The Art of the UX Portfolio

Creating a standout UX portfolio is more than just showcasing finished projects; it’s about telling the story of your design process. A strong portfolio should clearly communicate your decision-making, from initial research to the final product. This is where the art comes in—highlighting how you approach problems and the rationale behind your choices.

Think of it this way -- Each project isn’t just a display of polished interfaces, but a journey through your UX process. It should display the good, the bad, and how decisions were made to create the final product based on that. Here are some best practices to keep in mind when crafting your own portfolio:

1. It's About Your Though Process

Don't get me wrong, Your portfolio should have a strong design, but it should focus on the “why” behind your decisions. Explain the research you conducted, the insights you gathered, and how they informed your design. For example, I described initial research findings with One House At A Time and how that influenced my design decisions to build content. Along the way, I described changes in those initial designs based on client feedback and UX best practices. The important part is why you refined your design. I know we all wish that the first idea was the one to make it across the finish line, but this is rarely the case. Explain the process of getting to the goal.

2. Keep It Simple

It’s easy to overwhelm viewers with too much detail. Instead, prioritize clarity by keeping each case study concise but impactful. Break it down into the challenge, process/iterations, and outcome to make it digestible. In many cases, this is easier said than done. The UX process starts with a lot of information that needs to be synthesized into actionable recommendations, which in-turn, develop into design solutions. It is important that as you strip down the information to the most critical, that you do not lose the essence of your thought process or the impact of your decision making based on the data.

3. Keep it User Centered

Show, don't tell how user research guided your design decisions. Whether through user interviews, surveys, or usability testing, show how you validated your assumptions. In my projects, I always include a section on user feedback and how it influenced the final design. This can look like percentages, quotes, or analysis of testing data that leads to a particular conclusion leading to the final design implementation. In UX, it is always about the user and how the data helps us make decisions to increase usability.

4. Use Visuals Effectively

Your UX portfolio should use visuals in a manner that drives the narrative—they should communicate your design evolution. Include wireframes, prototypes, and annotated screenshots to show how the project unfolded. The purpose of visuals is indeed to break up the monotony of a text only case study, but also to provide visual proof of the decisions you have made. Carefully plan out where your images go, how they relate to your design story, and if you need to explain what is being displayed in order to make sense of things. Remember, you can't leave any gaps. An image doesn't explain your design decision, it helps to visualize your explanation. Write it out.

5. Clarify Your Role

Clearly state your role within the project and don't be afraid to mention your team! This was more than likely a group effort, so give credit where it is due. Did you conduct user interviews, create wireframes, or lead the information architecture? Detailing your contributions helps potential employers understand your strengths. It also shows exactly what parts of this case study were completed by your hands. In my personal experience, I've worked with some amazing graphic designers, so I make sure to mention them in my case study. Also, when I work with another UX professional, I make sure to explain that these decisions were made together as a team. It is important to showcase your ability to work on your own and across departments or design phases.

6. Show Iteration

The nature of UX design is that there are constantly iterations and changes. Include multiple versions of a design if possible, illustrating how feedback and testing led to refinements. In many cases, this iterative change happens between wireframing and design phases. Make sure to point out what changed and why as these may not be as obvious at first glance. Sometimes stakeholders decide they need a new tool introduced mid project. Describe the need for that and how it was implemented into the current work that has been done. All of these scenarios show flexibility and willingness to accept critique, change, and make the project succeed through teamwork.

7. Include a Range of Work

Diverse projects across different industries or design challenges show versatility. My portfolio features everything from enterprise websites to small business content, each with unique UX challenges. While at the time of writing this, some case studies are being built out, there is at least one detailed example of my process, way of thinking, and how it effects my design suggestions. Also, I've included many of my work examples "in the wild" as links at the bottom of my homepage. though these are not completely built out case studies, the process from my detailed portfolio piece can be understood and carried throughout all of my website contributions. My case study is an example of how I work and think. It can be applied to all of my work, even if all of the solutions are different. As always, make sure that what you are showing is your best work. It is okay if you only have one strong case study. If you have multiple case studies, make sure that they are all up to the same standard and showcase a breadth of work and solutions to demonstrate your knowledge and skills.

8. Tell a Story

Your portfolio should not only tell the story of your designs, but your growth as a designer. It should give a glimpse of who you are as a person, where you came from, what your design philosophy is, and ultimately be the factor that convinces someone to take a chance on you and your skills. this is a place to showcase your work, be proud of your achievements, and share your craft with others. It takes time to build out something so personal and revealing. Give yourself the time.

Your UX portfolio is your opportunity to showcase how you think and solve problems. It’s not just about the finished product, but about clarifying your decision-making process. Hopefully these best practices will help you create the kind of portfolio that not only gets the views, but gets you the interviews.