What Should Not Be Here
Subtraction before addition.
The 90-Second Rule
If you cannot defend a project in 90 seconds verbally, it does not belong in your portfolio.
Decision Table
01Does this project show something no other project shows?
If Yes
Keep
If No
Cut or merge with another project
02Can you articulate why you made each major design decision?
If Yes
Keep
If No
You will struggle in the interview. Cut it or rewrite the narrative
03Does the process documentation add signal or noise?
If Yes
Keep the process
If No
Show the result only
04Does this project address a different problem type than your others?
If Yes
Keep. Variety of problem domains matters
If No
Cut the weaker one. Panels notice repetitive portfolios
05Can you defend this project in 90 seconds verbally?
If Yes
Keep
If No
You will lose panel attention. Cut or simplify it
Hard Truths
1
Polishing never upgrades a weak signal2
Clarity of intent beats novelty of concept3
One deeply articulated project outweighs three surface-level ones4
3-5 projects is the sweet spot. 2 is too few, 6+ is always too many5
If you cannot summarize a project in 90 seconds, it does not belongFor Non-Design Backgrounds
You don't fail from lack of process. You fail from over-explaining irrelevant process.
Show process: ambiguous problems where decisions weren't obvious
Hide process: execution-heavy projects where the result speaks for itself
Tip: Weak projects can still signal strength if they show learning or pivots