monkeys' site
monkey1979 (684 pencils) | Mon, 2010-01-25 21:11
Hi All,
Your last critique for the groundwork company was most appreciated. As always... So here is another one. Thanks in advance....
The time has come for me to get my own website up and running. It is quite embarrassing when a client asks for your web address and you only have a holding page up, especially when you are trying to flog them a site.
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Brief to my self:
• Work must be the central focus
• Simplicity is key
• No design elements / colour schemes that will interfere with projects
• Show a broad range of styles in my portfolio
• Highlight special projects
• Look like an agency (a small but perfectly formed one)
• Design something you can actually make (web is not my first discipline, and I struggle)
• Neat and tidy
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At the minute I am trying out various grid systems, this being my favourite so far.
The thumbnails will be filled with closely cropped details of my work, it will be very colourful. But first I have to get the structure right, hence the lack of images.
The thumbnails will open a separate page with description and enlarged view of the project & a detail gallery.
I want the website to open straight onto the projects page to direct people straight to my work. I think it can stand on it's own now.
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My critique to myself:
• There is no concept or clever idea here, do I need one? A gimmick or a strapline, something to give it life? Or is it better to be clinical and just let the work talk?
• Is it too cramped? On my 13" mackbook it looks quite comfortable, but it may be too big. I can only do fixed size, I'm a beginner, they look good but they are botched together! lol
• Before anyone else mentions it, no I am not a male prostitute, I just couldn't think of a phrase better than "currently available for hire" ^__^
• Is it too minimal? can I carry it off?
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Please pick this to shreds.
Martin
living on dreams and custard creams.
Commenting on this Image is closed.
Could use a lens flare or two.
Other than that: Love it.
I make sure I use at least 4 lens flares in every piece of work I do, I didn't want to crowd it. haha
living on dreams and custard creams.
It's delicious. Feels swiss mint flavoured chocolate mousse. xD
Only don't like the top menu, it's so tired. If it's mine I throw away "designer" and put the menu at that place. Good job.
PS: don't like the two top and bottom bolder lines.
yes I'm brazilian xD
Qwerty, I adore your style of critique. I just want to know how your lemon tree is feeling! lol
The menu is the only thing that was really bothering me, I will rework, and repost.
Cheers. M ^__^
living on dreams and custard creams.
very tasty start!
it still needs some refining, but I'll get there in the end.
thanks.
living on dreams and custard creams.
Agree with Qwertyale, menu isn't in the right position, and 'Designer' doesn't say much, let your work do the talk.
Also, the button "Avaible for hire" is taking to much weight.
I would delete the highest and lowest line, just a bit too much lines.
A minor animation on the logo would be epic. There's a horizontal line between the M and W, would be cool if they came sinking in/out of that, just an idea ;-)
And you don't need a concept for your website. It should have a lot of functionality and it has. It's about the content, the content and nothing else.
http://jackmancer.com/
http://twitter.com/jackmancer
The animated logo would add a certain amount of grace to the otherwise static site, just playing once on entry to the page then stopping, but unfortunately I haven't got the skills to make it happen just yet. Give me another 6 months and I might start playing with flash, but need to get the basics down first! :)
I agree, content should be enough. I have shown this design to a few of my uneducated in design friends and they all say it's a little boring. When I have some work in the thumbnails it should brighten it up a lot though.
Cheers Jack
living on dreams and custard creams.
veryvery nice! I agree with the comments above, though I like the hire callout on the side.
I like the 'hire me' box too. It's a first draft, so will probably refine it some more, but I need a website quickly, these things can be changed later... It's the only call to action on the page so I thought it needed to stand out.
living on dreams and custard creams.
Right now it's out of style with the rest of the website though, and the green background makes it a black hole sucking all attention for me. Might change when thumbnails are filled but that's my personal opinion.
http://jackmancer.com/
http://twitter.com/jackmancer
Who did that logo? OMG, that thing freakin' rocks! Did anyone help you with that? Just wondering because I might want to hire them if I decide to redesign my own logo...
Okay - seriously... nice layout, but it's a little staid. You need some oomph here, Monkey.
While we're on the subject - which program are you using for web design? Just wondering because learning web production has been on my list of things to do for years now.
haha, yeah I know it is a bit bare at the minute, but I am about to post a new version with thumbnails in place. Have a looky and let me know what you think, your input is always valued.
I am new to web, but have been concentrating on dreamweaver for a start, best to get the basics down first. I am a long way off, but once I have mastered that I want to start looking at content managent systems, Drupal or Joomla.
Cheers Art.
living on dreams and custard creams.
I'm building a web site with drupal. =D
It's very easy. Had some difficulties to set myPHPadmin on OSX and lose two days xD the solution was so simple xD
yes I'm brazilian xD
Fantastic layout. I much rather the white than the black one, although if you chose black I wouldn't be bothered. Perhaps have two choices for viewers? I mean, if people are going to come back often, why not give them the choice?
Leaky Penny
Check out what I've been up to lately!
http://petersonjoseph.com
I'm going to print it out and eat it.
-Unknown Artist
Black or White? Who's bad!!!!
yes I'm brazilian xD
Best comment I've read in a long time!
Leaky Penny
Check out what I've been up to lately!
http://petersonjoseph.com
I'm going to print it out and eat it.
-Unknown Artist
Leaky I had the same idea, the black version is male and strong, the white is feminine and sweet.
You can offer the choice for your client because I think this portfolio page needs an overture page with music or not to create an ambience (look Martin Lindstorm - BrandSense) some grooving, smooth jazz rocks.
This swiss grid needs something more to captivate definitely or will become only one more swiss chesse. xD
yes I'm brazilian xD
I like the black idea, but it can be headache-inducing when paired with red. Got another neutral up your sleeve?
Please do not use the phrase "currently available for hire" or anything even remotely like it. The fact that you're presenting your portfolio to the world via the Interwebz and giving potential clients an opportunity to contact you makes this clear, without the "rent boy" connection.
Mara
I suppose monkey1979 needs a vacation sometimes xD
yes I'm brazilian xD