Creating an Online Portfolio

We all know we're supposed to "show instead of tell." But most design portfolios fail to do this and here's why. 👇 Designers love showcasing their raw work in their portfolios including outputs or deliverables such as: → Sketches → Diagrams → User flows → Wireframes → Sticky notes → Journey maps But to be honest, 90% of the time, I have absolutely no idea what is going on in those images. For example, I'll often come across a screenshot or picture of 25+ sticky notes, but: → They are too zoomed out. → If I zoom in, they're too blurry. → Even if I can seem them, they're too overwhelming. Then I start asking myself questions such as: → Am I supposed to read every sticky note? → What's important about these sticky notes? → Is this worth my time and attention to decipher? This is where storytelling comes in. What if instead of showing a raw zoomed out screenshot of sticky notes, we instead pulled out the key highlights and takeaways? Then we can guide the reader's attention to what's actually important, and optionally include a link to the original raw image afterwards. This creates a far more compelling narrative for our audience (hiring managers and recruiters), and ensures we're showing the right level of detail that is necessary to understand the story. Now to be clear, I'm not saying you should entirely avoid raw images or assets (or even raw Figma files). For example, these can be effective during the interview process because the designer can use their voice to guide their audience through the image. But when it's an online written case study submitted with an application, then you won't be in the room when a hiring manager first sees it. In that moment, your story will need to stand on it's own. It will need to communicate the right level of clarity and detail to compel the hiring manager to offer you an interview. In summary, when we want to "show instead of tell", that doesn't mean slapping a raw screenshot or image in our portfolio. It means reflecting on how we're using our words and images to give context, clarity, and tell an impactful story. Use it effectively to your advantage. What are your thoughts? #ux #design #portfolio #casestudy #storytelling

"My work is self-explanatory" is the most common creative portfolio mistake. If you want potential clients to trust you, show them your work process, not just the final result. I recommend choosing your top 5 projects and turning them into case studies. Great case studies share the same five elements as a blockbuster movie: 1. POSTER The thumbnail on your website. It should include: – Visual: Something that will make people click. – Name: The title of your idea, campaign, or project. – Hook: Describe it in one line. 2. ACT I: SETUP Set the scene and explain: – Who was the project for? – Who was the client? – What was the challenge? – Who was the target audience? – Any cultural or professional references people need to know to understand the idea? 3. ACT II: ADVENTURE Show your process: – Insights that led you to your solution. – Sketches. – Mood boards. – Failed attempts. 4. ACT III: RESOLUTION Show your outcome: – The final outcome: copy, visuals, or whatever you created for the brand. – Results: revenue, clicks, views, shares, subscribers, awards, comments. 5. END CREDITS Mention and link to all contributors. If you have any questions about portfolios, please don't hesitate to ask in the comments. I promise to reply to every single one :)

Let me ask you this: Does your portfolio reflect the work you actually want to be hired to do? If your answer is, “Yeah! I want to be an instructional designer!” ...that’s not what I mean. I’m talking about the kind of instructional designer you want to be. Do you want to design courses? Build systems? Lead strategy? Improve performance? Facilitate change? Because here’s the thing…most portfolios default to the same stuff: ✅ Storyline modules ✅ Rise demos ✅ Job aids about the ADDIE process And that’s totally fine (minus the ADDIE job aid)....if that’s the kind of work you want to do. But not every ID role involves eLearning. Not every L&D professional is a course creator. And not every portfolio needs to be packed with eLearning examples. Your portfolio isn’t just a box to check. It’s a positioning tool. A statement. A signal. It should help you attract the kind of work that lights you up, and quietly filter out the stuff that doesn’t. Ya know, when I built my first portfolio, I learned this the hard way. I thought the goal was to showcase everything I was capable of. So I loaded it up: presentations I’d designed, facilitator guides I’d created, eLearning courses I’d built, videos I’d edited—everything. My thinking at the time was: “The more I include, the more capable I’ll look.” But what actually happened? Hiring managers couldn’t tell what I specialized in. And I kept getting inquiries about work I didn’t even want to do. That experience taught me a valuable lesson: Your portfolio mirrors your focus. Get specific, or get overlooked. So if your goal is to land work you enjoy and work you’re great at, then your portfolio has to tell that story. Show the kind of work you want to be hired for. Be intentional. Be specific. And don’t be afraid to leave things out. Because clarity isn’t limiting, it’s powerful. 👉 If you want to see what it looks like to build a portfolio without any eLearning examples, check out my latest video with the link down in the comments! Have a great week! 👋 Tim #eLearning #InstructionalDesign #LearningAndDevelopment

