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I need honest feedback: what would make you stay longer on a case study? 🤔
I recently saw a recommendation in Contra’s dashboard about going deeper on projects to improve portfolio quality, and it made me question how I am presenting my own work.
I tend to write a lot. I like explaining the thinking, the systems, the decisions. But I honestly do not know if people are actually reading it, or just scrolling through the visuals.
I have been revisiting projects like BASYX and asking myself. Is this a portfolio for designers, or for the person hiring me?
Would really appreciate honest feedback. Is this too much copy?
Do you read case studies fully, or just scan?
What actually makes you stop and pay attention?
I feel like the first thing that attracts me is the visuals, and then I stay longer if I see something new that I don't know how to do myself and I'm kind of interested in learning the process of it.
I think it's the same for me! In the end it's the most intuitive way, right?
Honestly the visuals do the scanning, the copy does the convincing — you need both, just don't front-load the text
That's such a good way to put it! Do you feel there's an "ideal" amount of copy? 🤔
Good work
• 8h
I usually scroll through first. If visuals are good, I definitely want to know the thinking behind it.
But recently, I'm coming across many case studies which are obviously written by AI. It explains the visuals but not the thinking behind it or the problem it solved. That doesn't help anyone, imo.
That's so true, and such a downer honestly, because it steals the "wow" from the case study, doesn't it?
This is great! In my experience, visuals grab attention first, but the people who are genuinely interested and considering hiring will take the time to read and value the writing. I think it’s not just about the amount of text, but how clear and easy it is to understand.
Oh that's so interesting and true! Visuals first, words second. Correct?
From the point of view of a designer the visuals are the first thing that catch my eye and that’s mostly what I look at and I might read the parts that I’m curious about.
But I think hiring managers and clients might actually like the explanations more than the visuals since so...
This is a very clear input, thank you!!
Honestly, I usually scan first and only read if something grabs me.
What makes me stay is a clear problem, solution and impact right away, real results (numbers help a lot), and clean visuals with short, easy-to-skim text.
Long explanations are great, just after you have hooked me in the first few seconds.
Yeah, that's true! It's difficult to say when it's enough copy.
I’ve been in a love–hate relationship with case studies for a while.
Always thought there’s a “right” way or perfect blueprint… but honestly, the more personal and detailed your approach is, the better.
That’s what actually makes people resonate — not another template.
The network for creativity
Join 1.25M professional creatives like you
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