Your UI/UX portfolio isn’t just a collection of work – it’s your professional identity. It should show how you solve problems, think creatively, and deliver results. Recruiters spend less than 5 minutes reviewing portfolios, so make every second count.
Key Projects to Include:
- Mobile Apps: Showcase user-first designs and problem-solving.
- Responsive Websites: Demonstrate flexibility across devices.
- E-commerce Platforms: Highlight designs that drive conversions.
- User Research Case Studies: Prove your analytical thinking.
- Design Systems: Show organised workflows and consistency.
How to Stand Out:
- Tell a Story: Explain your design process, from research to results.
- Use Metrics: Show measurable outcomes (e.g., improved task completion rates or user satisfaction).
- STAR Framework: Structure case studies with Situation, Task, Action, and Result.
- Follow Guidelines: Adhere to platform standards (e.g., Material Design for Android, HIG for iOS).
Focus on real challenges, practical solutions, and measurable impact to make your portfolio stand out.
What makes a GREAT UX Design Portfolio? (With examples)
1. Mobile App Projects
Mobile app projects are key portfolio pieces that highlight your ability to design for today’s mobile-first world. A strong mobile app project should clearly display your entire design process – from research to final implementation. Here’s how to organise these projects effectively:
Research and Problem Definition
Start by outlining the problem your app aims to solve, backed by research. For example, the AutoBuddy app tackled a specific issue: auto-garage professionals lacked digital tools for managing clients, tasks, and inventory. The research phase included:
- Interviews with six participants
- Online surveys for broader input
- Workflow analysis
- Identification of key challenges
User-Centred Design Process
Show how your research translates into actionable design insights. For instance, the mAadhaar app redesign involved:
- Analysing over 5,000 app store reviews
- Reviewing 1,000 forum discussions
- Creating detailed user personas
- Developing user journey maps to guide the design
Design Evolution
Document how your design evolved through different stages:
- Initial Concepts: Share early sketches and wireframes.
- Prototype Development: Present low-fidelity prototypes.
- Iteration Process: Explain how user feedback influenced changes.
- Final Implementation: Showcase the finished UI and justify your design choices.
Measuring Success
Provide metrics that validate your design solutions. For the AutoBuddy project, these included:
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Task Completion Rate | 100% for essential functions |
| System Usability Scale | Rated as "Good" |
| User Satisfaction | Positive feedback on digital job cards |
| Performance Improvements | Better inventory tracking efficiency |
Also, highlight specific features that addressed user needs. For example, the mAadhaar redesign simplified two-factor authentication and clarified the passcode change process based on user input.
Technical Considerations
- Follow Material Design principles for Android
- Adhere to Human Interface Guidelines for iOS
- Design responsive layouts for various screen sizes
- Optimise performance for better usability
Paying close attention to these platform guidelines showcases your problem-solving skills and commitment to user-focused design.
2. Website Design Projects
Website design projects expand on mobile design principles, showcasing your ability to craft smooth user experiences across various devices.
Responsive Layout Implementation
When structuring layouts, use these breakpoints:
| Screen Width (dp) | Layout Type | Columns | Gutter Width |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below 600 | Single column | 4 | 16dp |
| 600-840 | Multi-column | 8 | 24dp |
| 840-1280 | Full-width | 12 | 24dp |
| Above 1280 | Centered | 12 | 24dp |
Navigation Systems
Showcase flexible navigation designs that adapt to different devices:
- Primary Navigation: Highlight how menus transition from full navigation bars on desktops to hamburger menus on smaller screens.
- Secondary Navigation: Include features like breadcrumbs and tab bars for better usability.
- Search Functionality: Display search interfaces that adjust seamlessly across screen sizes.
Content Layout Strategies
Ensure content remains readable and well-structured across all devices by focusing on:
- Grid Implementation: Use CSS Grid and Flexbox for adaptable layouts.
- Typography Scaling: Adjust text sizes to suit various screen widths.
- Image Optimisation: Employ techniques that make visuals responsive without losing quality.
Interactive Elements
Highlight how interactive features improve user engagement without compromising performance:
1. Micro-interactions
Showcase small animations that provide feedback and enhance clarity.
2. Performance Optimisation
Focus on maintaining smooth performance across devices by:
- Using lazy loading for images.
