It is a fact that designing a UX portfolio happens to be essentially a hands-on field, and employers like to see that you know the required practical skills along with the theory. Just like any industry, it is imperative for you to prove that you know what is required from you in the long run and your experience will not be adequate for landing an interview.

It is your portfolio which will provide evidence of your knowledge regarding UX. It will show that you have the ability to execute a UX design project from beginning to end, that you are acquainted with the most recent industry tools, and that you’re capable of identifying and using the best method as well as techniques at every stage of the process.

A UX design portfolio will also allow conveying your personal brand at the same time. It happens to be a visual as well as a textual medium by means of which you will be able to express yourself as a designer. Consequently, designing a UX portfolio is extremely important in terms of opening huge opportunities in front of you as a UX designer.

This for designing a UX portfolio for securing a job instantly

1. Design while focusing on your audience

It is your audience who is going to hire you in the long run. Therefore, your primary objective will be to showcase the work for which you are going to be hired. Select at least 3 to 5 projects for showcasing. Keeping within this particular range will allow you to showcase your best work by narrowing it down. Bear in mind that you are actually designing for somebody who is going to hire. In all probabilities, they will be able to spare several minutes for scanning your site. What would you like them to see at the first glance?

2. Verify the range of work done by you

In case you are working on multiple devices or multiple platforms, it will be a sensible idea to show it off in the portfolio. The same is applicable in case you have worked on everything from top-notch enterprise applications to inexpensive and pleasant consumer projects. It is essential for your portfolio to inform people at a glance what you are worthy of.

3. Visuals with meaning

It is important for you to layout your process in a visual manner. You should curate images from your previous projects that would allow you to structure the procedure in the mind of the reader. There is no need to go overboard. Several well-selected visuals will be quite clear regarding what has been done and why; on the other hand, too many of them will be confusing the audience instead of highlighting your talent in front of them.

The visuals should be able to carry the proper meaning to your audience. There is no need for them to be flawless, and you simply require showcasing the UX process.

Here, you might like to include the following:

• Wireframe sketches

• Personas

• Data analysis charts

Make sure to include a couple of projects in adequate detail for showcasing your expertise; however, make it a point not to include an excessive number of projects.

4. Tell a proper story

This is usually the toughest part of the process of designing a UX portfolio; however, here you have to combine the visuals along with a short narrative. What is your identity and what exactly you do? What can be done by you for adding value to the employer’s or client’s projects? Make sure to keep it uncomplicated; however, it should not be excessively simple. Make it a point to touch on the following:

• What was the eventual outcome of the project?

• What exactly worked properly and what did not?

• What was done by you when it comes to design and research work?

• What you have set out to do?

5. Know the method of working your own computer

Lastly, while designing a UX portfolio we like to mention that it is really important to understand the method of working your personal computer. It is quite surprising that there are lots of individuals who are not able to work the computer that they have brought along with them. Make sure to bring with you a computer and not a tablet for providing your portfolio presentation. Apart from this, it is also imperative for you to have the proper dongle for connecting to an AV system (in case one is required by your computer). It is also essential for you to know the manner in which you should put your slides into the slideshow mode. Moreover, you must have the ability to work your trackpad. Lastly, it is imperative for you to have a backup like a thumb drive, Dropbox that you can share quickly, or a file on Google Drive.

Conclusion

Although a UX portfolio happens to be an extremely personal document, in case you are able to make it simple for others to comprehend your experience and work, it will be much easier for the portfolio to become effective in opening new opportunities for you.