Jake Knapp
American designer and author; created the Design Sprint at Google and GV, co-wrote Sprint (2016), Make Time (2018) and Click (2025), and co-founded the venture firm Character.
Jake Knapp did not write this page.
We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.
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Their wordsBut how often do I learn a game-changing concept from a post? Pretty much never.
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Their wordsWhen you buy a book, you get a condensed and synthesized download of somebody’s brain. For about $20. Sure, it might turn out to be a brain you don’t need, but if it is—wow! What a bargain!
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Our reading
Free web posts are expensive when they displace reading books, because your time is limited.
Their wordsFree stuff on the web (like this) seems like a good deal, but if it displaces reading books (it totally does) it’s actually expensive because your time is limited.
- 8 months earlier
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Their wordsIt’s okay if your portfolio only has one focal point. You’ll learn enough from crafting this one story that you’ll become more articulate about the other projects. But really you only need one. If you have an hour to present your portfolio, or an hour in an interview, one deep well-told project can get you there.
↗Build your design portfolio around one awesome storyjakek.medium.com 1st of 3 in this piece
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Our reading
Telling the story of your work is not a trick to look better; it is the way to be better.
Their wordsHere’s the secret: You are developing the skill of synthesizing work into a narrative about why and what matters. You are leveling up. The story isn’t a trick to make yourself look better—the story is the way to be better.
↗Build your design portfolio around one awesome storyjakek.medium.com 2nd of 3 in this piece
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Their words“Make it pretty” should be the last thing you do. Your portfolio should look good. It should demonstrate that you care about craftsmanship and detail and you’ve got the skills to deliver quality. But for god’s sake, don’t start there.
↗Build your design portfolio around one awesome storyjakek.medium.com 3rd of 3 in this piece