No experience? Out of work? — Where to find portfolio projects that will actually land you a job.
Building your design portfolio without experience can feel impossible. Or maybe you’re already an established designer but you want to move into a new skillset or job title. Take one of these ideas and use it as your way to practice new skills and show them off.
4 ideas for where to find projects to showcase in your design portfolio that will actually impress hiring managers:
Design beyond the pretty pictures
Ditch the generic app ideas! Find something meaningful to you. Think of a problem you or your friends and family struggle with. Craft a design brief before diving into visuals. Really think about what the app is trying to help people do. What’s the app’s purpose? How will you know it’s successful? This strategic thinking sets you apart and makes your final design even more impactful. Treat it like a real client project — this elevates your work!
True facts: I can always tell when a designer has chosen something that has meaning to them. Their passion for solving the problem emanates through their case study, every time.
Redesign: From clunky to user-centric
Ever encounter a website that makes you want to tear your hair out? Channel that rage into improving it. Identify the key pain points. Don’t just make it “prettier” — propose solutions that address those issues head-on. Explain your design rationale in your portfolio — this demonstrates your problem-solving skills and user-centric approach (aka, you can make things better for real people, not just make them look fancy).
Volunteer your skills: A win-win for everyone
Local non-profits, community centers, even your local animal shelter — their websites and apps are likely begging for an upgrade. Offer your design skills as a volunteer! You’ll gain valuable real-world experience and contribute to a good cause. It’s a win-win!
True facts: My first design project was for a local fruit stand I worked for when I was 17 — I had no idea what I was doing but the idea that I was doing it for free took a little bit of the pressure off and I learned so much from diving in
The cold email challenge: Be proactive
Not everyones favorite option, but can easily benefit you the most. Scout out local businesses and identify potential website/app issues impacting their bottom line. Craft a friendly cold email introducing yourself and offering design solutions that could boost their user experience or conversions. This could land you a freelance gig, but more importantly, it shows you’re proactive and willing to go the extra mile — qualities that make any designer stand out.
True facts: I did this and took on freelance projects just so I could practice creating personas and customer journey maps. Experience I wasn’t getting at the startup I was working for at the time. This later got me a job at a design agency who required this kind of experience.
Remember!
Stock projects are a dime a dozen. These ideas encourage you to think creatively, showcase your problem-solving skills, and gain real-world experience. Use each of these to practice the skills you want to learn and impress the companies you want to work for.
If you want to make sure your portfolio has everything a hiring manager / recruiter is looking for take a look at my checklist. Hand made by a hiring manager 👋
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