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Stage 11 · Lesson 5 of 18

Showing explorations and iterations

Including the ideas you rejected and why.

  • Intermediate
  • 25 min
  • 3 check questions
  • Exercise: 45 min

By the end of this lesson you can

  • Show how designs evolved through iteration.
  • Explain why changes were made using evidence.
  • Show early work without making it look unfinished.

The idea

Hiring managers want to see how you think, and iteration shows thinking in action. Show the journey from early ideas to the final design.

What to show

  • Early exploration: a few sketches or alternatives, showing breadth.
  • Key turning points: moments where testing or feedback changed direction.
  • Before and after: side-by-side comparisons with notes.
  • Rejected ideas: briefly, and why they were rejected.

Explain changes

For each iteration, say what you changed, why (with evidence) and what happened. "Version 1 used tabs; 3 of 5 testers missed the second tab, so version 2 used a single scrolling page."

Present rough work well

Rough sketches are fine, but present them cleanly: crop, label and group them. Show a few, not dozens.

Why it matters in real projects

Iteration proves you test and improve rather than guessing. It shows how you respond to evidence and feedback, which are core professional skills. A portfolio that shows only final screens can make it look as if decisions were arbitrary or not your own.

A realistic example

A case study shows three versions of a pet insurance quote form. Version 1: one long page; testing showed people abandoned halfway. Version 2: five steps; people completed it but were surprised by the price at the end. Version 3: a price estimate updating as people answered; completion rose and surprise disappeared.

Each version is shown as a cropped screenshot with a two-line explanation.

Step by step

  1. Gather versions

    Collect sketches, wireframes and prototypes.

  2. Find turning points

    Identify two or three major changes.

  3. Pair with evidence

    Note what evidence caused each change.

  4. Create comparisons

    Make before-and-after visuals.

  5. Write short notes

    One or two lines per change.

  6. Curate

    Keep only what tells the story.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake Only showing final screens.

    Instead Show key iterations.

  • Mistake Showing every version.

    Instead Pick turning points.

  • Mistake Changes without reasons.

    Instead Link each change to evidence.

Check your understanding

Choose an answer, then check it. There is an explanation either way.

Question 1 of 3What do iterations show?
Show answer

How you think and respond to evidence. Iteration shows judgement.

Question 2 of 3How should each change be explained?
Show answer

What changed, why and what happened. Explain cause and effect.

Question 3 of 3How many sketches should you show?
Show answer

A few, presented cleanly. Curate for clarity.

Practice exercise

Exercise · about 45 min

Iteration story

Create an iteration section for a case study.

Steps

  1. Collect all versions.
  2. Pick two or three turning points.
  3. Create before-and-after visuals.
  4. Write short evidence-based notes.

Deliverable

An iteration section with visuals and notes.

Self-assessment

Tick each item when it is true of your exercise. Be honest; this is for you.

4 items

Summary

  • Iteration shows thinking.
  • Show turning points with evidence.
  • Use before-and-after comparisons.
  • Present rough work cleanly and selectively.

Further reading

Third-party sources, chosen for reliability. They open in a new tab.

Your notes

Marking complete updates your course and roadmap progress.

Back to Portfolio and career readiness Roadmap

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