All right, so we're diving into UIUX case studies today.
We're taking a deep dive into this YouTube video
by Rachel Howe.
It's called, How to Design Your UIUX Case Study,
to figure out just how to showcase your work
in a way that helps you land your dream job.
Yeah, and it's really all about, you know,
presenting your design thinking and the value you bring,
rather than just like pretty visuals,
you know what I mean?
Exactly.
She actually makes this point right at the beginning.
She switched from notion to web flow
to actually host her case studies.
Oh, that's actually, that's a really subtle
but smart move, I think, because, you know,
by using a platform like Webflow,
which is so focused on user experience,
it shows like she already understands good UIUX
before you even start reading the case study.
It's kind of like, you know, a chef choosing
to present their dish on this like beautifully crafted,
handmade pottery.
It's like, you know, it just adds this extra layer
of thoughtfulness, like they're paying attention to detail.
Yeah, it's like that presentation matters.
It's not just what you're presenting,
it's how you present it.
So thinking about your own field,
what would be like the equivalent of Webflow over notion?
How can you make sure that the way you present your work
speaks volumes about your expertise?
Exactly.
Now, she also talks about the number
of case studies you should have.
You know, it can be really tempting
to want to showcase every single project
you've ever worked on,
but Rachel emphasizes quality over quantity.
Yeah, she recommends like two or three
really strong case studies.
Yeah, think of it like, you know,
curating a museum exhibition.
You wouldn't like overcrowd the space
with every single artifact you have in storage, right?
You carefully pick the pieces
that best represent your collection and like tell a story,
you know, send with your portfolio,
choose projects that highlight your range,
your problem solving skills,
that unique design approach that you have.
And she really emphasizes tailoring those case studies
to each specific job that you're applying to.
Absolutely, just like you would tailor your resume
and your cover letter.
For example, let's say you're applying for a job
that emphasizes, I don't know, user research, right?
You might want to highlight a case study
where you played a key role in conducting user interviews
or incorporating those insights into your designs.
Or let's say the role needs a very specific design software,
make sure to feature a project
that shows you know how to use it, you know?
Yeah, it's like reorganizing your toolbox
depending on what the task at hand is.
Yeah, precisely.
And then she also dives into some common mistakes
that she sees, you know, junior designers making.
A big one is only showcasing the final,
like polished designs without showing the process behind them.
It's like seeing the finished meal,
but you don't get to know the recipe or the techniques
that the chef used to create it.
Yeah, exactly.
Recruiters want to see your design thinking like in action.
They don't just want to see the end result.
Like they want to understand how you approach the problem,
how you thought through different solutions
and how you made those design decisions.
Showing that process, I think,
shows that you can problem solve.
You can iterate, you can refine ideas,
and that you are committed to user-centered design.
It's about like pulling back the curtain, you know?
Let them see the magic happen.
Yes, another mistake is not clearly stating the problem
that you were trying to solve, you know, with your design.
That's like starting a book in the middle of chapter three.
Like you're missing that crucial context
to understand the story.
Right, like you need to set the stage,
you need to introduce the characters,
you know, establish that conflict
before you can present your design as the solution.
So what were the user needs?
What were the business goals?
What were the challenges you faced?
By being clear about the problem,
you give a framework for understanding, you know,
the value and the impact of your design solutions.
Yeah, and speaking of impact,
Rachel really emphasizes showcasing,
like how your design made a difference,
even if you don't have a ton of data from a launched product.
Yeah, that's where things get interesting,
especially for those, you know, early in their careers,
or working on projects that don't have, you know,
easily quantifiable metrics.
Like how do you show value without a chart full of numbers?
Right.
Well, think about like the qualitative data you might have.
Like did you do any user testing?
Did you get any positive feedback?
Did your design improve the experience in ways
that, you know, might not be measurable right away?
It's almost like highlighting those smaller victories.
Yeah.
And the thinking behind the decisions.
Exactly. Even if you can't say,
my design increased conversions by 20%,
you can still say,
my design made the checkout process more intuitive,
it's easier to use,
and this led to a decrease in card abandonment rates,
you know?
Yeah.
It's about framing your contributions
in a way that highlights the positive impact, you know,
even if it's not in those hard numbers.
Okay, so now I'm actually really curious to hear
how Rachel actually structures her own case studies
to achieve all of this.
Let's dive into her process and see what we can learn.
All right, so she starts by documenting everything
from the very beginning.
So capturing ideas, sketches, user research,
any relevant assets.
She uses Notion, but she points out, you know,
even something as simple as Apple Notes can work.
It's more about having that system for organizing
your thoughts and your materials,
rather than a specific tool, right?
Whether you're a designer, a writer, a project manager,
having that centralized hub for your work
can really streamline your process and keep you on track.
Yeah, exactly.
And then on her Webflow website,
she has this really clear structure for her case studies.
Right, she starts with an overview
to give you context and set the stage.
And then she clearly states the problem she's trying to solve,
you know, outlining the needs, the goals, any challenges.
