The Making of My Portfolio: A Case Study
Overview
As a student aspiring to break into the competitive field of UX design, I recognized the importance of standing out despite being a fresh graduate with limited experience. Incorporating thorough user research into the creation of my portfolio was paramount. This project serves as a testament to my dedication to crafting user-centered solutions that differentiate me in the saturated market, showcasing my skills and potential as a UX designer.
The Problem
As a fresh graduate aspiring to become a UX designer, I face the challenge of standing out in a competitive job market. Without a strong portfolio, it's difficult to showcase my skills and attract potential employers.
The Goal
Create a compelling portfolio showcasing UX design skills.
Demonstrate problem-solving abilities through portfolio projects.
Secure opportunities in the field of UX design through portfolio presentation.
Design Process
Presented below is my design process, reflecting an iterative approach that deeply understands user needs, defines problem statements, brainstorm solutions, iterates on prototypes, conducts tests, and implements refined solutions to craft a user-centric portfolio.
User Persona
In the initial stage of my research process, I developed a user persona to gain a deeper understanding of my target audience. This persona serves as a fictional representation of my ideal user, guiding my design decisions and ensuring a user-centered approach throughout the project.
Empathy Map
Incorporating empathy into my research process, the Empathy Map serves as a vital tool for gaining deeper insights into the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of my target users.
User Story
In this user story, we'll follow Alex, a recent graduate with a passion for UX design. Alex seeks to create a standout portfolio to showcase his skills and secure opportunities in the competitive field of UX design.
Problem Statement
In the process of creating my portfolio, extensive user research revealed a common pain point: the challenge fresh graduates face in standing out amidst a saturated UX design industry. This problem statement serves as a concise guide, directing the project towards addressing this critical issue with actionable solutions.
How might we…
Utilizing the 'How might we...' approach, I embarked on a brainstorming journey to generate innovative solutions aimed at addressing the challenges identified through user research, ensuring user-centricity in every aspect of my portfolio design.
Competitive Audit
In conducting a competitive audit, I delved into analyzing competitors' portfolios to gain insights into their strengths, weaknesses, and strategies, providing a foundation for the ideation and conceptualization phase of my project.
Sitemap
In creating my portfolio, I developed a comprehensive sitemap to visualize the structure and navigation of the various pages, allowing me to ensure a seamless user experience throughout the site.
Paper First
In this section, I present the traditional or low-fidelity sketches of my design concept. These sketches provide a simple and rough representation of my ideas, focusing primarily on layout and content structure.
From Paper to Digital
I then brought my idea from physical to digital prototype to further refine and visualize its design, ensuring a more comprehensive understanding of the project's potential.
Final Design
In the final stage of the design process, I present the high-fidelity prototypes, which serve as highly detailed and visually polished representations of my designs. These prototypes closely resemble the final product, complete with realistic visuals, interactions, and animations, bringing my vision to life.