Our Slack channel was running hot yesterday when I hosted our good friend Joe Natoli to chat about portfolios.
Joe shared some valuable tips for creating powerful UX portfolios that stand above the competition. If this sounds like something you need in your life, make sure you check out Joe’s newest course Build a Powerful UX Portfolio That Gets Your Hired
If you didn’t make the session today because you didn’t know about it, make sure you join our community to get updates of upcoming sessions.
If you’re interested in seeing what we discussed, or you want to revisit your own questions, here is a full transcript of the chat.
Transcript
hawk
2017-09-27 22:01
Ok – I’m rapt to be hosting Joe Natoli in our Slack channel today. Joe has become a great friend to us over the years and he’s so willing to share his knowledge.
cindybigyu
2017-09-27 22:02
@jeankaplansky thanks. I think so too
Being a researcher gives me a whole new perspective
Being a researcher gives me a whole new perspective
hawk
2017-09-27 22:02
But today he’s here to answer your questions!
hawk
2017-09-27 22:02
The formal intro:
hawk
2017-09-27 22:02
Joe Natoli has been preaching and practicing the gospel of User and Customer Experience to Fortune 100, 500 and Government organizations for nearly three decades.
Joe devotes half of his practice to writing, coaching, and speaking. From guiding students at the beginning of their careers to integrating UX into the work of seasoned veteran developers and designers, he is immensely passionate about the inherent power of UX and design.
The remaining half of Joe’s practice is dedicated to training Enterprise Design and Development teams, helping them integrate best practices in UX into their product development efforts.
Joe runs a series of workshops called Give Good Portfolio. Keep your eyes peeled for his upcoming course on the same subject.
hawk
2017-09-27 22:03
@joenatoli Over to you to briefly intro the topic before we kick off the questions
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:03
Hello all — first, thank you all for taking time from your lives to be here — I am honored to be with you! Also grateful to @hawk and the great folks at UX Mastery for having me.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:03
I want to set the stage with one quick thought, and tell you very quickly about my new Portfolio course — and then, it’s all you.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:03
Although we are all fiercely dedicated to delivering great UX in our daily work, we often fail to apply the same discipline, rigor or effort to our personal websites or portfolios.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:03
The 250+ portfolios I’ve reviewed over the past 6 weeks for a client is absolute proof. Of those, only 3 made it to the interview short list.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:04
You have to do better.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:04
THat’s what tonight is about, and the UX Portfolio course @hawk mentioned course is designed to show you what “better” actually is.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:04
And speaking of which, enrollment for the Fall session closes OCT. 4, 2017 — so if you want in, now’s the time :wink:
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:04
Now — talk to me. What’s on your mind(s)?
gregux
2017-09-27 22:05
what’s the difference between give good portfolio workshop and build a powerful ux postfolio
hawk
2017-09-27 22:05
Questions are go!
cindybigyu
2017-09-27 22:05
Is this thru Udemy? I think i paid for your portfolio course but need time to do some work!:confused:
sandyux1
2017-09-27 22:05
@joenatoli is this the only time you are offering the course this fall as I’m trying to complete my course with Career Foundry and have to meet a deadline by the 7th of October?
aura
2017-09-27 22:06
Are there sites you recommend for hosting a portfolio or is it better to build one from scratch?
razel
2017-09-27 22:06
What did those 3 do differently that got them a spot on the shortlist?
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:06
The course is essentially the same content; 16 video lessons plus a 2-hour group QA session/portfolio review
shillman
2017-09-27 22:06
I’ve found that research portfolio information, especially concrete information beyond ‘tell a story’, is missing from the landscape. This makes it very difficult to know what makes your portfolio great, and unlike with visual designers, you’re less likely to have the skills to make it visually appealing.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:06
@sandyux1 there wil be a Winter session as well.
sandyux1
2017-09-27 22:06
@joenatoli okay, thanks!
