The Short Answer
A great UX portfolio shows how you think, not just what you designed.
Recruiters spend 30 seconds looking at your portfolio. Make those 30 seconds count.
The 5 Elements of Every Case Study
1. The Problem (1 paragraph)
What were you solving? Who were you solving it for? Why did it matter?
2. Your Role (1-2 sentences)
What did you do? What didn’t you do? Be specific.
3. The Process (2-3 paragraphs)
Research → Ideation → Design → Testing. Show your thinking, not just the output.
4. Key Decisions (2-3 examples)
“What I chose to do, and why.” This is where you separate yourself from designers who just make things pretty.
5. The Outcome (1-2 paragraphs)
What happened? Metrics. Learnings. What you’d do differently.
Project Selection
Good Projects
- Real users, real problems
- Clear before/after
- Demonstrates research skills
- Shows iteration
Bad Projects
- Concept projects without research
- “Redesigned Spotify” (overdone)
- Projects where you only did visual design
- Projects you can’t explain in detail
Portfolio Structure
Homepage — Who you are, what you do, 3 featured projects
Case Studies — 4-6 deep dives
About — Your background, skills, personality
Contact — Easy to reach you
Presentation Tips
- Start with a summary, not a screenshot
- Show sketches and iterations, not just final screens
- Include real data and metrics
- Use video walkthroughs for complex flows
- Keep text concise — use headings and bullet points
The Bottom Line
Your portfolio isn’t a gallery. It’s a story. Tell the story of how you solve problems, not just how you make things pretty.