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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?

three good things: scrolling images shows epicness diverse (event promotion, construction, blog and store) organic website theme three bad things: maybe almost too much information on the main page some really small images the website content only takes up 50% of page space (too much background)

Likes: -The way "Lyndon Wade," and the images come out when entering the website. -The layout that is so simple, such as five images on dark gray background. -The font "Lyndon Wade" _When you go to the portfolio page, you will be able to see thumbnails at first. Dislikes: -When you enter the website, pop-up will come up. -Your internet browser will expand when you try to go to the website. -The scheme, orange and black, is little bit strange to me.

likes: -very animated -visually consistant -very organized and easy to navigate -nice color scheme -personal touch dislikes: -problematic with slower computers -pop ups can be annoying -buffering speeds vary - possibly too much going on -splash page is unavoidable

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

The Hire Me Portfolio focuses on getting you a job. If you are actively searching for a job then the current goal of your portfolio is to get hired. In this type of portfolio you can target the work you show to the type of company you want to work for. The Sales Generation Portfolio focuses on keeping a flow of work always coming in the door. The goal here is to generate leads. And move potential customers through your sales channel. The Reputation Building Portfolio focuses on building your name in the industry and online. This may take the form of an artist's showcase. Or tie your work together with a blog on your portfolio site. The Networking Portfolio focuses on building relationships. There are many networks that have excellent portfolio building tools. They have some advantages to placing your portfolio on their website. Chiefly among them is to leverage the site space for networking.

DISLIKES... - The Autoplay Music: with other running media, it became really distracting & i became more focused on looking for a way to turn it off. Could potentially make a person exit the website - More Descriptive Home: unlike other online portfolios, they usually state "portfolio" or "photography" or something, just to give an indicator as to what the website is. For his portfolio, there is no such description which would be nice to see - Details?: navigating through his site, his work is categorized, however there are not descriptions as to what the "advertising" was for. Even something as simple as "Canadian Hockey Nike Campaign" would have been nice. - About Him: It would have been nice to know a little bit about him (hometown or even the type of work he does) - No Back: Once you click somewhere, there's no real going back. LIKES... - Black & White: gave a sophistication to where I could see some sort of aesthetic in Chris' work. - The Rollover Effect: navigating through the work, there are thumbnails that you rollover and change opacity & starts to zoom out. I thought that was a really interesting effect that made me want to see more of the photo - Simplicity: his portfolio is really simple, which I find pleasing because it's easy to navigate & doesn't have clutter to distract from his photos - Music Choice: although I found the music distracting, his selection created a nice ambiance to his portfolio & created a "personality" to where I could start to get a feel as to who he was. - Use of Nav Buttons: I like how you can instantly flip through photos