top 10 portfolio questions for ux & visual designers
TRANSCRIPT
The Top 10 Portfolio Questionsfor UX and Visual Designers
(and my answers)
Q: Who am 1?
Everything... but the games and external marketing
StudentIllustratorFreelancerArt DirectorHiring Manager
EngineerEntrepreneurContributorFilter TalentFilter Client
Practical UX/UI Designer
Who are you?
Students?Illustrators?Freelancers?Web Designers?UX/UI?
Copywriters?Content Strategists? Photographers?Visual Designers?Career Changers?
#10
Q: How many pieces should be in a portfolio?
7±2As many as it takes
Only your latest workIt depends...I don’t know
All of the above
A: You will be remembered by your worst piece.
Be selective(Reviewers are too)
Relevant, real and ready for scrutiny
Yes... There are exceptions(freelance business, agency & single project)
#9
Q: How should it be presented?
(How do you call out work and how much detail do you provide?)
A: Quick synopsis that leaves the reviewer wanting more.
You have to tell them(Don’t let the work “just speak for itself ”)
Explain what was done(The problem, what you did and the outcome)
ProblemAudience
Project DurationYour Involvement
Press LinksAwardsMetrics
Include Metrics(Implies you understand business needs)
#8
Q: How do I present work that I did on a team without taking credit for the whole project?
(How do you call out what you did vs. someone else?)
A: Say so.
Role at time of creation(Identify work as team, collaboration or
feature task during a project phase)
I did the red portion
I did the red portion
#7
Q: Can I include student work?
A: Only if it doesn’t look like it.
Replace it ASAP(Volunteer, pro bono, concepts,
collaborations & personal projects)
It takes time...
#6
Q: How do you handle NDA work?
A: With non disclosure.
Don’t Show It(or don’t sign it... I know... it hurts)
This is Tough(because as a reviewer, I want to see)
If you are going to betray the confidence of a prior employer,
how can I trust you?
Password protected siteSwitch out the logoPlaceholder content
Printed portfolioPersonal machine
Share during interview
Password protected siteSwitch out the logoPlaceholder content
Printed portfolioPersonal machine
Share during interview
#5
Q: How do you choose what to include?
A: By handing out roses.
Mediocre workNo online portfolio
Unfinished workNo recent work
All process... no final
Mediocre workNo online portfolio
Unfinished workNo recent work
All process... no final
Your best workShowcase strongest talents
Demonstrate applicable skillsCrossover skills
Representative, recent & recognizable
Remember to be selective(Reviewers are playing “The Bachelor” too)
#4
Q: Should I include work that doesn’t reflect my style if its
for a well-recognized company?
A: If it’s good, why wouldn’t you?
Designers and WritersGreat value in being versatile
IllustratorPhotographer
If you feel pigeonholedNotoriety
#3
Q: What do you hate to see missing or included in a portfolio?
A: Lying, %$@*#! & NSFW.
Poor quality portfolios are good(They save me a lot of time)
Lying by Omission(Describe your role and contribution)
This isn’t a value judgement(But a liability in a professional environment)
#2
Q: How long do you spend looking at a portfolio? What makes you
decide to look closer?
A: Less than 10 seconds.(If you’re lucky)
Application SystemRecruiter
Office ManagerHiring ManagerReferral Process
Whole Team Review
A: Exhibit design approach.
At a glanceBrowsing
Deeper dive
#1
Q: What do you look for in a portfolio as a hiring manager?
A: Is this someone I want to interview?
(A: Everything we’ve just covered.)
Portfolios get your foot in the door(Nothing more)
I haven’t hired “by the book”Referrals & connectionsAt least a phone screen
Some interview loops take weeks
Q: What are the questions a hiring manager is thinking
during an interview?
A: Invite me back.(This is another topic. ^_^)
A: Invite me back.(This is another topic. ^_^)
Q: Any suggestions for our portfolio reviews today?
A: Discuss with your group(Agree? Disagree? Agree to disagree?)
Q: Can we ask more questions?
What do you think of Behance?What about PDFs & physical portfolios?What traditional work do you like to see?What other skills to you look for?What do you look for in a resume?How do you present in a group setting?
Thank-you.