Dribbble is a huge social media platform, used by all types of designers to share their work, get inspiration, and build their dribbble web design portfolio. When you land on the home page, you start seeing all types of digital work from creative people worldwide.
May it be graphics, mobile apps, websites, interaction designs, or illustrations, everything is under one roof, right in front of you to feast your eyes. But when you look closer, underneath these glamorous shots and rebounds, animations, and illustrations, there lies an inherent problem that most people fail to recognize.
It can be seen in its most amplified manner when we look for people who are on Dribbble to primarily showcase their UI/UX skills.
The Problem with Dribbble for UI/UX Designers
So, what’s this problem?
When you try to look for designers showcasing mobile apps, websites, and their UI/UX skills on Dribbble, this is what you see.
Most designers showcase only the 2-3 final screens of their product as part of their dribbble web design portfolio.
The big problem in such a case is that we have no context and background of the design. We’re only seeing the result which had a very long process behind it to reach where it is. A design process for any set of screens includes ideation, information architecture, wireframing, design exploration, and then the final design.
Understanding this design process of a designer is very important for a prospective client to understand the designer’s abilities to solve a problem, his thought processes behind the choices that he made, and the approach that he took that led to the final design.
Limitations of Dribbble as a Platform for UI/UX Portfolios
Due to the structure of Dribbble as a social media platform, it is very difficult or almost impossible for a designer to showcase his entire process in detail or even step by step. This results in dribbble web design portfolios that are often shallow, focusing on the final look rather than the full journey.
So what ends up happening is that a lot of designers just straight up skimp the thorough design process for a product and just put up 2-3 screens without thinking from a macro perspective of how these screens will fit in on an actual 200-screen project. This, in turn, allows them to churn out multiple designs per week to upload on the platform and they get rewarded with followers for their regular day-to-day uploads.
Outsider people who don’t have significant design insights would think that a designer with so many likes and followers must be a good designer, but that necessarily won’t be the case. Being perceived as a good designer shouldn’t be a popularity contest!
Depth vs. Aesthetics in Dribbble UI/UX Portfolios
Now Dribbble is mostly filled up with such UI/UX designs that are very artsy, beautiful, and pleasing to look at but lack the depth that it needs to have to do what it’s supposed to do – solve a problem.
“Good UI can only take a product 2 miles ahead of its competitors but a good UI with equally good UX backing it up can take a product 20 miles ahead of its competition.”
We as designers are supposed to be problem solvers first, then pixel pushers.
Another problem that arises due to this is that we as designers tend to take inspiration for our creative work from places like Dribbble to incorporate contemporary design trends into the products we are making. But then we mostly stumble on such designs which aren’t thought through or have a process behind them.
Such design trends cannot be implemented into actual systems due to many technical reasons like display resolutions, aspect ratios, hardware restrictions accessibility guidelines, and so on.
What to Look for in a UI/UX Designer’s Portfolio
So, what you as a prospective client can look for in a designer to properly judge his skills?
- Look for a Designer with a Website: A personal website as a portfolio is crucial. It allows the designer to showcase their designs along with the entire process that it took to reach the final product. This will help you understand their problem-solving abilities and the thought process behind their design choices.
- Evaluate Beyond Visual Appeal: Check for a comprehensive narrative that includes ideation, sketches, wireframes, prototypes, and user testing. This depth shows that the designer has thought through the project from start to finish.
- Look for Detailed Case Studies: Case studies that explain the challenges faced, the solutions provided, and the impact of the design give a complete picture of the designer’s capabilities and approach. These case studies should highlight how the designer addresses real-world problems and delivers effective solutions.
- Assess Their Understanding of User Experience: A good portfolio should demonstrate the designer’s understanding of user experience principles. Look for evidence that they conduct user research, create user personas, and perform usability testing.
- Check for a Variety of Projects: A diverse portfolio shows versatility. Look for projects that span different industries and design challenges. This variety indicates that the designer can adapt their skills to various contexts.
- Review Feedback and Testimonials: Client feedback and testimonials can provide insights into the designer’s reliability, communication skills, and the impact of their work. Positive reviews from previous clients are a strong indicator of the designer’s professionalism and ability to deliver results.
- Look for Collaboration Skills: Designers often work in teams. A good portfolio should highlight collaborative projects and the designer’s role in them. This shows that the designer can effectively work with others to achieve project goals.
Next time while looking for a designer, keep in mind the above points and ask yourself, “Do you want a designer who can create pretty designs or a designer who can create pretty designs and prettier user experiences resulting in better sales?”
Conclusion
While Dribbble can be an excellent platform for inspiration and exposure, it falls short of a comprehensive portfolio for UX designers. Prospective clients should look beyond the surface and seek designers who provide a detailed view of their design process.
This approach ensures that you find a designer who not only has aesthetic skills but also strong problem-solving abilities, as demonstrated in their interaction design portfolio or UI portfolio on their personal websites.
For designers, it’s crucial to create a balanced portfolio that highlights not only the final products but also the journey and thought processes involved. By doing so, they can more effectively showcase their capabilities and attract clients who value comprehensive and well-thought-out design solutions.
Contact us if you are looking to elevate your design game and need the best UI UX design agency. Our team of experts specializes in creating the best UX design portfolios that stand out and drive business success.
By critically evaluating a dribbble web design portfolio and looking for depth over aesthetics, you ensure that your chosen designer has the skills and insight necessary to create functional, beautiful, and user-friendly designs.
Remember, a robust portfolio for UX designers must showcase the process and think behind each project, which is often better achieved through a personal website rather than relying solely on Dribbble.
For more inspiration, check us out on dribbble and see how we’ve balance aesthetics with a well-documented design process.
