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I have been very impressed with youtube architecture portfolios from students. I like the way their work is presented as a small 2 minute film. Its fast, its visual and its a great way of introducing your work, designs and projects to this type of profession. What I like about this portfolio: 1. I love the first image you see: "How I do architecture" its a great "pow" and intro to what comes next (your work) 2. I like it when he shows a project in almost a scrapbook kind of way. You see one large picture of the overall project, then you see smaller pictures of different views of the same project. This is how I thought I might show my architecture projects with a plan, perspectives and a small collection of materials. 3. The ending of his portfolio is very surprising, I like it! It is a final quote from F. Wright about architecture and its connection to the heart. 4. I like his second page set up: a sketch of a seating area he designed. It looks very professional. 5. It is great how he shows sketches/black and white pictures and then it turns into a colored rendering of the sketch. What a great way to show design and drawing skills then to bring that sketch to life with color or turning it into a 3D model. Its fascinating to watch the development of the project. What could be changed with this portfolio: 1. I think this is a great way to introduce yourself and get viewers excited about what you can do, but this video is lacking a Homepage, contact and resume (at the least). I would be using this as an interactive tool (a small slide show) to introduce the viewers to my portfolio. (it will serve as an invitation of who I am to the profession) 2. Its too long. 3. Its not consistent and smooth. Its a bit choppy and shows too many different ways and styles, it feels like a little too much distraction of movements, when it should all be about the work. 4. It feels like an archive, a collection of all he has done. There is no direction or reasoning behind his selection

Pros Simple layout and things work well Enjoy the different backgrounds displayed on different links Like the simple title of PUSH Cons Don't know what they are trying to portray or what they are about A little too simple need more info and links Need to talk more about projects that have been done http://www.benarent.co.uk/portfolio Pros Like that it gives a description of the person Very in depth and many pictures of previous work Like the sketchbook idea Cons Simple Design, not very complex Would like if sketchbook flipped pages when you clicked on it Don't enjoy the same font throughout the entire website. http://www.josheyre.com/ Pros Like the scrolling images on the front page of the website Like that the contact brings you to google maps and also includes resume Same top page works well and it doesn't feel confusing to me. Cons Don't enjoy the bland background on every page Small links don't work well with design Home on top right blends in with the design of orange. http://amby.com/kimeldorf/sampler/ Pros Very simple and easy to navigate Glad that everything is in order of steps to take. Cons Too many PDFS that take you to separate windows Last updated in 1998 so very old fashioned Don't know what he does or what he's trying to tell us about himself http://design.ocell.net/ Pros Very simple and elegant Like the white and grey background and Title and text is very different and creative. Cons Too little work displayed Not very many links to click Don't know what he is trying to portray within the website

Likes: 1. Simple, clean layout that focuses on vivid images. 2. The "News" option serves as a kind of mini-blog that allows viewers/clients stay up to date on what's new with Deep. 3. The muted background pictures for the different types of work they do - creates visual interest that doesnt detract from the project pictures. 4. Has a downloadable feature in "About Us" of recent works - gives visitors something that can be referenced when offline. 5. The main interactive piece is the scrolling marquee of pictures - the main page look stays the same throughout. Dislikes: 1. The marquee of pictures constantly scroll down unless stopped manually - has a dizzying effect. 2. No hierarchy (visually) between the three main columns ("Portfolio" etc, "Selected Works", and project descriptions corresponding to related pictures. The font and size and colors are the same, making the user have to search a little bit to understand the hierarchy. 3. The use of hot pink throughout the site. 4. The links via pictures don't give us more information about the project/client, just a larger picture and access to Deep's contact info. 5. The use of the same/similar images for different subheadings/types of projects - redundancy is noticeable after awhile.

