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Anyone who's pushing you to focus on your portfolio UI, is doing you a huge disservice
JAN 30, 2024
him
Unpopular take:
Anyone who's pushing you to focus on your portfolio UI, is doing you a huge disservice.
Now whoever says that they have looked at 100s of portfolios and would tell you how to make yours better, should be ignored wholeheartedly.
Someone who thinks they’re an expert on all things portfolio are essentially asking you to conform.
Designers should do anything but start with a conforming personality.
jayzee4412
Do you mean(from designer's POV): One should follow their design style, build on it and showcase 'that' in ones' portfolio?
Do you mean (from that anyone's POV): A person who knows how to see through a person's work, won't recommend working on the UI, elements etc?
priyanshsingara
can you talk more about this? what should a portfolio focus on?
him
Priyansh Singara
can you talk more about this? what should a portfolio focus on?
Don't make portfolios unless your best aspect is your UI skills.
Even then don't conform to what exists. Don't blend in!
If your skills go beyond UI, please write, make videos, do whatever but show us how widely and deeply you think.
Thinkers > UIers (for me, not necessarily everyone) 🤭
You should also be careful of where you're applying and what do they genuinely value.
❤️
priyanshsingara
Gotcha, now what do you mean by videos? are these case study walkthroughs? or something specific?
him
Jayshree Ramgarhia
Do you mean(from designer's POV): One should follow their design style, build on it and showcase 'that' in ones' portfolio?
Do you mean (from that anyone's POV): A person who knows how to see through a person's work, won't recommend working on the UI, elements etc?
Good take!
Also, UI in most cases is the lowest on priority to make a product more useful. It's important but not necessary.
While hiring someone critical, most senior folks would want to understand your personality and that might not be visible in what we call a portfolio.
❤️
Priyansh Singara
Gotcha, now what do you mean by videos? are these case study walkthroughs? or something specific?
Interview yourself, or ask a friend to interview you. Simple?!
priyanshsingara
Although isn't unique visual a part of your personality that you want to portray.
look at openvy, it could be made exactly similar to what twitter is currently, but its majorly different in terms of visuals, which gives it a unique personality, helps stand out.
Why not apply this to personal portfolios too?
Usually if you are into unique visuals, it has to be GOOD VISUAL DESIGN in conventional sense.
him
Priyansh Singara
Although isn't unique visual a part of your personality that you want to portray.
look at openvy, it could be made exactly similar to what twitter is currently, but its majorly different in terms of visuals, which gives it a unique personality, helps stand out.
Why not apply this to personal portfolios too?
Usually if you are into unique visuals, it has to be GOOD VISUAL DESIGN in conventional sense.
Not at all.
It's the easiest thing to copy, like you have mentioned in your example.
Let me share a different analogy:
If you were making a movie, should you rather focus on story, script, direction, acting or art direction?
Which of the above can be removed entirely and still make a fantastic movie?
priyanshsingara
When you look at movies, people don't have a set expectation from it, we always look forward to see something different everytime..
Now when recruiters and hiring managers are given "things to look for" in a portfolio that usually should check the boxes.
The story, script and acting of every portfolio remains more or less similar. You can play around pretty less.
To stand out people use good visual design as a rescue (art direction)
the only difference I see is the people watching movies and portfolios.
Movies - we look forward
Portfolio - we look for somethings (unfortunately)
him
Do you really want to work with people who want to check boxes? 🤭
Priyansh Singara
When you look at movies, people don't have a set expectation from it, we always look forward to see something different everytime..
Now when recruiters and hiring managers are given "things to look for" in a portfolio that usually should check the boxes.
The story, script and acting of every portfolio remains more or less similar. You can play around pretty less.
To stand out people use good visual design as a rescue (art direction)
What we expect from movies, is actually true for someone valuable we're trying to hire. And more — movie is a result. Portfolio is a facade.
priyanshsingara
Sometimes the top of the funnel everywhere is people just looking at checkboxes.
The really good folks are at the bottom of the funnel.
The intention is to work with them, but sometimes you optimize for the people at the funnel top to reach the bottom. unfortunately.
I think this is why people talk more about visual design in portfolios.
Himanshu Khanna
What we expect from movies, is actually true for someone valuable we're trying to hire. And more — movie is a result. Portfolio is a facade.
hehe yes, in true sense!
him
It's the other way!
Gatekeepers look at checkboxes. Doers don't.
priyanshsingara
I was referring to a similar point.
the real nuance like writing and videos can also be there for someone looking for it.
But why not have a good visual design?
Thinking > visuals, always.
However I observed it does not help if you entirely don't focus on visuals.
him
Priyansh Singara
I was referring to a similar point.
the real nuance like writing and videos can also be there for someone looking for it.
But why not have a good visual design?
Thinking > visuals, always.
However I observed it does not help if you entirely don't focus on visuals.
I think it's time for beginners to question themselves if they just want an opportunity (push) or a specific opportunity (pull)?
priyanshsingara
Okay, this brings a different perspective! Thanks
I never thought that PULL would need a different strategy than PUSH.
Makes a lot of sense, a lot of people who are reached out by fellow good thinkers always show one core thinking skill that pulls everyone towards them.
This is going to my personal notes!
❤️
okay one more question, what is the core goal of adding things like writing, videos, etc to your portfolio?
1. To showcase how you think
2. To start an interesting conversation
Anything else, that would help me brainstorm about what all things can we add.
I have 1 year left to make my portfolio before I start looking for jobs. Gotta need some food for thought✨✨
@him
him
Priyansh Singara
okay one more question, what is the core goal of adding things like writing, videos, etc to your portfolio?
1. To showcase how you think
2. To start an interesting conversation
Anything else, that would help me brainstorm about what all things can we add.
I have 1 year left to make my portfolio before I start looking for jobs. Gotta need some food for thought✨✨
@him
To initiate a relationship / connection with the viewer.
priyanshsingara
Thanks got it!
❤️
