Case study

UX designers and researchers often rely on case studies to include in their portfolios to highlight their capabilities and accomplishments

Why it’s important to have case studies in your portfolio

Getting to a finished product is never one simple step. More often than not, researchers and designers need to constantly iterate while talking to customers, before they get the design just right. How each team goes about this process gives potential employers crucial insight into how a designer or researcher thinks and can be a powerful tool for career advancement.

What do you include in a case study?

Every case study is different, but most contain a few key components:

• Summary
• Problem statement
• Description of key audiences, customers, or users
• Team description and responsibilities
• Project scope and objectives
• Detailed process
• Results and lessons learned

Tips for a great case study

While every case study will be different, there are a few components you should be sure to include to ensure you’re telling a compelling story.

Sketches, wireframes, and workflow diagrams

Showing all your notes is a great way to highlight your thought process throughout your project. Whether you’re including high fidelity or low fidelity prototypes or wireframes, or just a few diagrams and sketches, using visuals will help tell your story.

Customer videos and quotes

Talking to customers is an important component of every case study, so be sure to highlight interesting insights whenever you can. Some of the most interesting insights come from watching users get frustrated—or delighted with your product or process. Hearing the inflection in their voices and watching their body language as they try to achieve a goal is valuable insight into what’s working and what needs improvement.