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Get a seat at the table and build the design career you want. This podcast is for designers looking to break in, level up, and take control of their careers—whether you're freelancing, climbing the corporate ladder, or just trying to get noticed. Every two weeks, we dive into career fundamentals, design best practices, and the hottest topics in the design community.
Let's say you this is all very, you know, theory based. Like, 10 people apply for a job. They all have your amount of experience. They all have your educational background, And we're officially live. We are officially live.
Nick:Exactly. I mean, this is just an experiment. We we have discussed quite a few things, you know, lots of tips and tricks. And I think if we continue with what you mentioned earlier, like you you said, okay, we have hero section. This is part of the hero section, and then after the hero section, do such and such and such for your landing page.
Tyler:Mhmm.
Nick:What's a step by step guide for someone who's looking to create their first portfolio? So I would say start with a, quote, unquote, business card on your website, so just the hero section plus the h one subtitle and a button. You know? I mean, that can take a week, week's worth of work just to get right copy wise. But what's step two?
Nick:Like, imagine someone only has a hero section. What should they add as a second step to expand their sapling portfolio?
Tyler:So I think what's the the the most important part is the after the hero section is the case studies. And it starts again, I'm a stickler for titles. It starts with the title.
Nick:Okay.
Tyler:So, again, going back to the the fact that you have two minutes around to get someone's attention, having a clear title to your case studies is super important. And it's it can't be redesigned a social media app. It doesn't have anything tangible to it. And I've seen it very often, these generic titles that don't do what they should. And what they should do is communicate the impact you had on that particular product or feature.
Nick:Mhmm.
Tyler:So it's less of redesigned a thing, a social media app, which is generic, but it could be redesigned social media app, which resulted in 20, 20% increase in conversion. That could be your title because it's something tangible, like Mhmm. Reading it like, if I'm going through your homepage and then you're featuring snippets of your case studies, having that as a title, those types of titles encourage the click to kind of check out that particular portfolio, and it also speaks to the value that you give as a designer.
Nick:Yes. I mean, it's basically you have to speak the, you know, business person language, and they basically have three or four things that they care about that you can, you know, mirror in a way in the title. So they have something that's taking too long, should be quicker. Something is expensive, it should be cheap cheaper.
Tyler:Mhmm.
Nick:And something is very error prone, and it should be more robust, which is, you know, which has a lot of overlap with the the ones before because error prone process is expensive. You know? So if you mention something like that, and then or a fourth one being about growth, you know, more users, more conversions, more money. Like, that's something you should include there. And then I assume the subtitle works the same as an hero section.
Nick:You expand a little bit more about that title. Just give it a bit more body. And from there, you click on it to go to a case study page more in detail.
Tyler:Yep. Exactly. I think you nailed it.
Nick:Yeah. Alright. Well, before we talk about case studies, might be a whole diff different episode that we re because I I think we can talk for hours to dissect a a real, you know, a strong case study page. But if we look at a one page portfolio first, you know, just to make it a bit easier for a complete beginner, we now we have hero section, an overview of case studies. What comes next, if anything, on your home page?
Tyler:Of a teaser or a little bit about me. So I think it's important to beyond just your work was and as part of, like, that brand statement in each one, it's if I'm the hiring manager, I if I'm hiring someone, I'd love to get along with the person. Like, I wanna I wanna imagine or I want you to paint the picture for me of, like, how it would be to work with you. It could also be something some things outside of work, like what what you enjoy outside of your your product design or designer life.
Nick:Mhmm.
Tyler:Just painting the picture in the head of who you are as an individual in in work, but also a bit of outside of work as well.
Nick:Right.
Tyler:I find, like, showing who you are as, like, your authentic human self is super key.
Nick:Right.
Tyler:That's what I kinda do. And while I also put in a couple jokes on my about me section, but just, you know, just to make sure that I don't look like a robot. Well, here's what you do.
Nick:Yeah. Well, again, to be to appear more human. Right? Well, what I think is it's very important. Let's say you this is all very, you know, theory based.
Nick:Like, 10 people apply for a job. They all have your amount of experience. They all have your educational background, graduated in the same year from the same school. Like, everything is equal except for the about section. Well, then in that theoretical case, the about section makes all the difference.
