I'm currently in the middle of a design project centred on building a fun portfolio experience. Fun for the readers.
As I've read, researched and talked to hiring designers, a theme emerged: case studies are formulaic and check-list like. There's a feeling of disconnection, a rote, factory-made like quality.
Today, I stumbled across a tweet by UX designer, Miriam Isaac which summed it up:
"I can't anymore with these, all the same, UX portfolios... I haven't quite formulated this. But it's all the same, the user personas, card sorting, IA, user flows, wireframes, prototyping. Real UX doesn't work like this. These portfolios aren't simulating real UX work."
Case studies are the bread & butter of portfolios. So, we have a problem here.
You see, portfolios are formulaic because entry level designers need to demonstrate their understanding of the UX process and their ability to execute. Recruiters are short on time. Designers are aware their portfolios will be skimmed and scanned so they're sticking to tested check-list methods rather than risking a creativity that'll get their folio thrown to the side.
I don't blame the designers. I'm yo-yoing up and down on the exact same issue.
The question becomes: how can I create unique, creative case studies while also demonstrating I have an understanding of the UX process and the ability to carry it out? Keeping in mind most recruiters and hiring managers are skimming and scanning, looking for signs of aptitude.
Well... the answer is what I'll attempt to find over the next ~2 months.
For the time being, here is the most useful tip I found from exploring the discussion that arose in Miriam's twitter thread:
“If a designer shows me ideas that did not work (and why) in their portfolio then they have my attention." - Maxim Leyzerovich
A few more prompts from Maxim:
What are ideas that did not work & why?
What are directions you did not take but explored?
How would you do it differently next time?
Paint a full picture of your thinking process. What didn't go well? What did you skip and de-prioritise? When did you pivot?
I know, it's scary. It feels risky. But I'm thinking of it as a filter for the types of companies and people I want to work with. I want to work with the people who will dig into the nuts and bolts of my thinking. People who are comfortable with mistakes, retraced steps and experimentation, they'll be the best mentors and the types of thinkers I want to learn from.
Lesson 4 in UX: show your mistakes.
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Further reading: The Case Study Factory
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