Personal Portfolio Redesign
Rafał Staromłyński
As my work increasingly focused on complex B2B, AI, and infrastructure products, my previous portfolio no longer reflected the level of problems I solve or the audiences I work with.
This project was a full redesign of my personal portfolio, with a clear goal:
position myself as a senior product designer and design leader who helps startups ship complex products fast—and convert that clarity into inbound opportunities.
Objectives
Clarify positioning for founders and product leaders
Increase credibility at first glance
Reduce cognitive load while browsing case studies
Improve conversion to calls and inbound conversations
Create a scalable foundation for future work and case studies
Problems Identified
1. Weak Signal-to-Noise Ratio
Too much explanation before demonstrating value
Seniority not immediately obvious
Case studies buried behind generic layouts
2. Unclear Target Audience
Messaging tried to speak to “everyone”
Insufficient emphasis on AI, SaaS, and infrastructure work
Leadership and strategic experience underrepresented
3. Low Conversion Focus
Calls to action blended into the UI
No clear progression from “browse” → “contact”
Lack of urgency and availability signals
Design Strategy
1. Positioning First, Visuals Second
The redesign starts with clear role definition:
Senior Product Designer
Design Team Leader
AI, SaaS & Infrastructure focus
This framing ensures visitors immediately understand who I help and at what level.
2. Calm, Confident Visual Language
Dark UI with subtle gradients to signal maturity and focus
Large typography and generous spacing for readability
Reduced visual noise to let work speak for itself
3. Case Study–Driven Structure
Instead of long explanations, the site prioritizes:
Visual proof of work
Clear scope labels (Product Design, Strategy, Redesign)
Case-study-first browsing experience
Each project acts as a credibility artifact, not just a gallery item.
4. Conversion by Design
Persistent “Book a Call” CTA
Availability status surfaced early (e.g. booking window)
Reduced friction between interest and action
Key Sections & Rationale
Hero Section
Clear value proposition
Immediate role + seniority signal
No abstract slogans—direct and practical messaging
Selected Works
Curated, not exhaustive
Focused on complex systems and real-world impact
Clear distinction between case studies and explorations
Why This Matters
For senior designers, a portfolio is not a gallery, it’s a positioning tool.
This redesign ensures that:
The work attracts the right conversations
Complexity feels approachable, not intimidating
Design decisions reflect strategic thinking, not trends
Outcome
The new portfolio:
Clearly communicates seniority and focus
Scales with future case studies
Acts as a quiet but confident sales surface
It mirrors how I approach product design itself:
reduce noise, surface signal, and design for real outcomes.
Like this project
Posted Jan 4, 2026
This project was a full redesign of my portfolio to position myself as a senior product designer and design leader who helps startups ship complex products fast
Likes
4
Views
9
Timeline
Dec 1, 2025 - Jan 1, 2026
