UX Case Study Review: Peter Pilat, Staff Product Designer Portfolio Critique

Learn how to elevate your UX portfolio with this in-depth case study review featuring Staff Product Designer Peter Pilat. We break down how to tell powerful design stories, present measurable results, and showcase systems thinking in your work. Perfect for designers preparing for senior-level interviews or refining their storytelling craft.

Unlock actionable techniques to strengthen your UX portfolio with this in-depth case study critique. This review shows you how to clearly demonstrate the impact of your design work, structure compelling case studies that tie business problems and user needs together, and highlight measurable results to make your portfolio stand out.

In this episode you’ll discover:

Clear strategies for organizing your story around business challenges and design solutions
Methods for using research, metrics, and visual storytelling to present your work with clarity—not just words
Practical tips for tailoring your presentation for design interviews and senior audiences
How to avoid common case-study mistakes and create slides that deliver your message effectively
Packed with advice for communicating design decisions, using stakeholder language, and aligning with interview expectations, this critique will help you level up your portfolio and presentation skills.
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Chapters
00:00 🎬 Opening & Context – Setting up the staff-level case-study critique
02:00 👀 First Impressions – Why clarity and setup matter before showing work
05:00 🧩 Framing Your Story – Add a quick “About Me” and resume slide to humanize your intro
08:00 💬 Personal Connection – Showing hobbies or family helps interviewers root for you
11:00 💼 Case Study Framing – Tailor which story you tell based on the role you want
13:00 🧭 Setting Up the Problem – Clearly define business context early
15:00 🧹 Avoid Overcrowded Screens – Reduce dense slides; highlight only what matters
18:00 🪶 Simplify the Entry – Remove competing CTAs and friction in onboarding stories
20:00 📊 Data Visibility – Show baseline metrics clearly before proposing solutions
23:00 🎨 Design Consistency Check – Why pixel-level polish signals senior maturity
27:00 🔬 Experiment Framing – Emphasize hypothesis → test → outcome sequence
29:00 📚 Story Arc Discipline – Close one narrative before opening the next
32:00 🧠 Craft as Evidence – Every slide is proof of your design judgment and care
35:00 🧱 Present Systems, Not Screens – Communicate reusable design thinking
37:00 ⚖️ Measured Scope – When to break your own UX rules intentionally and why
40:00 🗺️ Chaptering for Clarity – Use storytelling breaks to orient your audience
44:00 📈 Metrics Storytelling – Replace charts with before/after impact visuals
48:00 🤝 Data Collaboration – Show you work with analytics, not just use them
51:00 🪞 Presenting Results – Lead with headline metrics; skip the noise
54:00 ✂️ Confidence in Simplification – Remove weak or distracting data points
57:00 🏁 Final Takeaway – Portfolio storytelling is about *clarity, connection & craft


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