Are you ready to level up your UX/UI design game and create a killer portfolio that will grab the attention of potential employers?

Say goodbye to the hassle of dealing with file sizes and optimisation when using PDFs, and hello to digital portfolios. With so many website builders available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one, but don’t worry, I’m here to tell you the quickest and the most affordable way to make yourself visible instantly in the digital world. And what’s the best way to create a digital portfolio in minutes, you ask? Notion!

In this article, I’ll show you why Notion is the perfect tool for creating your first portfolio and what to include in it. Plus, I’ll give you a free template to help you get started, today. So, get ready to stand out from the crowd and land your dream job.

Why Notion?

Notion is more than just a note-taking app. It’s a free tool that lets you create unlimited blocks for your portfolio website. No need to pay the $ 150 USD minimum that other website builders charge. With Notion, you can quickly draft your portfolio hassle-free, especially when you’re new to building your UX/UI, and product design portfolio from scratch.

If you haven’t heard of Notion yet or you’re just curious about their establishment story so far, check out this video on YouTube.

How to start?

I’ve put together a free template for you on Notion that includes the essential elements you need to create a UX/UI, Product Design portfolio.

Click this link I’ve provided and you’ll be on your way to using my free Notion portfolio template. Once you’re there, click the ‘I want this’ button to continue. And all you need to do is find the top of the navigation bar and click ‘duplicate’ on the Notion template page to create your very own portfolio. It’s that easy!

※ If you’re happy with the template, kindly consider leaving a review on the platform. Your glowing review will keep my creative juices flowing, and inspire me to whip up more awesomeness just for you!

※ Just remember, the content is randomly generated for a fictional figure. While the content in the template is purely random, the foundational structure of the template is what’s important. So, take advantage of my template and make it your own. — Happy portfolio building! ✨

What to include in your portfolio?

To ensure your digital portfolio is comprehensive, be sure to include these three must-have sections: About Me, Work, and Experience. While it’s not mandatory, including testimonials from previous colleagues would be a huge plus.

About Me

: Make a great first impression with a brief, attention-grabbing introduction that tells hiring managers who you are and what you bring to the table. Think of it as your chance to showcase your strengths and make them want to learn more.

• Who you are
• Where you’re based
• What kind of designer you are (UX? UI? Product? Digital?)
• How many years of experience you have
• What is your current work status?
• Contact
• Link to CV/ Resume, social media, or side projects (Optional)

Example from my template

Let’s jazz up your profile with a cover that truly represents you. If you have a professional headshot that matches the vibe, even better.

Start off with a friendly greeting and introduce yourself with the key details I mentioned earlier. Don’t worry about writing a novel at the start — keep it short and sweet to leave them wanting more.

Link to your relevant social media accounts or website, and for extra flair, throw in some hobbies and interests for people to get to know you better. You can share more about your passions by linking them under the ‘Learn more about me’ section.

The purpose of the ‘Learn more about me’ section is to showcase your interests and personality beyond just your design work. This is your chance to share anything about yourself that would help potential employers get to know you better. By highlighting your background and hobbies, you can paint a fuller picture of who you are and what drives you.

Remember, the goal of this section is to help you find a company that’s the right fit for you. So don’t be afraid to show your true self! And if you can tie in your hobbies with your design principles, that’s even better — it’ll show that you’re a well-rounded designer with a unique perspective.

: Display your work and explain the process that led to the final design. Give an overview of your design process, including how you approached the challenge and the final outcome.

• Key visual / Thumbnail
• Title / Type of work
• Subtitle / A short intro
• When you worked on

Example from my template

To make a lasting impression on a hiring manager, your portfolio needs to be visually compelling and informative. Don’t underestimate the power of a well-designed thumbnail — it can draw the viewer in and make them want to learn more about your work.

When describing your projects, make sure to highlight their most important characteristics in a concise and impactful way. Use punchy language to keep the reader engaged and interested.

Using the gallery view of a table on Notion, I have included a sneak peek about each project, such as the description, the type of project and the date I worked on it. However, just wanted to give you a heads-up that the content in this document was randomly generated by AI. It won’t be the best representation of what a top-notch UX/UI case should look like at all, so no need to scrutinise the details too much!

※ If you’re interested in crafting compelling UX/UI case studies from scratch and enhancing your portfolio’s visuals, keep an eye out for my upcoming content. 🔔

Experience

: Highlight your relevant skills and hands-on experience, including what you’ve achieved in the roles and companies.

• Job title
• Type of employment
• Company

Example from my template

To clearly organise experiences, I have used the “Table View” database on Notion. This has allowed me to keep track of my different types of employment, including part-time and full-time work, freelance projects, and internships.

