A UX case study is a detailed analysis and narrative of a user experience (UX) design project. It illustrates a designer's process and solution to a specific UX challenge. A UX case study encompasses an explanation of the challenge, the designer’s research, design decisions and the impact of their work. UX designers include these case studies in their portfolios to demonstrate their experience, skills, approach and value to potential employers and clients.
“Every great design begins with an even better story.”
— Lorinda Mamo, Designer and creative director
© Interaction Design Foundation, CC BY-SA 4.0
UX case studies are more than just documentation—they are powerful tools that advance a designer’s career and are integral to their success. They provide concrete evidence of a designer’s ability to tackle complex challenges from the initial user research to the final implementation of their solution. This transparency—a clear explanation and examination of the approach, thinking and methods—builds trust and credibility with potential clients and employers.
Beyond showcasing expertise, case studies encourage personal and professional growth. Through reflection and analysis, designers identify areas for improvement that hone their skills and deepen their understanding of user-centered design principles. What’s more, when designers compile and refine their case studies, they strengthen communication skills which allows them to articulate, rationalize and present data effectively.
For potential employers and clients, case studies give insight into a designer’s thought process and problem-solving approach. They reveal how designers gather and analyze user data, iterate on designs, and ultimately deliver solutions. This level of insight goes beyond resumes and qualifications as they provide tangible evidence of a designer's ability to research, reason and create user-centered products that meet business objectives. Ultimately, UX case studies empower designers to tell their unique story, stand out in a competitive market and forge a successful career in the evolving field of UX design.
Recruiters want candidates who can communicate through designs and explain themselves clearly and appealingly. Recruiters will typically decide within five minutes of skimming UX portfolios whether a candidate is a good fit. Quantity over quality is the best approach to selecting case studies for a portfolio. The case studies should represent the designer accurately and positively. So, they should illustrate a designer’s entire process and contain clear, engaging, error-free copywriting and compelling visual aids. Designers can convince recruiters they’re the right candidate when they portray their skills, thought processes, choices and actions in context through engaging, image-supported stories.
UX Design Leader at Google discusses why narrative is an important element in case studies
Content strategy, too, is a fundamental aspect of UX design case studies and portfolios. In the next video, Morgane Peng talks about content strategy in the context of case studies and design portfolios.
Case studies should have an active story with a beginning, middle and end—never a flat report. So, a designer would write, e.g., “We found…”, not “It was found…”. Designers must always get their employer’s/client’s permission when they select case studies for their portfolios. Important information should be anonymized to protect your employer’s/client’s confidential data (by changing figures to percentages, removing unnecessary details, etc.). What is anonymized or omitted depends on whether a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is involved.
1. Choose the right project: Whether this is for a web-based portfolio or one created for a specific job, choose a project that showcases the best, most relevant work and skills. Make sure permission is granted to share the project, especially if it involves client work.
2. Define the problem: Clearly articulate the problem addressed in the project. Explain its significance and why it was worth solving. Provide context and background information about the project, including the target audience and stakeholders.
3. Establish your role and contribution: Detail specific responsibilities and contributions to the project. Highlight collaboration with team members to showcase teamwork and communication too.
4. Describe the process: Include research methods used (e.g., user interviews, surveys) and the insights gained. Use quotes, anecdotes and even photographs and artifacts from user research to bring the story to life. Introduce user personas developed from the research to add depth to the narrative. Insert user journey maps to visualize the user experience and identify pain points.
5. Illustrate the design and development journey: Show the initial wireframes and prototypes. Explain the iteration process and how feedback was incorporated. Explain the reasons behind design choices, supported by visuals like sketches, wireframes, and prototypes. Mention the tools and techniques used during the design process.
6. Highlight the testing and iteration phase: Detail the usability tests conducted and key findings. Use real user feedback to add authenticity to the story. Describe how feedback was used to make iterations to demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement.
7. Showcase the final solution: Present high-fidelity mockups of the final design. Highlight key features and functionalities. Discuss final product’s visual and functional aspects with the use of visuals to enhance the narrative.
8. Conclude with results and impact: Describe the results, including metrics and data that demonstrate the impact (e.g., increased user engagement, improved usability). Reflect on the lessons learned during the project—mention any challenges faced and how they were overcome.
9. Present the story: Make sure the case study tells a compelling story with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Check to see where images, charts, and other visuals can be added to further support the story. Ensure visuals are well-integrated and enhance the narrative. Keep the narrative concise and focused—always avoid unnecessary details and jargon.