+ project navigation on the left and project images on the right is simple and intuitive and project images are a great size. + Variation of media such as video with images creates an interactive feel + Project text on left is a good size and about the optimal amount (verging on the lengthy side however) - Navigation buttons to switch between different images in a project are not as intuitive and harder to find - Direct posting of project boards instead of individual images make site less engrossing - The web design is light on unique details, and therefore it is hard to get a sense of the personality of the artist from exploring the webpage (the about section is also very short)

What I like... - Use of two different colors (simple but clear) - Showing thumbnail images that interest me - A simple composition of overall web design What need to be improved... - It is confusing to figure out the relationship between thumbnail pictures and contents - It is hard to see the hierarchy of contents (it makes me to keep forgeting where I am and how I get into the page...) - A weak first page with little information

What I like... - Thumbnail images on the first page give me a direction where I want to look at - Each catagory like collages, set design and objects continously shows up on the top, so that it is easy to jump to each other - The composition of the pages with work images ( Some simple text on the left side with a number and a picture in a bit enough size) What need to be improved... - It is not easy to move to a specific work image - Not feeling that consistent in the layout of different pages - A somewhat too small text size

Pros:-Work, online portfolio and download able resume are all visible from the home page. -Site organized in an understandable fashion with a bar along the left and top of links and resources framing images of his work.-Nice and clearly working slide show.Cons:-Home page appears to be very cluttered with a lot of text - Downloadable portfolio and resume are both password protected, Not sure if this is a good or bad thing.- image size differs too much throughout the portfolio and the quality of some of the images leaves something to be desired.

Likes- Large format images on main page with slide show. Pop down bars when you scroll over menu items. Once again, simple layout. Dislikes: The slide show runs a little too fast for my liking. Text could be better as well. Different san serif font and uppercase.

Pros 1) Text and objects are spaced well on the pages 2) Use of color is effective in separating different types of design work 3) The "about me" section gives the reader insight to his character outside of design Cons 1) Text scanned in from drawings is too small 2) Lack of sensible "flow" Product Design projects come up twice during the portfolio but in different places 3) The "about me" should be on the last page, if someone likes his work, they will make it to the end of his portfolio where they can learn more about him as a person

Question: How do I choose an online portfolio layout? What do different layouts express about the designer? This website shows a number of Wordpress themes, and outlines the type of design work they are made for and the kind of feeling they present. Even if you didn't want to use Wordpress, I thought it would be useful to have examples of portfolios with different intentions. There are key words in the layout descriptions, like "elegant" or "artsy" that might tie in with the reading, which doesn't really say what these might look like. A few characteristics stood out to me. "Elegant" portfolio theme tended to have a simple, clean layout with understated backgrounds in neutral colors. The work showed well, but was often uninteresting because there was little wow factor. "Artsy" portfolio themes tended to be more colorful or include a decorative graphic elements, but the work was sometimes overwhelmed by the backgrounds. Work-focused themes tended to have dark backgrounds with a dimensionality to them, which makes the work almost "hung" in space. Text seemed a little awkward in these theme however, since they also "hung" above the background (perhaps if the image and text were in the same window above the background?). Photography had a layout reminding me of a magazine article, exciting and narrative, but more confusing if the information is complex. Some general comments while looking at sites: Some of the architectural portfolios tended toward neutral colors and crisp fonts, however, they often left little impression of who the designer IS, and what their approach is. Some of the graphic design portfolios were highly graphic and visually bold, but were a little "loud" and in the interest of being trendy or current, again left me wondering who the designer IS.

Good: 1. The buttons and navigation style is cartoony and interesting, which gives a feel for this guy's personal aesthetic in his work. 2. After clicking a tab (for medium of work), there's a visible list of the content on that page that is shown on the left. 3. There's buttons on left content bar to navigate through pages, but also at the top to navigate through sub-sections of the content (e.g. multiple ads for a single ad campaign). Bad: 1. The content info at the top of his page uses a font that I don't think matches his illustrated/stylized font. It only sticks out because it's the only area of the page that uses different font. 2. After clicking on a link from his home page, you can't get back onto the intro page unless you shorten/modify the URL. 3. When the content list on the left side of the page contains many things, it's annoying to have to scroll to find the last page you viewed after clicking on a single piece.

Sick portfolio. The organization of her content is really effective. Her skills page essentially replaces the need for a resume. The only thing I don't like about this is that the nav is always on a slightly different part of each page. If she had it floating somehow, or at least kept it in the same coordinates on each page, that'd be much better, as her content is always aligned upper left.

