Designers are artists who breathe a touch of personality into a device. For a fast-paced life that we all live, it is what designers make that help us stop and take a minute. A UX designer portfolio is what sets a designer apart.
To be able to produce something which is aesthetically pleasing as well as efficient is the work that never goes unappreciated. User experience is the overall experience that a user has with the product. It is vital to understand the trends in UX to be able to produce an application that will fulfil everything that is being asked by the user.
Who is an UX designer?
A UX designer is one who formulates the integral system of a device or product or an application by acquiring it with the essential information and focusing on how the information is represented to the user.
It is true that the backbone of a product would be the development team as well the creative UX team which makes a project into art. For a UX designer, there are certain boxes that need to be checked. We are talking about building a brand that will instil a connection between a service and user. The innovation that goes behind having a bond with our daily gadgets is baffling.
UX Designer Essentials-Must haves
To become a selling UX designer, we must focus on building a UX Designer portfolio. But before that it is vital to brush over the set of skills that truly sets the few apart.
A User Research Skill
A UX designer must be understanding of the problem that they are trying to solve for this User research is very important. A UX Designer portfolio must contain a steady skill of conducting User Research based on real life examples to be able to create a source that will solve the problem.
Wireframing and UI Prototyping
Usage of wireframing and UI prototyping is essential in the portfolio of a designer. A wireframe is the blueprint of what needs to be put into an application to make it better and thus solving the need for a service like that. It is important for a UX designer to show that there is a need and now, a solution.
Architectural Representation
Architectural representation of information is another factor that helps sort information loaded onto the product. We don’t look for a blob of information being poured into our laps but instead, a steady and specific pop up of solutions. This skill shows the layout designing abilities of a designer.
User Empathy
What is user empathy? Well, while delivering a solution system, we need to be able to put ourselves in the shoes of the users and thus bring about a greater impact on the user with the product. User empathy vitalises the needs of the user and this is a great skill that a UX designer needs to possess.
What Every great UX Design Portfolio Needs?
In today’s day and age, it is essential to acquire skills that will set us apart from the masses. It is vital to grow in a field by understanding the depth of the concepts that are involved. Here are some of the basic things that every great UX Design Portfolio Needs.
Past projects
A UX Design Portfolio should maximum 3 of your past projects. A junior UX designer could include at least 2 projects. But make sure to choose the ones that have had a great impact.
A UX Designer must think of their portfolio as their selling tool and hence should bring forth only the best work they have done. when the interview is being conducted the other works can be mentioned. If there is a project that a designer has worked on but didn't turn out to be great it would still be mentioned.
Case studies justifying project decisions
A major way a UX Designer’s Portfolio catches the attention is by showing the process of decision making. for example;
- Showing the problem faced.
- Who worked along with the Designer
- the different tools used
- How was the problem solved
- The process of problem solving which could include; prototypes, sketches, wireframes, etc.
- The outcome
Dealing with NDAs
With a little bit of planning and carefulness this hurdle can be crossed.
- Start by blurring out the logos and censor anything that could lead to identification of the company.
- Instead of focusing on the company, focus on the process and contribution.
Hosting your UX Design Portfolio
it is always best for the Designer to create their own portfolio. If the website has a catchy name it will be easier for the interviewer to remember it. and it saves the energy and time of sending PDFs to multiple companies. This personal website can also contain blogs, videos and different pages where UX Designer can show off their skills.
Go out there and get experience in the same to be able to understand matters and have a glimpse of what the world of UI/UX holds. Here is a Complete guide on how to build a UX design career for those aspiring designers of the AI world.