10. Final review and polishing: Reread, edit and proofread—the case study should be clear, well-written, free of errors, and professional. It’s always advisable to get feedback from peers or mentors to refine the case study.
In this video, Michal Malewicz, Creative Director and CEO of Hype4, has some tips for writing great case studies.
Consider Greek philosopher Aristotle’s storytelling elements and work with these in mind when getting started on a case study:
Plot: The career- or job-related aspect the designer wants to highlight. This should be consistent across case studies for the specific role for which they’re applying. So, if they want to land a job as a UX researcher, they must focus on the relevant skills—user research methods—in their case studies.
Character: A designer’s expertise in applying industry standards and working in teams.
Theme: Goals, motivations and obstacles of their project.
Diction: A friendly, professional tone in jargon-free language.
Melody: Your passion—for instance, where a designer proves that design is a lifelong interest as opposed to just a job.
Décor: A balance of engaging text and images.
Spectacle: The plot twist/wow factor—e.g., a surprise discovery. Naturally this can only be included if there was a surprise discovery in the case study.
All good stories have a beginning, a middle and an end.
© Interaction Design Foundation. CC BY-NC-SA 3.0.
Designers can also take inspiration from German novelist-playwright Gustav Freytag’s 5-part pyramid to structure their case studies and add a narrative flow:
Typical dramatic structure consists of an exposition and resolution with rising action, climax and falling action in between.
© Interaction Design Foundation. CC BY-NC-SA 3.0.
Exposition—the introduction or hook (4–5 sentences). This should describe the:
Problem statement: Include the motivations and thoughts/feelings about the problem.
The solution: Outline the approach. Hint at the outcome by describing the deliverables/final output.
The role: What role was played, what contribution was made.
Stages 2-4 form the middle (more than 5 sentences). Summarize the process and highlight the decisions:
Rising action: Outline some obstacles/constraints (e.g., budget) to build conflict and explain the design process (e.g., design thinking). Describe how certain methods were used, e.g., qualitative research to progress to one or two key moments of climax.
Climax: Highlight this, the story’s apex, with an intriguing factor (e.g., unexpected challenges). Choose only the most important information and insights to tighten the narrative and build intrigue.
Falling action: Show how the combination of user insights, ideas and decisions guided the project’s final iterations. Explain how, e.g., usability testing helped shape the final product.
Stage 5 is the conclusion:
Resolution (4–5 sentences): Showcase the end results as how the work achieved its business-oriented goal and what was learned. Refer to the motivations and problems described earlier to bring the story to an impressive close.
Overall, the case study should:
Tell a design story that progresses meaningfully and smoothly.
Tighten/rearrange the account into a linear, straightforward narrative.
Reinforce each “what” that’s introduced with a “how” and “why”.
Support text with the most appropriate visuals (e.g., screenshots of the final product, wireframing, user personas, flowcharts, customer journey maps, Post-it notes from brainstorming). Use software (e.g., Canva, Illustrator) to customize visually appealing graphics that help tell a story.
Balance “I” with “we” to acknowledge team members’ contributions and shared victories/setbacks.
Make the case study scannable, e.g., Use headings, subheadings etc.
Remove anything that doesn’t help explain the thought process or advance the story.
Take our course Build a Standout UX/UI Portfolio: Land Your Dream Job.
Read our article Turn Your Non-Design Experience into Design Portfolio Gold.
Read our article 7 Design Portfolio Mistakes That Are Costing You Jobs! And How to Fix Them.
UX designer and entrepreneur Sarah Doody offers advice in How to write a UX case study.
Learn what can go wrong in UX case studies in the article 7 Case Study Mistakes You Are Making in Your UX Portfolio.
A UX case study showcases a designer's process in solving a specific design problem. It includes a problem statement, the designer's role, and the solution approach. The case study details the challenges and methods used to overcome them. It highlights critical decisions and their impact on the project.
The narrative often contains visuals like wireframes or user flowcharts. These elements demonstrate the designer's skills and thought process. The goal is to show potential employers or clients the value the designer can bring to a team or project. This storytelling approach helps the designer stand out in the industry.
To further illustrate this, consider watching this insightful video on the role of UX design in AI projects. It emphasizes the importance of credibility and user trust in technology.
Consider these three detailed UX/UI case studies:
Travel UX & UI Case Study: This case study examines a travel-related project. It emphasizes user experience and interface design. It also provides insights into the practical application of UX/UI design in the travel industry.
