• Open Doors
  • Posts
  • Junior Portfolio Showcase: Ariane Keona Ochoa

Junior Portfolio Showcase: Ariane Keona Ochoa

Where strong visual identity meets the challenge of multidisciplinarity

Ariane’s (pronounced are-ee-on) portfolio isn’t the usual kind I feature — and that’s exactly why it’s worth looking at.

While most of my reviews focus purely on product or UX/UI designers, Ariane breaks that mold as a multidisciplinary designer working across product, visual, and brand.

That kind of positioning can be tricky to pull off — but Ariane handles it with clarity, style, and a sense of creative identity that shines through every page.

Let’s take a closer look at what’s working — and where a few small changes could make a big impact.

The Good

Visual Craft Across the Board

Ariane’s biggest strength? Her visual sensibility. Whether she’s working on a UI, a brand identity, or printed collateral, the output is consistently thoughtful and beautifully crafted.

She has a strong grasp of layout, typography, and visual rhythm — and she clearly knows how to tune her design voice to the context. You’ll see that in the polish of her interfaces just as much as in her brand design. There’s a sense of taste here that goes beyond trend — it feels considered and personal.

This is someone who understands how to make things look and feel right — not just across mediums, but across disciplines.

A Portfolio That Feels Personal and Cohesive

Beyond the visuals, Ariane’s portfolio has a rare quality: it feels like her.

From the moment you land on the homepage, there’s a sense of personality. Her introduction is warm and well-written. The tone is confident without being overbearing. And the work itself — even across very different project types — still feels cohesive.

Ariane added a Fun section which is a great way to show more of what makes you you!

That’s no small feat. When a designer works across branding, web, and product, things often get fragmented fast. But here, everything feels part of the same creative story. You get a real sense of who Ariane is — not just what she does.

It’s a great reminder that voice and presentation matter just as much as the work itself.

The Potential

Create Clarity Between Product and Brand Work

Multidisciplinary portfolios often run into the same problem: they leave the viewer guessing.

If someone is reviewing Ariane’s portfolio for a product design role, they need to be able to find that work immediately — without wading through branding or print projects first. Right now, all projects live together in a single stream, which makes it harder to assess what she’s most focused on.

This will have users (recruiters / hiring managers) confused and searching at first - you don’t want that

A simple structural change would solve this: split the work section into two clearly labeled sections — one for “Product & UX/UI Design,” and one for “Graphic & Brand Design.” Keep both on the homepage, but clearly separated, with product first if that’s the target role.

It’s not about hiding the other work — it’s about giving context and making it easier to read. That way, Ariane can showcase her range without diluting the narrative.

This one small adjustment would make the portfolio feel more intentional — and help hiring managers get to the right work faster.

Use Visuals to Tell the Story, Not Just Show the Steps

Ariane’s case studies are solid, especially for an early-career designer. But there’s room to tighten the storytelling and make the visuals work harder.

Right now, some of the UX/UI projects include images that feel more like documentation than narrative. Full boards of sticky notes, user persona sheets, and static wireframe dumps — they prove the work was done, but they don’t help the reader understand why it mattered or what it achieved.

“Screendumps” don’t do anything for you - only show work that fits your storytelling

Instead, treat visuals like narrative anchors:

  • Show highlights, not everything. A single insight from an affinity map is more powerful than the whole board.

  • Use motion wherever possible. A quick screen recording of a prototype tells more than a grid of mockups ever could.

  • Trim the excess. If a visual doesn’t add value or advance the story, cut it.

Ariane clearly has the craft — now it’s about focusing that into tight, engaging, and intentional storytelling.

Final Thoughts

Ariane’s portfolio is a refreshing example of what a multidisciplinary profile can look like when it’s done with clarity, care, and creative confidence.

Her visual work is strong across the board. Her personal voice comes through in every detail. And even with room to refine some UX storytelling patterns, the foundation is undeniably solid.

With a few simple structural changes — especially in how the work is divided and how the case studies flow — she’ll have a portfolio that’s not just beautiful, but strategic and easy to hire from.

If you’re navigating multiple design disciplines and trying to present them in a cohesive way, Ariane’s portfolio is a great place to start.

Want to create a visually stunning portfolios like Ariane’s? Framer can do it!

Still struggling to get your portfolio off the ground?

Don’t want to spend weeks learning yet another tool? Framer is my top recommendation for building your portfolio — fast, clean, and without the usual headaches.

If you’re just starting out (or even if you’re not), I think Framer is a perfect fit. Here’s why:

  • Flat learning curve: The interface feels familiar if you’ve used Figma — plus, there’s a plugin to bring your designs straight in.

  • Plenty of learning support: Framer Academy is packed with free tutorials, videos, and guides to help you go from zero to published.

  • A huge template library: Tons of high-quality (often free) templates in the marketplace to help you launch quickly without starting from scratch.

And that’s just scratching the surface. I wrote more about why I recommend Framer here—but honestly, the best way is to try it for yourself.

Affiliate disclaimer: I only recommend tools I personally believe in. Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase — at no extra cost to you.

How I can help YOU

Do you want your own portfolio reviewed in-depth with a 30-minute advice-packed video review? Or do you require mentoring to figure out a proper strategy for your job search?

I got you!

Florian Boelter

Florian Boelter is a product designer, mentor and builder focussed on helping early-career designers navigate the job search and the first steps on the job.

If my content helps you in any way I’d appreciate you sharing it on social media or forwarding it to your friends directly!