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

Glen's portfolio is fun and personal. What a fantastic way to meet future clients and letting them meet you. What I liked best about this portfolio: 1. I immediately love the homepage image and how you interact with it, what a refreshingly new idea that I haven't seen before. 2. When you click on the image you go inside the book bag or you zoom in onto the notebook paper to read the resume. Its fun and inviting. 3. I love that you get a feeling for who this guy is and what he is like. Its personal and friendly. The guy is waving at you, saying hello. 4. I like how everything is black and white until you hover your curser over an area on the drawing like the tie. It all of a sudden gives you a punch of color and a clear definition of what file you might be opening. 5. When you have opened one of the files like his book bag-the photo icons are clean cut and clear, plus the return to homepage is prominent and easy to spot in the upper right hand corner. Easy navigational tools. What could be improved in this portfolio: 1. He could have used some text on his homepage. Like his name and the profession he wants to get into. 2. He could have included a footer. More navigation choices. 3. He could have added different ways the pages morph into one another 4. His Return to Home button is a little too well designed, it is kinda masked, to look like a skeleton to match his portfolio design. It could be even more clearer. 5. In the about me page-he could have given us his name. Overall: This portfolio is flat out Amazing! Making a homepage can be a fun and can be used in an artistic way of introducing your self to your profession. Again it was hard to come up with things Glen could change about his portfolio, because its really good: great use of color to highlight his work and having fun with portfolio.

Likes- Zach's layout is really easy to understand. Simple Main Menu on top of the page lets you look at his Architectural work, blog, and contact info. Select one Menu item and a menu bar on the side allows you to pick which project you want to see. He uses navigation devices in 3 different spots on this page, but does it in a way that is really easy to understand. I would say intuitive. Dislikes- The only problem with the page is that I have to scroll down to see all the information. I didn't realize this at first and later found there were written descriptions at the bottom of the page. I also had to scroll down a bit to see all of the image that was being displayed. That gets old after a while, and I think I can take no more of this website. Sorry Josh. You came really close, but I'm giving you a B+. With a little work this site could be much easier to read.

Likes: - Nice landing page. I think she kept it clean and simple and gives just the right amount of introductory information. - The loading bar is clean and understandable. - I like how her About Me page is simple, and doesn't have a huge essay explaining her life and past work. It makes her more relatable, which I think is hugely important when working with seniors. It's so draining when you click on an About Me for an artist and have to read a huge piece to find out who they are. - I like the way the colors change and menus pop up to make the whole thing super easy to navigate. It shows clearly how to get back and forth from different areas of the page. - I LOVE how she has a contact form right on her contact page. It eliminates the errors that can happen from copying and pasting an email address, etc. Dislikes -One thing I don't like is that when you click on the Fashion section, it takes you to a portion of her blog instead of a seperate page, and feels like updated. I would like to be taken to a page that shows a more cohesive collection of her fashion work, rather then having to click through blog posts. - Her senior website only has one image on the homepage. I would like to see a slideshow going through images on the homepage. - I think she needs more images in her senior galleries. She only has about 10 in each one, and I feel like its better to have around 20 to get a well rounded view of style. - Her logo at the top cuts into the faces of some of the people in her images, and completely takes the attention off of the image. - When you move the mouse off of what you have selected to look at, it disappears, which does make the navigation a little confusing.

Likes - I love the colors and look and feel of the home page. Its different and feels very cohesive and interesting. - I like the way she incorporates images and words into her links, as opposed to just have a boring font link. - I like how she gives information on the right hand side about each of her designs. I think it gives a good look into all the work she puts into her designs. Dislikes - I think she could simplify her "about promise" section. I feel like condensing this section would make more people inclined to read it, because right now its a bit long. - I don't like how she has a seperate section for "other work". I think all her work should all be in the same section, because its hard to distinguish the two when you click on each one. They look the same. - I don't like how her contact and blog section are way on the right side of the page, because I think that these are one of the first things a person visiting the site looks for.

Likes: - I love the loading bar. It pulls the whole theme of the website together SO well. - I like how the homepage has all the different color images. I think its really fun and is a good overall display of her work. - I like how there are no sublinks. I think it keeps the website really simple and easier to use. Dislikes: - I think the correspondence between the pictures and the links is a little confusing. You can see the links highlight when you click on the pictures, but its still a bit much. - I HATE the music. I think its so cheesy and distracting. - The navigation through the galleries is a little bit confusing because its hard to know how to get from image to image.