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In this article, I'll be analyzing the navigation elements of a particular category of websites, i.e. portfolios. Why portfolios, you ask? Because they represent an interesting blend of creativity and development techniques. As they offer an intriguing user interface and interaction, this often borderlines with what is ultimately defined as an enjoyable user experience. Should aesthetics, originality and creativity come at the expense of usability? Can they reside on the same website in harmony?

In this portfolio it is mostly visual with very few words. This style of portfolio allows his work to do all of the talking. To me it was very powerful and bold. What I liked best about this portfolio: 1.It is quick and easy to navigate 2. The photos are captivating and large so you know what you are looking at 3. The landing page is clean, precise and different then others I've seen (it looks professional). 4. When you glide over the elongated photos of the works he has been involved in, large white titles show up to tell you right away what file you are about to open. Example: photo of the production Cinderella, hover your curser over the image and click! Now you have several more photos to look at, all on the production of Cinderella 5. The main menu is large and bold, always visible. 6. There is a small text that shows up "move your mouse over me" encouraging the host to explore and help navigate the site. 7. I like that there are current projects he is working on, he includes awards he has won and he has both a contact page and a resume (that you can download) My suggestions of changes this portfolio could have are: 1. It could use more text, all I see is the work, but where are his ideas and contributions (his experiences in this field?) 2. Does he draw his designs or make models, how does he work? 3. I did not see an about page-what is he like? 4. There is nothing too personal about him. For example: no picture. 5. Resume is all one size and same color of text, nothing jumps out at you. 6. His name and title could be larger (on each page). Because as you scroll down you loose his name and then you ask your self who's work am I looking at again, because this is good and I want him to work for me! (although all you have to do is scroll up or click on the back button to return to menu... there his name is prominently displayed again) Overall: It was very hard to find anything that this portfolio needs to change because I really like what James has done with

At first glance this portfolio seems to be impressive. I think Josh is good at first impressions, but maybe tends to lose people after they start talking with him. He has a layout that is simple to read, but after you hit an icon it takes you through a labyrinth of pages and outside links. I scrolled down one page for about 2 minutes reading about his project, just to realize I was stuck scrolling all the way back to the top. One project was just an NYT article about a project he worked on at a firm, but not sure do to lack of information. Likes- This portfolio clearly shows the vast amount of experience Josh has. It includes his architecture school work, professional practice work, graphic design work, and a link to his blog. It seems that Josh is all over the place, and wants everyone to know, but maybe he could do better if he concentrated more on a few things instead of drowning us in his all star achievements. I'm going to give Josh a B-, with plenty of room for improvement.

*what skills you have *if your experience complements the skills already present in my business *if you're starting out in your career, it tells me how much mentoring I'll be doing *your potential *if you're able to follow instructions *how I can expect you to treat my projects if you become a part of our team.