From a blank page to a launch-ready Interaction Design portfolio. This intensive plan visualizes the 35-hour journey to craft a career-changing tool that gets you the interview.
The 35-hour week is carefully balanced between absorbing new concepts and putting them into practice. This structure ensures that by the end of each day, you have not only learned the theory but have also created a tangible part of your portfolio.
The first day is about establishing the 'why' behind your portfolio and setting up the technical environment. We focus on understanding your audience—the recruiters and hiring managers—and begin planning your content strategy accordingly.
✓ Deliverable: Portfolio Planner & Sitemap
With the plan in place, we shift to curating your best work. Day 2 is about making smart decisions on what to show and how to show it, ensuring your portfolio is focused and impactful. We also begin the technical build-out of your site.
✓ Deliverable: Curation List & Themed WP Site
⭐ Assignment: Past Projects Collection
This is the heart of the portfolio. We learn how to transform a project summary into a compelling narrative that showcases your process, your thinking, and your impact. The focus is on writing for busy people and demonstrating value.
✓ Deliverable: First Case Study Draft (Text)
A great portfolio isn't just about the projects; it's about you. We focus on crafting your personal brand through a strong "About Me" page and using "Highlights" to showcase specific skills. The afternoon is dedicated to building out the website.
✓ Deliverable: A Minimum Viable Portfolio
The final day is all about polish and preparation. We run through a final checklist, practice presenting our work, and prepare the portfolio for launch. You'll leave with a finished product, ready to share with potential employers.
🚀 Deliverable: Final, Polished Portfolio (Web & PDF)
The "Stockwell Spreadsheet" (or Project Audit) is a non-negotiable step to gather all necessary data points, results, and constraints from past projects for strategic curation.
A clear structure is essential. Mouse over a concept for an explanation and click to expand or collapse.
Hiring managers prefer depth over breadth. This chart illustrates the potential impact of a portfolio with 2-3 deeply explained, high-quality case studies versus one with many shallow, less relevant projects.