Art And Design Abilities

We all know we're supposed to "show instead of tell." But most design portfolios fail to do this and here's why. 👇 Designers love showcasing their raw work in their portfolios including outputs or deliverables such as: → Sketches → Diagrams → User flows → Wireframes → Sticky notes → Journey maps But to be honest, 90% of the time, I have absolutely no idea what is going on in those images. For example, I'll often come across a screenshot or picture of 25+ sticky notes, but: → They are too zoomed out. → If I zoom in, they're too blurry. → Even if I can seem them, they're too overwhelming. Then I start asking myself questions such as: → Am I supposed to read every sticky note? → What's important about these sticky notes? → Is this worth my time and attention to decipher? This is where storytelling comes in. What if instead of showing a raw zoomed out screenshot of sticky notes, we instead pulled out the key highlights and takeaways? Then we can guide the reader's attention to what's actually important, and optionally include a link to the original raw image afterwards. This creates a far more compelling narrative for our audience (hiring managers and recruiters), and ensures we're showing the right level of detail that is necessary to understand the story. Now to be clear, I'm not saying you should entirely avoid raw images or assets (or even raw Figma files). For example, these can be effective during the interview process because the designer can use their voice to guide their audience through the image. But when it's an online written case study submitted with an application, then you won't be in the room when a hiring manager first sees it. In that moment, your story will need to stand on it's own. It will need to communicate the right level of clarity and detail to compel the hiring manager to offer you an interview. In summary, when we want to "show instead of tell", that doesn't mean slapping a raw screenshot or image in our portfolio. It means reflecting on how we're using our words and images to give context, clarity, and tell an impactful story. Use it effectively to your advantage. What are your thoughts? #ux #design #portfolio #casestudy #storytelling

🔥 During design interviews, presenting your case study can feel like a make-or-break moment. However, many designers can benefit from strengthening one essential skill: clearly communicating the impact of their work. In my latest video, I worked with Joshua McKenzie, a Senior Product Designer, to critique his case study presentation and help him elevate it to interview-ready status. The goal? Craft a compelling story that showcases his skills, approach, and outcomes 🏆. In this critique, we cover: - How to structure your case study for clarity and engagement. - The importance of pairing visuals with a strong narrative. - Why you need two versions of your case study: one to send, one to present. - How to effectively integrate data and metrics into your story. - Common presentation pitfalls (and how to avoid them). 👀 Watch the full critique and take your portfolio to the next level: https://lnkd.in/gcjxD7VJ Some key takeaways: - Structure matters: Start with a clear business problem and user challenge, then walk through your process step by step, ending with measurable outcomes. - Visuals over words: Avoid text-heavy slides—let your work speak for itself while you guide the story. - Tailor for the audience: Use a concise, visual version of your case study for live presentations and a more detailed, written version if sending out. - Leverage data: Metrics and insights show your impact and differentiate your thinking and work from others. - Practice storytelling: Your ability to communicate your work is just as important as the work itself. ✨ If you're preparing for design interviews or looking to refine your case study game, this video is packed with actionable advice to help you stand out! 💥

Anyone can become a designer with AI. But how do you avoid designing slop? I got a masterclass from the man behind the newsletter Designing with AI, Xinran Ma. 🎬 Watch Now: https://lnkd.in/gjfmqJn6 Available Everywhere: Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eyt7agKj Apple: https://lnkd.in/eVZf64gB ✍️ Some of my favorite takeaways: 1. AI Design Is More Than Prompts Designing with AI covers five areas: prompting, ideation, design/prototyping, workflows, and staying conscious. Most people stop at prompts. That's just 20% of the skill. The rest is understanding systems, constraints, and behaviors. 2. Match Tools To Use Cases Custom GPT → effective prompts Lovable → high-quality prototypes Magic Patterns → design variations Google AI Studio → free exploration Cursor → full-stack experiences Claude Code → all-purpose 3. Good Design Passes Four Layers Visual representation, problem-solving, design principles, and implementation feasibility. Most people stop at layer one. They see something pretty and think they're done. Great design works at all four layers. 4. Context Matters More Than Prompt Length Include who the users are, what problem you're solving, what constraints matter, and where this fits in the product. More context equals better outputs. Don't just say "design a button." 5 Add Visual References To Prompts Text alone isn't enough. Upload 2-4 screenshots showing the aesthetic you want. These references anchor AI's output. The difference in quality is massive compared to text-only prompts. 6. Iterate Fast To Get Better Results The magic isn't in the first output. It's in the 10th iteration after you've refined and tweaked. Review, identify what's wrong, tell AI how to fix it, repeat. Speed comes from practice. 7. Always Validate With Real Users AI makes it easy to generate designs. Only users tell you if those designs actually help. Talk to users. Watch them use your prototypes. Listen to their frustrations. Don't skip this step. 8. The Workflow Changed From Linear To Parallel Before AI: sketch, wireframe, design, connect screens, prototype. Sequential. Slow. After AI: describe what you want, generate proof of concept, iterate freely. Parallel. Fast. This is how top designers work now. 🏆 Thanks to our sponsors: 1. NayaOne: The fastest way to test AI and fintech solutions - https://nayaone.com/ 2. Pendo: The #1 software experience management platform - http://www.pendo.io/aakash 3. Maven: Get 15% off Xinran’s course with my link - https://bit.ly/3Y2FUZn 4. Bolt: Ship AI-powered products 10x faster - https://lnkd.in/gyy3VB7Z 5. Gamma: Turn customer feedback into product decisions with AI - https://lnkd.in/g7YNKrJY Don't miss the episode for his live workflows.

