Portfolio example
UX and product designer portfolio examples
A UX portfolio is judged less on how polished the screens look and more on how clearly you explain your thinking. Hiring teams want to see how you frame problems, work with research and make trade-offs under real constraints. Here is how to structure case studies that show that.
Recommended template: Cupertino. Open it in Portfolio Studio and replace the sample content with yours.
What to include
- Two to four in-depth case studies rather than many shallow ones
- A clear statement of the kind of design you do: research-heavy, interaction design, design systems or end-to-end product work
- Your role on every project, especially when you worked with other designers, researchers or engineers
- A short about page covering your background, the domains you know and how you like to work
- A downloadable resume and an easy way to contact you
How to structure a UX case study
Most hiring managers skim a case study first, then read the parts that interest them. Write a summary block at the top with the problem, your role, the timeline and the outcome, so a skim still tells the whole story.
Below the summary, walk through the work in the order decisions were made. Show early sketches and discarded options next to the final design, and explain why you moved on from them. The reasoning between the screens is the part that gets you hired.
- Context: the product, the users and the business goal
- Problem: what was not working, backed by data or research findings
- Process: research methods, key insights, explorations and the trade-offs you weighed
- Solution: the final design with annotated screens or a short prototype recording
- Impact: metrics such as task completion, conversion or support tickets, or qualitative findings if numbers are not available
- Reflection: what you learned and what you would test next
Homepage copy and example headlines
Your opening line should tell a recruiter, in one glance, what problems you are good at. Mention the domain if you have depth in one, because specialised experience is often what gets a portfolio shortlisted.
- Product designer simplifying complex workflows for finance and operations teams
- UX designer focused on accessible, research-led mobile experiences
- Design systems designer helping product teams ship consistent interfaces faster
Design tips for the portfolio itself
Recruiters will notice whether your own site follows the principles you talk about. Clear hierarchy, readable type and obvious navigation matter more than unusual layouts.
- Use large, legible body text and keep line lengths comfortable for long case studies
- Annotate screenshots so the reader knows what to look at, rather than placing full screens without explanation
- Check colour contrast and alt text; accessibility gaps in a UX portfolio are noticed
- Add a table of contents or section links to long case studies
- Use consistent device frames and image sizes so the work feels considered
Common mistakes to avoid
- Following a rigid double-diamond template for every project even when the real process was different
- Showing only final, polished screens with no explanation of how you got there
- Claiming sole credit for team work, which often comes out in interviews
- Using generic personas and journey maps that clearly did not influence any decision
- Case studies so long that the outcome is buried at the bottom
Getting found and sharing it
Give each case study a descriptive title and its own page, for example Redesigning onboarding for a B2B analytics tool. That makes the work easier to share in applications and helps it appear in search.
If a portfolio is password protected because of client work, make sure at least one case study is public so a recruiter can judge your work without having to email you first.
Frequently asked questions
How many case studies should a UX portfolio have?
Two to four detailed case studies is the usual sweet spot. Choose projects that show different skills, for example one research-heavy project and one focused on interaction or visual design.
Can I include concept or personal projects?
Yes, especially early in your career. Be clear that the project is self-initiated and hold it to the same standard: real user input, explicit constraints and honest reflection on what you would change.
Should a UX portfolio include visual design work?
Include it if the roles you want involve visual or interface design. For research-focused roles, a strong process and clear outcomes matter more than high-fidelity screens.
How do I show impact without access to metrics?
Use qualitative evidence such as usability test findings, stakeholder decisions your work influenced or reduced effort for a task. Say plainly that you did not have access to post-launch data rather than inventing numbers.