Table of Contents
- The power of testimonials in a UX Portfolio
- Why do designers need testimonials?
- 1. Commercial validation
- 2. Building trust
- 3. Personality insights
- 4. Differentiation
- The psychology behind testimonials
- 1. Authority bias
- 2. Bandwagon effect
- 3. Impression management
- Who should designers ask for testimonials?
- 1. Clients
- 2. Managers
- 3. Teammates
- When to ask for testimonials
- 1. Completion of a project
- 2. Achieving a milestone
- 3. Regular check-ins
- How to ask for testimonials
- 1. Be direct but polite
- 2. Make it easy
- Specific prompts
- More than words: The visual appeal of testimonials
- 1. Integrating multimedia
- 2. Using real photos
- 3. Infographics and highlight points
- Continuous improvement: regularly updating testimonials
- 1. Periodic updates
- 2. Diverse projects
- Let the praise do the talking
- ️
Do not index
Do not index
Read time: under 13 minutes
The power of testimonials in a UX Portfolio
💭 Imagine this:
You're at a networking event, looking from across the room at two equally talented UX designers. Both have sleek portfolios, creative flair, and a knack for transforming ideas into intuitive experiences.
However, one designer's portfolio is rich with glowing testimonials from previous clients, managers, and teammates.
Which designer do you think people are more likely to approach?
If you chose the one with testimonials, you’re not alone.
In this article, we're going to explore the crucial role testimonials play in elevating your portfolio and provide actionable tips on how to gather them effectively.
Let’s go!
Why do designers need testimonials?
Testimonials are your secret weapon to show that you’re not just good — you’re the real deal. Here’s why every designer needs them, pronto.
1. Commercial validation
Your portfolio? Beautiful. But your testimonials? They’re the mic drop.
When clients say things like, “You nailed it,” it’s not just fluff. It’s proof that your design doesn’t just look pretty, it actually works—for business.
- Translation: Clients aren’t just admiring your design skills. They’re appreciating the real-world impact your design has on their business.
- Extra credit: Testimonials act as your personal marketing department, showing prospects that your work doesn’t just make things look good, it moves the needle.
2. Building trust
We live in an era where anyone with an internet connection can call themselves an expert. But how do you know if they’re the real deal?
- Testimonials give your potential clients the one thing they crave: proof.
- Nothing builds trust faster than hearing from someone who’s actually worked with you. When a past client says, “I’d hire them again in a heartbeat,” that’s your golden ticket.
Moral of the story: People trust other people. And trust equals business.
3. Personality insights
Sure, you can design a killer interface. But are you a joy to work with? Do you actually deliver on time, or do you leave everyone in suspense?
- Testimonials show your personality, which, let’s be honest, is just as important as your design skills.
- Words like “great to work with” or “excellent communicator” don’t just boost your ego, they show clients you’re not just another design robot.
A great testimonial gives clients the full package: talent, communication, and collaboration.
4. Differentiation
In a sea of designers all flaunting their portfolios, testimonials are the lifeboats that keep you from sinking into the “meh” pile.
- While your portfolio shows what you can do, testimonials show how you do it.
- Want to stand out in the sea of “me too” portfolios? Testimonials show potential clients exactly why your approach is worth their time and their money.
It’s the difference between “I guess they’re good at design” and “Wow, they absolutely crushed it and I want to work with them again.”
Your full guide to creating an outstanding portfolio and getting noticed.
The psychology behind testimonials
We’re all a little psychologically wired to trust other people’s opinions more than our own.
When someone says, “This designer is awesome,” our brains light up like a Christmas tree. So, why does this happen, and how can you use it to your advantage?
Let’s dive into the 3 fascinating psychologies of testimonials below 👇
1. Authority bias
It’s not just about what they say; it’s about who’s saying it.
Why it works: People tend to trust opinions from those they consider credible or influential. It’s like a free “trust boost” for your reputation.
Testimonials tap into this bias by getting respected individuals to back your work. When a client (or better yet, a big-name brand) sings your praises, your credibility skyrockets.
Pro tip: Get those testimonials from high-value clients or industry leaders.
