Show off your work with a UX case study

Any old designer can make something pretty. But what hiring managers and clients really want to know is — do your designs have substance? Or in other words, do they solve real use problems?

This is where a UX case study helps you shine. Instead of showing the finished product, case studies show the context behind the work. The user problem, how you fixed it, and the end result. This helps readers see not just what you’ve done but how and why you did it and, crucially, who you are as a UX designer. 

What is a UX case study?

A UX case study is a detailed story of how you solved a design problem. It walks the reader through your thinking, including the steps you took, and the final outcome. 

You’ll often see them in designer portfolios to show prospective employers or clients how you work and what makes you a great designer. It’s not just the final design but the entire journey — from identifying the problem through research and testing to ending with the solution. The goal is to show how you don’t just beautify things — you solve real issues. 

What are the benefits of a UX case study?

UX case studies help designers get hired, win clients, and showcase their skills. They’re also a great learning tool for other designers, who can gather tips from pros in the business. 

• It helps you stand out: Hiring managers and clients see a lot of portfolios. A good UX case study helps you shine.
• It boosts your confidence: Writing a case study helps you see how far you’ve come and the impact you’ve made.
• It shows your problem-solving skills: A case study walks the reader through your process, which is as important as the shiny end result.
• It highlights solved user issues: A case study shows why you did what you did, not just how and what. This is what hiring managers and clients care about most.
• It proves your impact: Anyone can say they improved a design, but a case study shows the numbers. Did your changes reduce drop-off rates? Increase conversions? Improve user satisfaction? 
• It shows your personality: Your case study isn’t just about the project — it’s about you! The way you present your work shows your style and personality. This helps hiring managers see if you’d be a good fit for their team.
• It inspires others: Case studies aren’t just for hiring managers — they help other designers, too. By sharing your research methods, design choices, and mistakes, you give back to the UX community.

Examples of UX case studies

Seeing real-world UX case studies can help you understand what makes them pop. Below are some strong examples, each with a different focus.

1. Airbnb redesign 

This Airbnb redesign case study on Behance details how a group of designers improved the vacation rental site with dark mode, an interactive event calendar, and a transport feature — amongst other things. It includes a timeline, showing off not just what the designers did and why, but how. It also includes user personas, hand-drawn wireframes, and background research. 

2. Rishabh Rai for Fluttertop UIUX Studio

Rishabh Rai’s UX case study for a furniture app includes rough wireframes. This helps to show the development of their ideas. It also adds visual texture to an otherwise slick presentation. Meanwhile, market research statistics show off their research skills while providing context to every design decision. 

3. Babbel language learning app 

This case study for language learning app Babbel on Behance clearly shows the problem, the solution, the process, and the results — including a user flow diagrams, and quotes from happy customers. 

What to learn from these case studies

Each of these examples follows a strong structure:

• They start with a clear problem.
• They explain the research and testing process.
• They highlight design decisions with real evidence.
• They show measurable results.

A step-by-step guide to creating a UX case study 

Writing a strong UX case study is about telling a clear, engaging story that shows off your thinking and impact. 

1. Write a title

Like the title credits to a film, your header sets the scene. Be specific and use keywords that reflect the main challenge or solution. For example, “Redesigning the Mobile Checkout Flow for Higher Conversions” gives the reader an instant idea of what to expect.

2. Write an outline

Before diving into the details, create an outline of the story you want to tell. This helps you stay focused. It might include: 

• Introduction (the problem and your role)
• Research and ideation
• Design process and iterations
• Testing and feedback
• Results and impact
• Conclusion (lessons learned, future steps)

3. Define the problem 

Why did you build this? Why did your work need to exist? Was there a user experience issue, like confusing navigation or a checkout process with high drop-offs? Be specific about the challenge, including how it affected the user and/or the business.

4. Explain your role and the team setup

Mention the context of your work. Did you work solo or with a team? What was your specific role, and how did you collaborate with others? Explaining your part in the broader picture helps readers grasp what you did and didn’t do, plus get a feel for your approach to teamwork. 

5. Use storytelling to explain your process

Storytelling is a powerful UX/UI tool for walking your reader through the process. Instead of just listing what you did, frame your actions within the context of a journey. This creates a compelling narrative that pulls your readers in. 

The Hero’s Journey is a popular approach that you can adapt: start with the way things are, introduce a problem, then the solution. Not only is it a great way to engage your audience — it also creates a framework for setting out the stages of your thinking/creative process. 

This outline from campfirewriting.com shows the more traditional hero’s journey used in fiction writing. You might not use every stage in a UX/UI contact, but it’s a useful guide for the overall approach. 

• Hook the reader: Start with a stat, user quote, or relatable challenge to grab attention.
• Tell a story: Structure your case study with a beginning (problem), middle (process), and end (solution).
• Make users or the client the hero: Show how your design solved real user problems with empathy and quotes.
• Use tension and resolution: Highlight challenges and how you overcame them to keep readers engaged.
• Show impact: Focus on results like conversions, satisfaction, or reduced support tickets with real data.
• Add personality: Share your thought process, key decisions, and lessons learned.
• End with impact: Wrap up with reflections and insights to leave a lasting impression.

