Hiring Designers 1/3: How To Spot a Truly Great Portfolio

When hiring a UI designer, the distinction between a good and a great designer often lies in the details of their portfolio. For startups, where each role can dramatically affect the product's trajectory, understanding how to interpret a designer's portfolio is crucial. This guide delves deeper into the intricacies of portfolio evaluation to help startup founders and hiring managers identify top-tier UI designers.

Portfolio Over Resume

Start by requesting the portfolio. It's more revealing than a resume because it visually represents the designer's ability to solve user interface challenges. A well-presented portfolio on a personal website or a comprehensive Figma file provides a clearer sense of the designer’s professional caliber. Lack of easy access to their work, such as a direct link to their portfolio, can be a red flag considering the volume of applications received.

Detailed Evaluation of the Portfolio

Once you have access, here’s what to focus on to assess their expertise more deeply:

1. Precision and Complexity in UI Design: The intricacy of UI design in a portfolio is a key indicator of a designer's attention to detail and mastery. Examine the precision in typography, alignment, and visual layout. Each element should be placed with purpose, contributing to an easy-to-understand and aesthetically pleasing interface.
   
   - Visual Cohesion: Each project should display a strong sense of visual cohesion. Consistent use of color, type, and layout across screens shows that the designer can maintain an aesthetic direction while adapting it to varying user interfaces.
   - Interaction Details: Look for examples where the designer has gone beyond static images to demonstrate how user interactions occur. Interactive prototypes, hover effects, and transitions between states can reveal a lot about a designer's ability to think through user flows and interactions.
2. Handling Complex UI Challenges: Advanced UI challenges like designing comprehensive dashboards are particularly telling. These require sophisticated skills in organizing large amounts of data while maintaining usability and aesthetics.
   
   - Information Architecture: Effective dashboards reflect a designer’s ability to structure information in an intuitive manner. Look for layouts that showcase a clear hierarchy, making important information accessible at a glance and less critical data easily discoverable.
   - Data Visualization: Proficiency in data visualization is crucial for complex UIs. Good designers demonstrate how they transform extensive datasets into clear, digestible graphics that enhance the user’s understanding and decision-making.‍
   
   
3. Variety and Versatility: A diverse portfolio that includes projects across different platforms (mobile, web, SaaS, social) suggests a versatile designer. Consider the relevance of their experience to your specific needs. For instance, a designer specializing in consumer apps might need different skills from one focusing on B2B SaaS solutions.

Conclusion

A great UI designer's portfolio reveals their ability to not only design attractive interfaces but to think deeply about user needs and product functionality. Their work should communicate clear ideas through a meticulous, thoughtful design process. By emphasizing the detailed evaluation of these aspects, you can better identify candidates who possess the creative insight and technical proficiency to elevate your startup's user experience.

This focused approach in portfolio review ensures that you consider designers capable of significant contributions, guiding your decision towards those who demonstrate their potential through comprehensive and intricate design work.