Week 5: Building A Professional Presence
As the digital landscape evolves, organizations increasingly emphasize the importance of delivering outstanding user experiences, resulting in UX design becoming a rapidly growing and sought-after profession. To successfully obtain a position in this competitive field, it is crucial to develop a robust portfolio and cultivate an effective online presence. In this segment of the course, you will commence the process of constructing a portfolio to exhibit your work, examine personal branding, and acquire the skills needed to establish a professional online identity.
Learning Objectives
- Comprehend the essential elements of a UX design portfolio.
- Develop an online portfolio to highlight UX design projects.
- Recognize the critical components of an impactful portfolio.
- Integrate storytelling and branding aspects into a UX design portfolio.
- Utilize writing best practices for portfolio content.
- Learn how to create a professional design presence online.
- Establish or enhance professional profiles on social media platforms.
- Engage in online UX communities for networking and learning opportunities.
- Define the concept of impostor syndrome and investigate methods to overcome it.
- Formulate strategies for connecting with potential mentors.
- Examine effective techniques for expanding a professional network.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ON UX DESIGN PORTFOLIOS
1. How does a portfolio help UX designers find work in their field? Select all that apply.
- A portfolio includes a 1-page summary on why a designer would be a good fit for an open position.
- A portfolio showcases a designer’s understanding of UX design principles. (CORRECT)
- A portfolio can highlight a UX designer’s skills during the job application process. (CORRECT)
Demonstrating an understanding of design principles through a portfolio helps designers secure work and provides a sense of belonging in the UX design community. Portfolios also highlight a designer’s skills during the job application process.
A portfolio not only highlights a designer’s work and skills but also reflects their understanding of core UX design principles.
2. What is a design portfolio?
- A collection of social media posts that demonstrate a designer’s work history
- A collection of work that demonstrates a designer’s skills during the job application process (CORRECT)
- A collection of design work that includes the top designers in a field
- A collection of professional references complete with phone numbers
Correct: A design portfolio is a collection of work that demonstrates a designer’s skills during the job application process. It is likely hosted on a website.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: INCIDENT RESPONSE OPERATIONS
1. Fill in the blank: A _______ is a one- or two-sentence phrase that describes what you do and what you stand for.
- personal statement (CORRECT)
- personal brand
- tagline
Correct: The best personal statements are memorable and catchy.
2. How can your presence in online design communities help you gain exposure to UX design? Select all that apply.
- You can follow the profiles of non-UX design professionals.
- You can engage with other UX designers by liking or commenting on their community posts. (CORRECT)
- You can post your designs and receive feedback from experienced UX designers. (CORRECT)
Engaging with the work of other UX designers through likes and comments is an effective strategy for expanding your professional network beyond immediate contacts. Additionally, sharing your design work can provide valuable feedback from seasoned professionals in the field.
Promoting your designs is an impactful way to demonstrate your skills. Furthermore, interacting with fellow UX designers by liking or commenting on their contributions can enhance connections and cultivate a sense of community within the industry.
3. Why do recruiters check your social media profiles when considering you for a job? Select all that apply.
- To test your knowledge of UX design
- To assess if you have a strong professional network
- To learn about your interests outside of work (CORRECT)
- To confirm your work and educational background (CORRECT)
Recruiters evaluate personal social media profiles to determine your suitability for the organization. They also utilize professional networking platforms to confirm your work and educational qualifications.
Recruiters examine profiles on professional networking sites such as LinkedIn to authenticate your educational background and work experience while also gaining understanding of your interests outside of your professional life.
WEEKLY CHALLENGE 5: BUILD A PROFESSIONAL PRESENCE
1. How can a portfolio be used to help further a designer’s career?
- To showcase examples of their work to hiring managers (CORRECT)
- To showcase a complete record of their job history
- To showcase their professional references
Correct: A portfolio can demonstrate a designer’s skills, and help hiring managers accurately assess the skills a designer can bring to the job.
2. What is a benefit of using a website builder?
- Website builders are only for advanced users.
- Website builders offer tutorials on building with code.
- Website builders make it possible to create a functional website without HTML and CSS knowledge. (CORRECT)
- Website builders have a single template.
Correct: HTML and CSS are helpful languages to know, but they’re not required for designers that want to to use website builders.
3. A good portfolio has which of the following qualities? Select all that apply
- A good portfolio must be created with an easy-to-use website builder.
- A good portfolio is concise, and highlights key insights that helped inform a designer’s decisions on a project. (CORRECT)
- A good portfolio establishes a personal brand. (CORRECT)
- A good portfolio tells an engaging story about a designer’s process. (CORRECT)
The accompanying text for design projects must be articulate and succinct, enabling your work to convey its message effectively.
