Hello, it’s Aneta here 👋 Sorry for the delay with the newsletter, but I’ve been working on a UX Portfolio course for you and it’s been taking up all my time lately! Anyway, welcome in the issue #15 of UX Design Express and today we’re talking about

Visual design tips for your UX portfolio

You already know that visuals create a strong first impression in a UX portfolio. It’s not about having flashy animations or fancy screens - what really matters is having a clean, well-designed and good looking portfolio. But what exactly does “good looking” mean? It’s all about following the fundamental principles of visual design.

So how to avoid typical visual mistakes in your UX portfolio and what to do instead?

Let’s dive in 🐬

01. Not treating artefacts as a part of a story

One of the biggest issues I see in UX portfolios is the way images, research artefacts, and mockups are used. Too many designers treat visuals as separate from the written story, throwing in random screens or artefacts where they think they look good or just as a sample of what they worked on. They often skip explaining their design decisions, treating mockups as a graphic image, filler rather than something important.

Don’t do this ⬇️

Instead do this ⬇️

02. Showing tiny or blurry artefacts

Tiny or blurry artefacts in your portfolio are a big no-no. They make your work hard to read and suggest you're not being intentional about what you’re showcasing. Tiny artefacts simply don’t grab attention, while blurry ones can make it look like you don’t know how to export high-quality visuals or are hiding something. If you want to show something, show it clearly - try exporting images twice as big for better quality.

Don’t do this ⬇️

Instead do this ⬇️

03. Making your portfolio difficult to scan

Using too little white space makes your portfolio look cramped and harder to read, as content groups get too close. Don’t be afraid to use more space. Another issue is poor visual hierarchy, like using the same size for headings and body text, which makes scanning difficult. Long walls of text are also a problem - hiring managers prefer portfolios that are easy to scan. Keep it concise, use clear headings, and make sure your portfolio is visually organised for quick readability.

Don’t do this ⬇️

Instead do this ⬇️

04. Copy pasting artefacts without thinking

A common mistake designers make is copying and pasting artefacts into their portfolios without checking if they’re relevant. This often happens after UX bootcamps or when they're short on time. Copying raw content from projects won’t create a compelling story. Instead, focus on what truly matters to your narrative. If you want to show a user persona, don’t copy the whole persona template to your portfolio. Think about which information you really needed to make your design decisions and show irrelevant stuff.

Don’t do this ⬇️

Instead do this ⬇️

That's it for today!

Get portfolio support from me ⭐️

There are 2 ways I can support you individually with your portfolio.

1. Let’s do it long-term! The biggest results come from this

2. Hop on a one-time call with me

Fully booked until middle of December!

I’m back in two Fridays with another edition of UX Design Express 👋

Keep designing ✨
Aneta