5 Projects Every Design Student Should Build
Stand out from the crowd with these portfolio-worthy design projects that showcase real-world skills employers actually care about.
5 Projects Every Design Student Should Build
Your portfolio is your ticket to opportunities. But not all projects are created equal. Here are 5 projects that will make recruiters stop scrolling and actually reach out.
1. A Complete Design System
What it is: A comprehensive style guide for a fictional (or real) product.
Why it matters: Companies don't just want designers who can make things pretty—they want people who think in systems.
What to include: - Color palette with accessibility guidelines - Typography scale - Component library (buttons, forms, cards, etc.) - Spacing and grid system - Icons and illustrations - Usage documentation
Tools: Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch
💡 Pro Tip: Document your decisions. Explain WHY you chose that blue, not just that it looks nice.
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2. A Mobile App Redesign
What it is: Take an existing app with UX problems and redesign it.
Popular choices: - Banking apps with confusing navigation - E-commerce apps with poor checkout flows - Food delivery apps with cluttered interfaces
Your process should include: - Heuristic evaluation of the original - User research (even if it's just 5 friends) - Wireframes showing your thinking - High-fidelity mockups - Before/after comparisons
Bonus points: Create a working prototype in Figma or Framer.
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3. A Branding Project (Logo to Full Identity)
What it is: Create a complete brand identity for a business or product.
What to include: - Logo variations (primary, secondary, icon-only) - Brand guidelines - Business cards - Social media templates - Mockups showing the brand in use
Ideas: - Rebrand a local business - Create a brand for a fictional sustainable fashion company - Design an identity for a tech startup
💡 Pro Tip: Show the logo in context—on packaging, signage, or digital products.
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4. A Data Visualization Dashboard
What it is: Turn complex data into an intuitive, visual experience.
Why it's valuable: Data-driven design is HUGE right now. This shows you can work with real-world constraints.
Project ideas: - Personal finance dashboard - Fitness tracking interface - Social media analytics tool - Education progress tracker
Focus on: - Clear hierarchy - Easy-to-read charts - Actionable insights - Responsive layouts
Tools: Figma + Chart.js concepts, or Tableau for more data-heavy work
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5. A Social Impact Campaign
What it is: Use design for good. Create a campaign that raises awareness or drives action.
Examples: - Mental health awareness posters - Climate change infographics - Local community event branding - Social justice campaign
Deliverables: - Campaign concept and strategy - Visual identity - Social media graphics - Posters or print materials - Landing page design
💡 Pro Tip: Partner with a real nonprofit or student organization to make it authentic.
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Bonus: Your Portfolio Website Itself
Your portfolio site is a project too! Make it: - Fast - Nobody waits for slow sites - Clean - Let your work speak - Easy to navigate - 3 clicks to any project max - Mobile-friendly - Many recruiters browse on phones
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How to Present Your Projects
For each project, include:
1. The Problem - What were you solving? 2. Your Role - Solo or team? What did YOU do? 3. The Process - Research, wireframes, iterations 4. The Solution - Final designs with context 5. The Impact - Metrics, feedback, or lessons learned
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Final Thoughts
Don't just copy tutorials. Make these projects your own: - Choose topics you care about - Add unexpected twists - Show personality in your work - Iterate based on feedback
Quality > Quantity. Three exceptional projects beat ten mediocre ones.
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Ready to start building? Share your progress in the Campus Collab Discord #project-showcase channel!