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:06
@aura: Are there sites you recommend for hosting a portfolio or is it better to build one from scratch? The latter.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:07
The problem with templates is that they all do this art gallery presentation
cindybigyu
2017-09-27 22:07
@joenatoli can you provide a link to the course please
gregux
2017-09-27 22:07
deadline is oct 4th, then when does teh course start
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:07
and that doesnt tell a recruoter how you THINK, what problems you solved ro how well.
gregux
2017-09-27 22:07
want to make sure my portfolio is live so you can review it
shillman
2017-09-27 22:07
(also, the site you linked says the enrollment for the course is closed)
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:07
@cindybigyu Is this thru Udemy? I think i paid for your portfolio course but need time to do some work! No, this is not available on Udemy; my platform only.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:08
@razel What did those 3 do differently that got them a spot on the shortlist?
aura
2017-09-27 22:08
Thanks Joe! I’m seeing that as my biggest hurdle since I an a Visual designer with limited coding experience.
hawk
2017-09-27 22:08
@shillman there wil be a Winter session as well.
flaxenink
2017-09-27 22:08
@joenatoli: Everyone is asking about the unicorn… UX/UI/Interaction Design, do you think as design moves forward how do you see the combination will fit? What is you opinion?
vfxguru001
2017-09-27 22:08
Tim from SF, CA – hi
shillman
2017-09-27 22:08
@hawk yes, but he just said that enrollment is until Oct 4?
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:08
They told me what I needed to know from the very first screen — I got a sesne of what kind of work they did, who they did it for and whether or not it was successful. No intros :wink:
jeankaplansky
2017-09-27 22:09
@joenatoli : is this course suitable for someone who has to build a portfolio from scratch because everything I’ve ever done is owned by an employer or former employer?
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:09
Yes.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:09
We talk about gettign around NDAs as well.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:09
Doesn’t matter how many clients you have — what matters is how you present that work, in context of success.
gregux
2017-09-27 22:10
One of the main issue I’m having right now is how detailed each projects need to be on the portfolio? Putting too much and employers got to see all they wanted from you or put less to trigger employers curiosity so they contact you for an interview?
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:10
@gregux Think of it as 2 parts:
jeankaplansky
2017-09-27 22:10
Yes! NDA’s are the bane of my portfolio existence!
desertcoder
2017-09-27 22:10
I think someone mentioned this already…how can a UX researcher build a portfolio?
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:10
First, the magazine cover that tells you what’s inside and why you should care about it, and
shillman
2017-09-27 22:10
@desertcoder yeah, me. :slightly_smiling_face:
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:11
second, the inside stories themselves — which will only be viewed if what was on that cover was relevant, appropriate, compelling
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:11
@desertcoder and @shillman (HBD, btw) – researchers can and should build portfolios!
ferrersocialmedia
2017-09-27 22:12
@joenatoli how can we have a detailed projects if certains part of this project cant show (like delicated information about user research)
brendan.t.norris
2017-09-27 22:12
@joenatoli You only mention success as the context for presentation, even when so much of our process is centered around failure, learning, and iteration. What are your tips on presenting failure?
shillman
2017-09-27 22:12
(HBD?)
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:12
You have something to show — your process. Whiteboard work, notes, infographics — find a visual way to tell the story of your research work
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:12
Happy BirthDay
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:12
:slightly_smiling_face:
cindybigyu
2017-09-27 22:12
@desertcoder I’m a user researcher – I think we can build one if we state the problem we are solving and show the methods we used to solve the problem. And present it in charts. Data graphs, statements etc
randyman5775
2017-09-27 22:12
So many sites are going with wordpress where you scroll down one long page. Doesn’t that lower your SEO?
shillman
2017-09-27 22:12
(Ah! Thanks. :)
cindybigyu
2017-09-27 22:13
@desertcoder don’t think it has all be about design:relaxed:
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:13
@brendan.t.norris: You only mention success as the context for presentation, even when so much of our process is centered around failure, learning, and iteration. What are your tips on presenting failure?
