11 replies to this topic

[Root23]

I'm trying to find a job as an entry-level web developer, and I figured it would be a good idea to have a portfolio website. There have been a few contract jobs where the clients requires a portfolio site.

So, I've been working on a site for a few days now. I started out happy with the way it was going. Now, I just feel it looks way too plain. I don't have graphics. I can't create graphics... I'm not even pretending to think I'm a designer.

So.. what do you think? Download a premade template for my site? Or show off what I know my making my site from scratch (as I'm doing), and not worry about the site being flashy?

Doing it from scratch I can show that I know standards-compliant XHTML/CSS.. and know the concepts such as graceful degradations and progressive enhancement.. and although I'm not a pro at these things, show that I can work with JavaScript and PHP(I know basic JavaScript.. so I could do things from scratch, but don't know much PHP).

-Edit-

This site Contact us | Johnston North has elements to it that I really like.. not many graphics, but it still doesn't look like an amateur did it.

[liamzebedee]

If you are planning to create your own webpage I think that this tutorial on W3Schools is essential. Its basically a template for page layout.- HTML Layouts

[Root23]

Well, I don't have any problems with doing HTML/CSS layouts. My thing is more.. should I do my own layout even if it looks relatively plain?

My thinking is doing it myself shows that I know how to do stuff, along with examples of recent work. Vs. Using a premade template someone made in Photoshop/Gimp/etc. I just wonder at the same time.. if the site is plain does it throw off a possible employer just b/c it's now flashy, but with a lot of CSS/JS under the hood... as well as standards compliant, cross-browser compatible, and JS disabled friendly.

[da beast]

My suggestion is to get into HTML5 and CSS3 because you can make a simple but stylish webpage with the html and css.

This is my favorite resource: HTML5 Presentation

It's also great to get into HTML5 because now all the browsers support it! :) :)!

[Alexander]

You could potentially jump the boat and learn HTML5 and the next iteration of CSS. A potential employer may respect the new standards and enjoy seeing "demos" of the new hype of HTML5 if they haven't (there is always some guy out there who gets off things like these.)

I am not a design person myself, so I cannot add any more.

[arp_traffic]

I definitely think making your own is the best way. Personally, HTML and or PHP is best for doing that. Easiest way I find through HTML is running at least dual screen. I know web developer tools like MS Expression, Front page etc allow you to write and view what you're writing natively but I've always been a fan of writing straight out in a notepad document and having Firefox opened on the other screen and just keep refreshing the look. It's a better overall sense of what you're doing.

Don't worry so much about graphics. If you're making a site for someone, they should have a sense of what they want, graphic intensive or not. As far as your own personally site, don't do graphic intense stuff. Just a simple about you section or tab, contact info, and another section on stuff you've done, stuff you can do and stuff you want to pick up better and or enhance. The cleaner your own personal site is the better. Show off your talents with the work you do for others.

[zeroradius]

I would do the layout yourself. I'm no designer either but I always do my own stuff. I do suggest befriending a graphics designer and running your color schemes past them because if you are anything like me you think green and orange look great together ....... apparently they don't. Simplicity is always best when your a non designer. I always do my layouts in the following order each word going under the previous word: Banner, nav bar, body, copyright bar (that looks exactly like the nav bar)

[Root23]

arp_traffic said:

Easiest way I find through HTML is running at least dual screen. I know web developer tools like MS Expression, Front page etc allow you to write and view what you're writing natively but I've always been a fan of writing straight out in a notepad document and having Firefox opened on the other screen and just keep refreshing the look. It's a better overall sense of what you're doing.

I have CSEValidator on here that lets you click between code and the 'live preview'. I find myself doing something similar to you though.. I just have Notepad++ and Chrome open... then I just click between those. Sometimes I don't even bother opening CSE to validate... I just upload it on the W3C Validator.

I'd love to have two monitors setup the way you're talking about. Unfortunately, I only have my laptop. Maybe one day I'll get a desk & some monitors to run off the laptop. I think it'd definitely come in handy, although not necessary.

zeroradius said:

I would do the layout yourself. I'm no designer either but I always do my own stuff. I do suggest befriending a graphics designer and running your color schemes past them because if you are anything like me you think green and orange look great together ....... apparently they don't. Simplicity is always best when your a non designer. I always do my layouts in the following order each word going under the previous word: Banner, nav bar, body, copyright bar (that looks exactly like the nav bar)

I ended up doing a banner I made in The GIMP using some brushes I found on deviantArt.
So I have my banner up top, nav on left, content in center, 'recent projects' on right, then a footer at the bottom.

The 'recent projects' that's on the right side contains little thumbnails of my work, and will be in a gallery style (going vertical instead of horizontal though). I think it looks simple, but still good.

Also, I landed an entry-entry-level web development job @ Polaris starting on the 14th. So, I still want to finish my portfolio, but I don't have to rush on it now.

Edited by Root23, 04 June 2011 - 06:31 AM.

[zeroradius]

Root23 said:

Also, I landed an entry-entry-level web development job @ Polaris starting on the 14th. So, I still want to finish my portfolio, but I don't have to rush on it now.

Congratulations! :thumbup1:

so can we see your design?

[Root23]

Sure, here you go.

Keep in mind it isn't finished. Mainly I've just got the structure laid out. No page is finished.

I'm going to be using Cufon to bring in the same font I used in the banner, so I can use that font for my navigation and titles.

Things to do:

• Create contact form, using PHP so it can be submitted from the page.
  
• Add JQuery to turn the 'Recent Projects' into a scrollable gallery.
  
• Recent Projects will fade from B&W to color. Clicking will load all the info about it into the middle section of page.
  
• Create the bio page and finish the resume page.
  
• Turn the site into a more fluid design through media queries (layout will change based on max-width of you device).
  
• Add in something so the browser buttons work to navigate the history (AJAX is preventing this at the moment).

Then, mainly, it'll just be a lot of tweaking until I get things the way I like. I've also thought using PHP includes to make some template so when I create a new page I don't have to copy/paste so much into the new html file.

Also, plan to buy a domain in the new week or so. Right now I'm just using the link from my host to access my site.

[zeroradius]

Looks great! Much better then the crap i spew out, it looks like a professional design. Good job.

[Root23]

Thanks!

I'm actually in the mood to work on it now, but goin' to the in-laws pretty soon to grill out... so I can't!

I bet when I do get time to work on it later I won't be in the mood to!