top of page
Portfolio Redesign
If there’s one thing I’ve learned through this process, it’s that a portfolio is never truly finished. It’s a living project, constantly evolving alongside my growth as a designer. This timeline captures the journey of how I built, refined, and reimagined my portfolio — from my first iteration to the version that finally feels like me. Each phase represents lessons learned, challenges tackled, and new creative risks taken. Click through each section to explore the process behind my evolution.
1. The Building Blocks
At the start of my portfolio journey, I gathered all my bootcamp work into a Google Drive folder, carefully organizing each case study. I opted for Uxfolio, a template-based platform, for its simplicity. It allowed me to quickly display my work, but looking back, I realize I wasn’t curating a narrative — just assembling content.
As I structured my portfolio, I prioritized organization. Every project had its place, and I started drafting case studies. But while the process was systematic, it lacked a personal touch.
Uxfolio made things easy at first, but as I built out the site, I noticed its limitations. The templates, while clean, didn’t allow much room for customization, and my portfolio started to feel rigid — more like a collection of projects than a representation of my evolving skills.
Recognizing these pain points, I knew I needed a more flexible platform to truly showcase my skills and personality. This stage taught me that a portfolio isn’t just about displaying work — it’s about storytelling. To do that, I needed a platform that offered more creative freedom.
Pain Points
Rigid Templates: I couldn’t fully customize my portfolio to reflect my style.
Scalability Issues: Limited ability to add multiple case studies easily.
2. Branding in Motion
After realizing the limitations of my first portfolio, I knew it was time for more creative control. I wanted a platform that would allow me to infuse more of my personality into my work, leading me to Wix. Inspired by designers who successfully balanced professionalism with self-expression, I saw this as an opportunity to refine my personal brand.
To achieve this, I stepped away from stock visuals and incorporated custom-designed elements. I wanted my work to feel intentional, not just placed within a template. I also began experimenting with subtle animations to add movement and enhance the user experience.
My case studies also needed a refresh. I refined their structure, expanding descriptions and incorporating interactive elements like galleries and animations. In my WallFlowers case study, for example, I used interactive visuals to help tell the story more effectively, ensuring my work felt immersive rather than static.
Feedback played a critical role in this stage. I shared my portfolio with design peers, collecting insights on layout, contrast, and usability. Their feedback revealed areas I hadn’t considered — like the importance of spacing for readability and how subtle variations in background color could improve content hierarchy. These insights helped refine my approach.
Pain Points
Similarity to Previous Portfolio: While the new design had more personality, it still lacked a distinct voice.
Balancing feedback vs. personal vision: Not every suggestion aligned with my goals, and I had to learn when to filter out feedback that didn’t serve my design vision.
This phase was a crucial turning point — I wasn’t just refining the look of my portfolio, but my entire approach to presenting my work. The challenge now was to push it even further, making it feel less like a website and more like a designed experience.
Despite these challenges, this phase was a defining moment in my design journey. I had finally built something that felt unique to me, and for the first time, my portfolio didn’t just showcase my work — it embodied my design philosophy.
Pain Points
Slow Editor Performance: The more interactive elements I added, the more sluggish the platform became.
Responsive Design Struggles: Adapting my highly visual layout for smaller screens required multiple iterations.
Refining Content Flow: Making sure my storytelling elements remained intuitive without feeling overwhelming.
However, with these ambitious changes came new challenges. Complex interactions and visual elements slowed down the editor, making updates cumbersome. Additionally, responsive design became a major obstacle — I needed to ensure that the site maintained its structure across different screen sizes without losing its impact.
Hover to See Changes
At this stage, I knew I needed to break away from pre-existing structures. While my previous iterations had improved, they still carried remnants of templated designs. I needed something that felt fully mine, so I transitioned to Wix Studio and started from scratch.
3. From Generic to Genuine
This time, my focus was on creating an experience, not just a portfolio. I experimented with transparent videos, custom-coded interactions, and an entirely new layout structure. Every section was intentional — designed not just for clarity but for engagement. I wanted my portfolio to guide visitors through my work in a way that felt immersive and natural.
One of the biggest shifts was rethinking my case studies. Instead of static blocks of text, I incorporated scroll-based storytelling, allowing users to experience my process dynamically. I also fine-tuned my use of contrast and hierarchy to ensure that important details stood out
Tap to view feedback iterations!
With this iteration, my portfolio finally feels true to my process and my skills. While I’m happy with the progress, I know that iteration is never over. Moving forward, I plan to continue refining, testing new tools, and ensuring my work remains a reflection of my evolving growth as a designer.
With this foundation, I redesigned my landing page. I shifted away from a neutral palette and introduced a dark gray background with green and orange accents for contrast. I also incorporated playful animations to create a more dynamic experience, reinforcing that my portfolio is not just about showcasing work — it’s about engaging visitors.
In this latest update, I focused on refining my brand identity and ensuring my portfolio reflected both my personality and my professional growth. My previous versions were polished, but lacked unique design decisions. I realized that a strong personal brand starts with intentional design choices, so I revisited my logo, color scheme, and typography to create a more cohesive look.
4. Designing With Authenticity
The first step? Crafting a personal logo. I knew a simple template-based logo wouldn’t cut it. I took time to reflect on what elements resonated with me — my initials, my Gemini sign, and my birth month color. After sketching several ideas, I refined my vision in Canva and landed on my new identity: Geminani, a fusion of my name and astrological identity.
I also revisited my case study storytelling. During an interview, I was told that my portfolio felt too formal — that it lacked insight into my personal thought process. That feedback stuck with me. I rewrote my case studies to emphasize my decisions, challenges, and insights, making them more authentic and engaging.
Pain Points
Editor Limitations: Wix Studio’s editor lag and responsiveness issues persisted.
Balancing Playfulness & Professionalism: Ensuring that my site remains engaging without feeling gimmicky.
Managing Long-Term Scalability: As my portfolio grows, I may need to explore alternative platforms or refine my coding skills for a more tailored solution.
bottom of page