hcid2014: personifying your portfolio. nick grantham, source

Personifying Your Portfolio

Nick GranthamSpecialist UX Recruiter @nickgrantham83

Making your portfolio speak for itself

Personifying your portfolio?


Why??


1.Times have changed - Clients always ask for portfolios

• More people know what they are looking for – not just UXers

• More dedicated UX people in the market – point of differentiation – can’t just rely on your CV

• As well as core UX roles there are also a number of hybrid roles that require more than just UX experience/knowledge – this needs to be shown


2.Representation of yourself- Showcasing

• Define who you are, what you can do and what you specialise in – again, don’t rely on your CV

• Potential to show cultural suitability – don’t be afraid to add a touch of character or your own style to your portfolio

• Set the expectation (show your calibre) – prove yourself


3. How you work - Not just where you worked

• So important!

• Proof that you can do the graft and thinking that comes before the pretty pictures

• Again – setting the expectation – showcasing your potential


4. Adds depth to your CV- Convince the client


• Anyone can call themselves a UX designer on their CV

How??


1. Show the approach

Most important of all – saying this at the start rather than leave till the end so if anything sticks at all it should be this!

• Process / Methodology / Show them how you work – not just picture of a few wireframes and a screen shot from the web – it’s the how that makes you a UX designer

• Don’t be afraid to show the dirty work

• Show your work – don’t rely on output your team has done


School science projects - stages


• Walk the reader through your work/project

2. Tell its own story… everyone loves a story!

• Don’t forget to annotate – but don’t make too text heavyNick Grantham

Specialist UX Recruiter @nickgrantham83

3. Button up your shirt, button up your presentation, whatever your style

• Consistency – make sure page 3 matches with page 10

• Represents your attention to detailNick GranthamSpecialist UX Recruiter @nickgrantham83

4. Engage - Not graphic design but do your best


5. Show ‘em what you got

• Deliverables – sketches, wireframes, low to high-fi prototypes, user journeys, research


Additional!!!

1. Don’t forget the CV

2. Case Studies


Any Questions?

You can contact me on

Email: [email protected]

Linkedin: uk.linkedin.com/in/nickgrantham/

Twitter: @nickgranthan83

Telephone: 020 3116 6727


hcid2014: personifying your portfolio. nick grantham, source

Recruiting & HR

ux experienceknowledge

ux designer dont

dedicated ux people

core ux roles

work dont

cv potential

cultural suitability

dirty work