hawk
2017-09-27 22:13
@randyman5775 There is no evidence of that.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:13
Failure is equally important — lessons learned. No one does this, and it can speak volumes about you
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:13
Show potential employers that you cast a critical eye on your work, that you care more about outcome than being right
shillman
2017-09-27 22:14
@joenatoli Do you have any recommended portfolios that you can share? It’s often helpful to have that level of concreteness.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:14
@randyman5775 it doesn’t lower SEO at all.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:15
But one long page can be a detriment in other ways
gregux
2017-09-27 22:15
should my “paper” resume be on my portfolio too (as a downloadable pdf) , are employers even looking at it or just linked in is enough
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:15
unless there are guideposts along the way, it’ll feel like a novel the viewer has to read.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:15
@gregux: should my “paper” resume be on my portfolio too (as a downloadable pdf) , are employers even looking at it or just linked in is enough?
pixelgem
2017-09-27 22:15
How do you suggest one credits co-workers in a portfolio? In other words, almost all of my work involves back-and-forth with analytics, visual/interaction design, product management, etc. Should I mention them by title, title-and-name, or some other way? Or should one shy away from this in a portfolio?
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:15
ALWAYS.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:16
THere should be a clear link to your resume/cv and it should appear both in text on an HTML page and in downloadable PDF form. (@gregux this was your last question)
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:16
@pixelgem: How do you suggest one credits co-workers in a portfolio? In other words, almost all of my work involves back-and-forth with analytics, visual/interaction design, product management, etc. Should I mention them by title, title-and-name, or some other way? Or should one shy away from this in a portfolio?
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:17
Mention YOUR role. Don’t worry about naming evertyone, but DO mention those other roles — that you collaborated with (roles).
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:17
That tells a potential employer you work well with a team, and taking the time to point that out says your focus isn’t on who gets the credit — it’s on doing good work.
ferrersocialmedia
2017-09-27 22:18
is there a list of things to do to consider a project documented enough?
gregux
2017-09-27 22:18
Thanks. Should the paper resume include actual data like – Created an on-boarding experience that increased user sign-up by 150% or do you keep numbers on case study with screenshots and all
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:19
Yes — push that outcome in both places!
gregux
2017-09-27 22:19
great
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:19
@ferrersocialmedia is there a list of things to do to consider a project documented enough?
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:19
Not sure what you mean by this, sorry! Tell me more
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:20
Want to say one more thing:
shillman
2017-09-27 22:20
How do you define success if you don’t have metrics like that? Eg, the project that I did the most with is not yet to the point of being a thing: they are still working on the project that underlies it. Similarly, I’ve got a couple projects that I’m actively working on: how do you recommend including those? (do you recommend it?)
ferrersocialmedia
2017-09-27 22:20
i mean:
step 1: verify that you add the people that collaborate with you on this project.
step 2: ensure of show yor process & critical eye.
step 1: verify that you add the people that collaborate with you on this project.
step 2: ensure of show yor process & critical eye.
Think like that.
ferrersocialmedia
2017-09-27 22:20
your*
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:21
Sites like Dribbble, Krop, Behance, etc. are OK — but they really shouldn’t be the ONLY source of uyour work. Formats are too constrictive and do not lend themselves to focusing on the process and story behind the work — they’re glorified visual galleries.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:21
@shillman: How do you define success if you don’t have metrics like that? Eg, the project that I did the most with is not yet to the point of being a thing: they are still working on the project that underlies it. Similarly, I’ve got a couple projects that I’m actively working on: how do you recommend including those? (do you recommend it?)
brendan.t.norris
2017-09-27 22:21
@joenatoli I work at an e-commerce company and led the redesign of our product cards. I can write about it, but I don’t feel like it’s big or cool enough to include in my portfolio. Is something like this too small to include? Should I make it part of a bigger case study?
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:22
Talk about what you’re aiming for, the desired outcome — and why that out come matters so much, and why you think this will get there
gregux
2017-09-27 22:22
BTW if anyone have dribbble invites im interested :slightly_smiling_face:
jeankaplansky
2017-09-27 22:22
So show AND tell, not show don’t tell…
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:22
YES
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:23
@ferrersocialmedia – details go in the long version. There should always be a “summary” version that intros the project first, gets someone interested enough to hear the whole story
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:24
@brendan.t.norris: How small is too small for a case study? Example -> I work at an e-commerce company and led the redesign of our product cards. I can write about it, but I don’t feel like it’s big or cool enough to include in my portfolio.
