building a (good) ux portfolio

Building a UX Portfolio Thursday, October 30, 2014 Prof. Craig M. MacDonald

Pratt UX/IA Monthly Meeting

good^

Prof. Craig M. Macdonald | Pratt UX/IA 10/30/2014

Two Questions:

Q1: What does a good UX portfolio look like?

Q2: How do I make a good UX portfolio?

10/30/2014 Prof. Craig M. Macdonald | Pratt UX/IA

Q1: What does a good UX portfolio look like?

10/30/2014 Prof. Craig M. Macdonald | Pratt UX/IA

A1: It should show that you know:

1. Principles 2. Processes 3. Tools 4. Experiences 5. Stories

10/30/2014 Prof. Craig M. Macdonald | Pratt UX/IA

1. Principles Do you know basic UX/usability principles? Can you use UX terms/jargon appropriately?

10/30/2014 Prof. Craig M. Macdonald | Pratt UX/IA

2. Processes Are you comfortable with the UX process? Do you know the basic methods and how they fit?

10/30/2014 Prof. Craig M. Macdonald | Pratt UX/IA

3. Tools Are you familiar with some UX tools? Are you competent/proficient with at least one of them?

10/30/2014 Prof. Craig M. Macdonald | Pratt UX/IA

4. Experiences Do you know how to make intuitive, engaging, and memorable experiences?

10/30/2014 Prof. Craig M. Macdonald | Pratt UX/IA

5. Stories Can you use visual/written communication to tell a good story?

10/30/2014 Prof. Craig M. Macdonald | Pratt UX/IA

Q2: How do I make a good UX portfolio?

10/30/2014 Prof. Craig M. Macdonald | Pratt UX/IA

A2: If only we had a process for this…

10/30/2014 Prof. Craig M. Macdonald | Pratt UX/IA

Creation Sketch/Make

Assessment Evaluate/Measure

Research Understand/Learn

Practice what you preach!

10/30/2014 Prof. Craig M. Macdonald | Pratt UX/IA

Step 1: Research §  Make a list of all your content:

what do you have to show? §  Look at other UX portfolios: what

do they do well? §  Look at job descriptions: what are

hiring managers asking for? §  Think about how you want to sell

yourself – what are your strengths? How do you want to be seen? (Hint: NOT as a student!)

10/30/2014 Prof. Craig M. Macdonald | Pratt UX/IA

Step 2: Create/Assess §  Sketch out what you want it to

look like - show it to other people for feedback

§  Draft your written stories – show them to other people for feedback

§  Put it together into a web-based format – show it to other people for feedback

§  Continue iterating/revising as you add projects and get feedback

10/30/2014 Prof. Craig M. Macdonald | Pratt UX/IA

Useful Resources 10 UX Portfolios Done Right

http://www.creativebloq.com/ux/product-portfolios-61412126

10 Steps to a Better UX Portfolio

http://uxmastery.com/10-steps-to-a-perfect-ux-portfolio/

Portfolio Tips for UX Professionals

http://betteruxportfolios.wordpress.com/

UX Portfolios: How to Tell Your Story

http://www.slideshare.net/usabilitycounts/ux-portfolios-how-to-tell-your-story

10/30/2014 Prof. Craig M. Macdonald | Pratt UX/IA