- Optimising animation frame rates.
- Ensuring touch targets are at least 48dp for better usability.
3. Accessibility Features
Demonstrate inclusive design practices by incorporating:
- ARIA landmarks and labels.
- Keyboard navigation support.
- High-contrast colour modes.
- Compatibility with screen readers.
These elements ensure your designs are functional and enjoyable for a wide audience.
Documentation Format
Organise your website design projects with:
- A clear problem statement and defined objectives.
- Wireframes illustrating layout adjustments.
- Interactive prototypes to showcase functionality.
- Final implementations adapted to various breakpoints.
- Performance metrics and user feedback to validate your design choices.
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3. Online Store Design Projects
E-commerce projects demonstrate your ability to create shopping experiences that drive sales while meeting both user expectations and business objectives.
Key Elements
Homepage Design
A well-designed homepage should:
- Include no more than two calls-to-action
- Use a clean layout that highlights product categories
- Feature a prominent search bar with predictive suggestions
- Display key value propositions prominently above the fold
Product Discovery
Make it easy for users to find what they need with:
- Clear and user-focused category organisation
- Advanced filtering options
- High-quality, multi-angle product images
- Well-structured and informative product descriptions
| Element | Best Practice | Impact on User Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Search Bar | Autocomplete with predictions | Speeds up the search process |
| Product Filters | Horizontal layout for key options | Simplifies browsing |
| Image Gallery | Multiple angles with zoom feature | Increases buyer confidence |
| Size Charts | Interactive and easy to understand | Clarifies sizing information |
Once the discovery phase is optimised, focus on creating a smooth checkout process to maintain momentum and reduce drop-offs.
Checkout Flow
Boost conversions by refining the checkout experience:
-
Sign-in Options
- Allow guest checkout
- Enable social login
- Provide email authentication
- Use progressive forms to simplify steps
-
Cart and Purchase Flow
- Offer cross-selling suggestions
- Support multiple payment methods
- Minimise the number of form fields
- Use clear progress indicators
- Display transparent shipping details
- Include trust signals to reassure customers
With an average cart abandonment rate of 88.05%, clear communication and efficient design can make a big difference.
Documenting the Process
Track and present your work systematically:
- Identify initial conversion challenges
- Conduct user research to gather insights
- Create and refine wireframes
- Implement final designs
- Measure performance improvements
Even a small conversion rate increase, such as 0.5%, can have a major impact on revenue.
Micro-interaction Features
Enhance user engagement with:
- Subtle hover effects on product cards
- Smooth add-to-cart animations
- Loading indicators for better feedback
- Real-time form validation to prevent errors
4. Research and Testing Projects
Highlight your analytical and problem-solving abilities by showcasing well-documented research case studies. Here’s how you can effectively present your research work:
Research Documentation Structure
Organise your research findings in a clear and structured way:
Project Overview
- Define the problem
- Set specific objectives
- Explain why you chose particular methods
- Provide details about participant demographics
- Outline timeline milestones
Research Methods
Break down each method with corresponding outcomes:
| Method | Key Components | Documentation Elements |
|---|---|---|
| Usability Testing | Task scenarios, success metrics | Video clips, heat maps |
| User Interviews | Question framework, participant profiles | Key insights, verbatim quotes |
| A/B Testing | Variant designs, test parameters | Conversion metrics, statistical significance |
| Contextual Inquiry | Observation framework, environment details | Behavioural patterns, pain points |
These methods are essential for practical applications, as seen in the case studies below.
Case Study: WhiteHatJr‘s Classroom Transformation
WhiteHatJr’s group class transformation (Dec 2020–Feb 2021) is a great example of effective research documentation.
1. Primary Research
The team conducted interviews with 5 students and 5 teachers, along with contextual inquiries during live online classes. Key findings included:
- Students were easily distracted
- Many students had unanswered questions
- Complex interfaces made students uncomfortable
2. Implementation Impact
Using these insights, the following changes were introduced:
- Teacher-controlled video classrooms
- Minimal student video interfaces
- Breakout rooms
- Slideshows
- Coach marks
These updates led to noticeable improvements in teacher NPS scores and student engagement rates.
