You’re struggling to create a product design portfolio. What tools can help you get started?

Platform choice is actually more important than you’d think. Wix and square space do not cut it anymore when compared with webflow or framer. But, more and more agencies and studios are looking for figma and pitch folios. Figma folios showcase that you can use the industry standard software that you’ll use day to day. It is super agile, easily updated and a great tool. Behance and dribble are simply no go’s. I would add that dribble will 100% put you on the back foot. A portfolio should be unique, showcase your style and personality. Personal projects are also great at showcasing your personal style outside of client design systems.

Finding the platform should not be the first step when creating a portfolio. What you want to show in it, how you want to tell your story, what your branding is going to be and how you layout and design your portfolio is much more important. A platform is just a vessel to showcase your portfolio, and it's primarily for your own ease of use and not for the person viewing your portfolio. A badly designed portfolio cannot be saved even with an expensive platform and an expertly designed portfolio can be on anything such as vanilla HTML CSS hosted for free on GitHub. When creating your portfolio choose the platform that you find the easiest to work with.

The best way to get started is to get started. Just build your portfolio right on Figma. Create a file and throw some of your proudest work in there. Then arrange it into a prototype. If you don’t have work you’re proud of, create some first. It’s that simple.

The most important thing about product design portfolio is to move away from "beauty shots" only and showcase that you understand broader product picture and that you are able to connect insights and learnings with product solutions. Great way is to master some of the product discovery and prioritisation frameworks (customer interviews, effort-value matrix, rise model etc...) and show that you can interpret customer needs and address them via feasible solutions. Another important thing is to be able to isolate problem, as solving too many things at the same time will often lead to long release cycles, and that is also a skill in demand when it comes to being a product designer.

Creating a product design portfolio can indeed be challenging but there are several tools and resources available to help you get started. Here are some suggestions: n is useful for laying out your portfolio in a professional manner. Sketch: Sketch is a popular design tool specifically tailored for UI/UX designers. It offers features for creating high-fidelity designs and prototypes. Figma: Figma is another powerful design tool similar to Sketch but with the added advantage of being web-based and collaborative. It allows multiple users to work on the same design simultaneously. Adobe XD: Adobe XD is Adobe's answer to UI/UX design tools. It provides features for designing, prototyping, and sharing interactive designs.

it's essential to curate your portfolio with intention. Focus on showcasing a select 3-5 projects that best illustrate your expertise, design thinking, and the tangible impact of your solutions. Diversity in your project selection can demonstrate versatility, so consider including work from various sectors or client types that align with your career aspirations and the interests of your intended audience. Don't hesitate to feature personal projects if they showcase your skills effectively, ensuring they meet professional standards. Always verify you have the rights to share your work, particularly for projects bound by confidentiality agreements, and be prepared to alter sensitive information to maintain client or employer confidentiality.

When assembling your digital product design portfolio, focus on showcasing a handful of your best projects - about 3 to 5 should do. Variety is key, so pick works from different areas or for varied clients to show your versatility. Don’t shy away from including personal projects, as they often highlight your creativity and passion. Just ensure they're polished and professional. Crucially, check you have the right to share each project, especially those from previous jobs or client work. If there’s sensitive content, consider anonymizing it. Your portfolio should not just display your final designs but also your journey and thought process in arriving at those solutions, effectively narrating your skills and impact as a designer.

To make a product design portfolio stand out, showcase your best and most diverse work, emphasize the design process, and highlight your problem-solving skills. Use the power of storytelling to tie it all together. Include 4-6 well-detailed projects in your product design portfolio, focusing on quality over quantity.

I think that if you're beginner, the best practice is to choose 3 the most practical cases, arrange them in the reversed timeline, the same principle as CV experience in order to show permanent development. Do: explain tasks, team, your role, problems and a way of thinking that led to solve them. Don't: intricate design of the portfolio cases. Tip: Hook but professional case title.

Struggling to create a product design portfolio? Begin by gathering your projects, but be selective; not everything needs to be included. Choose a handful that best showcases your skills and expertise. Include projects that highlight your problem-solving abilities, creativity, and any specialized skills relevant to your field. Additionally, consider incorporating case studies or process overviews for some projects to give potential employers or clients insight into your approach and how you tackle design challenges. Remember, a well-curated portfolio is not just about the final product but also about storytelling and your journey as a designer.

