The video takes a great look at how to think about your portfolio website. Happily many of the things discussed are things I considered and took into account when I designed my new site; but I bet some of you should think about these same things on your site.
Just like I often ask about peoples images: "What is your subject? What are you trying to communicate? Who are you trying to communicate with?" I would ask the same about your website, as I ask myself the same about my websites often.
For those that freak out about her comments on watermarking here is a decent article about watermarking; but I'll share my personal thoughts quickly:
- I don't think your portfolio site is a place for watermarking.
- Centered watermarks are a huge distraction.
- I think that your stock site is a great place to consider visible; but not overly distracting, watermarks.
- I use watermarks on my stock site, so that those that snag images from google for presentations/mock-ups/etc, and those that view them, know where to go look for the real image later. I drop them at the bottom, so if people want to steal them they can, they are registered with the copyright office so...
- Let there be white.
- Simple, clean, and succinct, with no extra distractions, is beautiful.
- A readable site that is easy to navigate, and organized with a logical flow goes a long way.
- Cut the fat and only provide extra information if it is relevant.
- Take your own emotions out of the equation and think about your target audience.
- A portfolio is not your stock site, it is not the place to show all of your images.
- Let the site be about your images, not your images only being a part of the site.
- Let them see the image, and you had better know how they will see it. (think web color/sharpness/resolution)
- Make sure that their impatience does not keep me from seeing your site. (my site is even slower than I want it to be)
- Kill the freaking music, especially if you are not the creator/owner/licensee. (artists, unfortunately, are often the biggest thieves of other artists work)
- KISS = Keep It Simple Stupid (a motto I try to live by)
Happy Shooting
p.s. Why on earth do I always type 'often' with two ffs? I know that it is 'often' and write it that way with no issue... odd.
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