Hey Folks,

 

I'm in the process of developing a new portfolio and I've started the basic structure and layout but would like your advice and thoughts as I progress.

 

I plan to build AJAX/JQuery functionality in to the site somewhere but I'm not sure where yet.

 

This will also be used as my blog theme in WordPress.

 

I'm going with a pastel blue/green/grey colour scheme and I'm just in the process of deciding where everything is going to go.

 

It will contain images I've put together in Photoshop, completed websites, a blog, video, a bit about me, contact page and a homepage.

 

I really would appreciate your thoughts and any ideas you may have. Thanks dudes and dudettes.

 

I've attached a .png file for you to look at.

 

 

Gaz

I've taken a photograph of myself and cut it out and made it in to a blue silhouette and added it as part of the background.

 

I think it looks quite good. What's your thoughts?

 

I'm toying with the idea of having the actual cut out of myself somewhere in the footer like in the image below. What you think?

 

Here's a variation on the colour scheme.

 

I like blues and greens and nearly always start with them when designing but this is something a little different. Your thoughts?

 

 

Gaz

A bit of texture?

 

Maybe finish the design first then post it here for feedback after?

When it's finished I'll post it in the Website Reviews and Feedback forum, this forum (Website Design and Layout

Structure, Layout, Design) is for getting help and advice on planning your web design project.

 

Cheers though.

Some more progress. Any opinions.

 

Little Details...

 

Added some social media bookmarking icons...

 

I dont really have any ideas but I thought id say I think its starting to look really good.

 

Chris

Thanks Chris. I appreciate that mate.

I think the red colour scheme definitely works a lot better, I'm not sure about your social media icons being at the top of the page though...

 

I think the design has a lot of potential though

I'm inclined to agree somewhat. My thinking was to have the social networking/marketing links available and easy to see straight away. What are your thoughts on the placement of the icons.

 

Thanks for your input.

I would place them at the bottom just to the left of the cutout of you, you'd probably have to reduce the size of them a bit..

 

I really like the design though, it's something original for a change

Project Slider?

 

@JamesW: Ya, you might be right. I'll try that now. Cheers.

How's this...?

 

Yh it makes more sense to have it there

Hi Gareth.. Your Website starting to look pretty nice.. post some progress of your website...

Thanks Lucas. Will post more progress later.

My 5 cents:

 

#navbar:

The hover7active effect is too little. Id work on that.

 

#sidebar:

Dont like that " " thing , nor the text area background.

 

 

I like the red scheme alot better than the blue. And it looks better now when u added stuff. But i am not 100% with you on the typo in navbar or the logo. For the sidebar try find some kind of paper and do some grungy thing. I think that would look better.

 

Good job! keep on!

Personally I think the typography is letting the design down (particularly the Gareth Daine part). The layout and graphical elements are quite playful/upbeat, but the type is just 'meh'. I'd lose the photo - or alternatively get a professional portrait.

I prefer the social networking buttons where they are now - its really starting to take shape! Keep up the good work.

I'll be honest , I love it and I think you should use silouette for the picture of you at the bottom. You could be in a different position for each page (i.e Photos Holding a polaroid camera) (contact Holding a phone)

 

Please try it with a silouette I'd love to see it like that , Use white to pick out bits of detail if you are to use a phone or a prop. you can even use a light shade to show facial hair and clothing.

 

Have a bash you might like it

@MOTIF.tv

 

Thanks for your suggestion, it's a great idea. I was thinking along the same lines but not as a silhouette. I'll try both and post here.

 

@sunwukung

 

What would you suggest with the typography mate. I'd be very happy to hear your thoughts on it. Regards the picture, I was wondering whether or not it would look tacky but when I actually saw the result I was quite happy with it. Having a professional portrait done would be nice.

 

@Everyone

 

Thanks for your comments and suggestions, I really do appreciate it. Thanks guys.

This is starting to look really good mate

 

Incorporate jquery or something in with that project slider and make the information show up underneath according to which project is shown in the slider?

 

I quite like the big chunky icons at the bottom and the new location of the social networking icons. Its starting to come along really well.

Really one of the best designs I`ve ever seen in the forum.

 

Some details that, IMHO, could improve the design:

 

1. I`d move menu items up to 1 px for align it vertically with menu bar.
2. "The shadow of your smile..."
   Now we have here next light directions:
   A) from top;
   d) from bottom;
   C) from bottom;
   D) from top-left;
   E) from top;
   F) from top-right;
   G) from top-right;
   I think it makes sense to reduce the number of light sources because one of these is more than enough.
3. I`d try to round off the corners of this shape. Maybe this would give more consistent look of design. Maybe not.
4. I think that should adjust the left alignment of these elements. E.g. to align Recent posts block with Social media icons and "Copyright...", then to align header "Recent posts" with post headers.
5. It would be better to decrease inner rounding radius.

Hope this helps.