Quick note from me

Good communication can transform your portfolio and career. Strong words guide hiring managers through your thinking, decisions, and impact, without them working for it. It’s not just about portfolios. Communication is a skill that sells your work and builds trust everywhere you use it.

Story outline

• Level 01: Write like you design

• Level 02: Tell the story, not just the steps

• Level 03: Make your reasoning obvious

• Level 04: Adapt for your audience

• Level 05: Practice beyond your portfolio

• Portfolio inspiration I’m loving this week

🫶 Together with UX Portfolio Course

Turn your messy UX projects into a senior UX portfolio

A portfolio is a must-have for hands-on designers, especially in this competitive market. Your portfolio serves as proof that you can do the design job.

To build a great UX portfolio, you need skills like a growth mindset, storytelling, visual storytelling, visual design, and more. And that’s exactly what the UX Portfolio Course offers.

What you'll get:

• Understand hiring managers' perspectives

• Access 481 portfolio examples

• Craft portfolio stories using storytelling tactics

• Learn about visual storytelling

• Design high-quality visuals with 48+ Figma templates

Don’t wait for tomorrow. The best time to start working on your portfolio is today.

Special offer: Be Your Own Design Team readers get 10% OFF
Use this code at checkout: ANETA10

Level 01: Write like you design

Treat your words as part of the design, not an afterthought.

• Keep text scannable: short paragraphs, bullet points, clear headings

• Use plain language instead of design jargon

• Make sure every sentence adds value

Level 02: Tell the story, not just the steps

Help your reader understand the journey behind your designs.

• Frame the problem clearly before showing solutions

• Highlight challenges and trade-offs, not just “happy path” results

• Connect your work back to user and business goals

Level 03: Make your reasoning obvious

Don’t assume they’ll “get it” from the visuals alone.

• State why each decision was made, supported by data or research

• Explain how options were explored and narrowed down

• Clarify impact: what improved, and how you know it worked

Level 04: Adapt for your audience

The way you explain should match who’s reading.

• For recruiters: focus on skills and outcomes

• For hiring managers: focus on decision-making

• For designers: focus on craft, details

• For business folks: focus on impact, metrics (revenue, costs etc.)

Level 05: Practice beyond your portfolio

The more you practice, the better your portfolio writing will get.

• Write quick summaries of projects weekly, even if you don’t publish them

• Share design thoughts on LinkedIn or in a blog

• Ask for feedback on clarity, not just content

Want help with your UX portfolio? 🎁

1. Build your UX Portfolio with my course

2. Sign up for a call with me to discuss your portfolio

3. Get an async portfolio review (no call)