## The portfolio problem
Portfolios are curated highlight reels. They show polished final deliverables but reveal nothing about how the designer got there. Did they run user research? Did they iterate based on data? Did they consider accessibility? You can't tell from a Dribbble shot.
## What Evalon's UX/UI assessment covers
### User research and problem framing
Candidates receive a scenario: declining engagement in a SaaS onboarding flow. They must write a research plan—what questions to ask, which methods to use (interviews, surveys, usability tests), and how they'd recruit participants. This reveals whether they start with users or start with pixels.
### Interaction design
We present a wireframe with usability issues: confusing navigation, inconsistent patterns, missing feedback states. Candidates identify the problems, explain the cognitive principles at play (Fitts's Law, recognition over recall, progressive disclosure), and propose solutions.
### Visual design and systems thinking
Given a style guide with inconsistencies (mismatched spacing, orphaned components, color contrast failures), candidates audit the system and recommend fixes. Strong designers think in *systems*, not individual screens.
### Accessibility
Every designer should understand WCAG basics. We test color contrast awareness, screen reader considerations, keyboard navigation, and alt text strategy. This isn't a bonus—it's a baseline.
## Tips for design hiring managers
- **Pair the assessment with a portfolio review.** Use the assessment to evaluate process; use the portfolio to evaluate craft.
- **Don't time-pressure creative work.** Our design assessment gives candidates 72 hours to submit. This reflects the real pace of thoughtful design work.
- **Involve engineering in the review.** Designers who produce dev-ready specs are more valuable. Ask an engineer to score the interaction design section.
- **Look for T-shaped skills.** The best designers go deep in one area (research, visual, interaction) while maintaining literacy across all three.
## The accessibility imperative
With the European Accessibility Act taking effect in 2025 and ADA lawsuits rising year over year, accessibility skills aren't optional. Our assessment gives you a clear signal on whether a candidate treats accessibility as an afterthought or a design principle.