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Hey and welcome back to another week! 👋

Super sorry about last week’s hiccup. Maybe you didn’t notice but the subject of last weeks issue wasn’t matching the article in the issue. I was on vacation and might have had one too many Margarita’s before scheduling the issue.

I’m back in full swing this week though and actually my workshop is not only fast approaching (June 10) but also starting to run low on spots. Make sure to save your spot today to learn how to properly position yourself. Use the code UXCEL10 to save 10% on your ticket.

In this issue:

• Not Getting Any Interviews?: Most of the time it’s your portfolio—or more precisely: your case studies. Let’s have a look at them.

• Annabelle’s Portfolio: A designer who shows how to think business-minded.

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Your Case Studies Might Be Losing You Interviews 😨

If you’ve ever spent days (or weeks) crafting a portfolio case study only to feel like it’s still being ignored—this one’s for you.

It’s not that your story isn’t worth telling. But most junior and early-career designers go too deep, too soon, in ways that overwhelm or confuse readers. And in a world where your portfolio might only get two minutes of attention—if that—how you structure your story is everything.

Let’s fix that.

The Scan Test: How Case Studies Are Actually Read

Before we dive into what to cut, it’s worth stepping into the shoes of a recruiter or hiring manager.

They’re not reading your case study. They’re skimming it—looking for signals: Do you understand real-world problems? Can you solve them? And do you make an impact?

Tools like Hotjar or Microsoft Clarity show this behavior in action—through session recordings, cursor heatmaps, and time-on-page tracking. If you’re seeing readers drop off after 10 seconds or barely scroll past the hero section, that’s a red flag. (I covered how to use these tools to analyze your own portfolio in more depth here.)

But even if you’re not using analytics, there’s a simple test you can run:

The 1-Minute Scan Test

Ask a friend, mentor, or even a stranger to scroll through your case study for just one minute. Then, ask them two questions:

1. What was the project about?

2. What do you remember most?

If they spent the full minute reading and can’t recall the core outcome, it’s too dense.

If they scrolled through everything and didn’t retain anything meaningful, it’s too vague.

Your case study should pass both tests: engaging visuals + clear, memorable takeaways.

What to Include—And Where to Stay High-Level

Let’s get practical. Below are the core sections to focus on, with guidance on where to go deep and where to keep things short.

1. The Hook (Go Deep—But Stay Sharp)

Start with a clear summary: what was the challenge, what did you do, and what changed?

Do:

• Lead with measurable outcomes

• Include a strong visual or animated preview

• Make it obvious why this case study matters

Avoid:

• Leading with long backstories or generic project titles

• Burying results at the bottom

2. The Problem (High-Level)

Yes, context matters. No, we don’t need the entire org chart or every stakeholder pain point.

Do:

• Summarize the business problem or user friction clearly

• Keep it under a short paragraph or visual

Avoid:

• Paragraphs of backstory

• Overly detailed personas or interview plans

3. Your Process (Only the Highlights)

Here’s where many portfolios balloon.

Do:

• List out your methods—but highlight only 1–2 turning points

• Focus on where your thinking moved the project forward

• Summarize research takeaways or usability findings

Avoid:

• Full test scripts or question sets

• Iteration logs that read like journals

• Screenshots of entire spreadsheets

4. Visuals (Show, Don’t Stack)

Think of visuals as narrative tools—not decoration.

Do:

• Use annotated flows, comparisons, or single standout screens

• Add short captions for context

Avoid:

• Long rows of UI screens with no explanation

• Misaligned or low-res mockups

• Using visuals that don’t add clarity

5. Outcomes & Reflection (Go Deep Again)

This section is often overlooked—but it’s the one people remember.

Do:

• Share tangible results (percentages, feedback, validation)

• Reflect on what you learned and what you’d do differently next time

Avoid:

• Generic learnings (“Communication matters”)

• Skipping this section completely

Bonus: Are You Telling the Right Story?

Even if your case study is clean and scannable, it might not be the right story for the roles you want.

Let’s say your ideal roles involve enterprise dashboards and data-heavy workflows—but your portfolio is filled with consumer-facing mobile apps like fitness trackers and pet care tools. That mismatch can quietly disqualify you.

Your case studies should reflect the kind of work you want to do—and show you’re thinking at the right level of complexity. If not, it’s worth prioritizing a project that bridges the gap.

TL;DR

Cut the fluff. Keep the flow. Focus on clarity and signal.

• Lead with outcome and clarity

• Summarize process, don’t document it

• Show fewer, better visuals

• Run the 1-minute scan test

• Use tools like Hotjar or Clarity to track drop-off

Great case studies don’t just tell the story. They let the viewer absorb it—quickly, confidently, and with zero friction.

Let me know if you’d like to prep visuals or callouts for this one—I’m happy to help structure the visual examples if you send them my way.

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👀 Portfolio Showcase

Today: Annabelle Wieland

Annabelle’s portfolio is a great example of a junior designer who isn’t afraid to go deep — and that alone makes it worth your time.

Based in London, Annabelle brings a strong sense of curiosity and rigour to her work. She doesn’t stop at surface-level observations — she digs into how products are used, where user pain points intersect with business impact, and how design can meaningfully address both.

That kind of mindset is already rare at the junior level. With a bit more polish and refinement in how her work is presented, this portfolio could really shine.

That’s it for this week—thanks so much for the support! ♥️

If you’d like to support my efforts on Open Doors further you can buy me a coffee. If you ever got any value from my emails consider it so I can keep this newsletter free and available to everyone out there.

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!

• Book an in-depth portfolio or resume review with me

• Book a mentoring session with me

• Book a quick 15 min chat to ask a question and see if we vibe

Keep kicking doors open and see you next week!
- Florian