1–2 seconds to stop the scroll on platforms like Instagram or TikTok. Users form an opinion about a visual in ~50 milliseconds. Want to instantly grab attention? Great visual composition isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about direction. Content with compelling visuals gets 94% more views than text-only content. It leads the viewer’s eye, shapes how your message is understood, and makes your content impossible to ignore. 8 essential principles to level up your visual game: 1. Rule of Thirds Break your frame into a 3x3 grid. Positioning key elements along these lines or at their intersections creates a naturally balanced and pleasing layout. 2. Leading Lines Incorporate lines, whether architectural, natural, or implied, to pull the viewer’s gaze toward your focal point or guide them through the composition. 3. Balance Create stability by distributing elements thoughtfully. This can be perfectly symmetrical or more dynamic and asymmetrical, depending on the visual weight. 4. Focal Point Every design needs a clear star. This is the element that immediately captures attention and anchors the composition. Clear visual hierarchy can improve conversion rates by up to 30% by reducing cognitive load and guiding decisions. 5. Negative Space What you leave out matters. Space around elements enhances clarity, improves readability, and gives your design room to breathe. 6. Hierarchy & Scale Use size, placement, and proportion to signal importance. This helps viewers navigate your design in a clear, intentional flow. Applying hierarchy, contrast, and spacing can increase content comprehension by up to 70% 7. Contrast Play with differences, color, size, shape, or texture, to create emphasis and depth. Contrast is what makes elements pop. High-contrast CTAs (buttons, key elements) can increase CTR by 20–40% in digital campaigns. 8. Repetition Consistent use of shapes, colors, or patterns builds rhythm and cohesion, making your design feel unified and intentional. Consistent visual systems can increase brand recognition by up to 80% Final Thought Visual structure isn’t optional, it’s how we make sense of what we see. As creators, it’s our job to shape that experience. Master these principles, and your designs won’t just look good, they’ll communicate with clarity and impact. Explore references, study great work, and keep refining your eye. #beautybusiness #beautyvisuals #keyvisuals #communication

Great experience, but nothing to show for it? As a recruiter specialising in design and creative roles, I often find myself in the middle of a really tricky dilemma: brilliant candidates with amazing experience, but no work they can actually show. I’ve been recruiting for an Art Director role recently, and I’ve spoken to so many talented people whose portfolios just don’t reflect the depth of their experience. Usually because the work is confidential or under NDA. Totally understandable, but from a hiring perspective, it can be a real challenge. In this case, my client was specifically looking for examples of retail campaigns that had been art directed and rolled out across a range of digital platforms. And honestly? It was a real struggle to find work that could be shared. From a freelance perspective, this becomes even more crucial. When you're brought in as a freelancer, you’re expected to hit the ground running. That’s why even if your CV and experience look amazing, clients need to see that you’ve done the kind of work they need. If you can’t showcase it somehow, chances are you won’t even get an interview. So I wanted to share a few practical tips for how to present your work when you're not sure what’s safe to include: If it’s live, it’s fair game – If the campaign has launched and is publicly available online, you can usually include it in your portfolio. Just be clear about your role in the project. Use screenshots wisely – Link to the live campaign if possible, or use screenshots with proper context to showcase your contribution. Strip out sensitive details – If something is still under wraps, anonymise the work. Blur logos, change names, or generalise the client. Focus on your creative approach and the outcomes. Get permission – When in doubt, ask. Sometimes companies are happy for you to include certain pieces, especially if you present them professionally and respectfully. Keep a “private” version – If you're applying for roles directly, have a password-protected or offline version of your portfolio that you can walk through during interviews. Just make sure it's clear it’s for their eyes only. This kind of thing can really make or break your chances, especially in senior or freelance roles. A little extra effort to present your work in the right way can make all the difference. I’d love to hear from others. How do you handle this in your portfolio? #portfoliotips #recruitment

