When landing your next design role, your portfolio is often the first impression you make. For recruiters, especially within product design, it is not just about showing some photos of work. It’s about presenting a clear, journey of how you bring concepts to life.
Here are some key elements we look for in a well-structured portfolio:
Quality over quantity
A common misconception is that filling your portfolio with as many projects as possible will impress. However, there is much value for quality over quantity. It’s better to have a handful of well-executed projects, that showcase your skills and expertise, than overwhelm the viewer with a flood of work that doesn’t fully demonstrate your talent.
Project journey
A polished final product is great, but it doesn’t tell the entire story. We want to see the whole journey you took to get there. When creating your portfolio, it’s important to demonstrate every stage of your project’s lifecycle:
- Concept: Start with the initial idea. What problem were you trying to solve? Who was the target audience? If you are working for a company detail the brief and potential alignment with the current brand.
- Sketches & modelling: Show your development process. Include early hand sketches, giving insight into how you shaped your ideas. Illustrate on SolidWorks or F360 the evolution of your design, showing how you have worked through modifications and revisions. Employers want to see how you can adapt your work based on feedback from engineers and CMF, demonstrating flexibility and problem-solving skills.
- Realistic Product Rendering: Employers look for sharp rendering of your final design. Although others are available, Keyshot is used most to create great shadowing and textures, making designs as realistic as possible.
- Prototyping: It is crucial to show your ability to take abstract concepts and turn them into something tangible. Highlight any prototyping methods you used, to bring the product closer to its final form.
- Manufacturing: If applicable, explain the steps you took to transition from solidworks to prototype and then manufacturing or execution phase. Recruiters are interested in your attention to detail during this stage and how you overcame any production challenges.
Team collaboration
In most cases, product design and development is a collaborative process. Recruiters want to see that you can work with a wider team. It’s important to explain your role in each project, noting how you collaborated with other designers, engineers, marketers, or other stakeholders. This will give a clear picture of your ability to function in a larger team.
Branding
Branding is an essential part of the product development process, and recruiters will want to see how you have incorporated it into your projects. Describe how you ensured that the branding was consistent across the board and the customer journey.
The final portfolio
A strong portfolio does more than just present end-products. It takes recruiters on a journey, showing not only your creativity but also your technical skills, problem-solving ability, and collaboration. By highlighting the full development process, you can stand out in a competitive market. Be sure to focus on the details and always prioritise quality over quantity.
At RHL Recruitment, we understand the value of a structured portfolio. By following this guide, you can ensure your work will leave a lasting impression.
