Hi All,

 

I'm an aspiring Web Designer, based in Bristol.

 

Over the last two years, I've spent many a long night trying to get my head around the dark art of Web Design. I've worn my fingers to the bone learning to hand code XHTML/CSS, fiddled with the complexities of Photoshop and got a bit confused with Javascript.

 

Anyway, I'm now at the point where I'm cautiously confident that I know what I'm doing (OK, perhaps not Javascript). It's time to get off my butt and start looking for that all important first step on the job ladder.

 

To this end, I've recently created a portfolio site, which showcases my dubious talents. I would be grateful if you could let me know your criticisms.

 

www.bluesilverdesign.co.uk

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Many thanks

Jon

Hi Jon,

 

I like it overall mate, nice and simple.

 

Not sure you need the 'skip to content' bit though - it's pretty redundant unless you're on a screen reader and/or have a large amount of navigation/other content before the main content.

 

Also, how about some focus styles on the contact form?

 

And I can't click through to any of the sites you have designed.

 

All the best with your job search, sure you'll find something.

Hi Mr P,

 

Thanks for your comments.

 

I'll update the site with your recommendations. I might put a graphic on the right hand side, where the 'Skip to content' link is. Yet to decide.

 

All the best.

Welcome and good luck with it. It can be daunting as theres a lot to take on board (lots of technologies etc) but stick with it and it all comes over time.

 

Take inspiration from a truly great team; Always Believe

Cheers Gibbs,

 

Yeah, you're right. As soon as your back is turned, a new technology emerges which you've got to get your head around. I'm just going to concentrate on getting the basics right at the moment (clean, validating XHTML/CSS).

 

I'm not sure what my prospects are in getting my first job. I'm only self-taught and you're up against college/university graduates in a depressed job market. Also, I'm the wrong side of forty, so it's going to be an uphill struggle.

 

Time to start knocking on a few doors, methinks!

Cheers Gibbs,

 

Yeah, you're right. As soon as your back is turned, a new technology emerges which you've got to get your head around. I'm just going to concentrate on getting the basics right at the moment (clean, validating XHTML/CSS).

 

I'm not sure what my prospects are in getting my first job. I'm only self-taught and you're up against college/university graduates in a depressed job market. Also, I'm the wrong side of forty, so it's going to be an uphill struggle.

 

Time to start knocking on a few doors, methinks!

 

I'm self taught too and, although I did I.T. at college, I don't think that has favoured my applications in anyway. Prior to getting my current job I was considering a move to Bristol as it has quite a lot of good web development opportunities. I used to pick up and Evening Post after a trip to Ashton Gate and used to be amazed at the work in comparison to Devon.

 

I don't know much about age and applying for jobs as I'm 22 but generally design companies/agencies take a lot from portfolios. Get a few decent sites going, build your portfolio and if you want to do it as a career look around and see what's happening.

 

As I'm not a great businessman I didn't like the idea of being freelance but I learnt a lot, and got a lot of advice, just applying for different jobs and getting an insight into the industry.

Yeah, looking through the job sites, it seems to be all Developer jobs at the moment.

 

I know I need to bulk out my portfolio but what other things did you do to get the job. Was it just a case of knocking on doors? I was thinking of getting in contact with local designers and asking for some job experience. I do shift work, so I could fit it in on my days off.

looking good, really like the wording & the way you've put yourself across.

The website looks good (if a little basic) but agree that you need click throughs to the actual sites in your portfolio.

 

Work experience and offering to design some sites for very cheap to build up the portfolio are the best way to go I think.

 

Demonstrating solid html/css skills and knowing how to implement code within websites is important, as well as usability and typography/design skills. Wouldn't do any courses though, would just read some books and look at nice websites on the internet for inspiration.

I really like the colour palette, very pleasing on the eye. I have found that giving prospect clients lots of links (via email) helped me more than having previous works available on a portfolio site.

Good Luck

Many thanks for all your comments. It's given me plenty to think about.

 

I'm going to keep the colour palette but have a go at re-designing the layout, just to jazz things up. Need some inspiration!