AI is transforming creative processes, enabling faster and more innovative expression across fields like art, design, and content creation. The fifth and final trend “Supercharged Creativity” from Cognizant’s Human Experience report explores the synergy between human creativity and AI technologies in driving innovation, unlocking novel forms of expression and empowering individuals and businesses to harness creative potential at scale. 1. The true potential of AI lies not in creating more but in creating better. It helps us work faster, team up, and get inspired, enabling us to be more inventive and impactful. But it’s important to preserve human creativity—like art, imagination, and expression. The aim is for AI to enhance, not replace, human creativity.   2. With technical barriers to creation removed, the challenge is now about vision. Taste now defines what stands out amid endless possibilities, as the ability to curate value becomes key. Today, creativity relies more on intuition than technical skills. This highlights the growing importance of nurturing our creative instincts, tastes, and emotions—uniquely human strengths that guide us in amplifying meaningful ideas.   3. In a saturated market, relying on the familiar is no longer sufficient. Differentiation and creative bravery are essential for standing out and driving results. Companies that don’t take bold and authentic differentiation risk becoming irrelevant and losing market share to more daring competitors.   In recent weeks, we’ve explored what it means to be human in the age of AI through the five emerging trends. As technology and humanity converge, our future depends on how we navigate this shift. Trust, authenticity, and creativity are crucial for progress. By prioritizing empathy and responsibility, we can ensure that innovations remain human-centered, enriching lives and fostering inclusive communities. Facing challenges with vision and compassion helps create a future that is both technologically advanced and deeply human.   👉🏼 For more detailed insights, read the full report here https://lnkd.in/g2tHycwt     #TechTrends #AI #Innovation #DigitalTransformation

AI is still in its infancy but is poised to amplify human creativity further. Here’s how AI is enhancing the creative process and the challenges it presents: 1/ Enhancing Idea Generation AI can analyse vast datasets to inspire unique concepts, helping artists explore new creative territories. By identifying patterns and trends, AI enables creators to push the boundaries of their imagination and develop innovative ideas. 2/ Generative Art AI tools like Midjourney create stunning visual art, while generative music applications compose melodies across genres. These tools expand artistic possibilities, allowing creators to experiment with new styles and techniques. 3/ Streamlining Processes By automating repetitive tasks, AI frees up time for creatives to focus on innovation and experimentation. This efficiency allows artists to dedicate more energy to refining their craft and exploring new creative directions. 4/ Collaborative Potential AI acts as a "sidekick," complementing human creativity rather than replacing it. By working alongside AI, artists can discover new avenues for collaboration and push the limits of what’s possible in their respective fields. 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 1️⃣ Job Displacement Concerns Many artists fear being replaced by AI-driven automation, especially in productivity-focused industries. Although AI can handle certain tasks more efficiently, it is essential to recognise the irreplaceable value of human creativity and ingenuity. 2️⃣ Authenticity vs. Automation The debate continues over whether AI-generated creations qualify as "true" creativity or merely mimic human ingenuity. As AI becomes more sophisticated, questions arise about the authenticity of AI-produced art and its place in the creative world. 3️⃣ Ethical Implications Issues like copyright infringement and the impact of deepfake technologies raise questions about responsible AI use in creative fields. Ensuring that AI is used ethically and transparently is critical to maintaining trust and integrity in the creative community. How do you think AI will shape the future of creativity? Do you see it as a tool for enhancement or a threat to traditional artistic processes? 💬 Let’s discuss the role of AI in creativity and how we can harness its potential responsibly. 🔔 Follow me for more insights on AI, technology, and the future of innovation!

