Website Advice

[Aaron2004]

Hey all,

 

I'm moving in a few months and wanted to make a portfolio website so I could start the job search this Christmas. I currently design and render, so I wanted the website to focus on those.

 

Can you give me any tips on what I should change? I'm not looking for freelance as much as I am a normal job in Indianapolis, IN.

 

www.aaronnordstrom.com

 

Thanks!

 

Aaron

[Tommy L]

Aaron,

The website works well in that it shows your renders and show you have the technical ability to build a site.

But if you are looking for a design position, I would do ALOT of work on the styling. The graphics look very much like a website that has been built by a property developer with no design training. It doesnt need to be complex, in fact the simpler the better. But you need to think more about choice of font, colour and layout. It looks like a kids catalogue right now.

I think you should have much less information on the first page. The first page sets the tone for your design ethic and identity.

[Aaron2004]

MMm..interesting. Well, I was trying to go for simplistic, but perhaps I over did it?

 

I really don't want it to be one of those cryptic flash sites. I don't mind using a different font, but I want to make sure that the majority of the people viewing the site have it, and this form of Arial seemed to fit.

 

Thanks for the advice!

 

Aaron

[GoldieS]

Aaron,

I like your site very much. It is simple and it shows exactly what you do, fast and easy. Thumbs up

 

Goldie

[brianzajac]

Aaron,

 

Overall, the design is a good start. Here are my suggestions:

 

1. Watch out for the star burst shape near your name. That type of styling resembles Japanese Anime (thus making it a bit cartoony).

2. The navigation should have a "home" button.

3. The home page should have a paragraph of text about the site and have a photo (or two) that directs them straight to your visualization and/or design page. Statistically people click on images more than words on the home page. That's because they usually have a 5 second attention span when initially viewing a site. Also, make sure the visual is of your best work.

4. When you click on a thumbnail in the design page, I like how it takes you to the detailed information about that design. However, you'll want to keep your navigation header on those detail pages.

5. (Minor gripe) When you use text like "SITE CREATED AND MAINTAINED BY MYSELF", it's not business-like at all. If the end goal is to get a job, you've got to make sure the site looks as professional as possible. Instead, I would suggest you say "Site created by Aaron Nordstrom"

 

Overall, I like how simple the design is. You'll definitely want to keep that going. Just remember that if you want to direct people to your visualizations, make sure to send them to that area as quickly (and efficiently) as possible. Keep up the good work!

[manta]

I think I have to agree with Tom, the design part is lacking and needs a boost, it should not be a cryptic flash site, but should be simple to use and elegant to the eye, check out some of the sites on another thread that's going now about top Arch firms...

 

here are a few I think you should have a close look at from a website design point of view...

 

http://www.rmdesignstudio.com

 

http://www.millerhare.com

 

http://www.neoscape.com

[Aaron2004]

Thanks for the advice, I do have a home button on each page, it's just my name in the upper left hand corner, but I guess it could be more descriptive.

 

Also, thanks for the advice on the 'Site created by myself'...your right, that is kind of cheesy.

 

Aaron