Fix Your Portfolio in 5 Easy Steps

Let’s fix your portfolio in 5 steps

Your portfolio is more than just a collection of your work. It’s your ultimate passport for exciting design opportunities. Are you ready to fix your portfolio with five simple steps? Let’s dive in!

Step one

Step one to fix your portfolio is deciding what type of job you’re aiming for. UX vs. UI portfolios are going to be vastly different.

UI portfolio:

• Emphasis: quantity, polish, and technical deliverables

• Include: hi-fi designs, visual guidelines, cross-platform design, etc.

UX portfolio:

• Emphasis: depth, process, research

• Include: explanations of thinking and process, user journeys, IA, prototypes, etc.

Step two

Step two is auditing all the projects you already have. You need three to five projects in your portfolio. The projects that align with step one should be at the top. The projects that do not align with this should be at the bottom of your portfolio.

Step three

This step is vital when you want to fix your portfolio. The third step is to present case studies in a meaningful way. It’s crucial to use project-relevant case study sections. Here are the case study sections in order:

• Introduction

• Problem Statement

• Objectives & Goals

• Business Challenge

• Process

• Research Insights

• Competitive Analysis

• User Needs

• User Persona

• Features & Functionalities

• Unique Features

• Task Mapping

• Eisen Hover Matrix

• 5 Why Analysis

• Root Cause Analysis (RCA)

• Task flows

• Sketches & Wireframes

• Important UI Screens

• Results & Reflection

For example, if you’re adding a “user persona” section just to fill the case study template, you’re doing it wrong.

Step four

The next step to take while trying to fix your portfolio is to make more projects if you don’t have enough. Recruiters hate aimless redesigns and play projects without constraints. It’s good to volunteer for a nonprofit project if you don’t have enough of them. It’s also crucial to use quality design briefs.

Step five

Feedback is crucial, so it is important to get it. Seek as much feedback as possible, and then iterate and polish accordingly.

Conclusion

Fixing your portfolio doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By identifying your career goals, auditing your work, presenting meaningful case studies, creating purposeful projects, and seeking feedback, you’ll build a portfolio that reflects your skills and potential. Start implementing these steps today to create a portfolio that truly shines.