Portfolio Design Iterations

LO 3 - Creative Iterations

A design diary documenting the complete creative iteration process for my portfolio website. From initial concepts through stakeholder feedback to validated final designs.

Year
2024
Role
UI/UX Designer
Tools
Figma
Type
Portfolio Website
Context
Fontys Semester 3
01

Clear Starting Points

Initial Concept

The goal was to create a landing page showcasing all my projects, focusing on process and results through visuals like photos and videos. I wanted to demonstrate both my creative and technical abilities through an engaging, single-page design.

Design Decision

Explored three design directions: Minimalist, Creative, and Professional. Selected the Creative Design approach for its ability to highlight my artistic and technical skills with engaging visuals and interactivity.

Inspiration Sources

  • Competitor portfolios and research
  • Single-page design patterns
  • Dynamic features from portfolios like Artur Bień's and Laysan Lessy's
  • Interactive visual elements

Design Goals

  • Clear navigation structure
  • Focus on creative and technical elements
  • Engaging visuals and interactivity
  • Responsive design for all devices
02

Reasons for Iteration

👥

Stakeholder Feedback

Simplify contact section, emphasize personal connection, use years instead of percentages

🎓

Peer & Mentor Feedback

Improve case studies with challenges/solutions/outcomes, add interactive skill popups

🔍

Competitive Research

Focus on dynamic features, interactive visuals, ensure responsive accessibility

Key Feedback Points

  1. Contact Section: Replace the form with footer links to LinkedIn and email for simplicity
  2. About Me: Expand personal connection by adding more personality and values
  3. Skills Section: Use years of experience instead of percentage indicators for clarity
  4. Case Studies: Detail challenges, solutions, and outcomes for each project
  5. Interactivity: Replace static designs with interactive pop-ups for engagement
03

Before and After Iterations

Skills Section Iteration

Before

Static table with percentage indicators. No context about actual experience or capabilities.

After

Interactive pop-ups displaying skill names, years of experience, and concise explanations of capabilities.

Case Studies Section Iteration

Before

Brief descriptions without structured narratives. No clear story of the design process.

After

Detailed challenges, solutions, and outcomes for each project with supporting visuals.

Contact Section Iteration

Before

A standalone contact page with a form that users rarely completed.

After

Direct LinkedIn and email links in the footer for quick, easy contact.

About Me Section Iteration

Before

Minimal personal information. No personality or connection with visitors.

After

Expanded content with hobbies popup, fun facts, and insights into personality and values.

04

Wireframes & Layout Planning

Design Annotations

Low-fidelity and high-fidelity wireframes showing the evolution of project layouts. Includes detailed annotations for spacing, typography sizes, and visual hierarchy planning.

05

Concept Design - Doctor Demand App

Healthcare App Case Study

A complete concept design demonstrating the Challenges → Solutions → Outcomes framework that I applied to all my case studies. "Doctor Demand" bridges healthcare access gaps through virtual consultations.

Challenges

"Providing healthcare access to underserved communities was the core challenge. Limited resources and geographical barriers often prevent individuals from connecting with healthcare professionals."

Solutions

"Doctor Demand offers a mobile app that bridges this gap through virtual consultations and remote diagnoses. With a user-friendly interface and AI integration, the app empowers users to easily connect with doctors."

Outcomes

"The app improves healthcare accessibility by eliminating geographical barriers. It enables users to schedule virtual appointments, access medical advice, and receive timely care, ultimately enhancing the healthcare experience for underserved communities."

06

Validation of Iterations

Triangulation Strategy

I validated my design decisions through multiple feedback sources to ensure the iterations truly improved the user experience:

  • HR Feedback: Highlighted the importance of storytelling and simple navigation for recruiters reviewing portfolios
  • Competitive Analysis: Confirmed the effectiveness of interactive elements and engaging visuals in standing out
  • UX Research: Supported responsive and accessible design principles for all device types

User Testing Results

  • Feedback emphasized removing unnecessary sections like the full contact page
  • Stakeholders appreciated the added personal connection in "About Me"
  • Interactive skills popup received positive feedback

Peer Feedback

  • Suggested enhancing case studies with more in-depth process details
  • Recommended using interactive elements to showcase technical skills
  • Validated the creative design direction choice
07

Tools & Design Process

Design Stack

Figma UI Design UX Design Wireframing Prototyping User Research Stakeholder Interviews Competitive Analysis Design Systems Responsive Design
View Final Figma Prototype

Explore More Projects

Check out my other design and development work!