Note: The navigable prototype is at the end of the case.

PROJECT SUMMARY

This was a volunteer project within the UXis Community, where my partner and I developed and delivered a high-fidelity prototype of a portfolio assessment tool for the UXis Community website, with the potential to positively impact the careers of over 100 members.

CONTEXT

The UXis Community website is filled with useful resources, including a discussion forum and a job board for both national and international opportunities.

The community’s main goal is to support both junior UX designers and those with more experience who are looking for new roles to find their place in the job market.

The community leader identified that one of the main pain points for junior designers is the uncertainty surrounding their portfolios, which stems from a lack of experience.

PROBLEM

Junior UX designers are uncertain whether their portfolios meet market expectations.

IMPACT OF THE PROBLEM

• Misalignment between recruiters/design leaders’ expectations and the designers' portfolios;

• UX designers struggle to secure job opportunities;

• The problem affects both designers and the efficiency and accuracy of hiring processes.

  
  

Problem definition

OBJECTIVE

Develop a prototype of a tool for the community website that quickly evaluates portfolios, providing constructive feedback and practical guidance.

CHALLENGES AND LIMITATIONS

• Understanding market expectations;

• Defining evaluation parameters;

• Designing the feedback and suggestion mechanism;

• Managing tight deadlines.

  
  

The CSD Matrix helped us identify what the focus of the research should be

RESEARCH

We started with a study exploring the main methods for online portfolio assessment and found that:

• The most common way for UX designers to receive portfolio feedback is through analysis by experienced professionals;

• We did not find a quick assessment solution that efficiently offers feedback and improvement suggestions.

  
  

In light of these findings, we conducted a survey with recruiters and UX leaders to understand the most important aspects of a UX portfolio. The survey, consisting of both open-ended and closed questions, allowed for both quantitative and qualitative analysis, an approach chosen due to time constraints.

We gathered 33 responses from recruiters and design leaders at large companies such as Itaú, Hotmart, Mercado Pago, Zé Delivery, Accenture, and others.

Key insights from the research:

• High value is placed on ease of navigation within the portfolio, solution validation, and narrative clarity concerning problems, objectives, methods, and results;

• Overly detailed portfolios do not help recruiters; they appreciate concise and clear information, especially regarding achieved results;

• Aesthetics are important but are not always a decisive factor in hiring decisions.

IDEATION

Based on research insights, we concluded that the most effective way to launch the tool’s first version within the set timeline would be through a form on the UXis Community platform. The form was structured as follows:

1st step (Tool usage instructions)

The first screen provides instructions for using the tool.

Instruction screen

2nd stage (answering questions)

The user answers questions designed to evaluate seven parameters:

• Research;

• Problem Identification and Resolution;

• User Interface Design (UI Design);

• Usability Testing;

• Structure and Organization;

• Storytelling Skills (project narrative);

• Portfolio Accessibility.

Form screen

3rd stage (feedback and content suggestion)

After completing the form, the user is taken to a report page that displays a comparative chart. This chart illustrates the user's scores against a predefined ideal standard.

The chart is based on form responses, which are converted into numerical values for each of the seven parameters. Each parameter is evaluated through multiple-choice questions, where each answer has an associated score. The average scores for each parameter are calculated and displayed on the chart for clear visualization.

Additionally, the report page details the importance of each parameter and provides personalized suggestions to strengthen the user’s weaker areas in their portfolio. These recommendations are based on a variety of educational resources that will soon be available on the UXis Community platform.

Report screen

FLOWS AND WIREFRAMES

Clearly defining the functionalities to be implemented simplified the information architecture throughout the screen flow. Wireframes helped us refine initial ideas and set the final layout.

Website flow

Task Flow

Sketches of the screens and main components

Wireframes

PROTOTYPING

With the layout set, we advanced to developing the high-fidelity prototype. We used the existing design system of the platform, adapting components and applying the brand’s color palette, which optimized our execution time.

Components

We encountered a technical issue with the selection buttons in the questions but couldn’t fix it immediately. After coordinating with the development team, we ensured this detail would not impact the project’s progress.

USABILITY TESTING

We conducted usability testing with 13 members of the UXis community, which showed that:

• 92% praised the design clarity;

• 85% believe the tool will be very useful;

• 78% found the navigation intuitive.

There was no negative feedback or improvement suggestions.

RESULTS

The tool is expected to have a positive impact on users’ careers. We plan for it to help UX designers, especially beginners, improve their portfolios, making them more aligned with market expectations.

We hope this will result in better employment opportunities for members.

NEXT STEPS

Our next step is to start continuous monitoring of the tool to understand how members are using it, evaluating its effectiveness in assisting them, and gathering insights for future improvements.

• Integration with APIs to customize feedback;

• Functionality testing to ensure suggestion accuracy;

• New usability tests to adjust the tool based on user feedback.

LEARNINGS

Overall, I am satisfied with the project outcome, given the constraints. Throughout this project, I learned some key lessons firsthand:

• Holding on to seemingly great but unfeasible ideas is a significant mistake;

• Understanding all aspects of a project from the outset is crucial to avoid issues and ensure an effective approach;

• Flexibility and adaptability to changes and challenges are essential for a project’s success;

• Clear communication with everyone involved is fundamental to ensure alignment and understanding of goals and progress made during the project.