Course 1
Week 4: Portfolio
Website builders:
WYSIWYG websites: what you see is what you get.
Four popular:
Wix: https://www.wix.com
Squarespace: https://www.squarespace.com
Webflow: https://webflow.com
Google sites: https://sites.google.com/new?tgif=d
How to choose the best one?
Do I know how to code, or should I use a website builder that doesn't require
coding experience?
Is it a low-cost or free option?
Does it offer customizable templates?
Does it provide flexibility and complete control over design?
Building a portfolio:
Name and personal logo (personal brand)
Navigation menu (able to reach home page and contact from any page)
Work samples (tell a story for the process on the project. Be concise (add
pdfs for simplicity)) 3 to 6 projects at least
About me
Contact information
Color scheme (Go beyond template)
Map the content (wireframe)
Casy studies for the project but don’t include non- disclosure agreement.
Personal branding:
What I’m naturally good at?
What have I learned to do well?
What do I enjoy?
What do I value?
How do other people describe me and my talents?
What do I want to be recognized for?
Tips:
Intro: should be above the fold: the content that doesn’t require scrolling.
Name and what I do.
About me page: passion, work, credentials, current work, awards, contacts.
Personal statement (slogan) version in about me. On social media also.
Consistent photo
LinkedIn and twitter:
Connect with people, recruiters in UX design industry with a short message
saying you are looking forward for their jobs and other employees.
Popular UX communities: get inspiration and post and get feedback.
Dribble: jobs and freelance marketplace
Behance: job also and internships
Medium: articles on all type of topics (opinion pieces not objective research)
Networking: interacting with other people to develop a professional contact and
learn more about job industry.
Mentor: someone in the field who gives me advice about my career
Topics to ask mentor about:
Finding the first job
Developing a specific skill
Getting feedback on portfolio
Specializing or being a generalist
Overcoming imposter syndrome:
Belief that you are unskilled, inferior to others or bad at your job, despite
your successes.
Not applying to a job unless I need every requirement
Taking extra work to make sure I’m doing it all.
What to do?
1. Acknowledge the thoughts: why I’m feeling this way
2. My success isn’t due to luck it’s due to my intelligence and hard work.
3. Make a list for my accomplishments and skills that make me qualified for
the job and focus on unique skills.
4. Make conversations about the matter with mentor or expert.
5. Fake it till you make it. Share the knowledge I have with others.
“Everybody got something unique that they can bring to the
table and value that they can add”