A well-curated portfolio should embody your personal brand, emphasize your distinctive competencies, mirror your core values, and project a public image that is cohesive with these traits.
It is essential to engage your audience, and narrating a captivating story serves as a powerful method to seize their interest.
4. Personal branding is essential to demonstrating a designer’s values, unique skills, and personality. What are the benefits of creating a personal brand? Select all that apply.
- A personal brand allows you to blend in with the rest of the design community.
- A personal brand allows recruiters and potential employers to understand who you are, and learn about your passions and your strengths. (CORRECT)
- A personal brand can help you match with companies that share your values. (CORRECT)
- A personal brand helps you stand out from the crowd. (CORRECT)
A personal brand serves as a visual representation of a designer’s aesthetic, character, principles, and more.
For companies looking to hire designers, comprehending the designer’s personal brand and its alignment with the organization’s values is advantageous.
Cultivating a distinctive personal brand enables a designer to distinguish themselves and effectively differentiate from their peers.
5. It’s important for designers to include a personal statement to reinforce their professional presence online. What should a personal statement highlight?
- The differences between a designer’s personal and professional life
- The things a designer does, and what they stand for (CORRECT)
- The list of projects a designer has completed
Correct: A personal statement should effectively and concisely describe what a designer does, and what they stand for.
6. Identify websites that feature a job board to assist designers in procuring their next job or project. Select all that apply.
- Medium
- Behance (CORRECT)
- LinkedIn (CORRECT)
- Dribbble (CORRECT)
Correct: Behance features a job board to assist designers in procuring their next job or project.
Correct: LinkedIn features a job board to assist designers in procuring their next job or project.
Correct: Dribbble features a job board to assist designers in procuring their next job or project.
7. Should designers prepare for potential employers to check their social media accounts during the application process?
- Yes, potential employers typically check social media accounts to learn about a designer’s outside interests. (CORRECT)
- Maybe, but since it’s not always part of the application process, designers do not need to establish a strong presence on their media accounts.
- No, designers don’t need to worry about employers checking social media accounts, since a resume and portfolio are typically sufficient.
Correct!
8. Can designers leverage online UX communities to gather feedback on their work?
- Yes. Designers can post work in popular UX communities online to generate ideas, find inspiration, and learn from other UX professionals. (CORRECT)
- No. Designers should avoid posting their work online, since it’s possible that other designers may use these ideas on projects.
- Maybe. Designers can get feedback from people online, but it’s best to use subscription-based services where users are verified UX professionals.
Correct: Designers can share their work on popular online UX communities as long as they respect non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). These platforms provide valuable opportunities to interact with fellow designers and receive constructive feedback from experienced UX professionals.
9. Fill in the blank: To convey the value of your work, you should create a story that _____.
- reflects your professional goals
- grabs your user’s attention (CORRECT)
- stands in place of work samples
- includes the highlights of your resume
Correct: To showcase your unique value and personal brand, it’s crucial to tell a story that captivates the audience. This narrative should grab attention and highlight what sets you apart, ensuring that you stand out in the minds of those reviewing your work.
10. Imagine that a designer writes content for their online portfolio. To come across as knowledgeable about UX design, they include industry terms and buzzwords that are trending in the design sector. What can this designer do to improve their written content?
- Increase buzzwords and industry terms
- Add long descriptive paragraphs to hook readers
- Use brief, uncomplicated language (CORRECT)
- Replace written content with visual components
Correct: Less is more when writing content for an online portfolio. This designer should use as few words as possible to make their point.
11. What should designers include in the About Me page on their website?
- Sketches, final designs, and wireframes
- Creators a designer follows, popular trends, and test results from case studies
- Work, passions, and credentials (CORRECT)
Correct: An “About Me” page should highlight a designer’s work, passions, and credentials. It can also include additional relevant details that might appeal to potential employers and recruiters, offering a well-rounded view of the designer’s expertise and personality.
12. What is a portfolio?
- A detailed outline of past jobs.
- A collection of job resources, past applications, and recommendation letters.
- A collection of creative work that showcases a designer’s skills in a certain area. (CORRECT)
Correct: UX design is a creative field, and it’s crucial to showcase examples of your work to hiring managers. Portfolios not only highlight your creativity but also demonstrate the knowledge and skills you can contribute to the role.
13. How might a non-disclosure agreement affect a designer’s portfolio?
- They help designers display their designs.
- They help designers demonstrate their design process.
- They help designers avoid sharing sensitive information. (CORRECT)
Correct: A non-disclosure agreement is a contract an employee might sign when working with a business, in which they agree not to share sensitive information. Designers should keep this in mind when they share designs or processes in a portfolio.
