Quick note from me

I came to UX from architecture, then added strategy, storytelling, facilitation, content, business. For years I thought this made me unfocused. I even cried a few times, not understanding why I burned out so often. Especially in low UX maturity orgs where there was no vision, no plan, no strategy.

Turns out, the problem wasn’t me. Most designers are generalists. And with AI taking over the basic stuff, that’s not a weakness, it’s a superpower. Today, I’ll explain you how to turn it into an advantage.

And btw, don’t forget to fill out my short survey. I want to learn more about you! Your feedback will shape my future content and projects, and there’s a prize to win 🏆

Story outline

• Level 01: List your skills and experiences

• Level 02: Identify your role type

• Level 03: Map out your current portfolio career

• Level 04: Design your dream mix

• Portfolio examples built in Framer

• Weekend challenge

🫶 Together with Framer

The no-code web design platform I recommend for design portfolio websites

Framer can help you launch your own portfolio website without stress. If you’ve been using Figma to prepare your designs, Framer won’t feel like a new environment.

Why I recommend Framer for a design portfolio:

• Good-looking Framer templates · especially helpful if you struggle with visual design

• Flexible work environment (canvas) · you can keep all your inspirations there

• Familiar interface to Figma · no steep learning curve for beginners

• No-code interactions · no need to write any code

• Easy responsiveness setup · all breakpoints visible at once

• Built-in analytics · see where hiring managers drop off

And more.

Ready to build your portfolio on Framer? Start today

Level 01: List your skills and experiences

Write down everything you can do, not design outputs, but the things you’ve learned in different fields, side projects, or hobbies. This skills inventory is your foundation. Even if they look disconnected, they often form patterns later.

💡 For a deeper dive into my PPF framework that helps analyse your skills and experiences, check out this newsletter issue.

Level 02: Identify your role type

According to Rachel Woods, as AI integrates into our daily work, organisations increasingly need three specific role types:

• Visionary → you thrive when setting direction, imagining what’s next

• Operator → you enjoy organising processes, making things run smoothly

• Implementer → you love diving deep into details and craft

Most burnout comes from misalignment here. If you’re a visionary forced to polish UI details for weeks, you’ll feel drained. If you’re an implementer stuck in strategy decks, same story. Knowing your type helps you find environments that fit.

Level 03: Map out your current portfolio career

A portfolio career combines different types of work and multiple interests that evolve as you grow. As Rebekah Bastian wrote for Forbes, "portfolio careers are replacing traditional jobs". In today's unstable job market, this approach can give you more benefits and fulfillment long term.

Take a close look at how you actually spend your time. Which skills do you use most frequently? Which role type do you fill in most often? Creating a simple diagram of your current portfolio career will reveal where your energy goes and highlight any areas lacking balance.

Level 04: Design your dream mix

Do you want more strategic work? More process-building? More detail and craft? Once you know, you can shape your next steps:

• If you’re full-time → target companies and managers who value your role type. (Not every hiring manager obsesses over visual polish, some want systems thinkers)

• If you’re freelancing → package your skills into outcomes, not tasks. Selling “I’ll wireframe this” is replaceable. Selling “I’ll help you set the right product direction” is not.

This isn’t about changing who you are. It’s about aligning your mix of skills with the problems you actually want to solve and framing it in a story.

Generalists aren’t “less than” specialists. With AI doing more of the repeatable work, there’s never been a better time to connect your skills, think in systems, and design a career mix that works for you.

💡 Weekend challenge

Draw your own portfolio career diagram (current vs. dream). Share it on social, tag me. I’d love to see how you approach it.

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)