When I started as a graphic designer back in 2008 I had some very basic knowledge of Photoshop and Corel Draw and my portfolio was a zip.- archive with a few examples of my work. I think a handful of logos, some digital illustrations, and GIF animations were inside there. I have grown up as a designer a lot since then. Many times I adjusted my preferences within the design industry and the industry itself changed a lot. But still, there is no right or wrong when creating your design portfolio but the way you present your work matters.

I know, there is a lot of advice out there on how to present your work and it could be a certain time pressure: maybe you are finishing a UX Bootcamp right now, and looking very much forward to starting job hunting. Under these circumstances, it could be very possible that your design portfolio won’t be a masterpiece. And it’s okay. There are at least three important things to think about before jumping into doing:

What to showcase

Think about three finished projects or case studies that you are comfortable discussing. It's okay if some of your accomplished projects are still in a messy Figma file. The creative process is never linear, and a button design can go through several iterations. It is important to tell a short but clear story in your case study. Explain the challenge, who else was involved, and what you have learned from the process. To find inspiration, take a look at this project of mine.

Where to showcase

Now you need to decide if you want to create a custom website with or without coding. Alternatively there are creative networks like Behance, Adobe, Webflow, Dribble, or Notion. I myself didn’t want to depend on rapidly changing conditions and decided to get into WordPress. To make my designer life easier and a bit more visually appealing I got me a version of Semplice and I am still very happy about my decision. 

How can I make my creative process more effective?

Very often, your creative work can become your daily routine. This can be isolating, frustrating, and even intimidating, as you may unknowingly byppassing the imposter syndrome. If you're feeling stuck at any stage of your process, it might be a good time to look for some external opinion. Reach out to me at ADPList or Meander, or find other mentors who generously share their time and resources. Remember, a feedback or a fresh perspective can revive a project that seems almost dead but still has potential.

My path into the creative field began with studying art and the basics of graphic design. Looking back then with all my academic and work experience as a visual/graphic designer and artist transitioned to product, I have to admit how important is the ability to re-use your previous knowledge in a new role. And especially it is related to those, who make a career change without a previous design background.
Here is a very simple exercise I made while fully dedicating myself to UX/UI design and lowering the power of the internalized imposter over me. All you need is to take a pen and a paper and finish the following sentence:

“As a [your previous role], I realized [what]. The same principle applies to [your new role]".

Here are some of my examples:

As a UI artist, I understood the importance of engaging and simple interfaces. The same principle applies to UX/UI design; creating intuitive digital experiences and testing them is mandatory when it comes to designing accessible interfaces.

As a graphic designer, I know the value of dedicating myself to details in visual communication. The same principle applies in UX design; the entire experience must be predictable, consistent and pleasurable for the customers.

As a visual designer, I understand the importance of experimenting and playing with different tools in visual communication to create a message that is unique and stands out. The same principle applies in design research; exploring and applying various research methods helps better empathize with the target audience.

As a visual designer and artist, I realized that research plays an inevitable role in my creative process. The same principle applies in UX design; user research is a significant part of the entire design process.

As a visual designer and artist, I recognize the value of empathy when creating for other people. The same principle applies in design research; Understanding what people think, feel, and experience leads to designs, that are truly relevant to the customers.

As a visual designer, I know the importance of investigation and development of aesthetic strategies. The same principle applies in UX design; incorporating a visually appealing, sort of emotional experience is a part of any successful product. 

Good luck and have fun 🙂