HAVEN — UX/UI Case Study: This explores the design of a fictional safety and emergency assistance app, HAVEN. The study highlights user empowerment, interaction, and interface design. It also talks about the importance of accessibility and inclusivity.
UX Case Study — Whiskers: This case study discusses a fictional pet care mobile app, Whiskers. It focuses on the unique needs of pet care users. It shows the user journey, visual design, and integration of community and social features.
Writing a UX case study involves several key steps:
Identify a project you have worked on. Describe the problem you addressed.
Detail your role in the project and the specific actions you took.
Explain your design process, including research, ideation, and user testing.
Highlight key challenges and how you overcame them.
Showcase the final design through visuals like screenshots or prototypes. This video discusses why you should include visuals in your UX case study/portfolio.
Reflect on the project's impact and any lessons learned.
Conclude with the outcomes. Showcase the value you provided.
A well-written case study tells a compelling story of your design journey. It shows your skills and thought process.
A case study in UI/UX is a detailed account of a design project. It describes a designer's process to solve a user interface or user experience problem. The case study includes
The project's background and the problem it addresses.
The designer's role and the steps they took.
Methods used for research and testing.
Challenges faced and how the designer overcame them.
The final design solutions with visual examples.
Results and impact of the design on users or the business.
This case study showcases a designer’s skills, decision-making process, and ability to solve real-world problems.
A UX writing case study focuses on the role of language in user experience design. It includes:
The project's background and the specific language-related challenges.
The UX writer's role and the strategies they employed.
How did they create the text for interfaces, like buttons or error messages?
Research and testing methods used to refine the language.
Challenges encountered and solutions developed.
The final text and its impact on user experience and engagement.
Outcomes that show how the right words improved the product's usability.
You can find professionals with diverse backgrounds in this field and their unique approaches to UX writing. Torrey Podmakersky discusses varied paths into UX writing careers through his video.
Planning a case study for UX involves several steps:
First, select a meaningful project that showcases your skills and problem-solving abilities. Gather all relevant information, including project goals, user research data, and design processes used.
Next, outline the structure of your case study. This should include the problem you addressed, your role, the design process, and the outcomes.
Ensure to detail the challenges faced and how you overcame them.
To strengthen your narrative, incorporate visuals like wireframes, prototypes, and user feedback.
Finally, reflect on the project's impact and what you learned.
This careful planning helps you create a comprehensive and engaging case study.
Presenting a UX research case study involves clear organization and storytelling.
Here are eight guidelines:
Introduction: Start with a brief overview of the project, including its objectives and the key research question.
Background: Provide context about the company, product, or service. Explain why you did the research.
Methodology: Detail the research methods, like surveys, interviews, or usability testing.
Findings: Present the key findings from your research. Use visuals like charts or user quotes to better present the data.
Challenges and Solutions: Discuss any obstacles encountered during the research and how you addressed them.
Implications: Explain how your findings impacted the design or product strategy.
Conclusion: Summarize the main points and reflect on what you learned from the project.
Appendix (if necessary): Include any additional data or materials that support your case study.
UX case studies for beginners demonstrate the fundamentals of user experience design. They include:
A defined problem statement to clarify the user experience issue.
Descriptions of research methods used for understanding user needs and behaviors.
Steps of the design process, showing solution development. The 5 Stages in the Design Thinking Process illustrate these steps in detail.
Visual elements, such as sketches, wireframes, or prototypes, illustrate the design stages.
The final design solution emphasizes its impact on user experience.
Reflections on the project's outcomes and lessons learned.
These case studies guide beginners through the essential steps and considerations in UX design projects. Consider watching this video on How to Write Great Case Studies for Your UX Design Portfolio to improve your case studies.
To learn more about UX case studies, two excellent resources are available:
Article on Structuring a UX Case Study: This insightful article explains how to craft a compelling case study. It emphasizes storytelling and the strategic thinking behind UX design, guided by expert opinions and industry insights.
User Experience: The Beginner's Guide Course by the Interaction Design Foundation: This comprehensive course offers a broad introduction to UX design. It covers UX principles, tools, and methods. The course provides practical exercises and industry-recognized certification. This course is valuable for aspiring designers and professionals transitioning to UX.
These resources provide both theoretical knowledge and practical application in UX design.
Remember, the more you learn about design, the more you make yourself valuable.
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