This series of articles, aims to be a succinct reflection on topics that are in dire need of continuous attention and dare I say it, upkeep.

I have written on the topic of portfolios before, and how they’re so fundamental when it comes to how Designers showcase who they are and how they communicate. These days, in the midst of so many people changing jobs, of re-thinking standard models of co-location and remote work, Designers have far more opportunities to shape their careers in whatever paths and directions they choose to go. However, in a world of remoteness, of varied opportunities, that also means investing time in one self, in how we showcase what we can do and how we do it. All of these aspects usually start with having a Multiplatform online showcase, which speaks volumes about who we are as professionals, and to a certain extent, who we are as individuals. Here are some recommendations on this topic, something that I’ve observed from years in the field, both as an applicant and as a hiring manager.

1. Create a portfolio — Designers without portfolios is analogous to someone not having a fingerprint (remember the serial killer from David Fincher’s “Seven”, that’s very similar). A portfolio is not just a listing of projects, which you display chronologically or by relevancy, more importantly, it’s a showcase of who you are, and what you have done professionally. It’s also an opportunity to demonstrate how you communicate, how you explain what you do, and just as importantly, illustrate how your point of view comes across from an organizational standpoint, from a problem solving standpoint and also aesthetically speaking, what resonates with you. Creating a portfolio isn’t like pouring cement on something, and just leaving it there for all eternity. If done well, a portfolio is very much like a design system. Something that you evolve, refine, and constantly update, since it’s a representation of who you are and how you’re evolving as a professional.
2. Structure what you want to showcase — Some designers focus on Interaction, others on Research, some others on UI, the fields are varied, but the common denominator remains summarized in this statement: explain who you are, your journey, and what you’ve been doing. If you’re an Interaction Designer, when crafting case studies, make sure you identify the problem statement, the clients/users of the proposed solution, the team you worked with, the timelines involved, the KPIs measured, what you eventually delivered, how clients responded to those solutions, essentially tell a story. This outline of a structure can be applicable to any type of project, particularly since a Designer is a problem solver, working alongside diverse teams, all converging to solve and deliver solutions that are sensical.
3. Things to avoid & elements to focus on — The same way there are Dark UX patterns, here are some things to avoid when crafting a portfolio. Avoid the temptation of having too much “social proof” scattered throughout the portfolio. Having a few references or recommendations is perfectly adequate, and these can additionally be linked to a Linkedin profile. Overpopulating the portfolio with catchy sentences, can veer towards egocentrism, and make people who are visiting your portfolio question why the need for so many quotes. As much as you want to build credibility for yourself, always remember to be self aware, and ultimately, listing a few impactful recommendations always reads better than 15 poorly chosen ones.
   Also make sure there is consistency in how you showcase your work. Craft a format and try to be consistent in its application. This demonstrates an attention to detail, a thoroughness of approach, and allows people to understand your point of view. Make sure you also list other initiatives you are involved in, or other design platforms you have work listed on. Forcing people to go back and forth to a resume or to an email, in order to figure out what additional endeavors you have been involved in, can be frustrating.
   Be mindful of applying certain transitions or virtuous technical enhancements to a portfolio. While some transitions can add delight and showcase technical proficiency, not every single element of your portfolio needs to be animated (remember when Homer Simpson created his first website, episode 6 from the 12th season of the show “The Simpsons”, with the title “The Computer Wore Menace Shoes”).
   Keep in mind to use a site format that is mobile friendly, and somewhat contemporary in its approach. While the site format doesn’t need to be one listed on “Site Inspire” or “Awwwwards”, it shouldn’t be something that clearly demonstrates that whomever crafted that portfolio, hasn’t worked on it since 2005.
   Avoid having portfolios that are links to PDFs that are 80 pages long. Yes, 80 pages (or more) long. Ask yourself the question: “If I was a hiring manager, would I want to read through 80 pages of something to make a decision to interview someone”. The ability to be succinct and craft something with an arc, namely a beginning, middle and final chapters is fundamental. Having an actual online portfolio, forces designers to organize their work in a sensical manner, something that a PDF waters down. PDFs are of enormous value when you want to share the content of something with a certain amount of depth, be it a housing contract, or white papers or even legalities. Designers who rely on PDFs to showcase their work, typically are fearful some detail may be lost when shaping their portfolio. Remember that people want to understand how you distill complexity into information which can be consumed in sizable chunks. Crafting PDFs with 100 pages is more of a disservice, than an illustration of your comprehensive thought process.
   Finally, make sure you have contacts listed on the portfolio, in case someone wants to reach out. A personal email reference suffices.
4. Small Note — Some professionals try to demonstrate the quirkiness of their personalities by dropping what they think to be humorous elements, jokes or even pop culture references that are clear for them, but can otherwise be challenging for others. While having a sense of humor is great, remember that cuteness is not a quality that can be effectively measured, and not everyone responds to it the same way.

Hope this brief article gives everyone something to think about. I’ll wrap this article with this quote from Christopher Morley on the topic of communication:

“There is only one rule for being a good talker — learn to listen.”