Build a UX Portfolio Using Notion | FREE Notion Template | Part #1
Creating a UX portfolio usually takes a lot of time and effort. Let’s see if we can make it quicker by using Notion, more specifically, using a template that I’ve prepared for you. We will go through it in detail and discuss two big topics:
- Portfolio landing page (in this article 🎉)
- Perfect case study structure (in Part 2)
Let’s start! 🚀
We’ll be using the 👉 UX Portfolio Template I’ve created. It’s a universal structure that you can fill with your content and adjust to your individual needs. You can copy it to follow along.
Portfolio Landing Page 😍
A portfolio landing page is the first thing that potential clients or employers will see.
It is essential to make a good first impression, be memorable, and provide a clear value proposition.
Here are the sections and elements that you should include:
👉 Hero section
There are two ways to approach the hero section:
If you’re looking for 👩💻 in-house positions, it’s best to list your name, who you are (a UX Designer, a UI Designer, etc.), and mention the companies you worked for. For example:
Senior SaaS Product Designer, Mentor, Speaker, and Author. Currently at [Company], previously [Company] and [Company]
If you’re more focused on freelance work, you can change it up slightly and start with a strong value proposition.
I help SaaS companies reduce the Time To Value and increase their MAU.
👉 Introduction
Introduce yourself and your background, mention your design philosophy, and whether or not you’re open to new opportunities or clients.
Welcome! I’m excited to have you here and to share my design work with you. Explore my case studies and learn more about my approach to user-centric design.
💡 If you’re interested in collaborating or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m always looking for new opportunities to work on exciting projects with passionate people.
Thank you for visiting, and I look forward to connecting with you soon!
😳 I would probably try to avoid the cliche phrases like:
❌ UX designer with a passion for creating delightful experiences
❌ I believe that design should be user-centered and aim to solve the user’s problems.
❌ My goal is to create intuitive and engaging experiences that leave a lasting impression.
Keep it simple and general unless you really have something unique to share, like a particular achievement (ex. designed an app with 2M downloads in Apple Store) or your specialization (ex., design for developer tools).
👉 Portfolio (featured work)
This section should list projects that people can click on and explore. You should showcase only your best work, so 💡 having 4–5 projects is optimal.
If you include less than 4, it may not provide enough information for recruiters. If you go over 5, you’re risking showcasing your second-to-best work.
The list of projects should be simple. Include a meaningful title, a short description listing the topic, the industry, the platform (so web, mobile, etc.), the goal, and the year of the project. It’s also a good practice to have a thumbnail with the visuals from the project.
👉 Testimonials
This section should show testimonials from clients or colleagues. It is an excellent way to include social proof and show that your work is appreciated and valued.
If you already have some recommendations on LinkedIn, you can use them here.
If not, reach out to your colleagues, clients, mentors, etc. and ask them to write a short statement. Remember to list their full name, job title, and company. Adding a photo will increase credibility as well.
👉 My skills
In this section, you should list all the skills you use at work.
It’s important to be honest and only include the skills that you are proficient in.
Listing too many might leave a wrong impression, so focus on the most relevant ones. Add a short description for each skill to give more context.
👉 My process
This section should explain your design process and the steps you take when working on a project. It should be detailed enough to give potential employers an idea of how you work, but not too long to be overwhelming. In the template, I’ve listed the phases of the double-diamond model.
👉 Contact and the CTA
The contact section should include your email address, social media links, and any other details that could be useful.
Make sure that all the links are up-to-date and work correctly.
Additionally, if you’re open to freelance work, you can add a CTA that links to a contact form or an online scheduler. This will make it easier for potential clients to reach out to you.
Final thoughts
Don’t forget to adjust the visuals so your portfolio stands out. The template is just a starting point! 🚀
In Part 2 we will talk about the perfect case study structure ☝️
If you have any questions or comments about the content, please leave a comment or reach out to me at alicja@outdraw.design
Want to learn more about how to take your portfolio to the next level?
I would like to invite you to join my Free 5-day Portfolio Masterclass!
- Day 1: Take the inventory of your projects
- Day 2: Include project goals & company goals
- Day 3: Show your design process
- Day 4: Text & engaging structure
- Day 5: Mockups & visual assets
👉 Join the Portfolio Masterclass
Use this week to significantly improve your chance of landing your dream job!
