Building a UX Design Portfolio That Slays: Finding Projects
You know you've got the skills to be a UX designer that slays, but how are you supposed to convince potential employers of that when you're fresh out of school or making a career change? A portfolio that visually knocks their socks off is key, but finding projects to fill that portfolio can feel impossible.
In this article, we'll walk through proven strategies to locate awesome portfolio projects that align with the UX roles you're aiming for.
Types of UX Projects to Include
Website or mobile app redesign
A major project like redesigning an existing product is impressive. Discuss the problems you identified, your proposed solutions, and any research or testing you did. Show before and after screenshots to demonstrate the impact of your work.
New product design
Designing a new digital product from scratch allows you to showcase your skills in information architecture, user flows, wireframing, and prototyping. Walk through your process step-by-step, from initial ideas to final hi-fi mockups. Discuss how you leveraged user research to make key design decisions.
For your projects, you can write a case study to demonstrate your process and problem-solving skills.
Finding Volunteer Work
Volunteering your UX design skills for a good cause is a win-win. You get real-world experience to strengthen your portfolio, and organizations get help they otherwise couldn’t afford. Where should you look for these opportunities?
Local Nonprofits
Check with nonprofits in your area to see if they need UX help. Smaller organizations often struggle with limited resources, and your skills could make a big difference for them. Reach out to places you care about, like animal shelters, schools, or youth programs. Let them know you’re eager to donate your time and help improve their digital experiences at no cost. In return, you can add the projects on your portfolio
Online Communities
Tap into communities of UX professionals, designers, and volunteers online. Websites like Catchafire, Taproot Foundation, and Design for Good match professionals with nonprofits and social good organizations in need of skills like UX design. Browse their listings of short- and long-term projects and sign up to volunteer for something that catches your eye. You’ll get to work with real clients and build pieces for your portfolio.
Open Source Projects
Contribute to open source software tools, platforms, and applications. Many are designed for nonprofits and socially minded organizations, so they provide opportunities to do meaningful UX work.
Volunteering is a kind and impactful way to gain experience in UX design. While the work is unpaid, the rewards to your portfolio and the organizations you assist can be huge.
If you're seeking to build an amazing portfolio piece where you integrate your UI/UX genius into an actual product, [P1] Games is the place to go. They connect you with open-source volunteer games and apps designed to be finished within a month—ideal for your portfolio.
Creating Personal Projects
Creating your own UX design projects is a great way to build up your portfolio. You get to work on something you’re passionate about, gain valuable experience, and have full creative control over the end result. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Redesign an Existing App
Pick an app you use regularly that could use a refresh. Do some user research to determine pain points and then redesign the interface to solve them. Document your process to show how you approached improving the user experience. This demonstrates your ability to evaluate and enhance an existing product.
Design an App or Website
Come up with an idea for an app or website and design it from scratch. Map out user flows, create wireframes and mockups, and develop a visual style guide. Explain how your concept solves a problem or need for users. Creating something from ideation to completion reveals your skill at crafting the entire user experience journey.
Solve a Design Challenge
Look for design challenges on communities like Design Buddies. Select a challenge and document how you would solve the prompt. Discuss your design thinking, iterations, and final solution. Participating in challenges is a way to practice your skills and get experience with the types of constraints and requirements common in the field.
Finding Freelance Work
Tap into Your Network
Let people in your network know you’re available for freelance UX design work. Share your portfolio on LinkedIn and with friends and former colleagues. Someone may know of a short-term project that needs a UX designer.
Use Job Boards
Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and 99Designs are popular for finding freelance UX design work. We also have a #paid-opportunites channel in Design Buddies. Create a compelling profile, share examples of your work, set your rate, and apply for projects that match your skills. The competition can be stiff, so make sure your proposals are tailored to each job.
Check with UX Design Agencies
UX design agencies frequently need freelancers to help with overflow work or short-term projects. See if agencies in your area are looking to build a roster of freelancers. Be prepared to show your portfolio.
Leveraging Your Network to Get Projects
Talk to friends and former colleagues in the tech industry. Let them know you're available for freelance UX work and would appreciate any leads. Someone may need help with a short-term project they're too busy to handle themselves. Or they may know of a startup looking to bring on an entry-level UX designer.
Reach out to local meetups and groups in your area. Introduce yourself as an aspiring UX designer looking for freelance work to build your portfolio. You never know who may need help with user research, wireframing or usability testing.
Contact professors in design or tech departments at your university. Explain that you're a recent graduate building your UX portfolio and would appreciate any freelance project leads or introductions they may be able to provide. Schools often have close ties with industry and may be aware of opportunities.
Conclusion
Keep networking, volunteering, and looking for ways to gain experience. Before you know it, you'll have an impressive portfolio that shows you're ready to slay it as a UX designer. The projects are out there - go slay!!
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Passion projects are always fantastic. I’m going to start sharing my process for these on my Substack, because it feels like that adds more value than just presenting the final thing ☺️