UX Portfolios That Stand Out: Expert Tips from Aneta Kmiecik

Connecting with UX professionals like Aneta is crucial for growth and learning within our community. Engaging with experienced designers brings fresh perspectives, practical insights, and proven strategies that help both newcomers and seasoned UXers elevate their work.

That’s why Useberry recently teamed up with Aneta Kmiecik to share invaluable tips on building a UX design portfolio that truly stands out. This webinar is packed with actionable lessons that anyone, whether just starting out or looking to level up, can apply to their portfolio creation, storytelling, and design process.

This session is a must-watch for anyone who wants to clearly communicate their design impact, showcase intentional decision-making, and connect their work with real business outcomes.

1. Clearly Define the Problem

Every great portfolio case study starts with a well-defined problem. This is your opportunity to set the context and demonstrate your understanding of user pain points and business needs.

• Be specific and concrete: Avoid generic statements. Explain who the users are and what challenge you aimed to solve.
• Connect to business goals: Showing awareness of why this problem matters helps position you as a strategic thinker.

2. Detail the Design Change and Your Decisions

The core of your portfolio is the design solution you implemented. However, simply showing designs is not enough.

• Explain your “why”: Share the reasoning behind your design choices, based on research, data, or user feedback.
• Use “I” statements: Focus on your individual contributions to highlight your role clearly.
• Be intentional: Demonstrate how your design supports user needs and business growth or optimization.

3. Reflect on the Results and Learnings

Reflection is what sets great portfolios apart. This is where you demonstrate your ability to measure success and learn from the project.

• Include metrics if available: Quantitative data such as improved conversion rates or engagement metrics provide strong evidence of impact.
• If no data, reflect qualitatively: Discuss what worked, what didn’t, and potential improvements.
• Show that you think beyond design: Highlight how your work connects to business outcomes and growth.

Additional Tips from Aneta

• Use a clear story structure: Frame your case studies with three main sections – Problem, Change, and Results – to create a logical narrative.
• Make your portfolio visually appealing: Invest in good visuals and design to capitalize on the “aesthetic-usability effect” as people naturally prefer well-designed presentations.
• Treat your portfolio as a living document: Keep refining and updating it as you grow in your career.

Final Thoughts

Your portfolio is your personal product, take ownership and be strategic about how you present your story. By focusing on clarity, intentional design decisions, and measurable outcomes, you’ll demonstrate the full spectrum of your capabilities as a UX designer.

Remember, building a portfolio is an ongoing journey, not a one-time task. Keep iterating, learning, and sharing your story to stay relevant and competitive in today’s market.

🎁 Special discount for Useberry’s audience

Use code “USEBERRY50” at checkout on uxportfolio.co to get 50% discount for Aneta’s UX Portfolio Course. Offer expires on August 31st 2025.

If you missed the webinar and want to learn more, feel free to reach out or stay tuned for upcoming sessions!