New design for portfolio, thoughts?
- Thread starter larrybn
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Yeah I wanted to keep it looking sharp though, rounded corners are just a passing fad IMHO.
BTW what do people think about the background color, I was going to make it black, I think a lighter color works better.
Not really sure what you're trying to say but, thanks.
I just randomly went with blue, because it was the first thing that came into my head. Perhaps a rethink is needed.
To be honest, I dont like it...
Not trying to be harsh but being a designer myself I dont find this design appropriate for a professional portfolio...
If i have to say something positive thought, The part that i like the most is the showcase box ( headers / landing page / online ads )...
I think in general the layout is too complicated, The shape is funky and I think you should try to focus more on the presentation of your work... this is what people want to see when they go on a portfolio, they want to see what you do and maybe contact you, focus on these things... You should take your best work and showcase it in a way to make it even more appealing.
Right now all the text is kinda trown in there it doesnt feel readable, i start reading one of the testimonial and cant finish, its not easy on the eye...
Blue is ok, but you might want to add some neutral colors aswell or complement it with something else... check out kuler to find some inspiration on color swatches
Not trying to be harsh but being a designer myself I dont find this design appropriate for a professional portfolio...
If i have to say something positive thought, The part that i like the most is the showcase box ( headers / landing page / online ads )...
I think in general the layout is too complicated, The shape is funky and I think you should try to focus more on the presentation of your work... this is what people want to see when they go on a portfolio, they want to see what you do and maybe contact you, focus on these things... You should take your best work and showcase it in a way to make it even more appealing.
Right now all the text is kinda trown in there it doesnt feel readable, i start reading one of the testimonial and cant finish, its not easy on the eye...
Blue is ok, but you might want to add some neutral colors aswell or complement it with something else... check out kuler to find some inspiration on color swatches
Cheers thanks, really great reply. I was trying it as a concept, I wanted to make it look more bold. And yes I know bout kuler.
I think I will try a more basic design next.
I will have to agree with Rasta_Cook here.
Your layout is a bit too complicated, and it is just very bulky.
Also if you really like blue and want to stick with this color, open up a pastel uncoated palette in PS and try using these types of blue ... much easier on the eyes as well.
Work on it for a little bit and I am sure you will get there ...
Your layout is a bit too complicated, and it is just very bulky.
Also if you really like blue and want to stick with this color, open up a pastel uncoated palette in PS and try using these types of blue ... much easier on the eyes as well.
Work on it for a little bit and I am sure you will get there ...
The sharp edges make my eyes wander.
The colors are too contrasty or something. I like blue, but for some reason I don't like that particular palette.
Headers, Landing Pages, and Online Ads should go to sub pages with examples of each. Ergo the text should be more "buttony" on those.. maybe a glow or use smaller versions of the top buttons.
My eyes are drawn to those examples, and if I were going to hire you, I'd instinctively click those areas to see more examples.
Aside: WTF my forum post is getting all screwed up in the editor. I have to use HTML BRs to get some spacing.
The colors are too contrasty or something. I like blue, but for some reason I don't like that particular palette.
Headers, Landing Pages, and Online Ads should go to sub pages with examples of each. Ergo the text should be more "buttony" on those.. maybe a glow or use smaller versions of the top buttons.
My eyes are drawn to those examples, and if I were going to hire you, I'd instinctively click those areas to see more examples.
Aside: WTF my forum post is getting all screwed up in the editor. I have to use HTML BRs to get some spacing.
Heres my opinion that will hopefully help you a bit:
There are a lot of things that seem off to me.
First of all, it looks more like a flyer with buttons than it does a website.
Everything also looks too big and plain. There's nothing wrong with keeping it simple, but I don't think this is the kind of simple that flows right. There are too many pieces that feel out of place.
The typography seems like it could use some work on the testimonials and even the 3 images.
The colors are probably the part that really hurts it IMO. The bright blue background seems way out of place. The dark blue to black gradient seems like a bad idea. The way PS used these colors was much easier to take in and softer as they had a suttle gradient from light blue to blue. This is much too sharp and just doesn't flow right.
The shape of the site doesn't work for me either. Again, it makes it look too much like a flyer than a website.
The "Get a design>" button doesn't pop out like it should if this is your main call to action. I would make it orange or something.
The overall text is too big and the balance isn't quite there.
I also don't like how the 3 banners blend into your main content background.
I think one of the biggest problems I have is that I'm not entirely sure with where you plan on going with this. Is this going to be CSSed? Are you going to build out all the sections so its scalable? Is the background going to need to be resizable? It looks like all these things will become problems with this current layout as it is not built to scale.
I could go on with a lot more, but I hope that helps for now. Good job on getting something done
There are a lot of things that seem off to me.
First of all, it looks more like a flyer with buttons than it does a website.
Everything also looks too big and plain. There's nothing wrong with keeping it simple, but I don't think this is the kind of simple that flows right. There are too many pieces that feel out of place.
The typography seems like it could use some work on the testimonials and even the 3 images.
The colors are probably the part that really hurts it IMO. The bright blue background seems way out of place. The dark blue to black gradient seems like a bad idea. The way PS used these colors was much easier to take in and softer as they had a suttle gradient from light blue to blue. This is much too sharp and just doesn't flow right.
The shape of the site doesn't work for me either. Again, it makes it look too much like a flyer than a website.
The "Get a design>" button doesn't pop out like it should if this is your main call to action. I would make it orange or something.
The overall text is too big and the balance isn't quite there.
I also don't like how the 3 banners blend into your main content background.
I think one of the biggest problems I have is that I'm not entirely sure with where you plan on going with this. Is this going to be CSSed? Are you going to build out all the sections so its scalable? Is the background going to need to be resizable? It looks like all these things will become problems with this current layout as it is not built to scale.
I could go on with a lot more, but I hope that helps for now. Good job on getting something done
major usability issues:
1. the big graphics with "Headers" "Landing Pages "Online Ads" look like clickable sections, but judging by the fact there is a big button over them, i'm guessing they are not.
2. Why on earth you you bury your button over large images? It totally hides it.
3. White text on dark background is just a poor choice for body copy and small font. I'm still blown away that people do this with all the supporting research out there on why you shouldn't.
4. Overall comment: there is just nothing that good about the design. There is no attention to detail. Just a bunch of graphic thrown together...
Sorry to come off harsh, but i speak the troofs...
1. the big graphics with "Headers" "Landing Pages "Online Ads" look like clickable sections, but judging by the fact there is a big button over them, i'm guessing they are not.
2. Why on earth you you bury your button over large images? It totally hides it.
3. White text on dark background is just a poor choice for body copy and small font. I'm still blown away that people do this with all the supporting research out there on why you shouldn't.
4. Overall comment: there is just nothing that good about the design. There is no attention to detail. Just a bunch of graphic thrown together...
Sorry to come off harsh, but i speak the troofs...
I know some people like black backgrounds, but a really dark background means a really light font color and also makes the text hard to read and spotting links difficult as well.
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