You need to create a product design portfolio. What are the most important things to consider? (2024)

Before you start designing your portfolio, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with it. What kind of work do you want to do? Who do you want to reach? What message do you want to convey? Your goals will help you decide what projects to include, what format to use, and what tone and style to adopt. For example, if you want to work as a UX designer for a social media app, you might want to showcase projects that demonstrate your user research, wireframing, prototyping, and testing skills, as well as your understanding of the target audience and the market trends. You might also want to use a responsive and interactive portfolio website that reflects your design aesthetic and personality.

Once you have defined your goals, you need to select the projects that best represent your skills, experience, and interests. You don't need to include every project you have ever done, but rather focus on the ones that are relevant, recent, and remarkable. A good rule of thumb is to include 3-5 projects that showcase your range and depth as a product designer. You should also consider the quality, diversity, and impact of your projects. Choose projects that are well-executed, that show different aspects of your design process, and that have a clear problem, solution, and outcome. You should also avoid projects that are too similar, too outdated, or too confidential.

A product design portfolio is not just about showing the final results of your projects, but also about explaining the context, challenges, and decisions behind them. You need to tell your stories in a way that engages and informs your audience, and that demonstrates your problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills. For each project, you should provide a brief introduction that summarizes the project's goal, scope, and role. Then, you should describe the main stages of your design process, such as research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration. You should also highlight the key insights, learnings, and feedback that guided your design choices. Finally, you should show the outcomes and impact of your project, such as metrics, testimonials, or awards.

A product design portfolio is also a way to show your technical and creative skills as a designer. You need to use different tools and techniques to present your projects in a clear, attractive, and professional way. You should use high-quality images, videos, animations, or mockups to showcase your visual design skills and your attention to detail. You should also use interactive elements, such as links, buttons, sliders, or modals, to showcase your interaction design skills and your ability to create engaging and intuitive user interfaces. You should also use code snippets, diagrams, or annotations to showcase your development skills and your understanding of the technical aspects of your projects.

A product design portfolio is not a static and one-size-fits-all document. It is a dynamic and adaptable tool that you need to optimize for different platforms and audiences. You need to consider how your portfolio will look and function on different devices, such as desktops, tablets, or smartphones. You should use a responsive and accessible design that adapts to different screen sizes, resolutions, and orientations. You should also use a fast and secure hosting service that ensures your portfolio loads quickly and smoothly. You should also consider how your portfolio will appeal and communicate to different types of viewers, such as clients, employers, or peers. You should use a clear and concise language that explains your design process and value proposition. You should also use a consistent and distinctive branding that reflects your identity and style as a designer.

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Product Design

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