Powerful Portfolios for Designers in Management (Session 1)
💡 FYI: This is a 3-day workshop!
Tuesday, July 8, 1-4p ET (zoom)
Wednesday, July 9, independent work
Thursday, July 10, 1-4p ET (zoom)
Give your experience a story it deserves.
Design management is a different game and knowing how to tell your story is important. Learn how to share your experience in your own voice.
You've solved complex problems, managed challenging projects, led teams, and earned the trust of stakeholders. You delivered results that moved the business forward. But when it comes time to telling your story, something gets lost in translation.
The challenge isn't your work, it's your perspective. You’re too close to your work to know how to highlight the important bits. While you know all the context, complexity and nuance, it’s overwhelming and difficult for hiring managers to follow.
The design industry is also changing rapidly. You know it. I know it. Companies need designers who can lead and execute. Companies want designers who can communicate clearly. Having a clear story about your experience gives you a competitive advantage. The question is, can you tell that story clearly enough for others to see it?
After this workshop, the answer will be yes.
What you'll learn
This workshop teaches you to how show your work in a way others immediately understand. You'll leave this workshop with a portfolio people will talk about.
During this workshop, you'll:
Learn a story-first method: the most effective way to structure your story is around a central theme. Instead of randomly talking about actions like "I created Design System" or "I updated the org chart", you'll ask why those actions existed in the first place
Uncover your greatest hits: identify the work that truly showcases your unique value by separating the actions you took from the outcomes they created
Build narrative arcs: recall the challenges you faced that made it difficult for you to do a good job; btw, these are the challenges hiring managers are facing too but they won't talk about in an interview setting
Frame your work in a business context: get an outsiders perspective into what your company was trying to do that made them hire you in the first place
Assemble the elements of your story: make your work feel bigger than just the things you did because a good story fundamentally changes how hiring managers see you when your work is presented convincingly enough
Create multiple angles: walk away with three different ways to present your work depending on whether you want to emphasize execution, management, or leadership
The result? A portfolio that honors your journey and positions you exactly where you deserve to be; someone who is recognized for the depth of impact you create.
How the sessions will go
Day 1 (live session):
Instead of starting with visuals and working toward meaning, we start with your actual experience and build a clear, compelling narrative structure around it. No theory. No examples from other people's portfolios. Just your work, structured as a story people will listen to.
Day 2 (independent work):
You'll turn your structured narrative into portfolio slides using templates I provide. You'll organize your work in a very concise, straight forward story.
Day 3 (live session):
You present your story to the group and get feedback from me and other experienced designers. By the end, you'll have a story you can tell confidently and slides that support it effectively. Importantly, you'll show up in the way hiring managers love.
✅ Who this is perfect for
Design Mangers and Directors (5+ years of experience)
Have 5+ years of design experience
Have accomplished meaningful work but struggle to present it clearly
Want to practice with your peers
Are ready to think critically about your own career progression
❌ This isn't a right fit if you…
Are early in your design career (under 5 years)
Are satisfied with how you present your own work
Prefer building portfolios independently
Are not ready to position your career strategically
What you'll walk away with
Three variations of your story that showcase different aspects of your experience
Your story in slides – organized with a clear, narrative structure
Personal tone of voice that guides how you write and speak about your work
Practice time with peers at your experience level
Expert feedback from someone who's hired hundreds of designers
The transformation: You'll stop feeling uncertain about how to present your experience and start feeling confident that your portfolio reflects your actual capabilities in a way that stands out in the crowd.
Who is leading this workshop?
Hi, I'm Ryan. I am the founder of CDO School and author of Business Thinking for Designers. I write and speak frequently about my experiences designing software at Apple, as the first design leader at Electronic Arts (twice) and the Nestle Institute of Health Sciences, and as an executive at USAA.
Here's what matters: I've hired hundreds of designers. I know what hiring managers pay attention to and what they ignore. I've taught over 2,000 design leaders, coached dozens of Directors, Heads, and VPs, and run training programs at Google, DocuSign, and LinkedIn.
The difference: This isn't advice from someone who studied good portfolios. It's guidance from someone who had decided which portfolios get interviews and which candidates get the offer. It's guidance from someone who has been working with experienced designers like you for the last 6 years to get new gigs.
I know what hiring managers look for because I've been doing it for years.
FAQs
Is there a refund policy?
Refunds up to 7 days before event
When are the live sessions?
Live sessions are on are Tuesday and Thursday from 1-4p ET. This is New York time.
Will sessions be recorded?
No
Do I need to attend both sessions?
Yes. It's an hour you are giving to yourself. You are worth it.
Do I need to do the independent work?
Yes. Again, you are worth it.
Do you have financial hardship discounts?
If you have little or no money coming in or live somewhere with wild exchange rates from the US, I hold two tickets per workshop for $50 each. Email me if you're interested.