Section Four — Common Pitfalls & Quick Fixes
What this section does
A one-page sheet you can print, pin above your desk, and consult before publishing your portfolio.
Common Pitfalls & Quick Fixes
|
Pitfall |
10-Minute Quick Fix |
|
|---|---|---|
| Strategy & Story | ||
| 1 |
“Kitchen-sink” portfolio – Five-plus case studies with overlapping skills. |
Pick your top 2-3 projects using the Project-Selection Matrix; hide the rest in an “Archive” folder. |
| 2 |
Vague problem statement – No metric or user pain. |
Add one data point (e.g., “5 of 8 testers hesitated at step 3”) from usability testing, interviews, support logs, or analytics if you have access. |
| 3 |
Wall-of-text intro – Recruiters can’t skim. |
Convert the first paragraph into a single “Project Snapshot” sentence (≤ 25 words) + 3 bullet points. |
| Research & Evidence | ||
| 4 |
Method laundry list – “We did surveys, interviews, personas…” with no insight. |
For each method, write a one-line finding starting “We learned that …” |
| 5 |
Impact claim without proof – “Improved engagement” but no graph. |
Paste a chart, SUS score, task-success result, or before/after bar. If you don’t have live data, use usability test results. Add a caption with the % or point change. |
| Process & Collaboration | ||
| 6 |
Missing trade-offs – Looks like a straight line from idea to solution. |
Insert a screenshot of a discarded concept and a 30-word note on why it was rejected. |
| 7 |
Lone-wolf narrative – No mention of engineers or PMs. |
Add a bullet: “Collaborated with PM + 2 devs; held weekly design-dev syncs.” |
| Solutions & Visuals | ||
| 8 |
Inconsistent typography/grid – Feels unpolished. |
Apply an 8-pt grid and a consistent type scale across screens; re-export. |
| 9 |
Low-contrast UI – Fails accessibility check. |
Run an accessibility checker on a key screen; adjust colours until contrast is at least 4.5 : 1. |
| Professionalism | ||
| 10 |
No reflection – Ends abruptly after results section. |
Add a 50-word “What I’d Improve Next” note + one forward action (e.g., A/B test alt variation) |
How to use the sheet
- Run a 5-minute scan before you publish; tick items fixed.
- Prioritise red-flag wins. If you only have time for one change, fix Pitfall 5 (proof) or Pitfall 9 (contrast)—those are common deal-breakers.
Example: Portfolio
Take inspiration from these expert designers working in the UX/UI and product design industry:
Explore Elizabeth’s fun and unique portfolio
For an AI-driven work, look at Lola’s portfolio
Final portfolio tips depending on the role, and portfolio, you’re aiming for:
“If it’s a product design role, visual polish of the portfolio matters — it needs to look stunning. For user research, the quality of the research done is more important than aesthetics, but the same principles apply. I want to see whether the story they are telling makes sense, whether it aligns with the skills I’m hiring for, and whether they can demonstrate the ability to design or run research effectively. Most importantly, I always recommend getting feedback from someone else — ideally a fellow designer or mentor — to ensure it really lands with your intended audience.”
– Justin Hrabec, Subject Matter Lead and Facilitator on the King’s Career Accelerator