14. Why should personal branding matter to a UX designer? Select all that apply.
- It enhances a designer’s creative drive.
- It can help match a designer with companies that share their values. (CORRECT)
- It helps a designer stand out from the crowd. (CORRECT)
- It showcases the type of work a designer does. (CORRECT)
The manner in which a designer presents their personal brand is critical, as it establishes the initial impression potential employers will form. First impressions are significant.
While reinterpreting trends in one’s unique style can be an excellent avenue for creativity, it is essential to also highlight distinctive projects and personal attributes. Failing to do so may cause you to blend in with other candidates.
By clearly showcasing your work, you provide potential employers with a definitive understanding of what they can expect from you prior to making a hiring decision.
15. Identify why it’s important for UX designers to create and keep up-to-date social media profiles.
- Social media provides opportunities to build personal relationships
- Social media provides opportunities to create fan pages of other designers
- Social media provides opportunities to connect with recruiters and potential employers (CORRECT)
- Social media provides opportunities to post a company’s design content
Correct: Social media offers designers valuable opportunities to connect with recruiters and potential employers, helping to expand their professional network and increase visibility in the job market.
16. Personal branding should be platform-specific.
- True
- False (CORRECT)
Correct: Your brand should maintain consistency across all online platforms, including social media accounts, profiles on UX design communities, your resume, and business cards. This ensures a cohesive and professional representation of your personal brand.
17. Why is it important for UX designers to use a portfolio during the job application process?
- Because it shows hiring managers examples of work and the skills a designer can bring to the job (CORRECT)
- Because it’s a great way to start feeling like a part of the UX design community
- Because jobs in the creative fields don’t accept traditional resumes
Correct: The best way for hiring managers to appreciate the projects you’ve created is to review them! Otherwise, hiring managers won’t be able to accurately assess your abilities and understand what you can bring to the job.
18. Which of the following is required to create a portfolio with a website builder?
- Domain
- HTML
- Designs (CORRECT)
- CSS
Correct: In order to show off your portfolio to hiring managers and others in the design community, you’ll first need design projects.
19. In order to curate a cohesive personal brand that you identify with, what are a few questions you can ask yourself? Select all that apply.
- What do I wish I was better at?
- What do I want people to recognize me for? (CORRECT)
- What have I learned to do well? (CORRECT)
- How do other people describe me and my talents? (CORRECT)
The section on personal branding asks you to reflect on questions such as, “What do I want people to recognize me for?”
The section on personal branding poses questions for you to consider, including, “What have I learned to do well?”
The section on personal branding encourages you to think about questions like, “How do others describe me and my talents?”
20. How can a designer reinforce their professional presence online?
- Post exclusive content on their preferred social media platform.
- Keep their design style, professional photos, and personal brand consistent across platforms. (CORRECT)
- Curate a company’s statement that reflects their brand and work.
- Post personal opinions about non-industry subjects.
Correct: To ensure potential employers can easily recognize your personal brand across platforms, it’s important to maintain consistency in your style, color schemes, and professional photos. This helps create a cohesive and memorable impression.
21. Which popular online community for UX designers focuses on long-form writing?
- Medium (CORRECT)
Correct: Medium is one of the most popular online communities for UX designers.
22. What should a designer include in their application for a design role?
- Resume (CORRECT)
- Personal social media profiles
- Design inspirations
- Hobbies and interests
Correct: To complete the application process, designers should include a resume that highlights their professional experience and includes a link to their design portfolio, allowing employers to easily review their work.
23. Which of the following can help a UX designer enhance their social media presence?
- Avoid starting conversations with industry professionals on social media
- Set personal accounts to public mode.
- Tag and interact with industry professionals on social media (CORRECT)
- Don’t worry about what is shared, posted, and liked on social media
Correct: Interacting with industry professionals through social media platforms enables you to stay informed about prevailing trends, foster discussions with colleagues, and gather valuable insights from seasoned leaders in your domain.
24. What beneficial features do website builders offer UX designers when building a personalized online portfolio? Select all that apply.
- Detailed instructions on how to code in HTML and CSS
- Tutorials with guidance on how to add text and multimedia elements (CORRECT)
- User-friendly editing features (CORRECT)
Website builders offer intuitive editing features, instructional content, and design templates, enabling users to begin their projects without starting from zero.
25. Identify best practices that can help you personalize your portfolio. Select all that apply.
- Include lots of detail
- Tell a story (CORRECT)
- Establish your personal brand (CORRECT)
- Go beyond the template (CORRECT)
Narrating the story of your design process not only captivates your audience but also highlights your unique approach to design. Developing your personal brand and transcending conventional templates are essential strategies that can enrich your portfolio with a personal touch.
