Good and bad website portfolios...

I am going to research the good, the bad and the ugly websites for portfolio promotion.

I will explain why they are good and bad, pointing out areas of interest and areas I like. (And would possibly like to include in my own).

The good….

BLACK MOUNTAIN

http://www.blkmtnstudio.com/#/home

the home page for the website ‘Blk +Mtn’. It has links to his about me section, his portfolio, news, his blog and contacts.

His about me section shows his nickname and his specialties, this could possibly have been put on the home page though as they are important to see. Also links to his other websites.

Its ver simple and easy to use, and thoroughly easy to find things.

His portfolio is separated into sections i.e. for website design, photography, print… they are all of high quality, and easy to navigate. The images are neither too large or small, and evenly spaced apart to minimize confusion.

The contact section contains his image, email, Skype number, full name and where he is from. This is extremely clear and easy to figure out.

The bad…

POY’S JOURNALISM PORTFOLIO

http://poyileung.wordpress.com/

This is the portfolio website for a journalist. It looks good from the homepage, but there are a number of things wrong from this. For starters the titke is badly designed and merges with the design at the top of the page. The writing is hard to make out, and blends with the background. Its hard to find anything on her as the links are all jumbled up.

The contact page only has an email dress and no other means of contact.

I cant even find the portfolio for examples of his work.

flash catalyst

this is what we have been using to create the website for our work.
its a relativly easy programe and Andy has been leading us step by step through it..

The following are a few pointers which are important to keep in mind when designing a portfolio website.

1. Logo

Your logo is usually the first thing a user sees. In the Western world, we read from left to right, top to bottom, so it makes sense to put your logo in the top left of your website so that users can immediately identify who owns the website. It doesn’t have to be your own name, but when trying to promote yourself it is quite important.

2. tagline

Definition:

‘’ The idea behind the concept is to create a memorable phrase that will sum up the tone and premise of a brand or product (like a film), or to reinforce the audience's memory of a product.’’

Once the user sees who owns the website, they’ll want to know what it is you do. This is where you explain what you do with a tagline.

Your tagline should be short and snappy, summarizing what you do.

3. Portfolio

This is a personal portfolio website after all, so your portfolio will determine whether the website is interesting or not. People will want to see your previous work to decide whether you’re good or not and for general interest, to see what you’ve been up to in the past.

You need to have large, high quality images, which are clearly accessible to people who visit your website.

4. Services

What can you offer? Break it down into little sections, so that you can clearly show what you do, and can do for other people.

5. About Me

Use this section to explain who you are, and allow people to see the person behind the work. You could show an image of yourself and explain your background and profession.

6. Contact

This is one of the most vital parts of the portfolio, as it will open the gateway to future clients. It should be obvious and easy to use, including you email, phone number and website URL as essentials.

7. Blog

A blog is always a good idea. Blog about your area of expertise; show you know what you’re talking about. It will help promote you and prevent your website from lying static.

Be sure to enable comments for feedback.

8. Call to action.

Each page should have a call to action, a “Next step.”

The best way to accomplish this is with a “call to action” button that is clear and stands out from the rest of the page.

Link it to your blog, portfolio or contact page, and use appropriate language (e.g. “Hire me,” “Request a quote,” “View my portfolio”).

Promoting my work!

when it coes to the time to promote and sell my work, then i need to have a plan of where and what im going to present.
Currently in major studies we are creating a baisic website to hold our portfolio work.


Its relativly easy to create a simple website design containing a contact,about,portfolio and a home page. These will all have working buttons and my own work will be held on them. This would mean that i could send my website link to publishers and agents such as:

puffin
Penguin
usborne
Little tiger press