Storytelling is the key...taking users through a journey matters more than anything. People relate to a good story quickly and it lasts longer as well. Lasting longer in someone's head has lots of advantages :) (be it a recruiter or others) Showing steps, cause and effect, learning of your journey makes it more human-like and interesting.

Your portfolio is not merely a collection showcasing your capabilities. It ideally also tells something about your person and your journey: what triggered you in a project, how did your interests shift, what did you learn from it, in which contexts could you really thrive and deliver your best work, etc. Set up your story to touch upon more dimensions than merely 'this is project X, Y, Z I worked on'. Remember, it is as much about you as a designer than about the things you did and/or can do.

This is the most important part of looking for a new job, not just for your portfolio. Let me share three tips that will help you with your Portfolio story telling: 1. Always remember that even though is your portfolio, it's not for you. Recruiters and hiring manager are your real audience. Make it easy to read and scan, use the keyword they want to see, and prioritise quality over quantity. 2. Don't sell your designs, sell yourself. Companies are not going to paid for the designs in your portfolio. They will pay for the designer behind them. Tell your process, how you solve problems, how you collaborate, your learnings, etc. 3. Show your personality. This is not a text book. Don't be afraid to show your humour or what makes you unique.

Relying solely on the STAR method may not always yield a compelling story. To enrich your narrative consider blending the STAR method with the classic storytelling arc — exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. This hybrid approach doesn't follow a one-size-fits-all template, as each story is unique. Experiment. Seek feedback among hiring managers you know. Embrace the iterative process. It's in your reach??

The best advice I’ve seen is to write case studies like a narrative—a literal timeline of events. Trim all of the fat from the study to the important takeaways. Convince me in 5 minutes, not 30.

Your bio is your personal hello to the world, a snapshot of who you are as a digital product designer. Start with a warm introduction, mention your background and what led you to design. Highlight your skills, but also share your design philosophy – what fuels your creativity and approach. Don't forget to sprinkle in a bit of your personality by mentioning a few personal interests. Wrap it up with your contact info and social media links, making it easy for people to connect. And yes, a friendly photo or an avatar can make your bio more engaging, adding a human touch to your professional story.

Bio is a good place to tell some important to a person (our audience here is HR and a hiring manager) about what you actually like to do and why, what is unique about you among 100 cv and portfolios they are looking at. Be honest and creative!

Unveiling the You Behind the Design Your bio is your chance to introduce yourself to the world, not just as a designer, but as a human being (with exceptional design skills, of course). Keep it concise and personal, highlighting your design goals, what makes you tick, and why you're passionate about creating impactful products. Think of it as your elevator pitch, a quick and engaging summary that leaves them wanting to know more. Don't forget to include your contact information and social media links, so they can easily connect with you and explore your online design haven.

Bio is what you introduce yourself as when you are having a deep conversations. The things you care about and impact you want to have in this world. It should be really personal, concise, smart and to the point. Also, don't forget to practice what you preach. If you want to make it lengthy add your education and experience.

Creating a stellar product design portfolio is essential for showcasing your skills and landing exciting opportunities. Visual Tools for Portfolio Creation: Canva: A user-friendly graphic design tool that allows you to create visually appealing layouts. Figma: A collaborative design platform for creating interactive prototypes and visual designs.

Designing the layout is dependent on your storytelling skills and adaption of your storytelling skills in to visual design. If you are a good designer you will eventually get all the elements in the right placement. But main thing here would be story telling.

Crafting a visually appealing and navigable portfolio is crucial. Maintain consistency in colors, fonts, and visuals to reflect your unique style. Establish a clear structure with well-designed menus, headers, and buttons for intuitive navigation. Whether using platform templates or creating a custom design, ensure coherence in layout. Utilize grids, white space, and contrast to achieve balance and hierarchy, enhancing the overall aesthetic of your portfolio.

One mistake that many applicants make is to spend too much time on creating an extravagant layout. A good portfolio and project should always be presented in the simplest, clearest way possible so that visitors (hiring managers and recruiters) can easily navigate and focus on the story you want to tell. That is not to say that you cannot break the mold. You absolutely can. However, when breaking the conventional layout, ask yourself: "Can a first-time visitor easily focus on the story I'm trying to tell?" If the answer is "Yes," then craft that layout in the way that you like. To test if a layout works, ask your friends or colleagues for a test run. A fresh pair of eyes will give you the perspective you might miss.