And she moves into her goals for the project.
Like, what was she hoping to achieve
with those design solutions?
Okay, so what was she hoping to get out of it?
Yeah, and that's crucial
because it gives you a benchmark for success.
It's like setting a destination for a road trip, right?
You gotta know where you're going
before you can plan the route.
So by establishing those clear goals,
you can show how your design decisions
directly address the objectives.
Yeah, I see.
Now, then she dives into the impact her design had
and she really emphasizes using visuals here,
especially data visualization.
Oh, interesting.
This is where you can really make your case study stand out.
Instead of just stating facts and figures,
bring them to life, you know, with charts, graphs,
all those visual aids, data visualization
makes it easier to understand, more memorable.
It adds that level of polish and professionalism.
Yeah, and don't forget those before and after visuals
to really show the transformation.
Yes, those are so powerful for showing the value you write.
It's like showing a client, you know,
the drab outdated website they had before you came along
and then bam, revealing the sleek,
user-friendly site you created, you know.
The contrast highlights the impact of your skills.
It makes the lasting impression.
Oh, for sure.
Now, she also dedicates a section
to walking through her design process
from those early brainstorming sessions and rough sketches
all the way to like wireframes, prototypes, and user testing.
It's like you're giving a behind the scenes tour
of your design studio.
By sharing that, you're not only showing
your technical skills, but also your creative thinking,
your problem solving, and your commitment
to user-centered design.
Uh-huh.
And she doesn't shy away from those, you know,
early, messy sketches, you know.
It's refreshing to see that even experienced designers,
they start with imperfect ideas, and then they just refine them
through iterations and feedback.
Right.
It's a great reminder that design is iterative.
There's no such thing as perfect right away.
So embracing the messiness of the early stages
shows you're willing to experiment, take risks,
learn from those mistakes.
It makes the whole process feel more relatable, human,
I think.
Yeah.
And finally, she wraps up with those key takeaways,
highlighting the lessons she learned, the insights she
gained throughout the project.
It's a great way to demonstrate a growth mindset
and a commitment to constantly learning.
It adds a personal touch and helps the reader connect
with you on a deeper level, I think.
Yeah.
This has already been such an insightful deep dive.
Yeah.
It's clear that creating a compelling UI UX case study,
it's about so much more than just the final designs, right?
It's about telling a story, demonstrating your process,
and proving your impact.
Absolutely.
It's about taking the reader on that journey that shows not
only your technical skills, but your creativity, problem
solving, and that passion for design.
So we've talked about showing your process
and highlighting your impact, tailoring your case studies
to specific jobs.
What other insights does Rachel offer
when it comes to presenting your work in the best way?
One thing she really stresses is clear and concise
communication.
You got to think, a recruiter might
be skimming through dozens, hundreds of portfolios, right?
So you need to make sure that your case study is easy
to navigate, visually appealing.
It gets the point across quick and effectively.
So it's not just about the content, but how you present it.
Exactly.
Imagine you're giving a presentation
to a whole room of people, right?
Would you use dense paragraphs, tiny font, cram every slide
with information?
Probably not.
No, of course not.
You'd use clear headings, bullet points, visuals,
a nice layout, right?
Same thing with your case study.
So it's like designing an experience for the recruiter,
making sure it's easy to understand your work
and they see how great you are.
Exactly.
Now, something it might seem obvious, but often overlooked,
is proofreading.
Attention to detail.
It's amazing how many people submit these case studies
with typos, grammatical errors, inconsistencies.
Yeah, like showing up to a job interview with a wrinkled shirt.
Forgot to brush your hair, right?
Small things, but they make a big difference.
It's like, if you're not paying attention
to those small details in your portfolio,
what's that say about your work?
Might seem small, but it signals a lack of professionalism,
care.
It's like you say your case study is a reflection of how
you work, your commitment to quality.
Absolutely.
Now, let's talk about something that can trip up designers,
especially early on, showcasing impact
without the concrete metrics.
What if you're working on something
that doesn't have easily quantifiable results?
Or you're in school, haven't had real world projects.
That's a great point.
It can be really tough to show your value
when you don't have those big numbers.
That's where thinking outside the box comes in.
Say you're a student working on a project
for a fictional client, right?
You might not have the user data conversion rates,
but you can still show your understanding of design
principles.
I think so.
While you walk them through your design decisions,
explain how they align with user needs,
best practices, you can say, I chose a minimalist layout,
clear typography to improve readability, accessibility
for users with visual impairments,
or I did user testing with five participants,
incorporated their feedback to make the app easier to use.
So it's about highlighting your process,
how you apply design principles, even without the hard data.
Exactly.
And visuals help.
Create user personas to show your target audience,
your user flows to illustrate how they'd
interact with the design.
It's like you're building a case for your choices,
even without those numbers to back it up yet.
Right.
You can also talk about your process
to emphasize your problem solving, ability
to iterate based on feedback.
Even if you didn't get feedback from actual users,
you can still talk about how you'd approach testing,
incorporate it into your design iterations, right?
