How To Make a Portfolio for UI UX
You probably already know how to become a designer concerning UI/UX, so you know that you need a portfolio. The issue is not being a designer but showing what you have to offer, hence your portfolio’s primary purpose. Every skill requires you to create one, but creating a portfolio for UI UX is pretty different. There are several things to consider, and you need to express your skill best to others. You need the guide to creating the perfect portfolio, so let’s go through the steps it entails to create one.
What Is a Portfolio for UI UX?
UI/UX generally translates to the User Interface and User Experience combination skill designers use to create visual representations. You need to be proficient in different design fundamentals and theories to rank high as a designer in the industry. However, you cant prove your abilities without showing something to serve as proof which is the reason for creating portfolios. These portfolios give employers an idea of your capacity and help them know if you can meet their demands completely. Creating a portfolio for UI UX is an activity that you should take seriously for two significant reasons:
increase the amount you charge clients for your services
To make your employers see you as a capable designer
Differences Between A UI And UX Portfolio
The UI/UX skill combines two supporting skills as you read above, which means it’s in two sections. You can’t divide it and focus on a single area since projects need both the UI and UX aspects. However, one way to focus on a single factor is working with a desiccated team that only massive brands afford. Your UI UX design portfolio needs to contain the case studies you develop that aid your project decisions. It also has to include the design projects that serve as the visual representation of your design abilities. You can see it as an exhibition of the entire design cycle, from the sketches to the final design.
How Do You Create a Portfolio for UI UX
Creating a portfolio for UI UX is not that hard, but it might be time-consuming, especially if you start from scratch. The reason is that you need to include projects you have worked on that solve a particular problem. It can get confusing when considering UX or UI design projects for beginners since you are starting from scratch. Your best option is to complete your design training and then work on random UI UX design briefs. Here are some steps to help you through the process of creating a portfolio for UI UX:
- Categorize your projects
- Select varieties for showcase
- Pick a portfolio format
- Create your Portfolio for UI UX
- Receive feedback and iterations
Categorize Your Projects
Your first step in creating a portfolio for UI UX is gathering your pre-created projects into a single space. You can put them together by arranging them into a single folder but separately into sub folders per project. Each sub folder will contain the project details: the case studies, visual representations, and other deliverables. Categorizing your projects also helps you separate the completed projects from incomplete ones and note the changes you should apply. You can consider some UI/UX portfolio projects for beginners if you don’t have any, especially when starting from scratch.
Select Varieties to Showcase
Once you have prepared and organized your projects, the next step is to select the best and showcase them. Your aim is to show your design abilities with your design solutions to captivate potential employers with all your projects. You will need to consider your range when selecting the projects you plan to showcase to potential clients. Select 2 to 3 projects with different designs that solve various problems and include them when taken separately. Remember to not the case studies of each and polish them with a client brief or general requirements.
Select A Portfolio Format
Here is where the work starts since you need to get practical with building your portfolio for UI UX. You need to decide the platform best suits your taste and helps you achieve your job pitching purpose. Your choice includes but is not restricted to using Web-based, document-based, physical product, or deliverable-based portfolios. Web-based portfolio, in particular, will require you to use a platform like Behance or create a personal portfolio website. Others serve your portfolio purpose as digital deliverables or print that you can include in a physical folder for exhibition.
Create Your Portfolio for UI UX
It’s time to create your portfolio after selecting your chosen platform to show your design and research ability. You have selected one of the different formats, but you can still work with them regardless of your format choice. Create a template that implements your format of choice and tailor your projects to it as you create your portfolio. It will serve as your specialties and is how prospective employers see you, so always consider your range. Employers don’t always have time to contact every last designer, so make it the best you can display to them.
Receive Feedbacks
Some famous portfolio websites like Behance and Dribble allow you to create a portfolio and put up different projects. It focuses on helping designers get inspiration from other designers’ projects, just like social media for design portfolios. You will definitely get some feedback through upvotes or even emails from people with things to say. These portfolio websites are famous, so getting this feedback is easier, but your website isn’t any different. However, it’s easier to get contacted by potential clients or employers directly from your portfolio website, since it’s for you. It works like a sales funnel, and every showcase you do on your portfolio website leads visiting clients to you.
Conclusion
You can’t stress the importance of building a portfolio for UI UX since it greatly affects you when getting jobs. Employers can always stumble on your portfolio and contact you after it piques their interest to a certain degree. However, they won’t just see you and know what you have to offer without some visual proof. So, work on creating the best portfolio you can and land that job you have been aiming at.