Your personal brand should effectively communicate your identity and the value you deliver to an organization. Storytelling and moving beyond standard templates are effective methods for personalizing your portfolio.
Tailoring your website to resonate with your brand narrative distinguishes your portfolio from others in the field. Crafting a personal brand and incorporating storytelling are additional strategies that can enhance the individuality of your portfolio.
26. Fill in the blank: When working as a UX designer or in any other creative role, your personal brand is important because _____. Select all that apply.
- it demonstrates your design experience to companies
- it describes your success
- it helps you identify with companies that share your values (CORRECT)
- it is a way for you to stand out from the crowd (CORRECT)
Your personal brand helps align you with companies that share your values. This is important because it allows companies to understand how you could fit as a member of their organization.
Your personal brand helps you stand out from the crowd by reflecting your unique values and interests.
27. Fill in the blank: As a best practice, your photos should be _____ when posted across social media platforms.
- dated
- competitive
- random
- consistent (CORRECT)
Correct: Posting photos consistent across platforms helps to build a cohesive professional presence online.
28. What are some ways to overcome imposter syndrome? Select all that apply.
- Take on extra work to do prove you can do the job
- Acknowledge your thoughts (CORRECT)
- Own your accomplishments (CORRECT)
- Make a list of your accomplishments and skills (CORRECT)
- Have a conversation with your mentor (CORRECT)
Correct: Acknowledging the thoughts you have about feeling this way is the first step to overcoming imposter syndrome.
Correct: Taking responsibility for the role you played in the accomplishment is a step you can take to overcome imposter syndrome.
Correct: Try writing down five skills that show you’re qualified for the job you are considering or five accomplishments you’re proud of. This writing exercise can help you overcome imposter syndrome.
Correct: Speaking with someone about what’s going on in your mind is helpful for overcoming imposter syndrome.
29. How can designers benefit from online UX communities?
- Start a design business and file key legal documents
- Share full case studies
- Get inspiration from other designers (CORRECT)
- Communicate with company executives
Correct: Designers may benefit in several ways when they engage with popular UX communities online. These spaces offer opportunities to learn from others, share original work, and find inspiration in others’ designs.
30. Identify a tip a designer should consider when creating descriptions for their website.=
- Add jargon
- Use complicated language
- Include complex depictions of projects
- Inject personality (CORRECT)
Correct: You want to strike a balance, honoring your personality and your public persona.
31. Consider the following scenario:
A UX designer wants to create an updated portfolio to showcase their unique skills and values as a designer. They start by purchasing a custom domain name. To make a great first impression on website visitors, they add projects that highlight the type of work they do well. Then, they add a concise description of their personal design philosophy to help them stand out from the crowd.
This designer is applying what best practice to convey the value of their work?
- verage free online resources
- Use widely available templates
Correct: Establishing a personal brand is crucial. It represents the intersection of your personality, unique skills, and values as a designer with your public persona.
32. A designer is deciding how to describe their work in their online portfolio. Should they include technical language and buzzwords, since the target audience includes people from the UX design industry?
- Yes. They should write content that appeals to industry professionals, recruiters, and hiring managers.
- No. They should write content that is friendly, conversational, and aligns with their personal brand. (CORRECT)
- Sometimes. They should use technical language if they have more experience, but conversational language if they are early in their career.
Correct: Simple and friendly conversational language is best when writing content for an online portfolio. It is best to minimize the use of buzzwords, complicated language, and technical jargon.
33. When including case studies in a design portfolio, which of the following questions should they answer?
- What process did the designer follow? (CORRECT)
- Who were the designer’s mentors?
- What UX design online communities are featured in the case study?
- What biases did the designer include?
Correct: It’s important to show your work process so outside parties can get a grasp of the effort that went into the final product.
34. What is a personal statement?
- A visual prompt that tells the user to take action.
- A one- to two-sentence phrase describing what a designer does and what they stand for. (CORRECT)
- A summary of a designer’s work and long-term goals.
Correct: Personal statements should be effective and concise.
35. Imagine that a designer writes content for their online portfolio. To align with their personal brand, they include friendly, conversational language. They write brief and snappy descriptions, and include key details about their professional background. Before they publish, what can they do to ensure the content is as good as it can be?
- Complement written content with visual components
- Infuse buzzwords and technical terms into the written content
- Add long descriptive paragraphs to hook readers
- Find a trusted editor to review the content (CORRECT)
Correct: Everyone, including professional writers, makes mistakes. A designer can ask a friend to review the writing for spelling and grammatical errors to help refine and polish the content.