Learn how to select and present user research methods that match your goals, your audience, and your industry. Tips for UX researchers.

I see dozens of portfolios weekly. And I know when you're being dishonest. I know that a lot of projects don't have enough time or budget for due process. If that is indeed the case, you need to show creativity. Show how, despite unfavourable circumstances, you've found ways to ground your design decisions in research.

How can you choose the best user research methods for your portfolio?

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Choosing the best user research methods for your portfolio can be a challenge. You want to showcase your skills, your process, and your impact, but you also need to consider the context, the goals, and the constraints of each project. How do you decide which methods to use, how to present them, and how to tell a compelling story? Here are some tips to help you craft a portfolio that reflects your UX research expertise and value.

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1 Understand your audience

Before you select your user research methods, you need to know who will be looking at your portfolio and what they are looking for. Are they potential employers, clients, or collaborators? Are they UX experts, product managers, or developers? Are they interested in your research questions, your methods, your findings, or your recommendations? Depending on your audience, you may need to adjust the level of detail, the language, and the format of your portfolio.

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Juhi Jha

I work with people who are into building internet products • Senior Product Designer with Diverse Experience in creating UX• Let's Innovate!
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Tailor your portfolio to cater to the expectations and interests of your audience. Consider their roles, expertise, and areas of focus, adjusting the level of detail and language accordingly.

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2 Choose relevant projects

Not every project you have worked on is suitable for your portfolio. You want to showcase projects that demonstrate your user research skills, your impact on the product or service, and your alignment with the industry or domain you are targeting. You also want to choose projects that are recent, diverse, and ethical. Avoid projects that are outdated, repetitive, or confidential. If you have permission, you can anonymize or modify the project details to protect the privacy and security of the users and stakeholders.

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Juhi Jha

I work with people who are into building internet products • Senior Product Designer with Diverse Experience in creating UX• Let's Innovate!
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Select projects that showcase your user research skills, impact on products or services, and alignment with your target industry or domain. Prioritize recent, diverse, and ethically sound projects, avoiding outdated, repetitive, or confidential ones.

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3 Select appropriate methods

User research methods are tools that help you answer specific questions about the users, their needs, their behaviors, and their contexts. You need to select methods that match the goals, the scope, and the stage of each project. For example, if you want to explore user problems and opportunities, you may use methods such as interviews, surveys, or observations. If you want to evaluate user feedback and satisfaction, you may use methods such as usability testing, analytics, or ratings. If you want to communicate user insights and recommendations, you may use methods such as personas, journey maps, or storyboards.

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Juhi Jha

I work with people who are into building internet products • Senior Product Designer with Diverse Experience in creating UX• Let's Innovate!
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Align your user research methods with the specific goals, scope, and stage of each project. Whether it's exploring problems, evaluating feedback, or communicating insights, choose methods like interviews, surveys, usability testing, or personas that best serve your objectives.

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4 Present your process

Your portfolio is not only a collection of outputs, but also a reflection of your process. You need to show how you planned, conducted, analyzed, and reported your user research. You need to explain the rationale behind your method choices, the challenges you faced, and the solutions you found. You need to highlight the key findings, the implications, and the outcomes of your user research. You need to use clear and concise language, visual aids, and evidence to support your claims.

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Juhi Jha

I work with people who are into building internet products • Senior Product Designer with Diverse Experience in creating UX• Let's Innovate!
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Your portfolio should not just showcase outputs but also reflect your research process. Clearly articulate how you planned, conducted, analyzed, and reported your research. Explain the rationale behind method choices, address challenges faced, and highlight key findings and outcomes.

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5 Tell a story

Your portfolio is not only a document, but also a story. You need to capture the attention, the interest, and the curiosity of your audience. You need to show them who you are, what you do, and why you do it. You need to show them how you empathize with the users, how you collaborate with the stakeholders, and how you influence the product or service. You need to show them your passion, your creativity, and your value as a UX researcher.

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Maria Chaykina💎

UX Researcher | 15+ years of experience | Quantitative and qualitative methods | English, Spanish
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I think it is a great idea to demonstrate projects from different industries and various methods in your portfolio, such as 5 or 7 case studies. This way, each potential employer can find one or two relevant cases. For example, one project could focus on usability testing for an online shop in the B2C sector, another could involve in-depth interviews with B2B users in the banking industry, and yet another could showcase an online survey for the automotive sector, etc. Additionally, it is a great idea to show your way of thinking and your process, and also include some screenshots that could illustrate it.

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Juhi Jha

I work with people who are into building internet products • Senior Product Designer with Diverse Experience in creating UX• Let's Innovate!
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Transform your portfolio into a compelling narrative. Capture your audience's attention by showcasing who you are, what you do, and why you do it. Illustrate your empathy for users, collaboration with stakeholders, and impact on products or services. Infuse your passion, creativity, and the unique value you bring as a UX researcher.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

Hier können Sie uns Beispiele, Geschichten oder Erkenntnisse mitteilen, die nicht in einen der vorherigen Abschnitte passen. Was möchten Sie noch hinzufügen?

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Adam Fard

Product design for B2B SaaS (adamfard.com) • Building an AI product for UX designers (uxpilot.ai)
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I see dozens of portfolios weekly. And I know when you're being dishonest. I know that a lot of projects don't have enough time or budget for due process. If that is indeed the case, you need to show creativity. Show how, despite unfavourable circumstances, you've found ways to ground your design decisions in research.

Wie
Juhi Jha

I work with people who are into building internet products • Senior Product Designer with Diverse Experience in creating UX• Let's Innovate!
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This section is an opportunity to go beyond the conventional aspects. Share examples, stories, or insights that don't neatly fit into the previous categories. Consider adding unique perspectives, challenges faced, or innovative approaches that further showcase your depth as a UX researcher.

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How can you choose the best user research methods for your portfolio?

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1 Understand your audience

2 Choose relevant projects

3 Select appropriate methods

4 Present your process

5 Tell a story

6 Here’s what else to consider

User Research

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