You need to create a product design portfolio. What are the most important things to consider? (2024)

Last updated on Mar 2, 2024

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Define your goals

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2

Select your projects

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3

Tell your stories

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4

Show your skills

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5

Optimize your portfolio

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Here’s what else to consider

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If you are a product designer, you know how important it is to showcase your work and skills in a portfolio. A portfolio is more than just a collection of images and screenshots. It is a way to tell your story, demonstrate your process, and highlight your value as a designer. But creating a portfolio can be challenging and time-consuming. You need to consider many factors, such as what projects to include, how to present them, and how to optimize them for different platforms and audiences. In this article, we will share some tips and best practices on how to create a product design portfolio that stands out and impresses potential clients, employers, and collaborators.

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1 Define your goals

Before you start designing your portfolio, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with it. What kind of work do you want to do? Who do you want to reach? What message do you want to convey? Your goals will help you decide what projects to include, what format to use, and what tone and style to adopt. For example, if you want to work as a UX designer for a social media app, you might want to showcase projects that demonstrate your user research, wireframing, prototyping, and testing skills, as well as your understanding of the target audience and the market trends. You might also want to use a responsive and interactive portfolio website that reflects your design aesthetic and personality.

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2 Select your projects

Once you have defined your goals, you need to select the projects that best represent your skills, experience, and interests. You don't need to include every project you have ever done, but rather focus on the ones that are relevant, recent, and remarkable. A good rule of thumb is to include 3-5 projects that showcase your range and depth as a product designer. You should also consider the quality, diversity, and impact of your projects. Choose projects that are well-executed, that show different aspects of your design process, and that have a clear problem, solution, and outcome. You should also avoid projects that are too similar, too outdated, or too confidential.

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3 Tell your stories

A product design portfolio is not just about showing the final results of your projects, but also about explaining the context, challenges, and decisions behind them. You need to tell your stories in a way that engages and informs your audience, and that demonstrates your problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills. For each project, you should provide a brief introduction that summarizes the project's goal, scope, and role. Then, you should describe the main stages of your design process, such as research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration. You should also highlight the key insights, learnings, and feedback that guided your design choices. Finally, you should show the outcomes and impact of your project, such as metrics, testimonials, or awards.

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4 Show your skills

A product design portfolio is also a way to show your technical and creative skills as a designer. You need to use different tools and techniques to present your projects in a clear, attractive, and professional way. You should use high-quality images, videos, animations, or mockups to showcase your visual design skills and your attention to detail. You should also use interactive elements, such as links, buttons, sliders, or modals, to showcase your interaction design skills and your ability to create engaging and intuitive user interfaces. You should also use code snippets, diagrams, or annotations to showcase your development skills and your understanding of the technical aspects of your projects.

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5 Optimize your portfolio

A product design portfolio is not a static and one-size-fits-all document. It is a dynamic and adaptable tool that you need to optimize for different platforms and audiences. You need to consider how your portfolio will look and function on different devices, such as desktops, tablets, or smartphones. You should use a responsive and accessible design that adapts to different screen sizes, resolutions, and orientations. You should also use a fast and secure hosting service that ensures your portfolio loads quickly and smoothly. You should also consider how your portfolio will appeal and communicate to different types of viewers, such as clients, employers, or peers. You should use a clear and concise language that explains your design process and value proposition. You should also use a consistent and distinctive branding that reflects your identity and style as a designer.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Product Design You need to create a product design portfolio. What are the most important things to consider? (5)

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You need to create a product design portfolio. What are the most important things to consider? (2024)

FAQs

You need to create a product design portfolio. What are the most important things to consider? ›

Aesthetics:

Aesthetics is the final and most crucial factor that needs to be considered in product design. Customers have their own aesthetics, and they purchase products guided by this sense.

What's the most important consideration when designing a product? ›

Aesthetics:

Aesthetics is the final and most crucial factor that needs to be considered in product design. Customers have their own aesthetics, and they purchase products guided by this sense.

What is important in a design portfolio? ›

Showcase your range of skills

You don't want your prospects to see multiple pieces that are all visually similar, so don't be afraid to mix it up a bit. Show projects at different stages of the design process to provide insight into how you work. Include images of your designs in use, if possible.

