This Portfolio Blew my Mind
You've definitely seen someone's portfolio and thought "Wow, mine needs a serious upgrade!"
Hello folks,
Ever stumbled upon a portfolio that’s so impressive, you can’t help but wonder, "How can I make mine this good?" Well, I recently found one that did just that. Today, I’m diving into the incredible portfolio of Rachel How, and trust me, you’ll want to take notes on this one.
What Makes a Great Portfolio: Spotlight on Rachel How
Let’s dive into why Rachel’s portfolio stood out to me and what you can learn from it.
Personal Touch and Aesthetics
First impressions matter. When you land on Rachel’s site, it feels like stepping into her creative world. She’s included photos of her workspace and used a minimal aesthetic that’s both inviting and professional. Simple icons and clean design elements make the site easy to navigate and a joy to explore. This personal touch sets the tone and makes you want to learn more about her work.
Diverse and Impactful Case Studies
Rachel's portfolio isn’t just a collection of pretty pictures; it's a journey through her design career. She’s showcased a variety of projects, from B2B dashboards to B2C landing pages and restaurant applications. Each project demonstrates a different aspect of her skill set. And guess what? No overwhelming text overlays. Instead, she lets the designs speak for themselves, making each project clear and impactful
Clear Context and Metrics
One thing that blew my mind about Rachel’s portfolio is how she provides context for each project. She doesn’t just drop a company name; she sets the scene: “Redesigned the onboarding experience for a consumer fintech app with 4 million users.” Boom! Now you know it’s a significant project.
Rachel also includes specific metrics to showcase the impact of her work. Detailed metrics like a 30% increase in app launches and a 97% conversion rate immediately show the tangible results of her designs. This level of detail is not only impressive but shows she’s a results-driven designer.
Comprehensive Case Studies
Rachel’s case studies are thorough without being overwhelming. She starts with a quick intro and her role in the project. If it’s a team effort, she mentions it; if it’s solo, she highlights her individual contributions.
She uses a structured approach: starting with the problem, converging issues into a “How Might We” question, and balancing user goals with business goals. By pairing problems with screenshots, she creates a clear and engaging narrative.
Research, Impact, and Testing
Instead of jumping straight into the design process, Rachel discusses the impact her solutions had. She includes usability testing results, adding credibility and showing her commitment to user-centered design. Even for hypothetical projects, using tools like Maze to gather data can be just as effective
Personalized Walkthroughs
A pro tip Rachel uses is adding personalized walkthrough videos using Loom. These videos give design managers an in-depth look at her design decisions and process, making her portfolio stand out even more.
Takeaway Tips
Keep It Simple and Personal: Add personal touches but maintain a clean, professional look.
Show Your Range: Include a variety of projects that demonstrate your versatility.
Provide Context and Metrics: Clearly explain the scope of your projects and include metrics to show your impact.
Detail Your Process: Use a structured approach to present your case studies and include visuals to enhance understanding.
Use Walkthrough Videos: Create personalized videos to provide deeper insights into your design process.
I hope you found this edition valuable. Implement these tips, refine your portfolio, and get feedback from design leaders and managers.
P.S. Speaking of portfolios, if you’re looking for an easy way to create a stunning one, check out Designfolio. It’s a stress-free gateway to crafting your portfolio website, and we’ve just launched a new feature that lets you lock case studies with a password to protect NDA-protected work. Perfect for showing off your talent while keeping everything secure.
All the best in landing your next dream design job or gig!
Stay creative,
Shai
P.S. If you want me to give you an in-depth walkthrough of Rachel’s portfolio, you are in luck! Watch this youtube video, you might not want to miss the in-depth walkthrough would you? ;)