It's showing you understand user-centered design committed
to creating those experiences that meet the user's needs.
Now let's go back to tailoring those case studies
to the specific job we touched on it, but let's dig deeper.
Think about your portfolio, the projects you've worked on.
How can you reframe those projects
to highlight the skills, the experience that are most
relevant to the roles you're looking for?
It's like having a closet full of clothes,
choosing the right outfit for the occasion.
Yeah.
If it's a role about user research,
you highlight a project where you did interviews,
analyze data, incorporated insights.
Even think about the order of your case studies, right?
Interesting.
Put the one that highlights user research skills first,
then the other is showing your strength.
It's like creating a story with your portfolio,
guiding the recruiter through your experience,
highlighting what matters to them.
Exactly.
And if it's a role that needs a specific software,
feature a project that shows your proficient with it.
You can even include screenshots of your workflow
or specific features you use to get that design effect.
It's like you're saying, look, I know this software.
I'm fluent in it.
Right.
Don't just list it.
Talk about how you used it to solve a design problem,
achieve an outcome.
Show don't come.
Right.
Exactly.
And remember, you don't have to include every single project.
It's better to have a curated collection, your best work,
showing your range, your skills, your unique approach.
It's like picking the highlights from a concert
or a sporting event.
You capture the best moments, leave them wanting more.
Now, let's talk about storytelling.
Something crucial for any case study.
We've touched on it, but it's worth emphasizing.
Your case study is not just a report.
It's a chance to engage the reader, take them on a journey,
make them feel something.
I love that idea of making the reader feel something,
connecting with them on an emotional level,
making your work stand out.
Think about the stories that grab you, right?
They have compelling characters, conflicts, resolutions.
They make you laugh.
They make you cry.
They make you think.
Your case study can do the same.
So how do you put that level of storytelling
into a design case study?
Start with the user.
Who are there?
What are their needs, their goals?
What are they struggling with?
Once you understand that, you can
frame your design challenge as a problem to solve,
a story to tell.
So instead of just presenting solutions,
you're presenting a journey, taking the reader
through discovering and addressing those user needs.
Precisely.
Use language that evokes emotion, creates connection.
Instead of saying, I designed a new home page, you say,
I wanted to create a welcoming experience that
made users feel at home the moment they landed on the site.
It's like painting a picture with words,
inviting the reader into your design world.
Don't be afraid to put your personality into it.
Let your passion show.
Share your insights, your struggles, those aha moments.
Make it authentic human, not just facts and figures.
Remember, you're showcasing you, not just your skills.
Let your personality come through.
Let them get to know you through your work.
This has been a great deep dive into UIUX case studies.
It's clear.
It's so much more than just the designs, right?
It's storytelling, it's strategy, demonstrating your value.
Absolutely.
It's about crafting that narrative that captivates the reader,
shows your design thinking, and leaves that lasting impression.
We've covered so much in this deep dive.
From choosing the right platform to showcase your work
to the importance of storytelling,
and showing your impact, even without all that hard data,
it's really clear that making a compelling UIUX case study,
it's like its own art form.
Yeah, it really is.
And like any art form, it takes practice experimentation
and putting yourself out there.
But the rewards can be huge.
A well-crafted case study can open doors to new opportunities,
help you stand out from everyone else,
and ultimately land you that dream job.
So as we wrap up this deep dive, what's
one final piece of advice you'd give to someone
who's ready to start working on their own case study?
Remember this, your case study, it's a reflection of you
as a designer.
It's a chance to show your unique skills,
your creative vision, and your passion
for creating those meaningful experiences.
So don't be afraid to experiment, break the mold,
and tell your story in a way that's authentic and engaging.
That's such a good reminder.
It's not just about following some formula.
It's about putting your personality and your passion
into your work and just letting it shine through.
And remember, the design community
is full of resources and support.
So don't be afraid to reach out to mentors, peers,
online communities for feedback and guidance.
That's so important.
Collaboration and feedback are essential for growth,
especially in a field like design.
It's always changing.
Now as you start working on your case study,
keep in mind it's a process you'll probably
go through a lot of drafts, revise your approach,
and refine your storytelling along the way.
So embrace that process, learn from the mistakes you make,
and keep pushing yourself to create work
that you're really proud of.
That's a great point.
It's not about being perfect.
It's about making progress and always trying
to get better at what you do.
And remember, at the end of the day,
a case study is just a snapshot of your work
at a specific time.
It doesn't define you as a designer.
So don't put too much pressure on yourself.
Just have fun with it and enjoy the process of showcasing
your creativity and your talent.
That's a perfect way to end this.
I think I hope this deep dive is given our listener
the knowledge and the inspiration to create case studies that
truly showcase their brilliance.
I hope so too.
Remember, every designer has a story to tell.
And a well-crafted case study is the best way
to share that story with the world.
That's it for this episode of The Deep Dive.
We'll be back next time with another exciting topic.
Until then, keep those design gears turning.
And don't be afraid to dive deep into the world of design.
See you next time.