I have reviewed 100+ portfolio projects. If you want employers to hire you even without experience, Make sure your project does these 𝟲 things. A great portfolio isn’t just a collection of skills It’s a showcase of how you solve real problems. This is what makes a portfolio project stand out: => 𝗜𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 Every strong project follows a simple arc: Problem → Solution → Impact. Make it clear what challenge you tackled, how you solved it, and the results. => 𝗜𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺 The best projects come from real-world problems. Current events: Can you analyze a trending issue? (e.g., election results, COVID trends, mask effectiveness) Daily annoyances: What problem do you wish someone would solve? Do it yourself. => 𝗜𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 Good projects highlight your decision-making and problem-solving. Where did you pivot? What obstacles did you overcome? Show your process. => 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁 The best projects happen where interest meets impact. Find a topic you enjoy, just make sure it’s valuable to potential employers. => 𝗜𝘁 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝘁𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 A great project saves you time in interviews. If it’s well-structured, you’ll only need to explain the context once. The results will do the rest. => 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 (𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝘁𝘀/𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀) Go beyond basic analysis and build interactive dashboards (Tableau, Power BI, Streamlit). Let your audience explore the data. A good portfolio project isn’t just technical It proves you can solve meaningful problems. Follow me, Jaret André to land the job you want 10x faster.

You’re an architect, you pour your soul into a projectl. Then you post it online, expecting… what? Recognition? New clients? I learned the hard way that nobody cares about your architecture projects online in the way we architects think they do. Not really. Because most potential clients aren’t looking for your portfolio. They’re looking for answers to three very specific questions: — Do I like how it looks? — Is it in my budget? — How much headache will this be? If you’re struggling to connect with the right audience on social media, it’s probably because you’re showing them what you care about, not what they care about. It’s time to stop treating your social feed as a digital portfolio and start treating it as a conversation. A space where you address those core client concerns, openly and honestly. So, how do you build a presence that actually resonates? It’s about balancing value. About showing, not just telling. About guiding, not just presenting. Think about this mix for your content strategy, it’s not a magic formula, but it’s a starting point for thinking clearly about what works in real practice: — Education (50%): Help them understand the process, the value, the possibilities. Demystify architecture. — Entertainment (20%): Engage them. Make them smile. Show personality. — Behind the Scenes (10%): Build trust. Show the effort, the craft, the human element. — Aesthetics (10%): Yes, show your work, but in context. Show the impact of good design. This isn't about dumbing down your craft. It’s about being an informed curator, a facilitator who helps people navigate the complex world of design and construction. It’s about building ideas that survive across platforms, connecting those worlds that often feel so separate. If you’re an architect feeling unsure how your incredible design work actually connects with the practical realities of client acquisition online, this approach is for you.

Your portfolio case study can make or break your chances of landing your dream UX job. Here’s how to create a standout case study: 1/ Choose the Right Project Select a project that showcases your skills and impact. This is not the time to be modest. What project demonstrates your problem-solving abilities and creativity? 2/ Tell a Compelling Story Start with the problem and your approach to solving it. Structure your story to keep the reader engaged. What was the challenge? How did you tackle it? 3/ Show Your Process Detail your design process from research to final solution. Include sketches, wireframes, and iterations. What methods did you use? Why did you choose them? 4/ Highlight User and Business Outcomes Focus on the results your design achieved. Use metrics and testimonials if possible. What impact did your work have on users and the business? 5/ Keep It Concise and Visual Avoid lengthy text blocks. Use visuals to support your narrative. How can you make your case study easy to scan and understand? 6/ Reflect on Your Learnings Share what you learned from the project. Be honest about what went well and what didn’t. How did this project help you grow as a designer? 7/ Optimize for Your Audience Tailor your case study to your ideal role and company. Highlight skills and experiences that match their needs. What will resonate most with the hiring managers? 8/ Get Feedback Ask peers or mentors to review your case study. Incorporate their suggestions for improvement. What can you refine to make your case study even stronger? 9/ Keep It Updated Regularly update your case studies with new projects and insights. Stay current to reflect your latest skills and experiences. What new projects can you add to showcase your growth? ----- And that’s how to create a standout portfolio case study. I hope this helps!