Their endorsement is worth its weight in gold. If they say you’re good, everyone else is listening.
2. Bandwagon effect
The more people who like something, the more we want in.
Why it works: Humans are hardwired to follow the crowd. When multiple clients vouch for your skills, others are more likely to jump on the bandwagon.
When potential clients see that others have had positive experiences with you, they’re more likely to trust you. If a bunch of clients are lining up to work with you, new clients will think, “If it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for me.”
Pro tip: Gather testimonials from a variety of clients. The more diversity, the more impressive your client base looks—show that you’re trusted across industries and niches.
3. Impression management
First impressions count. And testimonials help you nail them.
Why it works: Testimonials allow you to shape how others perceive you. They create a positive initial perception that makes potential clients more inclined to hire you.
A positive testimonial helps craft the narrative about who you are and what it’s like to work with you.
It tells potential clients, “Hey, you’re not just hiring a designer, you’re hiring someone who’s easy to work with, reliable, and great at what they do.”
Pro tip: Use testimonials to highlight the qualities that make you stand out: punctuality, communication skills, collaboration. These personal traits matter just as much as your design skills.
Who should designers ask for testimonials?
When it comes to gathering testimonials, don’t just stick to one type of person.
The more diverse, the better. A variety of testimonials gives potential clients a comprehensive look at your skills from different angles, allowing you to show off a well-rounded set of qualities.
1. Clients
These are your bread-and-butter testimonials. Nothing speaks louder than someone who actually opened their wallet to pay for your services.
📍 New clients can speak to:
- First impressions of working with you
- How smoothly the kickoff phase went
- The clarity of your onboarding process
- How you compare to their previous designers
📍 Long-term clients can address:
- Your consistency over time
- How you've grown and evolved
- The cumulative impact of your work
- Your ability to adapt to changing requirements
📍 Different client types provide different value:
- Startups can highlight your agility and resourcefulness
- Enterprise clients validate your ability to navigate complexity
- B2B vs B2C clients demonstrate your versatility across business models
2. Managers
Whether current or former, managers provide powerful validation of your professional capabilities.
They've seen how you handle both pressure and mundane tasks.
📍 Direct managers can speak to:
- Your growth trajectory
- How you prioritize work
- Your day-to-day reliability
- Your impact on team deliverables
📍 Former managers offer:
- How you've applied learnings from past roles
- Longitudinal perspective on your development
- Comparison to other designers they've managed
📍 Senior managers can validate:
- Your strategic thinking
- Business impact of your work
- How executives perceive your contributions
- Your ability to align design with business goals
3. Teammates
Fellow designers, developers, product managers, and other colleagues provide crucial insight into what you're actually like to work with in the trenches.
📍 Other designers can speak to:
- How you give and receive critique
- Your contribution to the design system/team standards
- Your unique strengths compared to other designers they know
📍 Developers can address:
- How implementable your designs are
- Your responsiveness during build phase
- How you help solve technical challenges
- Your understanding of technical constraints
📍 Product managers can highlight:
- Your business thinking
- Your ability to navigate scope change
- Your contribution to product strategy
- How you balance user needs with business requirements
📍 Marketing/sales teams can validate:
- How your designs perform in market
- User/customer feedback on your work
- The sales impact of your design improvements
- How effectively you translate brand requirements
When to ask for testimonials
Let's talk about timing—the unsung hero of successful testimonial.
I've asked for testimonials at all the wrong times: when clients were stressed about deadlines, months after a project when details were fuzzy, or worse—as an awkward afterthought when I suddenly needed social proof for my website refresh.
Trust me—asking for testimonials is like asking for a kiss. Timing matters, a lot.
.png?table=block&id=1e62a971-edb7-80ee-a4f3-fa32c648887a&cache=v2)
1. Completion of a project
This is the testimonial sweet spot—that magical moment when your client is basking in the glow of their shiny new design before they've had time to take it for granted.
