Best Product Design Portfolio Examples & How to Make Yours Stand Out
What Makes a Great Product Design Portfolio?
Hi! I'm Jerehmie Cannon, a principal designer with 15 years of experience at top tech companies. Over the years, I’ve reviewed countless product design portfolios, and I know exactly what makes hiring managers pay attention—and what makes them move on.
A product design portfolio isn't just a collection of screens. It’s your personal brand, your problem-solving showcase, and a direct reflection of your design thinking.
In this guide, I'll break down:
What makes a great product design portfolio
Common mistakes designers make
Inspiring portfolio examples
How to balance aesthetics vs. storytelling
The best tools for building a portfolio
Actionable tips to make your portfolio stand out
What Makes a Product Design Portfolio Stand Out?
A high-impact UX/UI design portfolio must do two things well:
Visually impress with strong UI and design principles.
Clearly communicate your problem-solving process.
Key Elements of a Winning Portfolio:
If your portfolio answers these questions concisely, it will stand out.
Clear problem statement – What problem were you solving?
User research – How did you gather insights?
Your design decisions – What led you to this solution?
Impact and results – How did your design make a difference?
Common Mistakes Designers Make in Their Portfolios
Even talented designers fall into common traps that can hurt their chances. Avoid these at all costs:
Weak storytelling – If hiring managers have to guess what you did, they’ll move on.
Too much fluff, not enough substance – A beautiful portfolio is great, but if it doesn’t explain your design process, it won’t land you interviews.
No clear personal contributions – Avoid vague team-based language like “we designed…” Instead, highlight your role in the project.
Poor usability – If recruiters can’t navigate your site easily, they won’t stick around.
Pro Tip: Treat your portfolio like a UX project—test and refine based on real feedback.
Top Product Design Portfolio Examples That Get It Right
Both of the portfolios below prioritize storytelling while maintaining a strong visual presence.
1. Why Ramachandran’s Portfolio
Strong visual system with a vibrant, engaging aesthetic
Clear storytelling—each project walks through the problem, user research, design decisions, and impact
2. Josh Prinz’s Portfolio
Clear stories about what he did, who it was for, and what the impact was.
Best in class visual and interaction design
NOTE: Password-Protected Portfolios
If you lock your case studies, make sure the password is on your resume so recruiters can access them without extra hassle. One of the biggest challenges for my hiring manager friends is getting blocked by a password that should have been provided up front.
Balancing Aesthetics vs. Storytelling
If I had to pick one, storytelling wins—but only by a small margin: 51/49 in favor of storytelling.
Aesthetics matter, but they should serve the narrative. A visually stunning portfolio won’t help if it fails to explain your thought process.
Takeaway: Make your case studies easy to follow, engaging, and visually appealing.
2025 Portfolio Trends to Watch:
Simple, clear designs focusing on structure over style.
Engaging storytelling through motion graphics and case study videos.
SEO-friendly portfolio sites to enhance search visibility.
Best Tools for Building Your UX Portfolio:
If possible, create your own site for a unique touch. If not, consider these options:
Webflow – Very customizable, ideal for designers.
Framer – Interactive and visually appealing.
Squarespace – Simple setup with professional templates.
Carbonmade – My favorite since 2008.
My Top Tip: Test Your Portfolio
To attract job offers, approach your portfolio like a UX project.
Make guesses about how users will navigate.
Get feedback from friends, recruiters, and design mentors.
Revise based on their input.
Connect with senior designers on LinkedIn for additional feedback.
Bonus Tip:
Many hiring managers welcome portfolio feedback, which can lead to job referrals.