Have you ever thought to use your UX process on your portfolio? Obviously, you won’t need every tool in your toolbox, but the mentalities are the same. Just like you think through who your target audience is in a project so that you can understand their pain points… you can and should do the same with your portfolio audience! Those of you on your job search should have personas around Hiring Managers and those in hiring positions. They should contain attributes like limited time, multitasking, and maybe even a piece around lack of UX knowledge. By creating this persona and switching your mindset, it allows you to create a portfolio using a strategy. Which ultimately will create one that provides a better user experience. In other words, your portfolio should be your most important UX project you ever work on. You heard me right, your most important project is not the one with the biggest name attached. It is the one that represents you. ✨ Because your portfolio doesn’t just showcase your skillset. It highlights your approach, how you apply those skills, and who you are as a designer. It’s a storytelling tool, not just a case study dump. Think about it. When hiring managers review your work, they aren’t just looking for polished UI screens. They’re looking for how you think, how you solve problems, and how you communicate your design decisions. They’re also looking for your personality. Your portfolio should make it easy for someone to get a sense of who you are, not just the work you’ve done. 🧐 Do you simplify complex problems? 🤝 Are you collaborative and thoughtful in your approach? 💡 Do you take initiative and iterate based on feedback? 📖 Can you tell a clear, engaging story that makes someone want to work with you? These are things that matter more than just having a big-name company or flashy project in your portfolio. So, if you’re spending all your energy chasing “impressive” projects but not thinking about how you present them, you’re missing the point. Your portfolio isn’t a collection of work. It’s the bridge between where you are and where you want to go. So, treat it like your biggest UX project. Because at the end of the day, it is.

Plenty of portfolios are good. A few really stand out. Most just don’t leave a lasting impression. They blur together. Not because the work isn’t good, but because it doesn’t tell a story. Same structure. Same tone. Same safe ideas. No clear point of view. No story. Just a list of projects trying to tick boxes. Your portfolio shouldn’t just show what you’ve done. It should show what you believe, how you think and where you’re going. Building a standout portfolio is hard work. You’ve already started. Now shape it with intent. Start with a strong structure for each project. Set the scene, the challenge and how did your idea solve it? Make it clear, fast. Nail the idea in a single, strong image or slide. Draw people in. What makes it original? Lead with that. Show it holds up. Prove the idea works in gnarly situations, not just the best-case one. Show it flex. Demonstrate how the idea works in new or unexpected contexts. Make it matter. Why does this connect with the people it’s for? Show what’s next. Could it grow? Evolve? Where could it go? Keep it tight. Cut anything that doesn’t help. Less, but better. Name it well. A strong name for ideas gives character and makes it sticky. Be honest. Lead with work you believe in. End with something clear. Finish each project with a simple insight. Why it mattered. What changed. What you learned. Each project tells its own story. Now connect them. Your portfolio should guide people through your work clearly and intentionally. Use everyday language. Not design terms. Would someone outside your industry understand it? Don’t just show final results. Show how you got there. Let people see your process, your thinking and your contribution. If the work made an impact, show that too. Be clear about collaboration. What was your role? What did you bring? Get the basics right. Make sure your site is fast, easy to navigate and works well on mobile. No broken links. No confusing formats. No distractions from the work. If time’s been tight, prioritise what matters most. Create the kind of work you want to be hired for. Work that shows your intent, not just your output. If you haven’t made the kind of work you love yet, start now. Don’t wait for permission. Make it yourself. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours. Remember, your portfolio is a work in progress. Keep refining it as you grow. Look at what others are doing. Spot what works and what fades into the background. Learn from both. Then find your own approach. What would make someone choose you? Be honest about what you’re showing and proud of what you choose to share. That’s your real brief. 🤝