It absolutely is if you can tell the story of why it came to be in the first place. What’s it going to do for users? for your company? That’s the story, the WHY behind why you’re doing this in the first place. That applies to everything.
vfxguru001
2017-09-27 22:24
@joenatoli I’m a hybrid Visual Designer + Web Developer (with a background in 3D/VFX) trying to make the jump over into XR (VR/AR/MR) UX. I haven’t found any portfolios online that show that kind of work. Do you have any suggestions for portfolio/presentation basics that I could build off of? Thx
vfxguru001
2017-09-27 22:24
and, yes, that is a lot of acronyms
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:24
LOL
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:25
@vfxguru001 I think your answer there has to be video, screen recording
talarsen74
2017-09-27 22:25
Do you have a recommendation where beginning developers can get help if they are stuck on a small coding issue for their portfolio?
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:26
You need to show the immersiveness of those experiences. But at the same time uyou still need text and a story of WHY it came to be. What problem it solves or goal it accomplishes
vfxguru001
2017-09-27 22:26
@joenatoli lightbulb goes off – thanks!!
jeankaplansky
2017-09-27 22:26
So something as “simple” as configuring an authoring UI to make authors more efficient counts?
gregux
2017-09-27 22:26
@talarsen74 stackoverflow
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:27
@talarsen74: Do you have a recommendation where beginning developers can get help if they are stuck on a small coding issue for their portfolio?
Apply for membership in my private Facebook group and ask, lotta devs who are wonderful people: http://ift.tt/2ybITou.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:27
@jeankaplansky: So something as “simple” as configuring an authoring UI to make authors more efficient counts?
Absolutely!!! That’s the WHY.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:27
There is no reason that isn’t relevant or isn’t “sexy” enough
jeankaplansky
2017-09-27 22:28
Cool! Half of my career has been about configuring one authoring UI or another.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:28
Most organizations are facing very boring problems, truth be told :wink:
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:28
They’re expensive problems, and they have impact, but boring on their faces
jeankaplansky
2017-09-27 22:28
And the same problems across industries/disciplines.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:29
Yep
brendan.t.norris
2017-09-27 22:29
@joenatoli Are solutions outside of digital/physical products okay to put in a UX portfolio? At my current job I do a lot of facilitation/management and apply design thinking/process there too. Should I write about that?
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:29
Absolutely — that’s how you contribute, how you impact UX
shillman
2017-09-27 22:29
@talarsen74 I’m pretty fond of Wix, as it lets me customize to a good degree but doesn’t make me write the code. I had been writing the code and kept getting distracted by trying to figure out how to make things do what I wanted.
ux.julie
2017-09-27 22:29
@joenatoli I was just telling another UX’er wanna be that I figure most of the real world UX jobs would be basically boring. That anything really exciting you would either have to do on your own or be lucky enough to work for someone like NASA or Disney.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:30
@ux.julie that’s largely correct
gregux
2017-09-27 22:30
when you re lucky to get an interview and face actual people, what are a few things to do or say that will make them think you might be the one
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:30
The issues aren;t galamorous but they do matter a great deal
jeankaplansky
2017-09-27 22:30
So cat-herding stories are cool too? So long as names are
Changed etc?
Changed etc?
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:30
and if you care about this stuff, you can absolutely get just as much charge and satisfaction from solving them.
shillman
2017-09-27 22:31
thinks it might be less about being ‘the one’ and more about being a good fit…
gregux
2017-09-27 22:31
yes
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:31
@jeankaplansky if its a compelling story that made or saved $, yes
gregux
2017-09-27 22:31
@shillman unless you’re at the final round and it’s you vs one other designer lol
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:32
@shillman: “I had been writing the code and kept getting distracted by trying to figure out how to make things do what I wanted.” That’s one of my beefs with these platforms. You’re spending too much time solving tech problems, not enough on what you’re saying and how you’re saying it.
jeankaplansky
2017-09-27 22:32
Or if you recognize the stuff that didn’t work, but had ideas about what could’ve worked better? Learning by failure demonstrated?
shillman
2017-09-27 22:33
@joenatoli Yes. I was using a static website generator, and just got too frustrated. Wix is pretty flexible.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:33
@jeankaplansky Yes — failure is a part of success, and anyone you want to work for knows that (and wants to hear about it)
talarsen74
2017-09-27 22:33
I’m attending my first hackathon and career fair…do I bring business cards? I’m old and new to tech.
pixelgem
2017-09-27 22:33
@shillman I’m just getting started with Wix. I like what I see so far.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:34
@gregux: when you re lucky to get an interview and face actual people, what are a few things to do or say that will make them think you might be the one?