The golden 48-hour rule:
- Details are fresh, making feedback more specific
- Ask within 48 hours of final delivery for maximum enthusiasm
- Their relief at project completion creates positive associations
- The emotional high of "we did it!" leads to more effusive language
How to maximize this moment:
- Build the testimonial request directly into your project closing process
- Include specific prompts about results and experience
- Reference specific positive comments they made during the final review
🚩 Red flags to watch for:
- If they seem stressed about launch, wait a few days
- If there were last-minute issues, let the dust settle first
- If they seem distracted during the final handoff, follow up when they're less busy
Pro tip: Use calendar automation to your advantage: schedule an email to go out 48 hours after final delivery with a friendly nudge and a link to a short form or template.
Keep it breezy, not needy. Bonus points if you personalize it with a GIF from your wrap-up Zoom call.
2. Achieving a milestone
Sometimes the true value of your work isn't apparent until the metrics start rolling in. When your design starts showing measurable results, strike while the data is hot.
Optimal metric moments:
- Positive results from A/B testing
- Favorable user research findings
- Increase in user engagement statistics
- First significant conversion rate improvement
- Notable decrease in customer support tickets
- First major sales directly attributed to the redesign
How to prepare for this moment:
- Prepare specific questions about the business impact
- Set up a system to track relevant metrics from the start
- Schedule check-ins specifically to review performance data
- Create before/after comparisons that highlight improvements
Pro tip: If you're not tracking metrics for your design work, start now.
Nothing generates better testimonials than cold, hard numbers showing your design made money or solved problems.
3. Regular check-ins
Sometimes clients say something so perfect, so genuinely appreciative during a casual conversation or email that it's practically a testimonial already. This is testimonial farming at its finest.
Common praise moments to watch for:
- Recognition in company-wide communications
- Excited Slack messages after user feedback comes in
- Thank you notes after you've gone above and beyond
- Positive comments they make to others about your work
- Enthusiastic comments during presentation to stakeholders
- Relieved emails when you solve a particularly thorny problem
How to capture these moments:
- Respond immediately: "That's so kind! Would you mind if I used that comment as a testimonial?"
- Offer to draft it based on what they just said for them to review
- If appropriate, ask if they could elaborate on a specific point
- Save all client emails/messages containing praise in a dedicated folder
Pro tip: Keep a “praise bank” (Notion, Google Doc, Post-it on your fridge—whatever works). Every time a client drops a golden comment, log it.
Your full guide to creating an outstanding portfolio and getting noticed.
How to ask for testimonials
Asking for a testimonial doesn’t have to feel like asking someone to sign your high school yearbook. With the right approach, it can be easy, professional, and even enjoyable—for both of you.
Here’s how to nail the ask:
1. Be direct but polite
Your client isn't a mind reader. If you want a testimonial, ask for one—nicely.
Skip the vague hints. Be clear, courteous, and specific.
✅ Try this instead of beating around the bush:
- “Would you be open to writing a short testimonial about our work together?”
- “I’d love to add your thoughts to my portfolio—would you mind sharing a quick blurb?”
- “If you were happy with the project (fingers crossed), would you be open to writing a few words about the experience?”
Pro tip: Ask in person or during a final wrap-up call if possible. It feels natural and they’re more likely to say yes on the spot.
2. Make it easy
The harder it is to write, the longer it takes to get. Help them help you.
✅ Tips to remove friction:
- Keep your request under 100 words—no one wants homework
- Give them 2–3 bullet prompts so they’re not staring at a blank screen
- Offer to draft a testimonial based on something they already said and let them tweak it
Pro tip: Use tools like Senja, Testimonial.to, or even Google Forms to streamline the process.
Specific prompts
General requests often result in generic testimonials.
Try mentioning specific aspects you’d like them to highlight, such as your ability to meet deadlines, your creative problem-solving, or your collaboration skills.
Request template:
Hey [Name], I hope you’re doing well. I’m reaching out to see if you could provide a short testimonial about our recent project. It would mean a lot and really help me in showcasing my portfolio. Specifically, it would be great if you could touch on [specific aspect]. Thanks in advance!
