How can you design a portfolio that creates social impact and promotes positive change?

1 Define your purpose

The first step to design a portfolio that creates social impact is to define your purpose. Why do you want to create positive change? What are the issues or causes that you are passionate about? How do you approach design as a tool for social innovation? Your purpose should be clear, concise, and compelling, and it should guide your portfolio strategy and content.

2 Select your projects

The next step is to select the projects that best demonstrate your purpose and your impact. You don't need to include every project you have ever done, but rather focus on the ones that have a strong story, a meaningful outcome, and a relevant context. You should also consider the diversity and balance of your projects, in terms of skills, methods, formats, and sectors. Choose projects that showcase your range and versatility, but also your focus and depth.

3 Craft your narratives

Once you have selected your projects, you need to craft your narratives. A narrative is a way of telling the story of your project, from the problem to the solution, from the process to the results. A narrative should highlight your role, your contribution, your challenges, and your learnings. It should also show how your project created or contributed to social impact, by using evidence, data, feedback, or testimonials. A narrative should be engaging, informative, and persuasive, and it should connect with your audience.

6 Test and iterate

The final step is to test and iterate. Testing and iterating is the process of getting feedback, evaluating your portfolio, and making improvements. Testing and iterating is essential to ensure that your portfolio meets your goals, communicates your message, and creates the desired impact. You can test and iterate your portfolio by asking for feedback from peers, mentors, clients, or users, by using analytics, metrics, or surveys, or by conducting usability tests, user interviews, or A/B tests.