Nick:So a funny joke that makes you be remembered is is super important. So I agree with that there. I would also be careful, you know, because you I wouldn't expect a picture of you, you know, without a shirt sitting on someone's shoulder somewhere in a in a disco. I don't know. But, you know, it's something something like that.
Nick:You know, it it has to be professional still. What I have on my website is something about more about personal impact outside of design tools. So when you go to my website, have, you know, the the about section starts with, like, two visuals, left to right. Mhmm. And the first one is just a scribble.
Nick:Like, imagine someone out of control is just doodling something, a line that's all tangled up. It's almost spaghetti like. And then there's an arrow to the right, and then you have the same line, but it's a nice loop that goes from bottom left to top right. And then above, it's it the title is something like from this to that, and then I explain. Like, I take people, you know, I help you go from unstuck, don't know what to do, to clarity and results and moving forward.
Nick:So it's more about my way of working. And I mentioned there accompanied with two testimonials, and then not testimonials about Nick was very good with Figma, but then but really about the thing I just explained, like taking people by the hand and helping helping them go from a to b. So carefully curated testimonials together with a visual that explains my way of working. Yeah. I I think that's my my version of the about me section, and it has a a button that goes to the full about me page where, you know, where there's everything about me.
Nick:Yeah. That that's that's what I would do.
Tyler:Yeah. I think you said something very important is the testimonials part.
Nick:Mhmm.
Tyler:Especially for like, I think this should be top of mind for someone who's junior, just starting out, who doesn't have testimonials. Your goal is, let's say, for example, you're you're doing the freelance route, make sure that once you complete projects, you're gathering testimonials. This is gonna this is the thing that this adds, like, social, like, credibility to who you are and then collecting those testimonials from project to project and having that testimonial bank, if you were. Mhmm. Super crucial because you can you can sprinkle it throughout everything that you do.
Nick:Mhmm. Yes. I I think it's a strategy that you should have. You know, it's it's it's I perhaps the biggest benefit I've I've had from working in a large corporation for years before I came became a freelancer. They had a a, you know, employee review cycle every year, you know, year end reviews and that kind of stuff.
Nick:So at the end of the year, everyone would go to clients to, you know, hey. We worked together this year in June until August. Do you remember me? Do you and can you can you write something nice about how we work together? You know?
Nick:And that's a whole stressful period because they want you to have a few of those testimonials. But what I learned at that moment is to just do that cycle of of reviewing and and testimonials whenever a project ends. You know, not at the end of the year, but whenever someone's happy with you. Okay, Nick. That that's really great design.
Nick:Well done. Thank you. And then, you know, that project is finished. And then a few days later, you can come back and say, okay. That thing you mentioned, can I use it as a testimonial?
Nick:You know? And then so very naturally, you start collecting them. I just collected two or three recently because I well, because of what I just mentioned. And it's a good motivational boost as well. Like, it feels good to have someone say something nice about you.
Nick:You know? So, yeah, I I have a good list of testimonials. And as say, when you do free work, when you try to get started, the testimonial is part of your payment.
Tyler:100%.
Nick:Yeah. At some point, you can create a testimonial page. That's something I did recently for my website. Yeah. Yeah.
Nick:Because I think lots lots of, you know, SaaS or landings landing pages, they overdo it. They have a wall of testimonials. Like, does it really matter if you have three versus 300? Sometimes people think more is better, but people people don't read it. So I just I show one at a time or perhaps two.
Nick:And then if you want to see more, you can go to a dedicated page just to prevent people from having to scroll too much, read too much. Alright. But if if we circle back, hero section, case studies, about me, testimonials. Those are four super important parts that you should have on your landing page. I am not the best person on camera.
Nick:You know, it's getting better, but it's it used to be way worse. You know, what I mean specifically is me talking on my own. I mean, we're having a conversation. That's perfectly fine, and I'm I'm enjoying it a lot. But if I if you weren't here and I have to record myself, like, that's that's really challenging for me.
Nick:But, again, it's it's it's getting better. But what I what I want to say is that having a good mic and a good camera has been you know, the ROI has been great. For example, for a project recently, someone just posted on LinkedIn, like, hey. I'm looking for a designer for x amount of work, and this is what I tried to accomplish. I reached out, and a week later, I got a message back like, hey, Nick.
