Portfolio Critique

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  • phatwrx

    Looking for a constructive critique from the QBN homies.

    Was in-house for a long time and much of my work is/was very similar so went with a few case studies, more coming, and work page displays just a bunch of images versus typical indv projects with detailed write ups and screens.

    Thoughts?

    http://jameseinspahr.com/

  • uan0

    it's really dark...all black and stuff, miss some color accents...
    the menu is a mess.
    the logo...I don't think the left aligned combined with right aligned text works at best.

    i see different alignment problems on chrome (osx):


    there are also other small details like this all over the site.

    in general it looks like done in a rush and doesn't reflect creative nor art nor experienced, I think you can push those qualities with a better more thought out visual language.

    disclaimer: it's early in the day and my mood is bad...let me check it out later in the day, I might come up with more constructive and less evil critique :)

    • appreciate the input dig the dark but will check the alignment issues. thanks!phatwrx
  • Nairn1

    I quite liked the flow of your presentation on your homepage, until I clicked on one of the brand logos down belowand.. it opened up the same logo.

    Now I know you didn't make all those brandmarks, motherfucker.

    When I click on Works to see mroe, you make me repeatedly click 'Load More' which is irksome, and then I'm not seeing any of those big brands? In fact, I'm seeing what looks like quite a lot of the same work, rolled out over and over? There's at least six blokes stood next to cars, which makes me think perhaps that's one 'client' or project, doled out repeatedly?

    I think perhaps you could filter some of your best work, then if you wish have access to the greater archive behind somewhere?

    What crunches my balls is the hamburger menu when I'm viewing on desktop - that's ... not right..

    • clickable logos need to go.section_014
    • load more is the template but hear your. Didnt link the brand logos but good call. thanks! Didnt make the marks...of course...brands I have worked with andphatwrx
    • maybe that needs to be more clear/obvious.phatwrx
    • Will check on hamburger...should not show on desktop but media query so maybe browser window related. thanks!phatwrx
  • matski1

    "I am known for some of the best work in the digital..." - WTF. I see a lot of generic stuff. Generic templated website with generic images, dude this stuff is boring... unless you want to attract boring clients? People see through BS pretty quickly.

    A good standard to see how creative a designer/creative is to check out their resume. Sadly, James yours is very basic, in terms of design and layout. I won't go into how your resume or website isn't dynamic or interesting and the many fundermental flaws in how it looks and functions.

    The copywriting throughout is something I'd expect from a recent graduate, to put it simply, it's poor.

    There are things I like though, having a section "Reasons to Choose My Services" is neat, although the copywriting for this is poorly executed.

    I would suggest you do your research: check out websites by leading CD's, and see what they do and base your website (content, copywriting and structure) on something similar to what they've done. I've banged on about it enough, your copywriting skills are not the best - but that's ok. Instead of using lots of text to explain stuff, you should use lots of large (dynamic) images of your work, and keep text to a minimum. Simply and clearly say what the Brief was, and your Solution - we don't need to go into details too much, just give a short synopsis.

    • thanks! no copy expert but appreciate the input. Maybe been inhouse too long and it shows. Will take all of this into consideration.phatwrx
  • greyandred0

    Personally I can't read all that white text on black - there's just too much of it and it's not appealing for the viewer. Not a fan of percentages regarding your skillset either - seems a bit of a graduate's process.

    I feel it needs focusing. Display your work/process in a more succinct and visually appealing way. It needs to be brought to life, but this feels like hard work for the viewer. You mention your passion, but I just don't feel it comes across with this colour scheme and layout.

    • Ditto. Not a fan of percentages or useless facts either. In nearly 20 years in the industry, I can't recall the number of projects I worked on.matski
    • not a fan of the percentages either and almost pulled. template...but seems like a common thought so will see if I can pull. Thanks!phatwrx
  • maquito0

    Designwise, I agree with uan about the color accents. It's all too plain. Now, more in a more strategic side, I'd suggest reducing the number of projects. Qty ≠ quality. Something pretty obvious is that you have odd spacings all across the site. I'd be more accurate.

    Try reducing the messages you have. I see a lot of things going on at the same time. It's not an easy flow, I get a bit lost. Too many options. Try to choose a max of 10 projects that you consider excellent, write a VERY brief description for each. Make the user follow your story in a more simple, linear manner.

    Don't brag about how many projects and brands you worked in unless you just want to bewitch the kind of clients that only focus on that. (please don't) I'd kill all those logos (50 logos!). It doesn't matter who you worked for, but what you made for them!

    Good job! and thanks for sharing :)

    • Thanks. being in house so long my top projects were very long term and seemed boring versus showing a wide range of images. Will consider how to resolve.phatwrx
  • hoppa743

    When I visit someone's portfolio I really just want to see the work as quickly as possible, so I can see what you're really all about.

    At the moment your work is hidden behind a lot of flab. Too many clicks away. Personally, I find this quite frustrating.

    • Yep. Show the work, make an about page for the fluff.section_014
  • robotron3k2

    Wait.

    Why are there photos of the golden gate bridge, two kids jumping on a bed, and venice Italy mixed into your work page?? I'm confused.

