01The eight things that matter most
- 1A clear positioning line"Product designer specializing in fintech onboarding" beats "Creative thinker".
- 2Curated workThree to five projects that match the work you want, per NN/g's portfolio guidance.
- 3Case studies, not galleriesProblem, your role, process, key decisions, result.
- 4OutcomesWhat changed because of your work: metrics, client feedback, launch.
- 5PersonalityA short, human about section and a photo.
- 6Fast, simple navigationWork, about, contact. Nothing hidden behind animations.
- 7Mobile qualityImages and text work on a phone screen.
- 8Easy contactEmail or a short form, visible everywhere.
02How to write a case study
Nielsen Norman Group's guide to UX portfolios, based on a survey of people who hire, recommends showing process and constraints, including rejected ideas, so reviewers can picture how you work. Its article on maintaining a portfolio adds that before-and-after screenshots are not enough without the measured result.
| Section | Length | Answers |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | Two sentences | What was it, and what changed? |
| Problem | A short paragraph | Why did this matter? |
| Your role | One line | What exactly did you do? |
| Process | A few images and captions | How did you get there? |
| Decisions | Two or three | What did you choose, and what did you reject? |
| Outcome | Numbers or quotes | Did it work? |
03Design that frames the work
The best portfolios look calm so the work stands out: generous space, restrained type and color, large images and a consistent layout from one project to the next. Heavy animation, custom cursors and unusual navigation can make reviewers work harder to see what they came for. Designers on Hacker News and at industry events give the same warning: special effects can make the hiring manager's job harder, not easier.
04Mistakes that hurt portfolios
- Too many projects, including weak or outdated ones.
- Images with no explanation of the problem or your role.
- Hidden contact details or a broken form.
- Slow-loading, uncompressed images.
- Work you are not allowed to show; check client agreements and anonymize where needed.
- No date context, which makes reviewers wonder whether you are still active.
- Jargon-heavy descriptions that only other specialists understand.
05Tailor it to the work you want next
A portfolio is not an archive; it is a pitch for your next job or client. If you want to move from agency work into product design, lead with your product-like projects even if they were fewer. If you want more wedding clients than corporate ones, put weddings first and make the inquiry form ask about wedding dates. Some people keep a few versions of their homepage ordering, or a short private page for a specific application, so each reviewer sees the most relevant work first.
06Building and maintaining it
Choose a tool you will actually update; should I code my own portfolio? weighs coding against builders, and best portfolio website examples shows what strong portfolios share. Review it every few months, swap in better projects and update outcomes. How to make a portfolio website with AI covers the fastest way to a first version.
What people who tried it say
Hacker News commenters reviewing personal sites consistently rate the substance of the work above the design of the site, ask for case studies with context, and warn against portfolios that are all visuals and no explanation.
- I think developer portfolios lack textHacker News
The post argues portfolios show screenshots without explaining problems, decisions and results; commenters largely agree that written context is what reviewers want.
- Ask HN: What makes a great personal website?Hacker News
Replies favor fast, simple sites with clear writing and real work over elaborate designs.
Looking for more first-hand opinions? Search Reddit for “what makes a good portfolio website”. We link the live threads rather than summarizing them, so you read them in full.
Our take
write your case studies before you design the site. A portfolio is a set of short stories about your work; the website is just where they live.
Where this falls short
What reviewers value differs by field and seniority, and the NN/g survey covers UX hiring specifically. Creative fields such as illustration or photography lean more heavily on visuals than written case studies.
Orlume builds portfolio sites that put the work first, with case study layouts, generous space and fast images, from a short description of you and your projects.
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Sources
- 1.5 steps to creating a UX-design portfolio · Nielsen Norman Group
- 2.How to maintain a UX portfolio over time · Nielsen Norman Group
Researched and written by the Orlume team · Updated October 2026
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