How the hell do you design your portfolio site? I've tried about 4 different layouts now, each time I change my mind before getting even half way... do you think more planning is the key to getting through it?

 

I'm guessing I should make a list of words describing how I'd like to come across, and see what comes into my head from there. So far I need to design a logo for myself - I'm going under Foundation Industries... and then a website. I've tried about 5 different logos, and 4 different site designs, I just can't stick with one!!!

 

Anyone got any tips?

 

- Roo

Designing for yourself is the hardest thing ever! It took me years to get my own site online and even then I wasn't happy with it as I'd done it in a rush as I was about to got full time self employed. I've since redesigned it a couple of times and am at the moment doing another re-design...luckily they're all on the same theme and I've just been developing the idea I had in the first place.

 

I would definitely start off with your identity. If you're set oon the name of your company, then try and do a brainstorm and get a load of words that describe what you're about - what you do, how you do it, how you want to come across and then go from there. You could awlays post up your logo ideas here and get some opinions from the folk ont eh forum. It's always useful to get a point of view from someone not directly involved as they can be objective.

 

Once you have a logo established - don't ever change that - it's what clients and web users will recognise as your company. If you keep changing your identity/branding you won't be taken seriously.

 

The logo, once you've designed it, will also influence your colour scheme for your website and company stationary, if you get stuff printed.

 

Consistency is very important - so if your website is bright pink - make sure this is reflected in any printed mateiral like invoices, headed notepaper and business cards.

 

Hope that helps.

Yes, I've changed the look of my site quite a bit as well. When I first decided to go for webdesign professionally I was redesigning my site in a rush to account for my new change of career as the old one didn't fit. The first design I came up with didn't really work. There was bits I liked, but eventually it wasn't good enough.

 

I then later sat down again and tried to develop a new layout. This time I took some more time to plan the whole structure of the site. I then ended up with what's now my current site. All though, I've constantly made made small tweaks and changes. And I'm still working on it. At least I now got all the important sections up.

 

I've found that designing for my self means I got one of the hardest critics of my work.

I'd say just keep on trying to find the design that fits you. Make sure you have sketched out the full purpose of your site, as it'll make it allot easier then you design.

 

And look at it this way; whenever you make a new design, you got a new entry in your portfolio.

Hi roo I feel your pain. Every time I've updated my portfolio site I usually create about 7 completely finished designs, then I curse and rant and rave and file them all in disgust, and finally I dig them out again and pick the best one and build that. And then of course a week later I'm no longer happy with it and want to start the whole process again

 

The short answer is - don't worry if it takes ages to design your portfolio site, it does for every designer. The most important thing to think about is how you want to come across to your clients / employers, and what kind of work you want. If you want the uber creative work you're going to need to design something along the lines of:

 

http://www.webdesignerwall.com/

http://www.kelleradv.it/

 

But if it's corporate and user interface work you want then you're going to have to target the more corporatey (it's a word, it is!) types, eg:

 

http://www.designwisestudios.com/

http://www.kasia-michalska.com/ to

Some really good replies here... I think I'm in too much of a rush to get it all going! I'm currently working at an embroidery/printing place as a graphic designer/embroidery badge maker (digitizer)/IT tech/engraver/general dogsbody near my hometown in South Wales, and my girlfriend's off to uni in London. The valleys don't have anything to offer me anymore so I'd love to go and live up London ASAP and freelance... I know there'll be a lot more work to it than that but no reason to not be positive!

 

Thanks for all the tips, I'm glad we're not alone when it comes to designers block for designing for yourself!!

 

I was checking your site out this morning Harmony, really nice stuff

 

Cheers

 

-Roo

Make a design then let WDF pick it apart. worked for me :-)

Based on Eskymo's 'what you do, how you do it, how you want to come across' I've thrown down some words... My head feels a little clearer already. I can't really develop it further at the mo as I'm in work. It'd be interesting for other designers to fill this in and see what the general idea is!

 

What I Do

• Logo design
  
• Web interface design
  
• CSS/XHTML
  
• Illustration
  
• Photography
  
• Copywrite
  

How I Do It

• Sketch, then fire up Illustrator/Photoshop to develop ideas
  

(as far as I got with this one)

 

How I'd Like to Come Across

• Friendly & approachable
  
• Switched on and aware of the world around
  
• Intelligent
  
• Fashionable
  
• Professional
  
• Corporate yet arty when needed
  
• Young & in touch
  
• Urban