Project One - Preliminary Critique

[Sugar_/\ppul]

Hi y'all, below you will find my four roughs for project 01. My idea for the first set is to include as much personalization as possible while still looking 'decent'. I wanted the landscape image to be the largest element here so I made the orange shapes transparent so that a bit of the image bleeds through. I added possible place holder images for the links to other projects and resources to add comfort understanding for the user before clicking the links. My inspiration for the links came from the Microsoft website with how they add a thumbnail and captions to links in a box.

The second set I wanted a bit more simplicity, perhaps another word would be proffesional, I don't know. Some of the portfolio websites I came across that didn't involve complex animation regarding scrolling and backround images moving with the cursor, but instead just a collage of their previous works. I liked that concept so much I included it into my site. The collage I added contains some of the projects and exercises from last semester (Spring of 2019).


*Edit: Oops, I forgot to include the links. Here they are
https://zero.app/ - The layout was what inspired me for the second set of roughs.
http://merijnhos.com/ - This is an example of the collage of previous works.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/ - The links are what inspired me for the first set of roughs.

[NalaniN]

Hi Jessie,

Nice roughs! I like how you found something unexpected for the numbers on your first layout, and many real websites successfully use the homepage to showcase work examples so that idea works too.
One place to maybe improve is just aligning things. For example, on both pc layouts the email address should maybe line up with other text that's above or below it.

[katyroses]

Hi Jessie,
I love your first design. The images and colors work very nicely. Also, the movement with the graphics leads the eye through the design. Your second one seems a little boring. Maybe add some color or graphics to add more personality to it? Also, watch your margins on the second design. Add some negative space around the border.

[itsdrrlcarden]

Your roughs are a great start. I think playing with type layouts and maybe even type faces could spice up the design a bit more. I think the one with your old projects is good, but the pictures seem to be "floating" and they don't have a lot of visual interest. Maybe adding a frame or some sort of design around them it could make them pop more. Good job!

[Abused Oreo]

Hey Jessie, I really like both designs for their own reasons! The first design visually looks appealing. Its got great colors and contrast and keeps me invested. The same thing that I've told some other students that would benefit you is the color of the TMCC logo. We don't have to make it the ugly green it normally is. I think if you changed it to white then it would look a lot better in there. I like the idea you have on the other design by showcasing all your old GRC projects in there. Now the design of the page is a little boring because it is just a couple pictures on a white background. Playing with positioning and maybe adding a frame around each picture will give it some depth.

[tandyg]

Hi Jessie,

I looked at these when you first posted. I don't know why I didn't complete the task of the critique. I really like the first layout with the images of the numbers with the navigation. It is a clean and professional layout that could work with what you are doing. Thank you for sharing your work.

[darth vader de pot noodle]

yo Jess
you type to much lol. anyways i do like the first set of graphics its very...shapey? well it could use MOAR blue........thats all.
Juan YEETER Moreno

[trixiapanda]

Yee-haw Jessie!

Some unique designs you got here! I like both of them and both designs' colors don't hurt my eyes, so that's a good thing! If I were to choose one, I would choose the second layout because it looks more (as you said) professional. And showcasing your work on the homepage is actually very cool to do! For the mobile layout of the second one, I don't think you need to necessarily show all your work at the same time, so maybe you can do a little slideshow panel for that! Overall, keep up the good work Jessie!

[adriannageo]

Hello Jessie, I really like the first one's layout because the colors look good together. I think it's cool that the text is in a half circle shape giving it a creative look. I would make a suggestion that others gave me, you should change the TMCC logo to the tan color you have to make it fit in. I think the text next to the logo should be moved under it or to the right of it.

[Instructor]

Howdy there, Jessie. You've got a couple of nice designs here. I like your second one better. It's more professional and I like it's contrast.

The design's contrast is textbook black and white. Nicely done. I really like how you basically outsourced all the color to your collage. It makes it the visual center and draws the eye to your work, which is good for a website that's advertising a designer/artist. I like the 80's TV show font you chose for your title/name. It brings a smile to my face and adds a touch of fun next to your cool, modern, sans-serif bodycopy and navigation. Your navigation is super easy to see and use. The real hidden gem of this thing though is the alignments. You use alignment so well on your computer design it creates shapes and lines where there are none. I especially like the laser crisp left edge that runs from your name down through your collage and the fact that the top and bottom of your bodycopy match the top and bottom of your collage.

One thing you might want to steal from your first design are the images you used to Illustrate your links. I like that. It adds a bit of whimsy and I think you could blend it in to your more professional layout.

I would make your footer just a bit taller to add a bit of margin around your TMCC logo. I'd also match up the baseline of the logo with the baseline of your type to create a nice alignment there similar to the alignment of the top and bottom of your bodycopy and the top and bottom of your collage. On your mobile design, move in the logo and your email so they share right and left edges with your bodycopy.

Nice work!

BTW, that Marilyn Monroe duck? Horrifying.