Portfolio Design System
Design System
Project Overview
Creating a personal web portfolio is not just about showcasing skills and past work; it's about crafting a digital presence that accurately reflects one's professional identity and personality. This project aimed to develop a user-centric design system for a personal web portfolio that effectively communicates my skills, experiences, and values to potential employers or clients.
My Role
As the sole ux designer and developer, I was responsible for the end-to-end process of creating the personal web portfolio design system. This included researching, designing the user interface, documenting the design system components, and reflecting on the project's outcomes.
Tools
Adobe Illustrator, Figma
Timeline
10 Weeks
Research
I first analyzed existing personal portfolio websites to identify common design patterns and areas for improvement. Then, I performed a competitive analysis to benchmark against industry standards and trends.
Findings:
- Users prefer clean, minimalist designs prioritizing content over flashy graphics.
- Employers value portfolios that showcase diverse projects and highlight relevant skills.
- Navigation simplicity and intuitive UX are critical for a positive user experience.
Design Ideation
I utilized insights from research to inform the design decisions. I then developed wireframes to visualize the layout and navigation flow. I created a visual identity that reflects professionalism and creativity. I designed responsive layouts to ensure an optimal viewing experience across devices and implemented accessibility features to ensure inclusivity.
Brand Colors
The design system meticulously incorporates a concise palette, consisting of precisely four carefully selected colors. The simplicity serves a dual purpose: it provides a visually uncluttered aesthetic and strategically directs attention toward the rich and engaging content within the portfolio.
Milk
#FBFBFB
Usage: Background
Latte
#EEE9E3
Usage: Footer Copy and Iconography
Cinnamon
#9E5D40
Usage: Primary Links, Link Active States, Horizontal Line, Footer, and Primary Iconography
Coffee
#393737
Usage: Headings, Body Copy, Navbar Links, and Logo
Logos
The brand logos embody simplicity and minimalism. These logos distill the brand's essence into a clean and uncluttered visual representation, making a powerful statement through their simplicity.
Black & White
Reversed Black & White
Components
I Designed UI components such as buttons, navigation bars, and cards to maintain consistency and streamline development. I also defined states for interactive elements, including default, hover, focus, active, and disabled, to provide visual feedback and improve usability. I ensured the responsiveness of UI components to adapt to different screen sizes and device orientations.
Primary Buttons
Secondary Link
Breadcrumb
Table
| Header 1 | Header 2 |
|---|---|
| Column Row 1 | Column Row 2 |
| Column Row 1 | Column Row 2 |
Cards
Navbar
Footer
Documentation
I documented the design system components, including the color palette, typography, iconography, and UI patterns. I also created guidelines for maintaining consistency and scalability across the portfolio website. I included code snippets and usage examples for developers to implement the design system efficiently.
Reflections
The research phase provided valuable insights into user expectations and preferences, guiding the design direction. Balancing creativity with professionalism posed a challenge, as the design needed to stand out while maintaining a sense of professionalism. Moving forward, I aim to further refine the design system, incorporating user feedback and staying updated with emerging web technologies to elevate the user experience continually.