    But that's not all, from your landing page you send me to your skills page!? I really want to see your work...

    If this is going to be where you show your portfolio you need to be singular in your vision and be clear in delivering. I'm hard pressed to say you can sell yourself as a creative director, but definitely a senior art director. I'm just being honest. To make it as a CD you need to be able to edit yourself, and that's what your site needs. Throw out all the distractions and present your projects and describe the logic behind the strategy and team performance. Don't worry about not having tons of brand diversity, break down each initiative and discuss your logic. So your nodes might be, "websites" "campaigns" "promotions" etc...

    I think same can be said about your resume, some of it reads like a project manager. I think you need to cut out some areas and make the page breath. It's okay to have a lean resume. Brag about successes there. The resume should be a tease, to get people to talk with you so just say enough to get people interested.

    Hope this makes sense and helps some...

    • agreedmonospaced
    • Seconded. It seems like you're (James) trying to cover too many bases. Jack of all trades, master of none. I don't know what you are or what you aspire to be.Morning_star
    • yeah, lose that equipment sourcing stuff.hans_glib
    • Appreciate your thoughts. Role over years likely more AD than CD even with title. Photos are some of my own and other shoots for campaings..IE kidsphatwrx
  • monospaced0

    How come the contacts page is for Liza Henderson, Photographer?

    • also your email icon is incorrectly coded to malto: rather than mailto:hans_glib
    • http://preview.theme…spot13
    • ^ wowmaquito
    • Is a theme and was pressed for time. Someone else said liza was present and resolved so perhaps a version issue. WIll look into it. THX!phatwrx
    • Must have a link left from dev. Prod doesn't have the template content but dev did when I looked. redirected dev URL till I can resolve. Thanks for the catch.phatwrx
    • But you even lifted the sample copy from the site.monospaced
    • lol! SMHchukkaphob
  • dyspl0

    I’d rather see less text and a lot more work.

    Seeing portfolio is a bit like dating IMO, it takes 2seconds to know if you’re attracted by someone. If so then let’s see if you get along talking.

    Show people your work 1st, and you’ll have plenty of time to discuss your process during an interview.

  • shapesalad1

    Once I scrolled past the wall of logos and got down to 'reference quote' module... ok, it's a template and it's over done.

    Templates are now a major turn off and look super cheap.

    The audience of the internet is bored of the bootstrap like template.

    Check out CSS grid: https://css-tricks.com/snippets/…
    It's easy peasy.

    Throw in some https://scrollrevealjs.org or https://michalsnik.github.io/aos…

    And you'll have yourself a nice bespoke website.

    Or at least go for a fancy pre-made thingy: https://tympanus.net/codrops/201…

  • mandomafioso2

    Having just been through a critique myself on here, the best advice I got was simplify and get straight to the work. I think there's a lot there but it needs to be refined down a bit for me.

  • phatwrx6

    Thanks all. Clearly a lot of work to do and knew you all would be harsh but honest and appreciate it!

    • so often these days people are calling "honest" harsh ... especially the younger generationsmonospaced
    • next time we'll use more spit to smooth taht harshness out ;-)oey
    • Not how I meant it. Expected the response to be direct and honest, and is what I was wanting.phatwrx
  • dibec2

    duderz,

    You are all right. I did not see too much web experience. It is not shameful to team up with someone to help on that side. Honestly, it feels like a template was purchased. In so, more emphasis was placed on filling it, rather designing it. "Mucking up your work and lambasting your content" Perhaps that is where the disconnect is occurring. It could be the the medium/format you have chose to share ...

    remember the core principles:

    - know your audience
    - If I have to think, you are doing it wrong (ask friends/family to find stuff on your site, watch their response)
    - less, is more (potent content)
    - give me a tingle (probably the most important)

    Good luck out there! Much Props!

  • Hayoth0

    Do you guys have any portfolio sites that you love or believe outline some of the suggestions you mentioned here?

    • +1 don't see many post theirs on here likely afraid of responses like I got. Taking it all in stride and going to work on it more based on all the comments.phatwrx
  • shapesalad0

    @hayoth

    And this sort of thing does the job well enough:
    http://studiopatten.com

    • if site is viewed on phone/table/laptop, people like to just scroll down - it's the easier interaction.shapesalad
    • and so if the site is blocked out as "big images to get me interested, [scroll down] who you are/what you do [scroll] work example [scroll] contact and profile.shapesalad
    • with a logo, simple menu, social stuff sticking at top of screen. Then you're onto a winner.shapesalad
    • *work examplesshapesalad
  • trooperbill-1

    any portfolios based on results rather than output? i work in a marketing industry where the product is a vehicle for a commercial kpi

    visuals are fine but results speak to CFOs

    • https://sq1.com/case…Hayoth
    • FWIW i think there's can be a huge difference between effectiveness and craft. It depends if you're looking for an 'ooooo that's nice' or 'oustanding results!'.Morning_star
    • nobody gives a shit about work in portfolios and even less about results, what people want to know is how many coffees consumed!_niko
    • lolz niko :)jimzy