UI UX

UI UX Portfolio Tips: How to Showcase Your Work and Skills

Written by John Terra
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Updated on June 20, 2024

For a designer, a portfolio is their calling card, audition tape, and resume, all rolled into one. That’s especially true in the UI UX design field. That’s why we’re here today.

This article covers UI UX portfolio tips and includes defining the term, its purpose, what should be included, and where you should host your UX design portfolio. It also share an online UI UX design program professionals can take to boost their skill set.

Incidentally, although we use the term “UI UX” in this article, it can also apply to just a UX design portfolio, or even just a UI design portfolio, for that matter. After all, only some designers tackle both aspects. Adjust the advice to suit your situation.

What is a UI UX Design Portfolio?

A UI UX design portfolio is a collection of case studies highlighting your skills and approach to the entire UI UX design process. Typically, most designers create and place their portfolio online as a website to show they understand how to create eye-catching, effective digital interfaces and flows.

Then, the online portfolio is shared as an element of a job interview process, so recruiters and potential employers can see firsthand the detailed examples of how you approach different challenges in design, research, storytelling, problem-solving, understanding users, and, maybe most importantly, your ability to empathize with the user’s journey.

Also Read: How to Design a User-Friendly Interface?

Why is a UI UX Design Portfolio Important?

When you apply for a design position, chances are the recruiter has yet to learn who you are. You need a memorable, unique UI UX design portfolio to make you stand out from the rest of the crowd. It’s a way to get noticed.

The Purpose of a UI UX Portfolio

A good UI UX design portfolio gives the potential employer a good idea of who you are and your capabilities. That portfolio should cut through the fog of anonymity and make you stand out. A UI UX design portfolio should show the viewer that you have taken the time and energy to present yourself in the best possible light and have the tools and talent to make it happen.

The UI UX portfolio also gives the recruiter an insight into who you are as an artist and what design sensibilities you embrace. These insights can ensure a proper match between the organization and the applicant. So yes, a recruiter could look at your portfolio and say, “Pass.” But this is okay. It’s better to be eliminated from consideration at the start because of conflicting expectations or sensibilities than to get hired and find out later that it was a bad match.

The bottom line is that a UI UX design portfolio aims to introduce you to recruiters and show them what you can do. Call it a digital handshake, if you will.

So, what goes into a comprehensive UI UX design portfolio?

What Should You Include in a UI UX Portfolio?

A good, comprehensive UI UX design portfolio should incorporate the following:

An “About Me” section or page so you can share your story that highlights your unique skills, personality, and perspectives.
Design case studies, which show off your design work, what problems you have had to solve, the processes you took, and the actual designs you created from the wireframe to the final version of your creation. This should include:
- The challenge or problem
- Your client
- What tools you used for the project
- The discovery phases (how did you solve the issue?)
- The process you used to resolve the problem (prototypes, sketches, lo-hi wireframes, personas, user journeys, and research)
- The result or outcome (including the work and what happened after you turned it in, e.g., to a UI designer or developer)

A contact page (e-mail, phone, etc.)
Links to your relevant design-related accounts such as LinkedIn or similar profiles you have online. This does not necessarily include your “normal” social media accounts. Keep things more professional and less personal, at least for now.
An up-to-date, generalized version of your resume or CV

