Redesigning an App: A UX Portfolio Project Idea

One of the most effective ways to demonstrate your UX skills is through a redesign project. Whether you're a budding designer or looking to level up your portfolio, a redesign project gives you the opportunity to solve real user problems, showcase your process, and apply creative thinking to improve an existing product. In this blog, we’ll explore how to approach a UX redesign project and turn it into a compelling portfolio case study.


Why Choose a Redesign Project?

Redesigning an existing app allows you to:

Work with real-world constraints and challenges.

Focus on improving usability, not inventing something from scratch.

Showcase your full UX process: research, ideation, design, testing.

Add depth and storytelling to your portfolio.

It’s also a great alternative when you don’t have access to clients or real projects. By selecting a public-facing app that you use often (or one with known UX issues), you can simulate a professional UX workflow and demonstrate your ability to think critically and design effectively.


Choosing the Right App to Redesign

Not every app is a good candidate for a UX case study. Choose an app that:

Has a user base or recognizable brand.

Has clear usability problems or outdated UI.

Offers opportunities to improve navigation, accessibility, or visual hierarchy.

Isn’t too complex (especially for a solo project).

Examples: a government service app, a budget tracker, a weather app, a public transport app, or even an e-commerce experience.


How to Structure the Redesign Project

Your portfolio should tell a clear story. Here's a simple structure:


1. Introduction

Briefly describe:

What app you chose and why.

Your role (solo project or team).

Your design goals (e.g., improve onboarding, simplify UI, increase usability).


2. UX Audit & Research

This is where you analyze the current experience:

Highlight usability issues with screenshots and explanations.

Run usability tests or surveys (even with a small sample).

Study reviews in app stores or online to gather real user feedback.

Identify target users and create basic personas.


3. Define Problems & Opportunities

Translate your research into key pain points and opportunities. For example:

"Users find the checkout process confusing."

"The app lacks accessibility features like high contrast or voice navigation."

"Navigation menus are cluttered and hard to scan."


4. Ideation & Wireframes

Sketch or wireframe solutions:

Show how you simplified layouts, restructured content, or improved flows.

Include user flows to visualize the new experience.


5. Visual Redesign

Now bring in the UI:

High-fidelity mockups in Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch.

Apply design principles (contrast, alignment, spacing).

Improve visual hierarchy, color palettes, iconography, and typography.

Make sure your redesign is responsive and consistent.


6. Prototype & Test

Create an interactive prototype:

Test with users (friends, peers, mentors).

Share before-and-after comparisons.

Explain what worked, what didn’t, and how you iterated.


7. Final Thoughts & Learnings

Wrap up the project with reflections:

What you learned from the redesign process.

Challenges you faced.

How you’d approach it differently in a real-world scenario.


Conclusion

A UX redesign is more than just a visual makeover—it’s about solving real problems and improving user experience. By selecting a well-known app with clear usability gaps, you can create a rich, story-driven portfolio project that highlights your research, design thinking, and problem-solving abilities. It not only demonstrates your skills but also shows that you can think critically about design and advocate for users—hallmarks of a great UX designer.


 
Learn The Role of a UX Designer Explained

Read More: From Concept to Launch: A UI/UX Project Breakdown

Read More: How to Present a UX Case Study

Read More : Animations in UI: When to Use Them


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