How do you create a powerful design portfolio as a leader?

As a design leader, I would also emphasize the following tips for creating a powerful design portfolio: Showcase your impact. Don't just show what you did, but also how it made a difference. Quantify your results whenever possible, and use testimonials from clients or stakeholders to support your claims. Tell a story. Your portfolio should be more than just a collection of images and screenshots. It should tell a story about your journey as a design leader and how your work has impacted others. Be authentic. Let your personality shine through in your portfolio. Share your values, passions, and unique perspective on design.

This article only needs the section: "Know your audience." As a design leader; your experiences and reputation have preceded you and brought you into consideration for a new leadership challenge. At this stage, anyone reviewing your portfolio has already seen your resume, they've looked at your linkedin and your recommendations etc... They want to know: What can you do for us, and how did it turn out for the other guy? Your portfolio as a leader should showcase the growth of your team's abilities, center on outcomes for your products & clients, and capture how your work has elevated and brought clarity to the org's mission. Your portfolio as a leader should be an illustration of your resume's bullet points and career highlights.

As a design leader, I would advise you to choose the following types of work for your portfolio: Projects that demonstrate your leadership skills and qualities. This could include projects where you led or managed teams, aligned and engaged stakeholders, fostered a culture of design thinking and user-centricity, mentored or coached others, and contributed to the growth and success of your organization or community. Projects that showcase your range of skills and expertise. This could include projects that involve different aspects of design, such as UI/UX design, visual design, interaction design, and motion design. Projects that could be measured in terms of business results, user satisfaction, or other meaningful metrics.

Designers often save their best takeaways for the end of a case study, but what if your audience doesn't scroll that far? It's a good idea to create a hook of some kind right away - above the fold if possible - to draw them in. Just something short to tease the most interesting part of the story - like an achievement or a learning. Also remember to focus on the whys and hows in your story - it's not a report! Think about how you'd tell this story to a friend or colleague and try to capture the most interesting aspects of the story in your case study. Finally, be selective about what you include. It's ok to save some of the details for your interview. Just give them enough to make the story compelling!

As a design leader, I would recommend getting feedback on your portfolio from a variety of sources, including: Peers: Your peers can provide feedback on your technical skills, design aesthetic, and overall presentation. Mentors: Your mentors can provide guidance on your career goals and how to position your portfolio to achieve them. Clients: Your clients can provide feedback on the impact of your work and how it has benefited their business. Employers: If you are currently interviewing for design leadership roles, you can ask your interviewers for feedback on your portfolio.

Here are some tips for getting feedback on your design portfolio: Be specific about what you are looking for. Be open to constructive criticism. Ask for feedback from a variety of sources. Follow up with the people who provide you with feedback to thank them for their time and to let them know how you used their feedback to improve your portfolio.

Your career goals. What are your short-term and long-term career goals? What type of design leadership role are you aiming for? Tailor your portfolio to highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to your career goals. Your portfolio format. There are many different ways to format a design leader portfolio. You can create a website, a PDF, a slide deck, or a video. Choose a format that is visually appealing and that is easy to navigate. Your call to action. What do you want your audience to do after viewing your portfolio? Do you want them to contact you, visit your website, or follow you on social media? Make sure to include a clear call to action on your portfolio website or PDF.