“Focus only on technical skills.”

I’d NEVER say this to anyone looking for a front-end job.

As a front-end dev, design is critical. And your portfolio site is the best place to showcase it.

After reviewing 100+ portfolios, I realized how people ignore this fact.

Why front-end developers need design knowledge?

Because frontend is all about people.

We build interfaces (even invisible ones) so people can use our websites or apps with minimum friction.

Therefore, to do this job well, fundamental design knowledge is needed.

Even if not mentioned in job descriptions, a basic design sense is a default expectation.

It improves communication with designers and helps you spot and resolve UI/UX issues early.

So, how to build a design-minded portfolio site without a professional design background?

1/ Ensure quality legibility and readability

Always make sure the texts can be easily perceived, read, and understood.

For example, a 13px font size on a 1920px viewport is just hard to read.

Doesn’t trust your own eyes? Ask your friends for a quick review and you’ll know.

2/ Establish a quality information hierarchy

Place, size, and color elements to guide attention.

Guide readers to see the most important elements before leaving.

For example, when job hunting, prioritizing your related past experiences and projects is a good strategy.

3/ Keep your target audience in mind

If creative agencies are on your dream list, showcase your strong creative skills.

If you want to join Apple (I do), a minimalist style is better.

This also helps you to focus on a clear direction to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

That’s a wrap!

In summary, although technical skills are core, design skills make a better front-end developer.

Make your portfolio website shine, and I believe you’ll get more exciting opportunities ✨