Ask questions. Ask about the organization, how they work, what challenges they face. Communicate that you care about what they’re dealing with and that you see yourself as someone ready to throw down and help them.
shillman
2017-09-27 22:34
@pixelgem *nodnod* It also helps me learn the terms d’art for things, making it easier to look them up, Not being a visual designer has made it difficult to know what’s even a decent option!
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:35
Interviews should never be one-sided interrogations — show that you have a need to know, that you’re curious, that you’re not afraid to ask about anythign you don’t know
jeankaplansky
2017-09-27 22:35
What do you think of the “one UX idea per day for X amount of days” idea? I’ve seen quite a few
People take this approach.
People take this approach.
desertcoder
2017-09-27 22:35
Thanks @joenatoli! I’ve been working on a UI audit of released software. Boring. But it sounds like this is portfolio material, provided I talk about the the importance of shared UI components that could have led to reduced UI problems!
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:36
@jeankaplansky it’s clever, but not necessary — and I don’t know that a recruiter or hiring mgr will look at all of that work unless each one is EQUALLY compelling. Tough to do.
jeankaplansky
2017-09-27 22:37
Feh. Probably better for newbies than someone with 20+ years experience then.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:37
@desertcoder: I’ve been working on a UI audit of released software. Boring. But it sounds like this is portfolio material, provided I talk about the the importance of shared UI components that could have led to reduced UI problems!
The criteria you use for the audit is the story. Worth telling. Speaks volumes about your ability to go deeper to find the problem instead of just addressing the solution.
ux.julie
2017-09-27 22:37
@jeankaplansky I never do those. It’s takes weeks to do a project. I’m not too sure what you will be practicing by just taking a few hours to do a small part of a larger project.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:38
It’s a novelty item, in my opinion. Cool if you have time, but…
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:38
@talarsen74 I bring biz cards with me everywhere I go. And everyone wants one. Bring them :wink:
jeankaplansky
2017-09-27 22:38
The other thing I see is people who redo a prominent UI with their own take on improved UX. Any value to this?
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:39
If you have a shortage of real-world work, sure.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:39
Otherwise, this comes across as a vanity exercise (which it often is).
shillman
2017-09-27 22:39
I bring business cards everywhere. They’re old, so they aren’t the most accurate to my level of knowledge, but they still work.
jeankaplansky
2017-09-27 22:39
So newbie stuff again.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:39
But if you’re light on work, its a great solution
shillman
2017-09-27 22:40
(ah, if you are logged in, you can see the correct link to the course!)
brendan.t.norris
2017-09-27 22:40
Not necessarily newbie, although it could be more valuable there.
vfxguru001
2017-09-27 22:40
@joenatoli one of the portfolio pieces that I would like to use is actually a piece that I created for an Interaction Designer “interview process challenge” by an electric car company that starts with “T” :slightly_smiling_face: – Is that something I could use? I didn’t sign anything saying that I couldn’t use it. I’m not sure how I would label it as it they weren’t a client. Should I remove their logo and white-label it? Thx
brendan.t.norris
2017-09-27 22:40
@jeankaplansky I’m new and don’t do them for the same reasons people have stated here.
shillman
2017-09-27 22:41
Yup, just enrolled. :slightly_smiling_face:
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:41
@vfxguru001: one of the portfolio pieces that I would like to use is actually a piece that I created for an Interaction Designer “interview process challenge” by an electric car company that starts with “T” :slightly_smiling_face: – Is that something I could use? I didn’t sign anything saying that I couldn’t use it. I’m not sure how I would label it as it they weren’t a client. Should I remove their logo and white-label it? Thx
NO, leave the name in. But be 100% clear about what this was, that’s it’s not paid work for that client :wink:
desertcoder
2017-09-27 22:41
Is this the same as a heuristic evaluation?
vfxguru001
2017-09-27 22:41
@joenatoli Schweet – /will-do thanks
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:42
@desertcoder: Is this the same as a heuristic evaluation?
