User Interface (UI) design is an essential aspect of any digital product that governs the likability of a product amongst users. It is often the factor that dictates the retention of users on a particular digital application. A good UI encompasses attractive graphics, accessible interactive elements, and straightforward navigation that ensure that the user interacting with the application gets the best experience.
Happier users are more likely to invest their time and money in the product. So, there’s no surprise why top consulting companies in India with digital products put excellent effort behind the UI. UI optimization is required for every digital product, whether it’s a mobile app, website, software or web application.
UI is an emerging field in the design industry that has millions of opportunities for talented designers. When hiring managers of a UX UI design company shortlist candidates for the position of UI designer, they demand for a portfolio. A portfolio is the voice of a designer that speaks for its creator to people searching for remarkable talents. However, many beginners often need clarification about what their portfolio should consist of. If that sounds like you, we’ve got you covered.
1. Get inspired but don’t copy:
Originality can set you apart from millions of designers competing to sell their UX UI design services. Integrate original elements in your portfolio’s homepage and cover only the relevant points that speak of you. While you may get inspiration from other designers’ portfolios, do not copy any idea. Even if you like a specific idea, ensure that you’re adding your changes. Keeping that in mind, avoid getting stuck on the thought of staying original that you end up overdoing every creative element on your online portfolio.
2. Showcase your design thinking skills:
What sets designers apart from artists is their problem-solving skills. Designers are skilled professionals with expertise in solving business problems creatively. Behind every design you create or behind every element you add, ask yourself why you did it in the first place. What value is it adding to the overall functionality of the product? Explain what led you to choose the color schemes or interactive pop-ups. A successful design thinking process would flow like a story. There’s a creative problem, and you solve it creatively. Then you go on explaining how you solved it and why.
3. Put quality over quantity:
If you have previous professional experience as a designer and have gotten positive feedback or reactions on your work, highlight that project in your portfolio. Even if you don’t have professional experience, you can give yourself tasks to build creative interfaces in the same way you would’ve done if it was a professional project.
Avoid putting random projects that you did as academic assignments which you’re sure won’t add any value or perspective on how good you are as a designer. Five unique projects will always be preferred over fifteen random projects made just for the portfolio with little thought or intention.
4. Demonstrate adaptability:
Ensure that you’re demonstrating enough potential to convince the hiring manager that you can adapt to the demands of the industry. For instance, even if you specialize in designing interfaces for games and are applying at a company that develops web pages, add a work sample or two that can prove that you can take up whatever challenge you’re given. In short, customize your portfolio for the role you’re applying for without changing the entire content of your portfolio.
5. Stay particular about the small details:
Lastly, be very observant of the small details like alignments of your work samples, consistency or variation of font styles, and color schemes. Provide swift transitions between one project to the next. Make it visually appealing so that it leaves a mark on the viewer’s memory.
Owing to the popularity of UI design, people with artistic pursuits who want to change careers have UI as their top choice. For such individuals it’s crucial to craft a portfolio that stands out amongst thousands of other portfolios.
