Design is one of those skills that is best validated by showcasing previous work and creations, which is why it’s important to have some sort of work portfolio.
6.1. What is a design portfolio?
A design portfolio is a collection highlighting your previous work, projects, and creations. It can be in the form of a website, pdf, or physical format and is often required when applying for jobs.
A portfolio is both proof of your skills, as well as a way for you to present your work in your desired way.
For example, you can omit previous projects that you do not want to do more of and include projects that you do want to work with.
The way you showcase your projects also shapes the story you tell about your creative journey. It’s a way for you to explain how your thought process goes and how you work.
Potential employers want to see if and how you can fit into their creative process, and your portfolio is a way for you to show that.
6.1.1. Which format to choose
As a UI designer, you may use social media such as Dribbble or Behance as a portfolio, but it’s recommended to create your portfolio website.
The reason it’s good to create your website is that UI design is closely tied to front-end development. By creating your website, you’re showing potential employers that you not only know design but that you also understand the technical parts.
You can either code your website from the ground up or use a CMS such as WordPress. Which one you decide on depends on your level of skill and ambition.
6.1.2. What to include
Design projects
Most importantly, your portfolio needs to contain your design projects. If you are a complete beginner, you may not have any projects to show, which is why your first task will be to create 2-4 UI designs.
The first projects you create can either be done solo as a passion project or together with a company, paid or unpaid.
If you have multiple projects, you may want to select a few of them that you are the proudest of, and that show potential employers or clients what you’re looking more of doing.
When presenting your project, think about the story you want to tell. Include what the problem or vision was, and all the methods and steps you took to end up with your end design. Give context about time restrictions, who you worked with, and what your area of responsibility was.
These presentations of earlier projects will also help you in job interviews, where it is very common to get asked to talk about or present an earlier project you’ve done.
Resume
If you are looking to become employed, you can also include your resume on your portfolio website. This is not as necessary however if you’re only looking for freelance projects, but it can help.
Personal projects
Apart from strictly professional projects or concepts, you may include personal projects, in particular, if you are looking for a more artistically creative role.
For example, showing additional skills in illustration, drawing, or writing makes you look more well-rounded, creative, and passionate. All of which are good qualities to have as a designer.
Contact information
Don’t forget to include ways to get in contact with you. If a visitor enjoys what they see, you’ll want to give them easy access to communicate with you. Include information such as your email, phone number, or social media.
Be mindful, however, that if you include your social media, there is a possibility of employees looking at it and judging your professionalism based on it.
What you can do to separate private life and work life is to create social media accounts specifically for your design projects.
Personality
A big part of being accepted and trusted is related to how others perceive us as people. Having your own space where you show off your work, also allows you to show your personality.
The tone of voice you use, the words you choose, colors, and so on, can all give a positive or negative first impression.
Think carefully about how your portfolio makes you look, and if it fits with how you want to be perceived.