UX Memorandum Portfolio
Overview
What
Minimalist Case Studies
Process
Showcasing a single lesson learned or insight for adapting during the iterative design process
Outcome
Focused exploration of my design and problem-solving process
I created a minimalist case study template that focuses on a single challenging aspect of a project to share insights or lessons learned quickly. The collection of "memo" use cases aims to highlight how to pivot and adapt during the iterative process and share design insight.
Problem Statement
The project explored scenarios around creating use cases and determining how they are used to add value to projects. I established a research scope to focus on understanding practical applications and identifying user needs for reading this project documentation artifact.
Results
I created a memorandum portfolio template, which I socialized through a Medium article, and developed my UX Memorandum Portfolio to encourage documenting and sharing design insights throughout a project and foster collaboration.
Future Recommendations
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Socialize the concept of brief single-focused use cases to gather feedback
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Refine memorandum portfolio template for diverse presentations
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Develop guidance for consistent artifact documentation and creation
My Role
UX Designer
UX Skills
Qualitative Research
Desktop Research
UX Strategy
Service Design
User Interviews
Workshop Design
Facilitation
Project Management
Tools
Google Suite
Figma
Miro
Zoom
Design Concept
Initial Research Effort
Secondary Research
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Who uses a use case? What value is derived from a use case? What is the relevance of portfolios?
Literature Review
Online Articles and Recruiter Feedback
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Compiled resources about use cases and portfolios, finding common purpose and structure
Portfolios and Use Cases provide insights into a designer's thought process for selecting design activities, exploring why that specific data was needed, and influencing the iterative design process
Who uses Portfolios?
Recruiters
How do they use Portfolios?
Scan for titles, summaries, keywords
Managers
Results, Problem-solving, Annotations
Value from Portfolios?
Find and select highly potential candidates
Review candidates for desired experiences and skills
Design Colleagues
Lessons Learns, Tool Utilization, Insights
Learn new techniques and improve skill efficiency
Design Reviews
Design Portfolios
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Compiled UX Designer portfolios, finding commonalities in the website's layout, structure, and purpose
Portfolios are storytelling companions bestowing your skill and abilities through common themes - how you solve problems
Home
Portfolio Website Basics
Show your distinction and specialization
About
Case Study
Resume
Show your interest and collaboration style
Show your problem-solving approach
Show your experience (domain knowledge)
Design Portfolio Assets
Assets
Resume, Portfolio, LinkedIn
Resume
Your experiences and design impact
Portfolio
Why and how you complete a project
Community engagement and networking
Compelling UX Portfolio Shared Attributes
Concise Content
Tailored materials and processing explanations throughout the iterative design process
Scannable Layout
Visual hierarchy to improve scanning for context and comprehension
Annotations
Guide the viewer's attention by providing the purpose of reviewing an image/ artifact
Research Synthesis
Determine the Viewer's Needs
Portfolios serve multiple purposes by concisely presenting skills, experiences, and design insights while considering the viewer's time limitation and purpose.
Essentially, the primary viewers of portfolios want to comprehend the essence of the use case as quickly as possible by assessing the problem, process, and progress.
Viewer Questions for Portfolios
Problem: have you identified the problems?
Process: how did you explore those problems?
Progress: how did you solve those problems?
Portfolio Website's Purpose
How to Structure a Portfolio Website
Awareness (Pain Point)
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Landing page: What is the viewer’s purpose for visiting the site?
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What problem are you helping them solve?
Attention (Value Proposition)
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How are you demonstrating value to the viewer?
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What is the viewer getting from you?
Attraction (Reason to Believe)
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How are you persuading the viewer to hire you?
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What evidence are you presenting?
Action (Call to Action)
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What is the primary task you want the viewer to do?
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What alternatives are you presenting if they reject the primary task?
Viewer Perspective
Awareness
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How can you solve my problems?
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How can you add value to my projects?
Attention
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Reduce complexity through storytelling
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Confidence that you can collaborate with teams
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Attraction
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Logical walkthrough of the iterative process
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Tailored artifacts for identified pain points
Action
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Make contact
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Download your resume or follow social media
Design Experiment
Problem: time constraints prevent detailed portfolio use case assessments
Hypothesis: utilizing a concise memorandum-style template could improve evaluation by focusing on a single lesson learned, showcasing the design process, and overcoming setbacks.
UX Design Memorandum Use Case Template
A Memo Portfolio is a collection of brief case studies that offer insight into design practices by focusing on a single research insight or showcasing a lesson learned from overcoming setbacks
Memorandum Use Case Anatomy
Attention grabbing title
Explain what you did
Explain the results
Artifact highlight
Showcase design knowledge and insight about the project
Artifact intention
Unique/ Useful findings
Future project roadmap
Design Experiment Results
​I socialized the memorandum portfolio template and concept via Medium and LinkedIn, generating community interest and feedback.
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I refined the template and created my UX Memorandum Portfolio based on community comments.