The New Design Portfolio (No Case Studies)

By Designer Tom

Categories: Design, Product

Summary

Portfolios are evolving - 73% of hiring managers require AI tool proficiency, and stand-out work showcases judgment, curiosity, and a willingness to build. Designers are using interactive websites, social media, and even their own products as portfolios to demonstrate their skills.

Key Takeaways

  1. 73% of hiring managers say the need for AI tool proficiency is increasing, making it a requirement for many roles.
  2. Foundational design skills like wireframing and responsive layouts are now easier to handle with AI, so designers should focus on showcasing their judgment, curiosity, and ability to build.
  3. Interactive websites, social media profiles, and even personal products can serve as effective portfolios, allowing designers to demonstrate their attention to detail and design decisions.
  4. Designers can gain visibility and find opportunities by openly sharing their experiments and learnings on social media, which can lead to job offers.
  5. Hiring managers are looking for designers who can go beyond traditional portfolios and showcase their skills through interactive, immersive experiences.
  6. Figma's recent financial success suggests that the need for canvas-based design tools is increasing, highlighting the importance of proficiency in these tools for designers.

Topics

Transcript Excerpt

I'm not reading your case study, and I don't say that to sound harsh, but for example, a study timed 16 design leaders reviewing portfolios, and the time it took for them to make a decision was 55 seconds. 55 seconds. So, what are they looking at in those 55 seconds? Because it's not your process diagrams. I'm going to show you some real portfolio, stuff you probably haven't seen before from designers who are either working or just got work right now. I'll break down what hiring managers are tel...