Also Read: A Guide to Improving and Measuring User Experience

The Top Tips for Your UI UX Portfolio

Include an elevator pitch. One of the initial critical tests of a good portfolio is whether people can look at it for just a few seconds and grasp what you do. Your portfolio’s design is a crucial opportunity for you, as a UI UX designer, to show recruiters what a good UX entails.
Showcase your best work only. Before placing a project or case study into your portfolio, ask yourself honestly, “What score, from 1 to 10, would I give this project?” Anything less than an eight shouldn’t be considered. It’s always better to show a few great projects (optimally, 3-6) than lots of case studies of variable quality. A recruiter could come to your site, pick a random case study, and judge you on the merits of that single project. So, for each project, ask, “Would I be satisfied if this one case study judges my work?” And remember, your portfolio could also be posted to Instagram, Dribbble, or even your blog, showcasing other work you’d like to be seen but isn’t a priority.
Show how you solve problems. Managers want evidence of your abilities to analyze, define, and solve problems. You can provide that proof by including images or videos of your process and a well-written narrative that explains how the project progressed.
Include your bio. Ensure your bio is easy to find, like on the homepage or a clearly labeled “About me” page. The best bios are short, focused, and about a single brief paragraph. Mention your skills, values, and vision as a designer.
Ensure your contact information is current. On each page, you could include a “contact me” button, a simple contact form, or your e-mail address.
Consider other links. Include your LinkedIn profile link and a downloadable PDF resume. These help remove obstacles that might otherwise prevent recruiters from following up.
Keep things simple, functional, and easy to navigate. Using visual design to make a strong statement is fine, but remember that your portfolio’s primary purpose is to present the story behind the case studies and allow readers to find the information quickly and efficiently. Now isn’t the time to experiment.
Incorporate visual designs and brand styles. Designers should always have a brand and personal style. Your brand is the sum of your presentational choices, so make them meaningful and mindful. Rendering your name in simple text instead of a monogram says something about your design solution approach: you may favor simplicity and clarity over fancy decoration. Any decisions you make (e.g., fonts, colors, images, tone) represent you as a designer and a person. You must be comfortable with your branding messages and harmonious with your presented work.
Your portfolio website must tell a story. Hiring managers must deal with heaps of applications. Consider their situation and how you can stand out to the recruiter by making their job easier. When someone looks at a resume or portfolio, it’s usually just a glance. Show your thoughtfulness as a designer by transforming your portfolio pieces into compelling stories instead of a mere collection of images. Your portfolio is your best marketing tool.
Be specific about your roles. If a project was a collaboration, not mentioning the other contributors raises a big red flag. Clearly describe your role in the project and properly credit other team members.

Tips for Inexperienced Portfolio Creators

You will have little work to show in your portfolio if you’re a new UI UX designer. Instead, you need to find a different way to stand out. You need to inject some of your personality. This includes adding any personal projects you tried and explaining how you went from inception to finished solution. Even if it was a total failure or a project assigned in design class, show it anyway!

Being humble because you know you can improve shows grit, determination, awareness, and motivation. Hiring managers don’t expect perfection; they want to see personality and if you’ll be a good fit.

Also Read: UI/UX Designer Salary: What Can You Expect in 2024?

Should You Use Video in Your UI UX Portfolio?

Video is a very engaging medium; you must do all you can to engage the viewer and give them a reason to stick around. Fortunately, nowadays, almost everyone has a serviceable video recorder that is as close as their smartphone, so whenever you work on something interesting, try to make a short video for future reference. You can even build a video montage with edited clips.

Show a video of you interacting with users during testing, or show a user happily demonstrating your end product. Consider a short 10 to 20-second video of you introducing your website and working style.

How Many Projects Should You Include in Your Portfolio?

Consider a maximum of three examples in your UI UX portfolio. Even one or two projects are enough if you’re a junior. Select projects where you had the most impact and clearly show your work.

Where Do You Host Your UI UX Design Portfolio?

For best results, create a personal website, even if you must pay a small yearly fee. Websites are easier to remember, especially if you give them a catchy domain name.

In addition to showing your work, websites can include an About Me page, blogs, videos, etc. Websites are a great way to create a brand. You are your brand. Having a website is a fantastic opportunity for you to stand out in the UI UX design community, and if you’re good with SEO, it can even help more people find you.

Do You Want Better UI UX Design Skills?

Consider sharpening your UI UX design skills with this UI UX bootcamp. Through live online classes, Dribbble portfolio creation, and capstone projects, you will learn about top design tools (Balsamiq, Figma, Invision, etc.) and master valuable UI UX design skills.

Glassdoor.com reports that UI UX designers earn an average of $82,662 annually. Sign up for this intense, 20-week bootcamp and make your design dreams a reality.