective contributed to the project's success.
Document your communication:
- Share how you communicated with your teammates, whether through design tools, project management software, or in-person meetings.
Showcase user-centered design:
- Even if you worked on a solo project, emphasize your commitment to user-centered design. Discuss how you conducted user research, such as interviews or usability testing, to inform your design decisions.
Conclusion
By applying these steps, you'll strengthen your portfolio and increase your chances of landing your dream design job.
• Focus on principles and details
• Show how you solve design challenges
• Share your teamwork stories
P.S. Reply back to this email with a newsletter idea so I can add it to my list!
Thanks for reading, and see you next week!
Anthony Faria
the Designer's Roadmap
Helping designers navigate the path to success
When you're ready, here are few ways I can help you:
- Job Hunting Checklist The exact steps I use to help designers successfully improve their job search all in a free checklist! Stay organized, focused, and prepared throughout your job hunt (free).
- 1:1 Portfolio Review Laser focused 1:1 portfolio review where I evaluate all aspects of your work; visuals, storytelling, overall approach recommending key improvements to help your work stand out.
- 1:1 Career Coaching Session My 1:1 coaching sessions are designed to help you overcome challenges, set clear objectives, and develop a personalized roadmap for success.
- Job Posting Sites for Designers Over the years I've collected job boards exclusively for design jobs. 100+ active links (free).
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