Not necessarily, but it can be.
jeankaplansky
2017-09-27 22:42
Ok. So stuff like digital pdf form design, word templates with complex macros and styles are all effective examples so long as you have the story to go with what you did…
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:42
Heuristics are generalities. Still valuable, but not always as deep as a UX or UI audit
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:43
@jeankaplansky: Ok. So stuff like digital pdf form design, word templates with complex macros and styles are all effective examples so long as you have the story to go with what you did…
You’ve got it. It’s all valid as long as you tell the story, explain the value of the work
brendan.t.norris
2017-09-27 22:43
@joenatoli I’ve seen videos on youtube and some medium posts talking about using the “T” structure in your portfolio. Have you heard of this? Is this your recommended structure?
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:44
I’ve heard of it and I always feel like it overcomplicates things :wink:
jeankaplansky
2017-09-27 22:44
Huh. I’ve got more to work with than I thought then…
brendan.t.norris
2017-09-27 22:44
So, focus less on what skills/etc you’re showing and talk about the project story?
aura
2017-09-27 22:44
I’ve seen some UI portfolios that tell a story while also throwing in some light animations on titles and buttons. Does that make it stand out more to a potential client?
ux.julie
2017-09-27 22:45
What is “T” structure?
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:46
@brendan.t.norris I’ve been both a generalist and a specialist all my life, and I think both are equally valuable. My problem with these definitions (T-shaped) is that it sends you off on a wild goose chase overanalyzing whether you’re good enough, have the right skills, etc. I’ve never paid attention to any of that; I do what I do best and that’s what I promote and offer.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:47
@ux.julie the vertical bar on the T represents the depth of related skills and expertise in a single field, whereas the horizontal bar is the ability to collaborate across disciplines with experts in other areas and to apply knowledge in areas of expertise other than one’s own. Both matter, both are important, and most people are usually a mix of both anyway, they just don’t see it as such
jeankaplansky
2017-09-27 22:47
So bells & whistles like t-structure and animations are more distracting than effective to your story unless there’s a compelling reason to include?
brendan.t.norris
2017-09-27 22:47
Awesome. I have that exact problem so it’s nice to hear.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:47
@aura: I’ve seen some UI portfolios that tell a story while also throwing in some light animations on titles and buttons. Does that make it stand out more to a potential client?
Not unless it does something to help illustrate your point or tell the story. Animation is commonlace and will in many cases just be a distraction to someone trying to focus on what they see.
jeankaplansky
2017-09-27 22:48
Animation = Squirrel!! ;)
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:49
If I see “I’m a T-shaped professional, ” my reaction is, “you and everyone else.” I don’t care about the claim — I want to know how you do what you do and why other people have paid you to do it :wink:
kalyani
2017-09-27 22:49
Just joined! Nice to meet all of you :slightly_smiling_face:
shillman
2017-09-27 22:49
SQUIRREL! :squirrel:
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:49
LOL
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:49
That got my dog’s attention
shillman
2017-09-27 22:50
Just recommended your course to folks on UXPA Boston’s FB page. :slightly_smiling_face:
jeankaplansky
2017-09-27 22:50
Aw man… didn’t do anything on my phone.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:50
Thank you @shillman!
shillman
2017-09-27 22:50
I figure it I think it’ll be useful, others might be interested.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:51
talk to me folks!
hello468
2017-09-27 22:51
@joenatoli what would be the metrics you yourself use to measure if portfolio is successful :unicorn_face:
jeankaplansky
2017-09-27 22:51
I just thought of 2 other places I can share the link. Ppl need to educate themselves on this stuff!!!
kalyani
2017-09-27 22:51
@joenatoli How should one handle an NDA situation? For one of my projects, I’ve written up the work I did, but haven’t shown screens or gotten into process because that would mean violating the NDA. Is that good enough for a hiring manager?
gregux
2017-09-27 22:51
should you put work you’re doing at your current employer on your portfolio or should you write on your cover letter current employer’s work available on demand and you send a separate link
desertcoder
2017-09-27 22:51
When it comes to showcasing UX research, is there an easy way to mask the client’s name? I’m thinking of some type of software?