What should be included in a product design portfolio for university? ›

The portfolio should reflect your subject choice, for example, we would expect a Product Design portfolio to demonstrate your creative work and ideas which include the following: Scans from your sketchbook, demonstrating your ideas. Development drawings and photographs of your 3D work.

What are the three 3 things need to consider in developing product design? ›

Viability, feasibility, and desirability all come into play.” Many organizations believe they are capable of all these things but discover along the way that they lack mission-critical capabilities. It is far more advantageous to plan for this at the beginning of the product development process, not the end.

What are the 5 design considerations? ›

5 Design Considerations When Building In Harsh Environments
  • Material Selection. Selecting the appropriate materials is essential for designing structures in harsh environments. ...
  • Structural Design And Modularity. ...
  • Energy Efficiency And Sustainability. ...
  • Adaptability And Flexibility. ...
  • Occupant Comfort.

What are some considerations in designing a portfolio? ›

The visual side of an effective design portfolio
  • Know the reason behind your portfolio. ...
  • Create it as a form of personal branding. ...
  • Display the right amount of work. ...
  • Tell a visual story. ...
  • Show it in action. ...
  • Your portfolio is your personality. ...
  • Explain your creative process. ...
  • Showcase side projects.

What is the most important consideration when designing a portfolio assessment? ›

Three main factors guide the design and development of a portfolio: 1) purpose, 2) assessment criteria, and 3) evidence (Barton & Collins, 1997). The primary concern in getting started is knowing the purpose that the portfolio will serve. This decision defines the operational guidelines for collecting materials.

What do people look for in a design portfolio? ›

Just show us the 2-3 projects you think have been the most impactful or that best demonstrate your range of skills. We also don't care if your portfolio doesn't look like an expensive design agency produced it. We care about the substance and clarity of your content design work much more than the package it comes in.

What makes a good product portfolio? ›

An effective product portfolio strategy should contain five elements — an overarching vision that describes its purpose, the positive change it should bring about; the markets and market segments the portfolio serves; the overall value it creates for the users and customers; the business benefits it helps achieve; and ...

How do I make a good design portfolio? ›

Take the following steps to create the best portfolio:
  1. Curate your best work.
  2. Include a case study.
  3. Choose the right platform for your online design portfolio.
  4. Show your personality.
  5. Spread the word.
Jan 4, 2024

What is product portfolio design? ›

A product portfolio is the menu of goods or services that a firm produces and offers for sale. Analysis of product portfolios can give deep and nuanced insight into the workings of a company and its earnings potential. Product portfolios will tend to be different for mature vs. younger growth companies.

What makes a design portfolio stand out? ›

Tell your story. Show your passion and give a summary of your professional background and experience. Outline your technical and creative skills and discuss how you gained these. Be careful not to make this too long as you want them to focus on your talent and work, not your pet cat.

What should not be included in a design portfolio? ›

DON'T: include everything

You're proud of everything you've ever created, there's no shame there. But here's the thing – you don't need to include every single thing you've ever made in your portfolio. This can actually detract from the impact of your best pieces and make your portfolio seem cluttered.

What are the examples of product portfolio? ›

Product Portfolio Examples

Tech Giants: Consider Apple, a leading tech company. Its product portfolio includes the iPhone, MacBook, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and various software services. Each product caters to a different segment and has its unique market position.

What are the considerations when creating a product? ›

7 Things To Consider in Modern Product Design
  • ERGONOMICS. This is where it's important to put “function” first. ...
  • MATERIALS. One of the more obvious considerations for product design is the material or materials that the product is made from. ...
  • MANUFACTURE. ...
  • MODULARITY. ...
  • SUSTAINABILITY. ...
  • PROTECTION. ...
  • PACKAGING & ASSEMBLY.

What is the most important factor to consider when choosing a product? ›

One of the most critical factors to evaluate is the quality and reliability of the product or service. Assess its durability, performance, and the reputation of the brand or service provider. Look for certifications, customer reviews, and testimonials to gauge the level of quality and reliability offered.

Why is it important to consider the design of a product? ›

Product design is important for business success as it directly impacts customer satisfaction and loyalty. A well-designed product not only meets the functional needs of the customers but also provides an enjoyable user experience.

What is the most important factor in a good design? ›

Keep it simple. Avoid clutter and unnecessary elements, and focus on creating a clean, easy-to-navigate design. This will not only make your design more visually appealing, but it will also make it easier for users to understand and use. And that's the whole point of design!

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