In 2025, I designed a high-precision portfolio for a CAD Engineer, acting as the Sole Designer. Over 3 months, I collaborated with the engineer to translate complex mechanical data into a seamless digital experience. I built a technical design system and integrated 3D viewers, establishing a robust framework for showcasing engineering excellence. This case study walks through that journey
Target Audience🚹
Engineering Recruiters
Potential Clients
Industry Peers
Challenges faced ❌
The core challenge involved translating high-precision mechanical data into a high-performance web experience. I had to optimize heavy 3D CAD assemblies for fast browser loading without sacrificing technical detail or structural integrity. Balancing a minimalist, professional aesthetic with the data density required by engineering recruiters was critical to the project's success.
File Optimization
Visual Clarity
Interactive Viewing
Key objectives?🎯
The primary goal of this project was to build a sophisticated digital showroom that reflects the technical rigor and precision of CAD engineering. By focusing on a "function-first" architecture, I aimed to transform a collection of raw engineering files into a professional narrative that demonstrates both design capability and attention to detail. The objective was to create a high-performance environment where complex technical data feels accessible and intuitive to every visitor. Display Engineering Precision: Showcase high-fidelity 3D models and technical schematics with absolute clarity. Establish Professional Authority: Build a brand identity that signals reliability, accuracy, and engineering excellence. Optimize Technical Performance: Ensure heavy 3D assets load seamlessly across all devices without performance lag. Centralize Documentation: Create a structured repository for project specs, CAD files, and process documentation. Drive Industry Conversion: Design clear pathways for recruiters and clients to initiate technical collaborations.
Display Engineering Precision
Establish Professional Authority
Optimize Technical Performance
Centralize Documentation
Drive Industry Conversion
Project Discovery 🔬
The discovery phase focused on aligning the portfolio’s architecture with the rigorous standards of the engineering industry. Through deep-dive sessions with the CAD engineer, I identified the need for a platform that could handle high-density data while maintaining a premium, minimalist feel. We prioritized features like interactive 3D inspection and organized project documentation to solve the challenge of presenting complex technical work to non-technical recruiters. This research ensured that the final design wasn't just aesthetic, but a functional tool for professional validation.
Mobile App strategy ⚙️
The website strategy was centered on creating a high-fidelity digital environment that mirrors the precision of mechanical engineering through a "function-first" architecture. The goal was to transform raw engineering files into a sophisticated professional narrative, ensuring that complex technical data remains both accessible and intuitive for high-level recruiters. By prioritizing performance and clarity, the strategy positioned the portfolio as a reliable tool for technical validation and professional authority. Technical Narrative Arc: Structuring project layouts to lead viewers from high-level visual results down into granular technical documentation. Optimized Asset Pipeline: Developing a workflow to compress heavy CAD data into lightweight, web-ready 3D models without losing structural integrity. Minimalist-Industrial Branding: Utilizing a design language of clean grids and technical typography to signal engineering rigor and modern professionalism. Interactive Proof of Concept: Integrating real-time 3D viewers to serve as immediate, interactive evidence of the engineer’s modeling capabilities. Streamlined Conversion Funnel: Placing strategic touchpoints for technical inquiries and file downloads to facilitate seamless collaboration with industry partners
Technical Narrative Arc
Optimized Asset Pipeline
Minimalist-Industrial Branding
Interactive Proof of Concept
Design Process 🪄
The design process was an exercise in technical translation, moving from raw mechanical data to a refined digital interface. I began by mapping the user journey to ensure that recruiters could move effortlessly from high-level project overviews to granular technical specs. This foundation allowed me to build a design system in Figma that prioritized high-contrast readability and structural grids, mirroring the precision of a blueprint. Throughout the execution, I focused on the "visual heavy lifting," ensuring that interactive elements like 3D viewers felt like a natural extension of the engineering workspace rather than an afterthought. User Journey Mapping: Defined a clear path from initial visual engagement to deep-dive technical validation for recruiters. High-Fidelity Wireframing: Developed a grid-based UI in Figma that emphasizes technical hierarchy and data clarity. Interactive Prototyping: Built clickable experiences to test the integration of real-time 3D model interaction. Technical Design System: Established a library of components, including blueprint-inspired icons and precise typography scales. Asset Optimization: Collaborated on the pipeline to convert heavy CAD files into performant, web-ready visual assets.
Let's Design 🎭.
The transition into Framer marked the pivotal moment where strategy evolved into a high-performance digital reality. Moving beyond research, this phase was dedicated to transforming complex mechanical concepts into a tangible, high-fidelity experience that prioritized technical precision. I focused on engineering fluid interactions and refining the UI to ensure every component reflected the rigor of the CAD discipline. Framer served as the ultimate canvas for merging creative design with functional execution, resulting in a seamless, intuitive, and visually rewarding professional platform.
🎭 Curtain Call
Building a high-precision portfolio for a CAD engineer challenged me to design with the same mathematical rigor and structural integrity found in mechanical engineering. This project was a masterclass in systemic thinking, requiring me to lead through the ambiguity of translating dense industrial data into a fluid, user-centric interface. I had to strike a delicate balance between visual innovation and technical necessity—ensuring that while the site looked premium, it never compromised on the functional clarity required by a technical audience. What I am most proud of isn't just the sleek, dark-mode aesthetic, but the way we bridged the gap between complex engineering and digital accessibility. Whether it is a recruiter inspecting a high-polygon assembly or a client reviewing technical schematics, the friction of data-heavy viewing has been replaced by a seamless interactive experience. For the user, this isn't just a portfolio; it is a high-performance tool for professional validation. And that, to me, is the true power of design
