Table of Contents
- A comprehensive guide to presenting your case study effectively
- The purpose of your UX case study presentation
- 1. Know your audience
- 2. Start with a strong introduction
- 3. Choose the right UX case study
- 4. Tell a compelling story
- 5. Focus on your role
- 6. Practice makes perfect
- 7. Prepare for interview questions
- 8. Be yourself and show your passion
- Summary
- Do you want to dive deeper into the insights UX design job interviews?
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A comprehensive guide to presenting your case study effectively
Hello my UX friends,
Securing your dream UX job often hinges on your ability to effectively present a UX case study during an interview (UX case study presentation).
This isn't merely a display of your skills and experience, but a demonstration of your thought process, problem-solving prowess, and your approach to design challenges.
In this blog post, we'll explore the art of presenting a UX case study in job interviews (UX job interview case study), offering practical tips and insights to help you excel in your next UX interview.
Let’s go!
The purpose of your UX case study presentation
The initial step in preparing your UX case study for an interview is comprehending its purpose.
It's your opportunity to exhibit your:
- Design process
- Problem-solving capabilities
- Approach to feedback and iteration.
For example, when I presented my case study on the redesign of an HR website, I emphasized how I integrated user feedback into each design iteration.
1. Know your audience
Most designers prepare one generic presentation and hope it works for everyone. Your audience determines your focus:
- Product managers: Focus on user outcomes and data
- Engineers: Show feasibility and collaboration examples
- Hiring managers: Want to see business impact and team fit
- Senior designers: Care about your process and design decisions
💭 Consider this scenario:
You walk into a room with a product manager who only cares about revenue and a lead UX designer ready to dissect every pixel.
The PM wants ROI. The designer wants process.
Solution: Speak both languages. “User research revealed 73% abandoned at step 3, costing $2.1M annually. My redesign cut abandonment by 34%, boosting revenue while improving usability.”
Now you're speaking everyone's language.
Pro tip: Ask your recruiter exactly who will be in the room. Then tailor your talking points accordingly.
2. Start with a strong introduction
Skip the autobiography. Nobody cares that you've “always been passionate about design since childhood.“ Your intro should cover:
- Who you are professionally: Your current role and experience level
- What excites you about UX: Be specific, not generic
- What you'll show today: A clear roadmap for the presentation
For example, you might start with:
“Hey, I’m Chris, a self-taught UX designer with a background in business. I love figuring out why people do what they do. For the past 5 years, I’ve worked in industry like XYZ.
Today, I’d like to walk you through some of my favourite projects, highlighting challenges I faced, impact my solutions had, and my design process.”
Pro tip: Practice your intro until it's conversational, not rehearsed. You should sound like you're talking to a colleague, not delivering a speech.
3. Choose the right UX case study
Not all case studies are equal.
Select a project that highlights your strengths, demonstrates your problem-solving abilities, and aligns with the type of work you aspire to do in the future.
Choose a case study that underscores your skills in this area. If you're applying for a role that requires extensive user research, for instance:
- Problem-solving capabilities
- Approach to feedback and iteration.
Pro tip: Select projects that complement each other. If one shows deep research, another should highlight rapid iteration.
👉 How to choose the right project for your UX portfolio:
4. Tell a compelling story
Your case study should narrate a compelling story.
Begin with the problem you aimed to solve → explain your process → conclude with the results.
Be sure to spotlight any challenges you encountered and how you solved them.
In my case study on developing a mobile app for an international airline, I discussed the challenge of designing for a diverse user base and how I utilized user personas to tackle this issue.
👉 How to Tell a Story in Your UX Case Study:
5. Focus on your role
In team projects, be crystal clear about your specific contributions without throwing anyone under the bus. Here’s how to frame your role:
- "I led the user research phase..." (shows leadership)
- "I collaborated with the PM to..." (shows teamwork)
- "My insights about X influenced..." (shows impact)
For example, if you worked on a team to redesign a travel booking website, specify your role.
“I led the user research phase, conducting and analysing surveys and interviews. My findings on user frustration with the search functionality significantly guided the redesign efforts. I also designed the wireframes and collaborated closely with the UI designer to ensure a cohesive end product.”
Pro Tip: Use active voice. "I designed" not "The design was created." Own your work confidently.
6. Practice makes perfect
Rehearsing isn't about memorizing a script. It's about being comfortable with your content so you can focus on connecting with your audience.
Personally, I rehearsed my presentation numerous times before any interview, focusing on my tone, pace, and body language.
Practice routine that works:
- Solo practice: Record yourself presenting each case study
- Peer review: Present to designer friends for feedback
- Mock interviews: Have someone play interviewer and ask tough questions
- Time management: Practice different versions (5min, 10min, 15min per project)
Pro tip: Practice with the actual presentation setup you'll use (Zoom screen share, in-person projector, etc.).
7. Prepare for interview questions
Be prepared to answer questions about your case study, including ones that may seem unexpected.
Interviewers may inquire about your decision-making process, the tools you used, how you handled feedback and more.
Design decision questions:
- "What would you do differently now?"
- "How did you validate this design decision?"
- "Why did you choose this approach over alternatives?"
Process questions:
- "How do you prioritize feature requests?"
- "How did you handle stakeholder pushback?"
- "What was your biggest challenge on this project?"
Impact questions:
- "How do you measure success?"
- "How did users actually respond post-launch?"
- "What was the long-term impact of this project?"
Real-life example:
When I interviewed any designer on a UX case study, I usually asked why they chose a particular colour scheme.
This was to see if the designer could justify their design decision based on the brand's identity and user preferences.
Pro tip: It's okay to say "I don't know, but here's how I would find out." Shows problem-solving thinking.
8. Be yourself and show your passion
Finally, let your passion for UX design shine through.
Show genuine for your work and its impact on users and businesses. This isn't about being fake-friendly or overly casual. It’s about letting your authentic approach to design come through.
Throughout an interview presentation, I always make sure to express my excitement about the potential of UX design to improve people's lives (and it worked!).
How to be authentically professional:
- Admit learning moments: Show growth and self-awareness
- Ask thoughtful questions: Show interest in their challenges too
- Share real challenges: Don't pretend everything went smoothly
- Express genuine enthusiasm: Let your passion for solving problems show
Pro tip: The interview is mutual evaluation. Be yourself so you can determine if this team and company are right for you too.
Summary
Remember, a well-presented case study can distinguish you from other candidates.
It's your opportunity to show potential employers not just what you can do, but how you think and approach design challenges (especially in UX portfolio case study).
Best of luck with your next UX job interview! ☘️
Do you want to dive deeper into the insights UX design job interviews?
If so, grab a bowl of popcorn, settle into your comfiest chair, and watch this playlist:
There, you'll find a few insightful videos that explore the ins and outs of the UX design job interview process. It's packed with valuable tips, real-life examples, and expert advice that will help you navigate this exciting journey with confidence.
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