Build a Powerful UX Portfolio (that gets you HIRED!) (Udemy.com)

Firstly, I did learn a lot from this course and I still think it is highly relevant in 2024. Sure, the examples are a bit dated, but the points are still 100% valid. Personally I have no issues with extracting the important bits of information - of which there is a lot! Joe Natoli does a really good job of not not sugar coating what is a stake here - sometimes being a little harsh, but fair - whilst still keeping all the information manageable. The additional materials he provides also are quite valuable and very staright to the point. The reason that I am not providing the extra star, is that I would have loved for Joe to address what to do when all your relevant case studies are missing that all-important measuareable outcome. I know I am not the only UX'er who is not allowed to talk to users, either for research or testing purposes, and is expected to just "follow best practice". It makes it very difficult to highlight that ROI that he keeps talking about, if you are never allowed to investigate if your design ACTUALLY improved anything. And frustratingly, that is the ONE part you cannot do on you own. Other than this omission - highly recommended.

Even though, what Joe says is very useful, talks from the perspective of a recruiter/hiring manager, etc. He also talks about people who want to move from UI to UX, or someone who has some sort of experience in that field. But what I felt was that he missed out on providing support for the people who want to move into the field and do not have any sort of experience (don't have any sort of experience in how to make case studies, don't know where to start). What I was expecting in this course was to know the step-by-step process of making a portfolio, instead, I received some good information on the dos and don'ts of a portfolio.

Overall this is a solid course, with great info on how to create a portfolio that will stand out, and put your best foot forward to recruiters, hiring managers, heads of UX departments, etc. Joe does a great job of getting you to think of things from a marketing and business standpoint while taking into consideration the needs of people who look at portfolios. My one critique, and I've seen it echoed elsewhere, is that he spends so much time in the class on what not to do. Showing tons of examples of what not to do. He does show a few examples of things that work throughout the lessons, but I really would have liked more than 8 minutes of time devoted to what a powerful UX portfolio looks like.

Joe never disappoints! I swear! As I am listening to the sessions of this course I have my whiteboard open and I am jotting down and sketching the visuals that are coming to me as he does his magic on me! Seriously guys... seriously... drop all else and watch Joe's courses first. 100% percent legit harsh reality that you can consume and use IMMEDIATELY... bravo. Now, Udemy, please let me get back to my class. Greatness awaits!

I bought Joe's course having in mind a portfolio soon but focused on web development. Besides that focus difference, I have found the course truly useful and understandable from the first moment. Just a detail, the start could not be catchy for some who wait for advice from minute zero, but Joe's main objective is to disarm common errors piece by piece, taking its time to show the error, its cause, and its impact on your image and finally, its solution to make your version of a portfolio dedicated to attracting new possible clients. This knowledge is different and gives you value to be better presenting yourself.

This guy is blunt and to the point. His content is digestible and applicable. When the Simon Pan stuff came on it was hard to keep watching. The moderator doesn't know who Pan is nor what his contribution to the RideShare app that the moderator called "you-ber" has been. I had to go back and listen to it more than once to make sure I was hearing that correctly. Simon Pan has become a Staff UX Designer at Google since this poor critique. As much as I love to be cynical troll I have to give credit where credit is due; there are enough tidbits of gold throughout the video that I would recommend paying the 12 bucks or whatever it cost. I liked it enough that I have two more video's by the same moderator in my queue.

I enjoyed learning from Joe as he had so much incredible information to share from his years of experience. I couldn't wait to learn more in each section. He probably didn't need to show quite as many bad case/portfolio page examples, but rather, might have shown even more good examples. Going through the course a second time helped me to clarify and determine exactly how to apply the information and visual ideas he explained to each of my own case studies - especially because the info was presented in parts within different sections throughout the course. My only frustration is that being a newbie, I don't have logos from several companies that I have done work for to post on my first page-how to overcome that? Otherwise, the course is excellent. I will definitely take more of his courses.

Course provides valuable information on what ux portfolio should contain. However although I understand that in order to show bad portfolio approach it was needed to showcase lots of bad examples, in my opinion the course lacked as many case studies towards good portfolio approach. I wish there were more examples of them included.

This course is simply everything I really needed to know while I was in my UX Bootcamp. Hands down, Joe is down to earth and shows examples that clearly prove the point he is making. The information in this course is extremely valuable for anyone fresh from school or simply struggling to get a UX job. If you wonder why are people ghosting you after looking at your portfolio, don't assume it's because your UI sucks, stop wasting your time around and listen to Joe. That said, thank you so much, Joe! When I finished my Bootcamp, I was overwhelmed, I kept hearing 'show your value' and 'google UX folios for inspiration'... as I was fresh from the Bootcamp, I honestly had no idea of how to really show that value or how to even spot a good UX portfolio for reference. Now I do, so thank you so much for that :) You're the best.

Joe has done a SUPERB job of both critiquing poor portfolios as well as giving specific details on what you should do to get noticed. Although it is geared to UX design, it is applicable for most web-related disciplines that involve visual design as well as heavy thought process. The need to focus on process, as opposed to final visual and functional design is refreshing, and something that I have encountered in my former career as an interior design educator--too often, people only focus on the "pretty results" but don't write the case study details that let the potential employer understand the role of the designer/student. One thing I would like to see added in the future as the course updates is additional material for people who are literally just getting done with a program of self-study that may not have the benefits of university personnel for recommendations or other employers. Also, if there were links to places that might critique your own setup--perhaps a Discord channel for the course--I'm sure would be appreciated by all who take this course. A great buy and lots of valuable info!