Kevin Lucius - Review

http://kevinlucius.com/

I really like the layout and simplicity of this portfolio. I think the layout of the work really works well because it is very easy to see and if you want to look at the work in more detail it is easy as all you have to do is click on the image and it opens it up in a 'light-box' effect. Most of the different portfolio websites I have looked at all seem to use a light-box when showcasing their work. I think this is useful when trying to keep the main focal point of the page the actual work and I think it would also be a good idea to use a zoom option on the light-box effect to make parts of the work even more prominent. 

I think the about me section on the right hand side of the home page is a very useful part of the website as it allows the client that’s viewing the portfolio to look directly at the designer, see what he looks like and see the thing the designer is interested in outside of his work based life. I think this is very important for any client to show that the designer has his head screwed on and is sane.

I think Its very useful to state places that the designer has worked for even if the work he done there was voluntary it shows there flexibility and that fact that they have actually worked to specific deadlines etc (also in the right hand column).

I think the way Lucius has set out his work into different sections really works well however I would possibly have longs to different parts of the page at the top because at initial glance it only looks as if the designer is showcasing his personal work, which is also important but not what the client is specifically looking for.

I also think it is very important for the designer to state where they live as this designer states he lives in Chicago so it would be harder to communicate with someone in a different country compared to someone two or three doors away. 

Jesse Willmon - Review

Initially you are introduced to the designers website with a very illustrative based design. The design is a little bit all over the place but I do really like the idea of it. I like the style of the designs and the free hand sketches. However I do think the design of the website could be improved by making the whole website just a little bit more professional. I do like the navigation bar on the portfolio itself and I think it looks very approachable and user friendly.

I was really shocked to see on one of the photos that the designer was actually male because of the way the whole layout and illustration of the website was it actually came across rather feminine. I think the way the left hand navigation bar works is really mind boggling and I don’t think it looks as good free hand as it could if it was simple and computerised. I think the main entry screen works really well as it immediately navigates you to different parts of the portfolio and I think this is something I could possibly consider when designing my own website. However I think I will make my website a little bit more professional looking by using images from my work or snapshots of parts of my work rather that small scamps drawn free hand. I think however overall the website works well and I could image it being very attractive for people looking for work for a kids book or something along the children’s lines.

I don’t think the website sets you up for the content of the portfolio as I was expecting a lot more illustrative designs but they all are very professional and vector based. A lot of the design work on the portfolio seems to be web design so I would consider using different sections for different parts of the portfolio. 

spoon graphics - review

I really like the work that Chris Spooner has produced and I thin his portfolio website shows his work to a very high standard. Once again this designer uses a light-box effect when trying to keep the work as a main focal point and I think this gives a very good effect when sorting the hierarchy of information. His navigation bar is very simple with four main pages all named and clearly displayed at the top of the page. Spooner has also got a slideshow of his work at the top of his homepage to show the clients snapshots of what he has done and the quality of his work.

Spooner uses little gadgets on his page sending the client to different websites about himself. Spooner has hyperlinked the * after his name on each page so that it links directly to his blog and allows people to follow him and also allows him to have a different website for different work based products without putting too much information all onto one website which will increase the amount of time it takes to load the webpage.

ftdesigner.net - Review

Ft designer is another very simple website but is totally different to any of the others. Ft’s portfolio website runs long and thing throughout the whole of one page with sub headings and selection points at the top of the page that will direct you to a specific part of the website. The designer keeps the about me section very short and simple but does give enough information for the client to understand what the designer is into and what his strengths and weaknesses are. The designers work is specifically split up into different sectors including logo design, web deign, animation etc so everything is very easy to read and understand. 

The designer also offers a part of the website that sells downloadable files to use as screen savers and desktop backgrounds and even prints if the client would like to print them. I think this is also a good way of advertising your work for sale and quite a simple little money making scheme. 

The designer includes a specific contact me part of the website that has details on about the designer and gives you some interactivity so it allows you to send an email to the designer directly from his website. I think this is a very important asset to have on your website as it allows the client to immediately start emailing and connecting with the designer.