One of the first steps in the application process is looking at your UX portfolio. Your cover letter gives us an impression, but your portfolio gives us an even much better picture of your skills as a (UX) designer.
We are always looking for a special profile. Someone with a specific skill level or a few years of work experience. A design portfolio gives us a good idea of this. Read our tips on how to blow us away with your UX design portfolio here.
Want to apply to a design agency but not sure where to start? Read our article: 4 tips on how to score your internship at a design agency.
Well formatted pdf or showcase your UX portfolio online
You really don't need to build your portfolio website yourself from scratch. That is not your expertise. In fact, a well-formatted pdf is also fine.
If you do opt for an online portfolio, buy your own domain name. It looks much more professional if your portfolio can be found at https://mijnportfolio.nl, instead of https://mijnportfolio.wixsite.nl or something similar. A domain name, especially with the extension .nl, is usually not expensive at all.
Bonus tip: The less time it takes us to see your work, the better. So don't hide your work under 100 clicks.
Think about the content of your portfolio
Okay, so what do you put in your UX portfolio? In the ideal world, we see a well-stocked portfolio of work for real clients, tailored to the job you are applying for. We also know that this is not always realistic for everyone. But, what then?
"I only have group work from my training."
It's hard for us to figure out what you can do from group work. Was it your job to figure out colours? Did you do the UX behind it? Did you connect the dots? So our advice is to leave out group work unless you can explain well and concretely what you did about it.
"I didn't do any real jobs besides my education," he says.
No problem. There are many other ways to fill your design portfolio. You can create redesigns on your favourite websites. You can use 'prompt generators' to create commissions. And you can work out your own wild fantasies, of course. Either way, we want to see what you can do.
"In my spare time, I make graphics, digital art and posters," he says.
Hearty, as an addition. Before applying, check whether your work matches the company. At Concept7, for example, we make websites and applications. A portfolio with only other work (such as graphics and dtp work) does not give us a picture of your skills for our vacancy as a ux/ui design intern.
Bonus tip: Do you know someone in the design business? Ask him/her for feedback, especially if this person has a few years of experience!
Explain your UX portfolio
Ultimately, of course, your goal is to get an interview. Of course, we will then ask you to explain your portfolio to us. However, we appreciate it if you explain a few things in your portfolio. Without an explanation, we will only look at your portfolio and draw our own conclusions;
Your explanation need not be long, keep it short and to the point. Get to the point quickly: what did you do? Why in this way? What were your obstacles? Maybe you are not at all happy with a certain outcome, but you learnt a lot from the project. This is also something you can explain.
For it is not just about your 'hard skills', but also your 'soft skills'. How do you handle things, how do you respond to feedback, how do you develop yourself? This is almost as important.
Want to know more about a job interview? Then read our article 'You can learn how to apply'.
What are you waiting for? Send us your design portfolio!
You now have all the info to put down your best portfolio. So what are you waiting for? Send your UX design portfolio quickly to hallo@concept7.nl 😉
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