Can AI Become More Creative Than Humans? This question is becoming harder to dismiss. In 2022, an AI-generated artwork won first place at the Colorado State Fair’s art competition sparking outrage from human artists. In 2023, ChatGPT co-authored books that sold on Amazon, and Suno started composing original songs in minutes. Tools like MidJourney, DALL·E, and Runway are enabling anyone to create professional-level visuals, films, and ads with just a prompt. These breakthroughs show that AI can already replicate creativity at scale but is that the same as being creative? Here’s the distinction: 1. AI’s creativity is derivative, it learns patterns from billions of data points and reassembles them into new outputs. 2. Human creativity is experiential, it draws from lived experiences, emotions, cultural context, and intuition. 3. Studies in neuroscience show that divergent thinking (the hallmark of creativity) is strongly tied to the brain’s default mode network something machines don’t have. Still, AI is surprising us. Researchers at MIT and Google have noted cases where AI generated novel protein designs and new mathematical conjectures ideas humans hadn’t thought of first. That blurs the line between “pattern recognition” and “genuine innovation.” My view is AI won’t replace human creativity, but it will amplify it acting as a powerful co-creator. The real creative edge will belong to people who know how to direct AI with vision, judgment, and context. The question we should all ask is: Will future creativity be defined by what humans make alone, or what humans and AI make together? What do you think, can AI truly surpass us in creativity, or will it always be a collaborator? #ArtificialIntelligence #Creativity #FutureOfWork #AIandHumans

Your portfolio case study can make or break your chances of landing your dream UX job. Here’s how to create a standout case study: 1/ Choose the Right Project Select a project that showcases your skills and impact. This is not the time to be modest. What project demonstrates your problem-solving abilities and creativity? 2/ Tell a Compelling Story Start with the problem and your approach to solving it. Structure your story to keep the reader engaged. What was the challenge? How did you tackle it? 3/ Show Your Process Detail your design process from research to final solution. Include sketches, wireframes, and iterations. What methods did you use? Why did you choose them? 4/ Highlight User and Business Outcomes Focus on the results your design achieved. Use metrics and testimonials if possible. What impact did your work have on users and the business? 5/ Keep It Concise and Visual Avoid lengthy text blocks. Use visuals to support your narrative. How can you make your case study easy to scan and understand? 6/ Reflect on Your Learnings Share what you learned from the project. Be honest about what went well and what didn’t. How did this project help you grow as a designer? 7/ Optimize for Your Audience Tailor your case study to your ideal role and company. Highlight skills and experiences that match their needs. What will resonate most with the hiring managers? 8/ Get Feedback Ask peers or mentors to review your case study. Incorporate their suggestions for improvement. What can you refine to make your case study even stronger? 9/ Keep It Updated Regularly update your case studies with new projects and insights. Stay current to reflect your latest skills and experiences. What new projects can you add to showcase your growth? ----- And that’s how to create a standout portfolio case study. I hope this helps!

Has Gen AI killed your passion? It did for me. But it also forced me to ask: why do I create at all? And I learnt some lessons. Gen AI is not the first, nor will it be the last technological change that has deeply affected my creative process. Early 2000s: Started digital photography with the D100 Nikon DSLR, then went backwards to film - Nikon FM2, Hasselblad XPan, medium formats. Spent hours in darkrooms. The waiting, the accidents, the irreversible choices - photography not just at the touch of a button but a lived process. Family and work led to a pause. 2010s: Started creating again with digital illustrations. Casual experiments became exhibitions, commissions for Tatler and Wallpaper, contributions to Mr Kiasu comics. Even though digital, each piece was hours of deliberate strokes. Then Gen AI arrived. Watching algorithms generate in seconds what took me hours killed my passion for digital illustrations. Not from fear, but from a fundamental question: What was the darn point? For me, the answer came through watercolor. Joined a watercolor class by Ong Kim Seng, I discovered what AI could not replicate. The lived process that I first experienced with analog photography returned. Water decides its own path. Each brush stroke is irreversible. Three lessons from this journey: 🔄Sometimes forwards means backwards - Went from Wacom to water jar. From undo button to unchangeable strokes. Each backward step taught me what I'd lost: the weight of irreversible choices. 🎨Master failure and uncertainty - My watercolors are interesting because they are not perfect - overworked edges, unplanned bleeds, buckled paper. AI’s uncanny valley comes from its perfection. Our fallible nature has its value. 🔓Being replaced vs being freed - AI didn't replace me. The parts it replicated were where I was predictable. Once I stopped competing on its terms, I found my own human touches. In retrospect, I don’t think technology kills creativity - it clarifies what makes human creation different. We create not because we're the most efficient at it, but because the act of creating changes us. And that lived process is something no AI can shortcut. If AI could do 80% of your job tomorrow, what's the 20% only you could do? #CreativeProcess #GenAI #LifeJourney #AIJobs #HumanCreativity