Nick:Thanks, but I'm getting so many messages. I'm it's overwhelming. Can you tell me a bit more about yourself? And at that point, I figured like, okay. Lots of people, lots of text.
Nick:He's not going to read everything. Let me record a video and send it over. And a day later, it turns out I am in the top three candidates, and they invited me for a meeting, and everything went smoothly from that moment forward. So, yeah, just an example of recording yourself. I think it's a big differentiator.
Nick:It's very useful. So learn it if you can. Invest into it if you can. So I replied, and they sent me a message. Okay, Nick.
Nick:Tons of messages. Sorry about that. Can you tell me a bit more about yourself? So at that moment, I want to reply, but I was like, well, he mentions already getting lots of messages. Probably not going to read my whole wall of text.
Nick:So instead, I record a video, recorded the video, releasing it like, hello, and I'm the guy's name. I'm Nick, and this is my work. This is what I do, blah blah blah. Showing your face and making a joke. Send it over.
Nick:And the next day, I got a message back like, hey, Nick. You are one of the three people we're going to invite for a meeting. And I think, you know, showing the video was one of the main reasons why that was possible. So, yes, big fan of having video where you can. And if I can do it, I'm sure you can do it as well, you being a random listener.
Nick:You know, I was very introverted. I don't like speaking in front of a camera, And now it's going, you know, well enough that people like the video enough to invite me for a meeting. So, yeah, you can do it too. So all four video, if you can.
Tyler:Because it's an un it's it's a skill that you have to kind of build over time as you it's part of your job. Right? So part of what we do is not only kind of come up with solutions, design things, but it's also presenting our work. Yeah. And then that's just a snapshot or a taste of how it might be to work with the potential person who's hiring you or or the company who wants to engage with you.
Nick:Yes. I think so. And you can take it one step further even to have a whole user flow for someone reaching out to you. I mean, you're a designer, so you probably know how to do it. You know, if someone sent if someone fills out your form, your contact form, and you get their email address, depending on what they fill out on the form, you can send specific emails back to them.
Nick:But, also, once they hit the submit button, redirect them to a thank you page. And on the thank you page, you can show a few highlights of your work. But even better, you can record a video to only show on the thank you page where you say something like, hey. Thanks for reaching out. I'm Nick.
Nick:Very excited to talk to you in a little bit. Now that you're here, here's who I am. You know? Show yourself a little bit, and, you know, it's another way to appear more human and more real and show your face. So have a thank you page, basically.
Tyler:Definitely. Yeah. I mean, I think if you can, that'd be great. I mean, not mandatory, but I think it's a really valuable ad if you're able to present. Also, also, video increases retention, not only in on YouTube, but also or or on product pages, but also if you're selling yourself to or selling your your services to someone.
Nick:Yeah. Oh, yeah. For sure. I mean, there are only a few things you can do to stand out. You can on one end, you can say, like, well, you know, it shouldn't be this hard, and and that's true.
Nick:And then, you know, it it is hard and it is challenging, but a a quick video or something silly on your website or something extra will make you stand out instantly. And it's really going to be helpful. And even if one particular lead doesn't pan out, you still have built a tool for your tool belt. You know? You have you have you make that video once.
Nick:You can reuse it for many situations. You have that I mean, I I have you know, back in the day, I've created a book, portfolio book. And whenever I would go to a job interview in person still, I mean, that's how old I am. I still had to go to in person job interviews back in the day. I would leave the book there, you know, just so that they have something tangible, something real there.
Nick:Know, my name was on it and all my work was in it. You know, you make that you you create a book once, you print it 10 times, and then you can reuse it, you know, 10 times. So it's an investment in your career, and I think it's worth it. So I would really try and go the extra mile if you can, if finances are powered and time that you have, of course. Yeah.
Nick:Anything anything else? We have a hero section, case studies, about testimonials, optional video. Is there anything we're missing before you go to the footer?
Tyler:I think that's good. Like, we don't you don't wanna overengineer it again. I think those are the key things. You hero explaining who you are, case studies showing that you can actually do the work, testimonials that'll back you up giving you that that credibility, and then footer. What goes in the footer?
