Why you should just finish your UX Portfolio:
I’m almost too embarrassed to admit how long it took: From its inception, it may have taken months. However, now that I’ve finished & published my UX Portfolio, I feel a great sense of relief.
Don’t wait, less be late.
Quite frankly, even though you don’t think it’s good enough, you should personally publish and create your portfolio as soon as you can. Here’s why.
- If you choose to make your own portfolio’s website, you have the opportunity to learn a new product.
- You learn to find closure within the concept of design.
- There’s nothing wrong with your portfolio that you can’t fix.
So, let’s go through the list and investigate the benefits of just doing the work.
1. If you choose to make your own portfolio’s website, you have the opportunity to learn a new product.
Let’s face it, as an intro-level designer, I want as much exposure to software & products. While hesitant at first, I realized I didn’t want to miss out on learning something new. I chose Webflow because I wanted a custom portfolio look, and I didn’t feel I could get that customization with Wix, or other similar sites.
Webflow has a tough learning curve at first. I think this is due to its use of coding vernacular. Basically, you’ll need to recall many of the terms from HTML & CSS to take full advantage of what Webflow can do. However, you can get a decent & effective portfolio design from following their 21 Day Portfolio video series.
As I mentioned earlier it is always beneficial to add a new product to your arsenal of skills: it’s something you can add to your resume. But more than that, your acquired skills are great talking points during user interviews.
2. You learn to find closure within the concept of design.
It’s time to let go. All good things must end. I personally found myself meandering on my portfolio. I’m a full-time teacher teaching from home. So, I feel I have limited time to work on UX stuff. However, in determination to reach the next step of my UX career, I finally set deadlines for myself. I wanted my portfolio complete in 3 weeks.
Well, it took longer. 5 weeks to be exact. This made me realize how precious time is as a commodity. The sooner something is done, the sooner you can work on the next thing down the pipeline. Always consider how much time you are committing to each of your projects. Put them in a pecking order. Time efficiency is a great skill if you want to be a freelancer. It also is a testament to your integrity as a designer.
When your portfolio is up and running on a site, you’re finally testing a product that you are personally invested in. Having full control of your portfolio is empowering. Now let’s see what you do with that power. If you can manage to feel the passion behind your work, let it push you to work/create further.
When working in the field, deadlines are more serious. Completing your portfolio will give you a baseline reading: you can determine if you need to pick up the pace with your work. For others, it will be different.
That’s the point. Finishing a project allows you to reflect back on the work. This gives you new insight into how you operate as a designer. Hindsight is always 20:20: Take advantage of all that clear vision.
3. There’s nothing wrong with your portfolio that you can’t fix.
Of course, there will be issues with your portfolio: there are issues with every online product. But, product issues are literally why UX Designers exist in the first place.
So, find how you can improve your portfolio. Since you know how to use a platform of your choice, you can take advantage of it. Empower yourself. The bigger the change on your portfolio, the larger wealth of knowledge you get to dive into to find your solution.
In closing
The UX market is rising both in opportunity and competition. Any step you take makes you more competitive in the field. It was my last major hurdle before looking into job opportunities.
Being one step closer is relieving. It is freeing my brain to do new tasks. And yes, I know my portfolio needs improvement. But, I am enjoying my time learning and designing. As an ENFP, closing loops is a necessity.
If you’d like to see my portfolio: https://wyattjenkinsux.webflow.io
Else, thanks for reading, and have a great day. ;)
