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March, 2024

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Website Designs

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chris.G
Posts: 301 - Karma: 73
What's up m&a,

I'm designing and will be developing a website for myself that will act as a portfolio for job/internship applications, my blog would serve to keep people updated on what I'm up to but also to provide tips/feedback, news, and what not for people like me interested in design. I want it to be professional, but creative, unique, and personal. Let me know what you guys think of them (which one you like better, what you would add/remove/change, etc.), but keep in mind they are only early drafts far from complete designs. I just wanted to get some ideas and test out mine with one of the intended audiences (you guys in m&a)

Here's my first comp:


Ideas:

1.It's personal, it's got my skis, helmet, goggles, computer (interest in graphic design), and guitar (I play guitar)

2. It's unique, no container div, but usability is good b/c you've got the title at the top right and nav at the left


Here's my second comp:


Ideas:

1. It follows more traditional guides (container div w/ white background)

2. The way the pictures are set up is unique. They are placeholders for the comp tho so in reality I'm thinking the left would be a (jQuery slider to show featured/new stuff), the right two sections could be a link to my blog and another link to something that will change from time to time.



I haven't really gotten to work on a footer yet b/c I want to get the overall idea of the design down before I go too far with one design. I'm leaning towards the second design. Let me know what you guys think, thanks!
Dec 24 2011 2:20AM
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I.B
Posts: 8137 - Karma: 24,354
Make it very easy to navigate. I've found that people that know shit about websites are the ones who want them. They get confused very fast and lost easily. Make it like a fucking 1st grader could find what they are looking for.

Make it simple and do the point, earth tones are best, and make sure it has good contrast (So colorblind people can easily go through your website aswell, ive had that problem it fucked me over like $3000)

Website looked pretty good overall though, i liked it.
I'm currently working on my website for my portfollio, so i'll probs be PMing you every now and then, to just discuss this stuff.

Dec 24 2011 2:30PM
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blatt
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 3,097
Not a big fan of the chris griffith font, doesn't go with either of the designs at all. Keep the typography simple.

My vote would be for #1, apart from the Chris Griffith font
Dec 24 2011 3:54PM
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chris.G
Posts: 301 - Karma: 73
I guess I was going for a contrasting font, something a lot different than myriad pro. That is the only thing I would have in that font, the rest of the content would be a web font, most likely myriad pro cuz I think myriad pro is one of the most aesthetically pleasing web fonts

And I.B., yeah usability is always an issue especially for people who can't take more than two seconds to actually read something. Everyone who I develop sites for wants to include all this info on their sites, I always tell them, look no one actually reads anything and if they do, its most likely some clause (not even a full sentence) that is big and right in your face. I put the navigation right under the title (studies show thats where people look for it haha) and the search bar is on the right at the top and is aligned with the navigation.

But definitely feel free to pm me, I'm down to discuss this and anything graphics/digital media related
Dec 24 2011 11:50PM
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1337
Posts: 31038 - Karma: 29,003
second looks much much more professional than the first.
Dec 24 2011 11:55PM
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jewFro
Posts: 562 - Karma: 24
I think it depends on your content. The second one is a bit bland, but if you're going to have a lot of info to display then it's probably better. If you just have a bunch of brief stuff on each of those pages then you could probably use a jQuery popup, which can display a div instead of just an image or something, and display it in there.

I've always kind of admired the less traditional website, so I do like the first. Just remember that if it's for professional use, than function over fashion is important.
Dec 25 2011 9:42PM
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