Web Design Forums

octane · 07-05-2003, 07:16

Alright guys, I have given up my full time design job and decided to work for myself.

I've just put my portfolio site together and would appreciate your comments and opinions.

http://www.pipestudios.com/

dorian · 07-05-2003, 07:39

I am miss some images on the first two levels... I appreciate the simplicity and speed of it but still...
also, I'd skip the IE browser window in your website screengrabs - files will get smaller and/or you will be able to afford more colours! Also not sure if the 'crop marks' are appropriate there

Stickman · 07-05-2003, 07:46

While I can appreciate that its minimal, I'd still say that there's not enough to it.
Your client list and portfolio are both very impressive and I think the site could reflect this better.

Or in other words - the work in your portfolio is much better than the portfolio site itself.

octane · 07-05-2003, 07:49

I know what you mean, that was kind of what I was looking for.

I didn't want a real wizzy site as it takes the emphasis away from my design work.

I was going for a really raw feel to try and make my artwork really stand out.

Stickman · 07-05-2003, 08:09

I'd agree. The best portfolio sites are like that, but personally I prefer sites with a clean and simple layout to those with a rough look. A subtle use of colour, borders and so on can be stylish and still effectively emphasise the work, but without being 'wizzy'.

There are various ways of doing this, but for one example, I like this (by Dave):

http://www.4160.co.uk/

octane · 07-05-2003, 08:19

I see, you might be right. I really like his site, I just thought I'd try something different as all the sites I usually design are of the more clean style. Maybe I am just being design selfish.

Dave · 07-05-2003, 08:43

Thanks for the comments guys, I have not been visiting DT for a while.

Narate · 09-05-2003, 08:48

I dont think the immediate inpression would grab a client unless they had seen your work before or been sent to your site,

say as someone cruising through a search engine would probably skip back as soon as the site appeared, even if you had a really impressive frontapge to get the attention then use the speed and simplicity on the portfolio part of the site there keep browsers happy in both ways.

octane · 09-05-2003, 08:52

That was kind the point of the design. I don't really want it to gon search engines, that is why I didn't make it more corporate looking. It is just a url for me to point people to exhibit my portfolio.

I guess that intention has worked then. I may expand it later to look more business like.

Brown · 20-05-2003, 15:41

i like the work but dood, you need to put some words in there. i don't trust people who don't write.

07-05-2003, 07:16	#1 (permalink)
octane Large Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 249	Going solo! Alright guys, I have given up my full time design job and decided to work for myself. I've just put my portfolio site together and would appreciate your comments and opinions. http://www.pipestudios.com/

07-05-2003, 07:39	#2 (permalink)
dorian i do lines Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Poland/Denmark Posts: 3,232	I am miss some images on the first two levels... I appreciate the simplicity and speed of it but still... also, I'd skip the IE browser window in your website screengrabs - files will get smaller and/or you will be able to afford more colours! Also not sure if the 'crop marks' are appropriate there __________________ ...

07-05-2003, 08:43	#7 (permalink)
Dave I'm a Blank Canvas Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Liverpool Posts: 164	Thanks for the comments guys, I have not been visiting DT for a while. __________________ ---------------------------------- Dave Brown ---------------------------------- www.davebrown.co.uk

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

07-05-2003, 07:46	#3 (permalink)
Stickman Dr. Lucien Sanchez Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: UK Posts: 5,625	While I can appreciate that its minimal, I'd still say that there's not enough to it. Your client list and portfolio are both very impressive and I think the site could reflect this better. Or in other words - the work in your portfolio is much better than the portfolio site itself.

07-05-2003, 07:49	#4 (permalink)
octane Large Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 249	I know what you mean, that was kind of what I was looking for. I didn't want a real wizzy site as it takes the emphasis away from my design work. I was going for a really raw feel to try and make my artwork really stand out.

07-05-2003, 08:09	#5 (permalink)
Stickman Dr. Lucien Sanchez Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: UK Posts: 5,625	I'd agree. The best portfolio sites are like that, but personally I prefer sites with a clean and simple layout to those with a rough look. A subtle use of colour, borders and so on can be stylish and still effectively emphasise the work, but without being 'wizzy'. There are various ways of doing this, but for one example, I like this (by Dave): http://www.4160.co.uk/

07-05-2003, 08:19	#6 (permalink)
octane Large Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 249	I see, you might be right. I really like his site, I just thought I'd try something different as all the sites I usually design are of the more clean style. Maybe I am just being design selfish.

09-05-2003, 08:48	#8 (permalink)
Narate Royalty™ Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Manchester (UK) Posts: 3,207	I dont think the immediate inpression would grab a client unless they had seen your work before or been sent to your site, say as someone cruising through a search engine would probably skip back as soon as the site appeared, even if you had a really impressive frontapge to get the attention then use the speed and simplicity on the portfolio part of the site there keep browsers happy in both ways.

09-05-2003, 08:52	#9 (permalink)
octane Large Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 249	That was kind the point of the design. I don't really want it to gon search engines, that is why I didn't make it more corporate looking. It is just a url for me to point people to exhibit my portfolio. I guess that intention has worked then. I may expand it later to look more business like.

20-05-2003, 15:41	#10 (permalink)
Brown volkswagen yellow & gold Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: london, england. Posts: 6,211	i like the work but dood, you need to put some words in there. i don't trust people who don't write.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)