Write, Design and Publish a UX Case Study | UI/UX Portfolio from Skillshare

Creating a comprehensive UX case study for your portfolio involves several key steps: selecting a project, defining the problem, describing your process, showcasing your design, and reflecting on the outcome. Here’s a detailed guide to help you write, design, and publish a compelling UX case study:

Skills you will gain

By the end of this class, you will:

  1. Understand the importance of a well-crafted case study.
  2. Learn how to structure and write a compelling case study.
  3. Be able to create visually appealing designs to support your narrative.
  4. Know how to publish and promote your case study on various platforms.

What You’ll Need

  • A Project You’ve Finished Recently: Choose a project that best represents your skills and process.
  • Writing Tools: Google Docs, Apple Notes, or any preferred tool for writing your outline.
  • Design Software: Adobe XD or any similar design tool you are comfortable with.
  • Device Mockups: High-quality device mockups to showcase your designs (resources linked in the class).
  • Online Portfolio: Platforms like Behance, Dribbble, or your own website to publish your case study.

Related Skills

  • Product Design
  • Creative UI/UX Design
  • Case Study
  • Adobe XD
  • UX Writing
  • UX Portfolio

What you will learn

Course Outline
Lesson 1: The Importance of a Case Study

  • Why Case Studies Matter: Understand the role of case studies in building your portfolio, credibility, and career opportunities.
  • Elements of a Compelling Case Study: Key components that make a case study stand out.

Lesson 2: Selecting the Right Project

  • Choosing the Best Project: Tips for selecting a project that highlights your strengths and has a clear narrative.
  • Defining the Problem: Crafting a strong problem statement to set the stage for your case study.

Lesson 3: Structuring Your Case Study

  • Outline Creation: How to create an effective outline for your case study.
  • Research and Findings: Documenting your research methods and key findings.
  • User Personas and Journeys: Creating and using personas and journey maps to tell your story.

Lesson 4: Showcasing Your Design Process

  • Wireframes and Prototypes: How to present your wireframes and prototypes effectively.
  • Usability Testing: Documenting your testing process and the iterations based on feedback.
  • High-Fidelity Designs: Presenting your final designs with annotations and context.

Lesson 5: Writing and Design Tips

  • Writing Your Narrative: Crafting a compelling narrative that is concise and engaging.
  • Designing Your Case Study: Tips for creating a visually appealing layout using Adobe XD or similar tools.
  • Using Mockups: Incorporating device mockups to enhance the visual presentation of your designs.

Lesson 6: Publishing and Promoting Your Case Study

  • Publishing Platforms: How to publish your case study on Behance, Dribbble, and your personal website.
  • Promoting Your Work: Strategies for sharing your case study on social media and professional networks to gain visibility.

Lesson Details
Lesson 1: The Importance of a Case Study
Why Case Studies Matter

  • Career Advancement: Showcasing your work can help you land new job opportunities.
  • Credibility Building: Establish yourself as a knowledgeable and skilled designer in the community.
  • Portfolio Development: Keep your portfolio current and reflective of your latest skills and projects.

Elements of a Compelling Case Study

  • Clear Problem Statement: Define the problem you’re solving.
  • Detailed Process: Outline your research, design iterations, and usability testing.
  • Visuals: Use images, wireframes, prototypes, and mockups to illustrate your process.
  • Outcome and Reflection: Discuss the results, feedback, and what you learned.

Lesson 2: Selecting the Right Project
Choosing the Best Project

  • Relevance: Pick a project that is relevant to the type of work you want to do.
  • Impact: Choose a project that had a significant impact or solved a critical problem.
  • Complexity: A project with some complexity will better showcase your problem-solving skills.

Defining the Problem

  • Context: Explain the background and context of the project.
  • User Needs: Identify the target users and their needs.
  • Project Goals: Clearly state the objectives of the project.

Lesson 3: Structuring Your Case Study
Outline Creation

  • Introduction: Brief overview and problem statement.
  • Research: Methods and key findings.
  • Personas and Journeys: Descriptions and maps.
  • Design Process: Wireframes, prototypes, and usability testing.
  • Final Design: High-fidelity designs and annotations.
  • Outcome: Results, feedback, and reflections.

Research and Findings

  • Methods: User interviews, surveys, competitive analysis.
  • Findings: Key insights and how they informed your design.

User Personas and Journeys

  • Personas: Representing different user types.
  • Journey Maps: Highlighting key touchpoints and pain points.

Lesson 4: Showcasing Your Design Process
Wireframes and Prototypes

  • Initial Wireframes: Early sketches and layouts.
  • Interactive Prototypes: Demonstrations of user flows.

Usability Testing

  • Testing Process: How you conducted usability tests.
  • Feedback and Iterations: Changes made based on user feedback.

High-Fidelity Designs

  • Final Designs: Detailed visuals of the finished product.
  • Annotations: Descriptions of key features and design choices.

Lesson 5: Writing and Design Tips
Writing Your Narrative

  • Concise and Engaging: Keep text clear and to the point.
  • Storytelling: Create a narrative that guides the reader through your process.

Designing Your Case Study

  • Layout Tips: Use clean, professional designs.
  • Tool Use: Leverage Adobe XD or similar tools to create your case study layout.

Using Mockups

  • Enhancing Visuals: Use device mockups to showcase your designs in context.
  • Resource Links: Provided links to high-quality mockups.

Lesson 6: Publishing and Promoting Your Case Study
Publishing Platforms

  • Behance and Dribbble: Best practices for publishing on design platforms.
  • Personal Website: How to integrate your case study into your portfolio site.

Promoting Your Work

  • Social Media: Strategies for sharing your work on LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.
  • Professional Networks: Engaging with the design community to get feedback and increase visibility.

Conclusion
By following this course, you’ll be equipped to create compelling UX case studies that not only showcase your skills and design process but also help you advance in your career. Happy designing!