15 ways to improve your UX design case studies

Case studies are so much more than flexing design skills. They’re a chance to spill the light on your thought process and personality. I can’t promise you a magic formula, but I’ve got some handy tricks I refer to when telling my UX stories. So, without further ado, let’s jump right in.

1. Kick things off with an attention-grabbing cover that shows key screens of your project

Let's start strong! A killer cover sets the tone for your entire project narrative. Keep it simple by showcasing 2–3 screens that best describe your product. Instead of showing the login screen, go for the SaaS product’s slick dashboard or the smooth checkout process for your e-commerce gig. Want to take it to the next level? Add a poppin’ background color or a smooth animation for the visual. This visually captivating approach sets the stage for an immersive experience that’ll leave your reader craving more.

2. Your role deserves the spotlight

Recruiters want to know the nitty-gritty of your involvement, so don’t forget to mention the key details about your role. Share your project duration, timeframe, and whether it was a real client or conceptual work. Was it a solo or team project? Write it down. Don’t forget to name-drop the tools you used and the roles you owned, like UX, Research, UI, Branding, Project Management, and more.

3. Hook your reader from the very first line

Begin your project story with a compelling opening that hooks your reader from the get-go. Too often, storytelling takes a backseat when describing our work, but let me tell you, it adds a layer of depth that makes your work stand out. The opening could be a personal observation, a surprising statistic, a thought-provoking question, or a relatable anecdote. Make it short and sweet.

Here is an excellent example by Simon Pan used in his Uber case study:

In 2012, tapping a button to Uber across the city felt magical. By the start of 2016, this magic receded to a slew of disparate features that made the experience slow and complex to use.

4. Be less process-driven, more outcome-focused

I know it’s tempting to share it all about those great interviews or card-sorting exercises you’ve aced. While the process is important, don’t forget to connect it to something bigger.

Here’s a trick that helps to shift the mindset: use titles to render a key message. For instance, instead of a plain “Problem” section, add the real problem: “Teachers struggle to connect with students remotely.” Then, take a quick 2–3 sentence paragraph to dive deeper into the issue. And hey, instead of a generic “User Research” section, drop a key insight that shaped your product. This way, your case study becomes more outcome-friendly and scannable.

5. Reveal the results early on

Don’t make your readers wait until the end for the good stuff. After introducing the problem or explaining how you tackled the challenge, include a section with the results. Show how your product or service resolved the issue and highlight the key features that made it happen. In this way, you’ll present the important information early on, drawing readers into the story behind the results.

6. Talk about the real impact and value of your design work

Whenever possible, include specific, quantifiable outcomes of your design work. Usually, this is where you discuss an increased conversion, positive customer reviews, decreased bounce rate, and other business metrics.

However, if you’re working on a school project, your product wasn’t shipped, or you don’t have access to data, you can also focus on discussing the design impact. For example, you might have improved documentation by developing a project design system, created a new testing framework to enhance quality, implemented new processes or tools that streamlined the hand-off process, identified and addressed areas of user confusion, or made the product more inclusive and accessible. These are all valuable contributions that demonstrate the impact of your design work beyond traditional metrics.

Example by Lex Roman. The Black Tux.

7. Show photos of you in a work context

Share some cool pictures that show you in action. Use photographs of you conducting user research sessions, sketching wireframes, or working with the design tools. By including these visuals, recruiters can better understand your expertise and envision your involvement in the project. This not only strengthens your credibility but also enables them to visualize your potential contributions.

Example by Sharon Yeun Kim. Onnit.

8. Keep it shorter than you wish

You know, I’ve come across some amazing UX case studies that weren’t necessarily short. But let’s be real here — recruiters are busy bees and don’t have time for a marathon read. While the optimal length of a UX case study is a topic of debate, some sources suggest aiming for 800–1500 words or a length that can be covered within a single touchpad scroll. But hey, it’s your story after all, and you’re the one who gets to call the shots on how long it should be.

Remember, quality and relevance matter more than length, so make each section insightful. Aim for highlights. Keep your sections around 2–5 sentences each, and avoid simple statements like “Here are my user flows” without helpful context. If you need to present larger chunks of information like user data or testing results, break it into several digestible points and use visuals to support them.

9. Use mockups wisely

While mockups can add visual appeal, make sure they don’t overshadow your actual design work. Avoid using fancy angles or styles that hinder the clarity and visibility of your design. Ultimately, it comes down to personal taste, but clear and accessible visuals should be a priority when communicating your UX work.

10. Make your case study SEO-friendly

Incorporating proper image descriptions and ALT text is a win-win. Not only does it boost your search engine optimization (SEO), but it also shows that you’re a thoughtful and inclusive designer. Another smart move is using subheaders (H1, H2, H3) to break up your content and keep things organized. Oh, and don’t forget about online tools like TinyPNG to optimize your images and make them load faster. Trust me, SEO totally loves that.

11. Don’t overload your case study with a ton of screens

Throwing every single screen you worked on when presenting wireframes can be way too much and make people lose interest. Instead, pick a few screens that really explain your product. If you want to show the whole flow, consider other options like embedding a prototype, giving a link to your Figma file, or even recording a quick video walkthrough. These alternatives make it more engaging and prevent overwhelming your audience with a screen overload.

12. Share lessons learned

It may seem obvious, but so many people miss the mark on this one. Not reflecting on your experiences can raise a red flag for recruiters, so pick out 3–4 main things you’ve learned from the project to show a growth mindset. Think of your work as a story, not just a fancy success presentation. Showing the ‘good’ stuff only feels fake. But be smart about it. No need to mention how you didn’t enjoy custom icon design or that testing felt like a drag. Keep it positive! In the end, you have learned something that made you a better designer.

13. Improve the UX of your case studies

To make your case studies more user-friendly, here are some cool tips to improve the UX:

• Add an outline: Give a content overview with clickable links at the beginning so readers can jump straight to the sections they want to read.

• One-click scroll to the top: Make it easy for readers to zip back to the top of the page with just one click. It’s a handy feature they’ll appreciate.

• Suggest next projects to explore: Keep readers hooked by recommending other exciting projects once they finish reading. It’s like a bonus adventure!

• Keep paragraphs easy on the eyes: Don’t make your paragraphs very wide because it can be a pain to read. Narrow the line width for a smoother reading experience.

Content outline example by Rachel How. Experience Revamp of the Fave App.

14. Add a clear Call-to-Action at the end of your story

Create a dedicated section where you address the client and discuss the possibility of building a similar product for them. Alternatively, you can add a CTA button that makes it easy for visitors to connect with you. Remember, everything you do on your portfolio should have a purpose. If your goal is to turn visitors into clients, make it easy for them to take action.

Example by Danbee Shin. The Whole n’ Happy.

15. Don’t overdesign it

When starting out, your portfolio might often seem to you incomplete. You’ll constantly find ways to improve, especially as your design skills get better and better. If that’s you, don’t stress about it — it’s actually a good sign! It means you’re growing and noticing things you didn’t see before. Just be careful not to use it as an excuse to procrastinate. Instead, set a specific time limit for updating your portfolio and make it a task to review in 6–12 months, depending on your goals. This way, you’ll strike a balance between continuous improvement and taking action.

Now it’s your turn! 🚀

Check this free UX Case Study Presentation Checklist where I collected all the tips in one place you can follow when planning your next case study.

Some of these tips may not always align with your objectives, so take my advice with a grain of salt and don’t worry about getting it all perfect. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to case studies.

The guidelines you follow might shift and evolve over time, and that’s cool. Embrace the fact that there’s room for flexibility and experimentation. Keep learning, do what feels authentic, and let your style shine through.