From Portfolio to Leadership "Stories"

Involvement

Research
Design
Web Development

Organization

Myself

Summary

My old portfolio focused on individual design work, ideal for design managers. To showcase my leadership as a Design Lead for CEOs and Heads of Design, I redesigned it.

For many seasoned design leaders, portfolios might seem like relics of a bygone era. After all, a track record spanning decades speaks volumes. But for those of us who ascended through the ranks in the digital age, the question of showcasing our leadership alongside our hands-on skills becomes more nuanced.

Gap Between Leadership and Design Prowess

Here's the backstory. As I pondered becoming a top 1% design leader, I noticed a trend – veteran leaders, those who started in the 90s or early 2000s, often didn't have traditional design portfolios. Their strength lay in guiding and nurturing design teams, ultimately reflected in the team's stellar output.

This resonated deeply. At Servicerocket, my leadership extends beyond vision-setting. I actively collaborate with the team, contributing directly to projects. We've built impressive applications like Salesforce for Miro, GitHub for Miro, and more. However, showcasing both leadership and hands-on design skills within a portfolio presented a unique challenge.

Unveiling the Power of Design Leadership

My initial portfolio primarily focused on individual contributions, showcasing app deliverables. While relevant, it didn't paint a complete picture. I yearned to demonstrate the impact of my design leadership – the strategic thinking, team building, and collaborative spirit that fueled those successful app launches.

2021 portfolio

This is where the redesign took root. Inspired by fellow design leaders like Olha Uzhykova and Juan Real, I embraced the power of storytelling. Replacing the dry list of deliverables were compelling narratives. These stories wouldn't just showcase "what" was built, but "how" it was built. The process, the challenges overcome, and the team's collaborative magic – became the cornerstones of my redesigned website.

Reflecting Leadership in Every Pixel

The redesign went beyond content. Colours and fonts were carefully chosen to be extensions of my leadership style – a blend of reliable authority and playful enthusiasm. The website itself needed to be user-friendly, reflecting the design principles I champion within my team.

Ultimately, the redesigned portfolio is a testament to my commitment to "walking the talk." It embodies the design leadership I practice, focusing on the team's achievements while highlighting my own contribution as part of the collaborative process.

Fun fact: The colours are inspired by Lego!

Never-ending Pursuit of Excellence

This redesign is a step in a continuous exploration of design leadership. It's a testament to my belief in constantly learning, evolving, and adapting. As I strive to lead my team to even greater heights, my portfolio will undoubtedly continue to evolve, acting as a dynamic reflection of our collective design journey.