Additionally, I recommend using different coloured tags to specify each type of employment, which can make it easier to identify relevant experiences quickly. Furthermore, linking to a PDF, Figma, or Word format of my CV/resume would be helpful for recruiters, as some company collects the resume file for their record.

Testimonials (Optional)

: Testimonials can be a valuable addition to your portfolio, showcasing your skills and credibility from an external perspective. They provide context on how you approach design challenges, communicate with clients, and work within a team.

Example from my template

Consider including any positive feedback from previous colleagues or team members who have worked on your project with you. This can help to demonstrate that you are a valuable team player and can strengthen the impression that you make on potential employers.

Additionally, such feedback can help to highlight your specific strengths and contributions to previous projects, giving potential employers a more complete understanding of your capabilities.

What’s next?

If you create a portfolio using Notion, the default URL would look unappealing. However, there are many ways to resolve this issue, so you don’t need to worry!

Personalise your domain

It’s free to get your customised domain on Notion. Go to Settings to set up your custom domain. Then all your public Notion pages are live on [yourdomain].notion.site.

Share your Notion website

When you’re ready to share your portfolio, simply publish it by clicking the share button at the top and toggling on share to web. When you copy the URL, you’re all ready to share it with your network.

Even though you set up your custom domain, the URL would be still too long for some reason. (e.g. https://example.notion.site/This-is-an-example-2bfe9d37c8134dc793b4a08c4f8f) This wouldn’t look professional and appealing to hiring managers at all.

To resolve this, you have 3 options: go with a free solution, buy your custom domain or invest in a fully managed solution.

1. Simplify your URL for free
While it’s possible to shorten long URLs for free with services like Bitly or Rebrandly, it’s important to keep in mind that this may not contribute to your personal branding.

2. Purchase your custom domain
Make a professional impression and build your brand by getting your own domain for your Notion page. It’s a sustainable solution for your personal branding. Simply Purchase your desired domain with a registrar like GoDaddy, or Namecheap.

After then, try Fruition to connect your domain with Notion for free. With Fruition, you can build and customize your website using Notion pages. It supports custom domains, dark mode, Google Fonts, SEO, and script injection. The coolest feature is pretty URLs. You can find their step-by-step guide here too.

※ Don’t forget to add a link back to Fruition on your site as an attribute, so your readers know about this great resource.

3. Invest in a fully managed solution
Services like Simple.ink and Super offer unique domains with additional customization options that are explained further below.

Unleash your creativity with third-party tools

While Notion is great for quick and easy note-taking and organization, customization can be limited. But don’t worry. With the latest technology, there are third-party services that can help you upgrade your Notion portfolio with more unique features. For $12/month, you can use these tools to give your Notion page a more customized and professional look. Compare their plans below.

Resources to help you develop your Notion portfolio

Some great examples from other designers’ showcase:

Some useful tutorials to build your Notion portfolio from scratch:

💭 Do you want a more exceptional portfolio?

Once you get pretty confident enough to build your unique website, consider using Webflow, a professional no-code website builder specifically designed for designers. With a plethora of customization options and the ability to easily incorporate animated effects, Webflow can help you achieve a unique design view that stands out.

While the platform has a steeper learning curve and can be more expensive to maintain compared to other builders (starting at $16/month or $192/year), it offers unparalleled freedom to create distinct designs. If you’re just starting out with your portfolio and want to draft a fundamental structure, Notion is also worth trying. But once you have a clear idea of what you want to build, Webflow can help bring your vision to life.

As someone who has previously explored various platforms such as Wix and WordPress (+Semplice), I found that Webflow offered me the most flexibility and creative control for my current website. So, if you’re looking to create something truly exceptional, give Webflow a try.

In conclusion, building a portfolio website using Notion is an excellent starting point for designers who are new to website building. It’s quick, easy, and free. If you’re looking for more customization options, consider using third-party integrations or exploring platforms like Webflow. Regardless of the platform, make sure to showcase your skills, experience, and personality in your portfolio.

👋 Good luck!

☕️ Need some one-on-one guidance?

Get ready to level up your career or personal development with my one-on-one mentoring program. As your personal guide, I’ll help you navigate the ups and downs of your journey towards success.

Check out more details about my mentoring program and reviews from satisfied mentees, here.

• Feeling stuck in your career?
  My tailored coffee chats are designed to support your specific goals and get you where you want to go. Book now (30 mins)
• New to building your website portfolio?
  Start with my portfolio-building program and gain your own personalized website portfolio using my FREE Notion template. Book now (60 mins)
• Already have a portfolio but unsure how to make it stand out?
  Book now for my portfolio review program and receive actionable feedback to enhance your portfolio. Book now (45 mins)

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