Portfolio and career readiness

About this stage

Before this stage Stage 10: Product thinking and collaboration

Learning outcomes

• Choose portfolio projects that show reasoning and range.
• Write concise case studies with context, process, trade-offs and outcomes.
• Present work and handle design challenges in interviews.
• Manage client feedback and project scope as a freelancer.

Lessons

The lessons in this stage are being written. Lessons marked “In writing” are listed so you can see the full scope; they are never counted towards your progress. The resource library and glossary cover these topics in the meantime.

1. 1

   Selecting meaningful portfolio projects In writing

   Quality over quantity.

   In writing 25 min
2. 2

   Structuring a case study In writing

   A structure reviewers can skim.

   In writing 35 min
3. 3

   Writing problem statements and explaining context In writing

   Setting up the story.

   In writing 25 min
4. 4

   Demonstrating research and reasoning In writing

   Showing how evidence shaped decisions.

   In writing 25 min
5. 5

   Showing explorations and iterations In writing

   Including the ideas you rejected and why.

   In writing 25 min
6. 6

   Presenting wireframes and final UI In writing

   Images that explain rather than decorate.

   In writing 25 min
7. 7

   Explaining usability testing and outcomes In writing

   Honest results, including what did not work.

   In writing 25 min
8. 8

   Showing constraints and trade-offs In writing

   Why real decisions are messy.

   In writing 20 min
9. 9

   Writing concise case studies In writing

   Editing for busy readers.

   In writing 25 min
10. 10

    Portfolio website structure In writing

    Home, case studies, about and contact.

    In writing 30 min
11. 11

    Resume and professional profile In writing

    Resumes and profiles for design roles.

    In writing 25 min
12. 12

    Presenting work in interviews In writing

    The portfolio presentation.

    In writing 30 min
13. 13

    Whiteboard exercises and design challenges In writing

    A framework for live challenges.

    In writing 35 min
14. 14

    Product design interview preparation In writing

    Common rounds and questions.

    In writing 30 min
15. 15

    Giving and receiving critique In writing

    Feedback that helps.

    In writing 20 min
16. 16

    Working with clients and managing feedback In writing

    Expectations, revisions and difficult conversations.

    In writing 25 min
17. 17

    Freelancing and communicating project scope In writing

    Proposals, scope and change requests.

    In writing 30 min
18. 18

    Creating a continuing learning plan In writing

    What to learn after this academy.

    In writing 20 min