6. Show your process, not just the final design

Speaking of process — hiring managers want to see your thoughtful decision-making as much as they want to see the end result. Walk the reader through your design journey, focusing on user needs:

• Research: What did you discover about the users and their needs? Did you conduct interviews, surveys, or usability tests?
• Ideation: How did you brainstorm and narrow down ideas? Did you sketch, create wireframes, or build prototypes?
• Testing: How did you test your designs? What feedback did you get?
• Iterations: How did you improve your designs based on feedback and testing results?

7. Use visuals to support your story

Pictures say a thousand words! Add visuals like wireframe sketches and prototypes to support your narrative. Images make your case study easier to follow and add supporting evidence to your design process. Just be sure to annotate to tie them back to your story. 

8. Highlight user impact and results

Focus on the outcomes. How did your design improve the user experience or meet business goals? Serve concrete numbers if possible — did your changes lead to higher conversions or lower drop-off rates? If you don’t have metrics, qualitative feedback (like user comments or insights from usability tests) can still show impact.

9. Keep it concise and engaging

A case study should be thorough but not overwhelming. Keep your writing clear. Avoid confusing jargon. Make it easy to skim by using headings, subheadings, pictures, and bullet points to break up big chunks of text.

10. Wrap it up with lessons learned

Remind the reader of how far you’ve come. End with a short and sweet reflection on what you achieved and learned. What challenges reared their head, and how did you manage them? What would you do differently next time? This adds depth to your story and fleshes you out as a person. 

UX case studies: Tips, common issues, and how to fix them

Creating a compelling UX case study can be a challenge. Here are some potential roadblocks, plus tips on overcoming them. 

1. Lack of context or clarity

One of the most common mistakes is not providing enough context. Your reader needs to know, with absolute clarity, why your design matters.

How to fix it:
State the challenge in simple terms and explain why it’s important. Ideally, sum it up in a short paragraph early on, then expand with data. You want the reader to “get it” first and foremost. 

2. Focusing too much on the final design

Everyone loves to show off their shiny finished product — but a good case study is about the process as much as the end result. If you skip over your research and iterations, you miss a golden opportunity to show the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of your project.

How to fix it:
Remember, the journey is as important as the destination. Include sketches, wireframes, prototypes, and user research. Show how your design evolved over time based on things like user feedback and testing. It shows readers you’re both analytical and flexible.

3. Not showcasing impact or results

On the flip-side, some designers focus too much on the process, failing to show how their work made a difference. Without quantifiable results or feedback, it’s tricky to prove your design was a hit.

How to fix it:
Include metrics or qualitative feedback that shows the impact of your design. Did your work land your client more business? Did conversions skyrocket? Did page drop-offs plummet? If you don’t have concrete numbers, use qualitative results like “users were able to complete checkout 30% faster after the redesign.” Even a quote from a delighted client lends credibility to your work. 

4. Being too vague about your role

If you’re part of a team, it’s important to be upfront about your contributions. Otherwise, the reader may not know what you did (or not). Plus, you don’t want to accidentally claim credit for work you didn’t do.

How to fix it:
Did you lead the design? Run research? Work on prototyping? This helps hiring managers or clients understand the scope of your skills and experience. It also shows how you work with a team, and whether you can take ownership of certain tasks. 

5. Lack of storytelling

A case study without storytelling is boring. The goal of your case study is to engage the reader and show them your thought process in an interesting way.

How to fix it:

Set up the problem as a challenge, explain how you overcame obstacles along th way, and showcase the journey to the solution. Make sure the case study feels like a story from beginning to end, not just a monotonous list of tasks and goals.

6. Too much jargon

UX designers can get caught up in techy language that leaves non-experts scratching their head. Don’t alienate your audience with jargon and acronyms, especially hiring managers or clients. Consider sharing your document with someone not in the industry first to get their feedback.

How to fix it:
Explain any technical terms you use, or avoid them altogether if possible. Write out phrases in full before using acronyms. Remember, the goal is to tell a clear and engaging story, not to impress (cough — annoy — cough) the reader with fancy language.

7. Overloading with information

You need to include the important bits, but it should also be easy to skim. If your case study is packed with unnecessary details, you’ll lose your readers.

How to fix it:
Create an outline before you start — sticking to it helps you include the important bits without digressing or waffling. Use headings, subheadings, bullet points, and visuals to make it easy to navigate.

8. Not showing personality

Yes, you’re talking about work — but that doesn’t mean it needs to read like a budget report. You want to showcase not just your technical skills, but also who you are.

How to fix it:
Don’t be afraid to inject some pizazz! Share insights about what excites you and what you learned. Make it stylish and colourful. A personal touch can make the whole thing more relatable and fun.

9. Not tailoring for the audience

If you’re submitting your case study for a specific role or client, make sure it’s tailored to what they care about. Amongst other things, they’ll appreciate the effort. 

How to fix it: Think about what will click with your audience. For example, if you’re applying for a product manager role, focus on how your design hits business goals. 

Create a client-winning UX case study with diagramming tools 

Remember the golden rule of show, don’t tell? Instead of just describing your research and iterations, you can use images to show off your process. Diagramming tools bring clarity by turning complex ideas into easy-to-follow visuals. User flows, wireframes, graphs, charts, and journey maps help tell the story of your design process in a way that’s easy to understand. 

With real-time collaboration, easy-to-use templates, and cloud-based access, Cacoo helps UX teams and designers create professional diagrams that bring case studies to life. Try it for free today!