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Well, I guess the name says it all. I'd like some advice on the design of my portfolio:
Here's the site
I've been designing and messing around on the web for a few years now, but I just recently decided to do freelance for some extra money. That brings me to my next topic: how can I build my portfolio. I really don't have any reputation, and as you can see by the site, no real work to show. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Matt -
- CommentAuthorWardLarson
- CommentTimeAug 24th 2006
the design is okay.
speaking only looking at the graphics:
too bright... it needs a little more contrast then just black text and borders. Red or blue would look cool IMO
get a good css navigation
speaking only looking at the code:
the code is good, and valid in both xhtml and css
In respect to your second question, just start posting non-live template, and even offer them up for sale. Then advertise/link exchange as much as possible. Also submit to google and other search engines... make a sitemap. Go to forums like these and look for people who want quick jobs done. Post in the jobs section at deviantart.com's forums. There are pleanty of ways to start out. The best way is to make a really attractive CSS site and submit it to CSSBeauty, CSSMania, CSSBloom, and others similar.
Also, you could do things like write a tutorial for photoshop and submit it to goot-tutorials.com... I did that and recieved 4000 hits in a month and a half. Free advertisment basically. -
- CommentAuthorPettyRider
- CommentTimeAug 24th 2006
Offer your services to friends, churches, school, and non-profit organizations. Free work in the beginning will pay off in the end. The company I'm with often does pro-bono work just to improve our image and spread our name. -
- CommentAuthorWardLarson
- CommentTimeAug 24th 2006
great idea petty...
my friends are in a band and said they'll come to me for a site and banners and the like.
churches also usually are willing to pay $xxx for a site, because frankly most of them look like shit. -
- CommentAuthorPettyRider
- CommentTimeAug 24th 2006 edited
I'm working on going into business myself as well, and my current portfolio is all work that I've done not-for-profit. But, you don't necessarily have to get nothing out of the deal.
With one client/friend who runs a clothing company, I offered my services in exchange for some apparel and VIP membership to a skatepark he owns. Two other websites I did for non-profit skatepark associations working to get more skateparks built by local municipalities. The websites are merely my contribution to their cause, which I support.
I'm also embarking on many side projects that will eventually add to my portfolio. A good portfolio should have 5 - 10 examples of your best work. So, plan some late nights in front of the monitor, clacking away at the keys. -
- CommentAuthorWardLarson
- CommentTimeAug 24th 2006
yeah when I design clothing, it's usually not for a ton of money, so I ask for a tshirt with the design on it... it's a free shirt plus it's cool to be able to say you made it. -
- CommentAuthordmitryseliv
- CommentTimeAug 24th 2006
Hmm. In my experience most of the not profit companies we have to deal with have pretty good budget for web development. No far ago we were able to signed a contract with no profit for $7000.
Actually a lot of them have bigger budgets then regular business clients.
Cheers, DS -
- CommentAuthorPettyRider
- CommentTimeAug 24th 2006 edited
That might be true, DS, but it's not the point. You can build your portfolio more quickly if you don't spend anytime worrying about winning proposals.
And don't just go for any non-profit; look for an organization whose cause you'd be personally pleasured to help advance.
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