Usability Testing Documentation
When presenting usability test results, use these guidelines:
- Keep reports concise (under 10 pages)
- Prioritise issues based on severity
- Include video evidence to support findings
- Highlight both positive and negative feedback
Quantifying results helps demonstrate how research and testing lead to real improvements.
Impact Measurement
Track changes with both quantitative and qualitative metrics:
| Metric | Pre-Implementation | Post-Implementation |
|---|---|---|
| Task Completion Rate | Baseline percentage | Improved percentage |
| Time on Task | Initial duration | Reduced duration |
| Error Rate | Starting frequency | Decreased frequency |
| User Satisfaction | Initial NPS/CSAT | Enhanced scores |
redBus App Enhancement Study
The redBus App Enhancement Study (Aug 2024) showcases detailed research documentation. This project aimed to improve the bus booking experience for women travellers through:
- Heuristic evaluation
- Secondary research
- Usability testing with 4 users
- Competitive analysis
The research uncovered several challenges:
- Navigation difficulties
- Security concerns
- Dislike for excessive scrolling
- Confusion in pricing and booking sections
- Non-functional women booking filters
Document how these findings were translated into actionable design updates and measurable improvements in user satisfaction and booking completion rates.
5. UI Component Libraries
A UI component library is a great way to highlight your structured design approach across various products. Here’s how to effectively present your component library:
Component Documentation Structure
Your component library should include these key elements:
| Element | Documentation Requirements | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Design Principles | Visual hierarchy, spacing rules, accessibility standards | Builds a foundation for consistency |
| Core Components | Buttons, forms, cards, navigation elements | Outlines the basic building blocks |
| Component Variants | States, sizes, colour schemes | Showcases adaptability |
| Usage Guidelines | Implementation rules, do’s and don’ts | Ensures proper and consistent application |
Style Guide Integration
A style guide ties all these elements together. As Priyanka J from UX Planet explains:
"The Style Guide establishes the root for visual presentations and a design system connects components, patterns, and visuals together to become one single source of truth for products and brands."
Show how your style guide achieves the following:
- Maintains consistency across products
- Enhances team collaboration
- Speeds up the development process
- Ensures accessibility standards are met
Documentation Best Practices
To make your documentation effective, follow these steps:
- Clear Structure: Arrange your documentation logically, starting with foundational elements like colours, typography, and spacing. Provide practical examples that show how these basics combine into more advanced components.
- Implementation Details: Include details such as wireframes, prototype iterations, final implementations, and usage analytics.
- Version Control: Track updates systematically by documenting component changes, design decisions, user feedback integration, and performance improvements.
Measuring Impact
Use measurable data to demonstrate the effectiveness of your component library:
| Metric | Before Implementation | After Implementation |
|---|---|---|
| Development Time | 5 days per feature | 2 days per feature |
| Design Consistency | 70% match | 95% match |
| Team Adoption | 45% usage | 90% usage |
| Design Debt | 25 variations | 8 variations |
Wrapping Up
Looking back at the projects discussed, your portfolio should present a clear narrative of real challenges tackled and measurable outcomes achieved. A strong UI/UX design portfolio goes beyond showcasing polished designs – it should highlight how you solve practical problems.
Here’s how different project types can shape your portfolio:
| Project Type | Key Documentation Focus | Impact Highlighted |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile Apps | User research, iterative prototypes | Increased user engagement |
| Website Design | Responsive layouts, accessibility | Improved performance metrics and feedback |
| E-commerce | Conversion strategies, checkout flows | Boosted revenue and cart completion rates |
| Research Projects | Methodology, insights | Practical outcomes and lessons learned |
| Component Libraries | Architecture, usage guidelines | Enhanced development efficiency |
This breakdown shows what’s needed to craft a portfolio that stands out. The emphasis should always be on addressing real challenges, not just presenting an idealised workflow. Your portfolio should clearly demonstrate how your user-focused, systematic approach leads to practical solutions.
When showcasing your work:
- Detail your process thoroughly to give context.
- Emphasise collaboration to show teamwork.
- Quantify the impact of your designs wherever possible.
- Show variety by including diverse project types.
The key takeaway? Your portfolio should highlight how you turn ideas into actionable, effective solutions by following a structured and user-centred approach.