More than words: The visual appeal of testimonials
Designers know better than anyone: presentation matters. A wall of plain text? Snooze. But a strategically placed, beautifully designed testimonial? Now we’re cooking.
Here’s how to make your testimonials look as good as they sound:
1. Integrating multimedia
Text is fine. But if they’re willing to go on camera? That’s gold.
Video testimonials = instant trust injection. You get tone, facial expression, and sincerity—all the stuff text can only dream of.
✅ Why video works:
- It’s harder to fake enthusiasm on camera
- Human faces build connection and trust
- You get bonus non-verbal cues: smiles, nods, excitement
Pro move: Keep it short (30–60 seconds max), edit out the fluff, and include subtitles.
2. Using real photos
Anonymous reviews belong on sketchy product listings. Not in your portfolio.
Putting a face to the praise instantly levels up the trust factor. It transforms a “nice words” moment into a real-person endorsement.
✅ What to include:
- Full name
- Clear headshot or profile photo
- Title and company (bonus points if it's recognizable)
Make it pop visually:
- Add their company logo for brand power
- Use a clean layout with consistent formatting
- Consider using pull quotes or cards to create structure
3. Infographics and highlight points
Some clients write poetry. Others give you spreadsheets. Use both.
If a testimonial includes juicy metrics (like a 40% drop in bounce rate or “our users stopped rage-clicking”), showcase that with visuals.
✅ Ideas to make your testimonials snackable:
- Highlight best quotes in big, bold typography
- Use colors and icons to guide the reader’s attention
- Pair a quote with a relevant metric or visual insight
- Create mini-infographics that connect praise to results
Pro tip: Don’t forget to optimize for mobile—especially if you're sharing your portfolio on the go or in a link.
Your full guide to creating an outstanding portfolio and getting noticed.
Continuous improvement: regularly updating testimonials
Nothing screams “stale portfolio” like a testimonial from 2019 talking about how “great you were at Sketch.”
Here’s how to make sure your testimonials stay as sharp as your skillset:
1. Periodic updates
Treat testimonials like your resume: regularly updated and ready to impress.
Set a cadence—every 6 to 12 months—to refresh your collection. Don’t wait until you’re job-hunting or client-chasing to realize you’ve got nothing recent to show.
✅ Easy ways to build the habit:
- Add a testimonial request step in your project wrap-up checklist
- Set a recurring calendar reminder every 6 months to review and update
- Pair it with your portfolio refresh or LinkedIn update for efficiency
🧠 Think of it this way: If someone Googles you today, would your current testimonials still reflect what you’re capable of now?
2. Diverse projects
One kind of testimonial = one-dimensional designer.Show you’re multi-faceted by collecting feedback across a range of work.
Clients love to see themselves in your portfolio. So give them variety—different industries, team dynamics, project types, even working styles.
✅ Ways to diversify your testimonial set:
- Collect from clients and teammates, managers, stakeholders
- Showcase different project types: redesigns, MVP launches, design systems, UX audits
- Highlight different skills: collaboration, strategy, creativity, problem-solving
- Pull from both freelance gigs and in-house roles
Pro tip: Tag or categorize testimonials by project type or skill—this makes it easier to customize what you show based on who’s viewing your portfolio.
Let the praise do the talking
Think of testimonials as your hype squad. They're not just kind words—they’re persuasive proof that you're the real deal.
You’ve now got the tools to collect, curate, and display testimonials that pack a punch. So don’t let glowing feedback sit in dusty inboxes. Polish it. Post it. Let it shine.
Because the next time a dream client scrolls through your portfolio, you want them to say:
“Damn, I need this designer.”
Now go forth and gather your greatest hits. The mic is yours 🎤
️
Whenever you're ready, there are 4 ways I can help you:
1. Junior Designer Bundle: Transition into UX and craft an unforgettable portfolio & get hired.
2. Senior Designer Bundle: Become a design leader with systems to build healthier, happier teams.
3. UX Portfolio Critique: In less than 48 hours, get your 30-minute personalised video of brutally honest feedback.
4. Job Sprint Course: Stand out in an unpredictable job market by building a memorable personal brand and a killer job search strategy.
