Case Study Gallery
Google Maps Redesign
by Pratibha Joshi • Google
This is how you show real impact. Clear problem, solid research, actual numbers that matter. No fluff.
Key Lesson: Google doesn't care about your dribbble shot. They want to see how you think through messy, complex problems with millions of users.
Banking App Experience
by Moritz Oesterlau • Meta (Facebook)
Banking apps are usually terrible. Moritz shows his process without being boring about it—every decision backed by research.
Key Lesson: Meta's interviews are brutal. This portfolio worked because it shows systematic thinking and how to actually work with PMs and engineers.
Healthcare Staffing Platform
by Katherine Chen • Stripe
How to handle NDAs without making your portfolio useless. Shows depth of thinking while respecting confidentiality.
Key Lesson: Stripe hired her because she proved she could work in regulated industries. Most designers can't show they understand compliance and constraints.
Gig Matching Workshop
by Naomi Ncube • Airbnb
Junior designer who got hired at Airbnb because she showed research skills, not just UI polish. Clear methodology and honest insights.
Key Lesson: Airbnb doesn't hire junior designers often. This worked because it shows she can do the research work that most designers skip.
Wine Direct Branding
by Chofi Chang • Spotify
Brand work that shows systematic thinking, not just pretty logos. Demonstrates how visual identity connects to business strategy.
Key Lesson: Spotify's brand team hired her because she shows how design impacts culture and user perception. Most brand portfolios are just logo collections.
Dynamic Portfolio Journey
by RunWild Studio • Figma
Portfolio that's actually a product. Shows interaction design skills through the experience itself, not just static case studies.
Key Lesson: Figma hired them because the portfolio demonstrates product thinking. They built something people actually want to use.
3D Experience Portfolio
by Bruno Simon • Shopify
Technical execution that's impossible to ignore. Proves frontend skills through the portfolio itself, not just screenshots.
Key Lesson: Shopify's design engineering team hired him because he proved he can actually build what he designs. Most designers can't.
Portfolio Red Flags That Get You Rejected
❌ Don't Do This
- • Wall of text with no visuals
- • "Increased engagement" with no numbers
- • Only showing final designs
- • Generic project descriptions
- • Password-protecting everything
✅ Do This Instead
- • Show process with sketches and iterations
- • "Reduced checkout time by 23%"
- • Include the messy middle
- • Explain YOUR specific role
- • Show what you can, explain what you can't
Keep Learning
More resources to help you build a portfolio that gets results
Design Mistakes That Are Killing Your Portfolio
Common design mistakes that scream amateur and exactly how to fix them. Stop making these errors that hiring managers notice instantly.
Case Study Structure Guide
A proven structure for case studies that hiring managers actually read
Portfolio Checklist Tool
Interactive checklist to evaluate and improve your portfolio
Ready to Build Your Own Case Studies?
Use our complete portfolio checklist to ensure your case studies have all the elements that get designers hired.