I've reviewed hundreds of design portfolios from career-switchers. The pattern is always the same: people spend 6 months learning Figma shortcuts and zero months learning how to think like a designer.

Here's what actually gets you hired:

1. Redesigns don't count. Every bootcamp grad has a "redesigned Spotify app" case study. Recruiters are numb to it. Solve a real problem for a real (even if small) business instead.

2. Your process matters more than your pixels. Show your research, your wireframes, your bad ideas that you killed. A messy process with clear reasoning beats a polished screen with no story.

3. Three deep case studies > ten shallow ones. Hiring managers spend 90 seconds on your portfolio. Depth signals competence; volume signals padding.

4. Learn to say why, not just what. "I used a card layout" is not a decision. "I used a card layout because users needed to compare 3 options side-by-side" is.

If you're serious about breaking into design, treat your first 90 days like a job, not a hobby. The people who get hired are the ones who ship consistently and ask for brutal feedback early.

Happy to answer questions on portfolios or the job search in the comments.