Tyler:Or is it just what is there anything special there that we should be adding, or is it just links or, like, a site map of your portfolio?
Nick:It's I think it's a mini hero. You have an h two, in that case, not an h one, where you call to action, literally. You can do something visual there as well If you want to IF, once you hit the footer, all sorts of design visuals that I made pop up, and they start hovering and floating, and and there are logos everywhere. It's it's a there's something happening, but, again, it's a title plus subtitle plus call to action. So a condensed version of your footer.
Nick:And then it's up to you and your personal preferences to decide what the call to action button should be. Like, it could be a form instead of a button, but it could be a button that takes you to a form or a button that opens an email client or a WhatsApp button or a phone number that there's no right or wrong there. Some people prefer to be called. Some people prefer to get an email. Some people want to have someone schedule in their calendar right away.
Nick:So, yeah, pick what works for you. And then as you say, a site map, you know, have your main navigation there, a few social media icons, a link to your about page, that kind of stuff. Keep it simple.
Tyler:Yeah. I think that makes sense. The call to action is is is key there. Yeah. Treat it like a second hero.
Tyler:That's a good that's a
Nick:I mean and that that's it. I think for a version one of your portfolio, you know, do the hero section only, get someone to review it, and then slowly but steady, you know, reach out to people, work with people, collect your case studies for part two. Now that I think of it, you could even do your case studies last. Like, if you have a hero section, something about you, and then your footer, like, that's enough as a version 0.2 while you work on your case studies. I wouldn't do a big bang release, like, from nothing to full version one.
Nick:You know? Have something so that people can find you, and then, you know, iteratively build over time. Little bits and pieces every day or every week.
Tyler:But almost like a parallel to how how we build things in product. So Yes. Similar strategies.
Nick:Yeah. I mean, your your your portfolio is your first project, and how you design it, what it looks like, and and the process behind it shows people also how you work. I mean, if you if you have attention to detail on your portfolio, I would assume that you do so as well in your day to day work. But if it looks sloppy and and not cohesive, like, that's not a good first impression.
Tyler:I I think there's a balance there. I think the trend oftentimes is because oftentimes designers take forever to do their portfolio. Yeah. What happens oftentimes in my coaching programs is just get, like, to your point, a v point five out. Pick if you don't have a portfolio platform,
Nick:if
Tyler:you're using WordPress, Webflow, whatever it is, get something out and then work on the polish as you're applying. Because you'll never you'll you'll spin, you'll spin, and you'll never you'll never finish. Because because it's your project, we oftentimes spend more time on it because we don't have that CEO knocking, hey. I need my project. It's it it can Sure.
Tyler:Go on to be infinite.
Nick:Yeah. I mean, it's very scary to work on your own stuff. It's much easier to have feedback on someone else. With that being said, you know, what's I think what's very interesting is that the episode after this one is you and I going to apply all what we just mentioned in the last two episodes on someone who reached out to us.
Tyler:Mhmm.
Nick:I'm not sure if you saw, but someone commented on one of our videos that they liked our video and need a little bit of help. So I've been emailing back and forth with him, and now we are going to review his portfolio, apply all of these things we mentioned, live recorded slash live on a future episode. Very curious how that's going to be. So imagine that you're a junior designer and two very experienced designers are going to poke holes in your portfolio. I mean, I think it's gonna be very helpful for him and a cool experiment for our, you know, a new fledgling podcast.
Tyler:Yes. Definitely. I think we're just gonna be applying some of the techniques that we've kind of gone over today and see how they might apply, and then also Yeah. Maybe some surprises along the way
Nick:depending on For sure.
Tyler:What we're seeing.
Nick:Yes. I mean, every portfolio is different. There will always be something new. And I don't know about you, but I learned myself while reviewing. Like, oh, that's interesting what they did there.
Nick:And then you can apply a little bit of it for your own stuff. But more on that later. I think it's going to be a very exciting episode. A live I'm looking forward to design table. Yes.
Nick:A live design table podcast review of someone's portfolio. Looking forward to it. Yeah. Same. See you then.
Nick:See then.
Tyler:That was a great episode. So if you like this content and wanna hear more, please like and subscribe.
Nick:Yeah. And if you want to see more, please go to designtablepodcast.com, Spotify, Apple Music, all the big players, and more.