Just because you’re posting every day doesn’t mean you’ll get opportunities. Many people are consistent, but invisible. They’re active, but not attractive. They post daily, but their inbox is still dry like Sahara desert. Their page has traction, but their career is static. Their captions are fire, but their positioning is cold. Posting is not positioning. Virality is not value. Activity is not strategy. This is how you actually document your journey in a way that attracts jobs, clients, collaborations, and even scholarships. 1. Don’t just say “I’m learning” — show how you’re applying it. A lot of you post things like: “I’m learning data analysis. I’m open to roles.” That’s not documentation. That’s declaration. Try this instead: “I analyzed sales data from my cousin’s boutique using Excel and visualized the best-selling categories in a dashboard. It helped her focus her next restock.” You don’t need a job to showcase value. Turn everything around you into case studies. 2. Stop hiding the struggle. Document the process, not just the wins. You’re spending too much time trying to look successful. But trust me, the posts that attract people are the real vulnerable ones. Talk about: ~ The day you almost gave up on tech because you couldn’t afford data. ~ How you balanced learning with caring for siblings. ~ What it felt like watching your friends get jobs while you got silence. That’s how you stand out. Because people don’t connect with perfection, they connect with your process. The journey is the proof. Show it. 3. Document like someone who knows where they’re going. Many of you are freestyling online. But opportunity favours people who look like they have a plan. Instead of posting “anything or everything” Craft your content like a digital portfolio. ~ If you want a remote customer support job — share how you handled angry customers at your mother’s buka. ~ If you want to be a content designer — document how you redesigned a confusing church bulletins so people understood better. Be strategic. Every post is a building block. Use it to shape how the world sees you. 4. Teach what you’re learning — even if you’re not yet an expert. You don’t need 5 years of experience to be valuable. All you need is to learn one thing and share it. Let’s say you just learned how to use Canva: “Today I designed my first social media flyer using Canva. Here's what I discovered about font pairing and color contrast.” Teach from where you are. You’ll build community, attract curiosity, and stand out without faking anything. You’re not here to impress. You’re here to evolve publicly and intentionally. If you’ve been showing up and still getting no traction, You don’t need to work harder, You need to position better.

93% of Junior UX portfolios I see don't do this. 😔 👇 ↳ Reflect Real-World Problem Solving: → Many portfolios show beautiful interfaces but fail to show the designer's process of solving problems that matter. 💡 Pro tip: If you're new to UX, don't use bootcamp or school projects only. Get freelance or hackathon work as case studies. ↳ Have Personal Branding: → Many UXers don't give enough background on themselves. Companies hire you, not your 𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐨. ↳ Showcase Collaboration and Feedback: → It's rare to see a designer's ability to: ✅ Work on a team ✅ Articulate their working process ✅ Show their design changes based on feedback ↳ Show the Research Process: → The best case studies tend to: ✅ Showcase qualitative and quantitative data to back their designs ✅ Incorporate their insights into their solutions ↳ Show Empathy and Understanding: → I've noticed many junior designers have zero context to their users and the business in their case studies. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘯: → Don't demonstrate their problem-solving process → Don't tell me why they did what they did and why it matters → Don't explain why their solutions help users and the business 🥇 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻: ☑ Craft a compelling story for your case studies that don't bore your reader to death ☠️. ☑ Show the results: what went wrong, what went right and what did you learn? ☑ Show how you've worked with others and leveraged feedback in your designs. ☑ Show your research process, how you gathered and interpreted data, and why it informed your design decisions. ☑ Articulate what problems you tackled and why. Show your thought process and how your design solves these issues effectively. ☑ Please for heaven's sake, get a real portfolio website. In this competitive market Dribbble sites, Behance sites, PDFs, and Figma files are not enough. ✨ Portfolios are hard to maintain and even harder to grow, but if you care about your UX career they are worth it. --- PS: What's stopping you from finishing your portfolio? Follow me, John Balboa. I swear I'm friendly and I won't detach your components.