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:52
@hello468: what would be the metrics you yourself use to measure if portfolio is successful?
Outcomes, outcomes and outcomes. What was the end result, what did it do for users/for the business? And if that’s unknown, what problem were you trying to solve and why did you feel this was the way to do it? I want to see how you THINK well before I see the produced work.
shillman
2017-09-27 22:53
@desertcoder Blurr the name out?
shillman
2017-09-27 22:54
Blur, even
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:54
@kalyani How should one handle an NDA situation? For one of my projects, I’ve written up the work I did, but haven’t shown screens or gotten into process because that would mean violating the NDA. Is that good enough for a hiring manager?
Ask first, anyway. You never know. Second, provided there is work the hiring mgr CAN see, everyone understands NDAs are a fact of life.
kalyani
2017-09-27 22:54
To clarify, I’ve written what I worked on in the project.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:54
It’s also sometimes possible to talk about the strategic nature of the work without naming names or showing screenshots
desertcoder
2017-09-27 22:54
@shillman Yes, I need to blurr the name
vfxguru001
2017-09-27 22:54
@shillman Blurr is the new and improved blur filter. (it’s trending…it’s hot)
hawk
2017-09-27 22:54
5 mins left people!
shillman
2017-09-27 22:55
@desertcoder Most of the tools I’ve used to do things like crop also have blurr? But you could try (for example) free and open source Inkscape. Or similar.
shillman
2017-09-27 22:55
@vfxguru001 *laughing*
jeankaplansky
2017-09-27 22:55
@hawk aw man!!! Can’t we stay up 5 more minutes? Pleeeaassse?
shillman
2017-09-27 22:55
*laughing*
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:55
@gregux should you put work you’re doing at your current employer on your portfolio or should you write on your cover letter current employer’s work available on demand and you send a separate link?
Provided they won’t fire you for doing so, that work should be there if possible. But if you’re on the fence, on demand in the CV is fine.
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:56
parting shots?
pixelgem
2017-09-27 22:57
This was all very helpful. Thanks, @joenatoli!
jeankaplansky
2017-09-27 22:57
Yes! Thank you!!!
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:57
You’re welcome, @pixelgem!
ux.julie
2017-09-27 22:57
Thanks :slightly_smiling_face:
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:57
(nice to see you Maureen)
aura
2017-09-27 22:57
Thank you, Joe! Can’t wait to find out more in your class!
gregux
2017-09-27 22:57
Definitely great, thanks a lot
vfxguru001
2017-09-27 22:57
Yes, good stuff. Thanks, @joenatoli + everyone
talarsen74
2017-09-27 22:57
Thank you!
desertcoder
2017-09-27 22:57
Good stuff – thank you!
shillman
2017-09-27 22:58
Thanks, Joe. :slightly_smiling_face:
hawk
2017-09-27 22:58
I think that’s a good place to end things
shillman
2017-09-27 22:58
I’ve been following you on twitter for a while, and getting your newsletter. Good stuff!
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:58
Thank you all for the great questions, and again for being here! Check out the course — http://ift.tt/2fuXct2 – and in all that you do, ESPECIALLY your portfolio, GIVE GOOD UX!
hawk
2017-09-27 22:58
A huge thanks to @joenatoli for your time today
kalyani
2017-09-27 22:58
Thanks @joenatoli!
hawk
2017-09-27 22:58
And to everyone else – go take Joe’s course :wink:
shillman
2017-09-27 22:58
\o/
joenatoli
2017-09-27 22:58
Thank YOU @hawk for your generosity :wink:
hawk
2017-09-27 22:59
__end transcript__
The post Transcript: Ask the UXperts: Creating a Competitive, Effective and Impactful Portfolio — with Joe Natoli appeared first on UX Mastery.
by Sarah Hawk via UX Mastery
No comments:
Post a Comment