Aesthetics Matter (But Usability Matters More) Your portfolio's visual appeal is crucial, but remember, usability is king (or queen). Create a cohesive look and feel with colors, fonts, and images that reflect your personal brand. Imagine your portfolio as a well-designed website – easy to navigate, with clear sections and intuitive buttons that guide viewers effortlessly through your work. Don't be afraid to experiment with grids, white space, and even a touch of animation to create a visually engaging and user-friendly experience.

Imagine your portfolio is like your very own art show online! You want to make sure everything looks neat and easy for people to see all the cool stuff you've done. It's like setting up your toys in a way that your best ones stand out and everyone can easily find them. Your portfolio should look good on computers and phones, so no one misses out. Use big, clear pictures of your work, and maybe add some fun clicks or moves on your page, but don't let them hide your art. Make everything look like “you” - if you love bright colors, use them! And, don't forget to put a big sign saying 'Contact Me' so people know how to talk to you. It's like your online room, and you want everyone to feel welcome and see how awesome your designs are!

The Never-ending Quest for Perfection Your portfolio is a living, breathing entity, not a museum exhibit. Regularly test it across different devices and browsers, ensuring it's responsive and accessible to all. Seek feedback from trusted peers, mentors, or even potential clients. Their insights can be invaluable in identifying areas for improvement and refining your design voice. Remember, data is your friend! Use analytics tools to track user behavior and understand how people interact with your portfolio. This data can help you optimize your layout, content, and overall design for maximum impact.

It's important to focus on accessibility and SEO when developing a portfolio. Accessibility expands the audience by making content accessible for various abilities, while SEO optimizes visibility in online searches. Incorporating relevant keywords improves search engine rankings and makes it easier for employers to find our job.

I strongly advise proactively reaching out to senior designers and cultivating connections on LinkedIn with key professionals. Seeking their insightful opinions on your portfolio before its submission for job applications can significantly enhance its professional appeal.

Even the most beautiful portfolio will not help you get a job if you cannot describe and build logic in working on a project.

You can only improve with feedback. One of my biggest flaws is that I tend to not get enough feedback earlier in my process. Don't be afraid! Show your work! Talk about it! Ask for what you can do better. As our work and careers mature, we tend to stop asking, as if it's unprofessional. That's when you should ask even more!

Make sure you express your personality through your portfolio. Everyone HATES seeing the same boring framer or webflow template sites. Use your personal favorite pallet, personal favorite elements, make sure you're proud of your own portfolio!

Busque por referências. Investigue suas principais influências e identifique elementos em portfólios e sites de empresas da área que se destacam e que chamam a sua aten??o. Como eles mostram seu trabalho? Inspire-se e colete esses itens “diferenciais” para formar um moodboard que sintetize o estilo, estética, tom de voz, arquitetura da informa??o etc, que tenham sinergia com a forma que você gostaria de apresentar o seu trabalho. Experimente, combine e crie uma vers?o inicial. Em seguida, pe?a por feedback de outros profissionais da área e refine. Um portfólio deve ser vivo, portanto continue realizando esse processo ao longo do tempo.

The most important section in your portfolio is the "About" section/page. So, Don't forget to include it. Keep it deeply personal. You get a pass here to brag about yourself. Reflect your tone in your writing; just be careful about grammar. Include your awards, blogs, pictures, song playlists, movies, people's reviews of you, things you are learning, things you are doing, or anything that is really you. "People are self-selecting; they will let you in if they like you." I have seen people finding it hard to make friends if they don't have common interests, or the other way around, you are not able to create curiosity in others' minds about your interests or skills. Basically what I mean to say is, don't be boring ;)

People don’t have too much time to spend on someone’s portfolio. Make sure you make your points strong and clear. Find someone and let them tell you what they learned about you in 30 seconds by browsing your portfolio. If they can’t say nothing, try to see what can be improved.

Be truthful. Tell the truth, very well. Remember you and the person hiring you want the same thing. You want an interesting job you will stay with and grow in. They want and employee who will bring value for years to come. The worst thing you can do is pretend to like something you don't or fake competency isn something you know nothing about. Demonstrating that you not only have talent but also integrity and character means you leave the interview with an advocate. This is how real supportive networks form.