Portfolio

[bntz313]

Here is my new and improved portfolio, I know that this could have been made easier with css and html but I don't know it (I'm taking that courses next semester).

http://www.anthonybetancourt.com

[samwich]

Preloaders.

One for the initial movie, and one for the external assets in the portfolio page. You probably want to see if you can optimize/get the file size down on the site overall.

And yes, this layout would be fairly easy to replicate in html/css, I guess if your going to stick with flash for right now, I would look into adding some subtle transitions/interactivity so it would be a more interesting design portfolio.

2 cents.

-Sam

[LeviG]

yuck flash - sorry hate the thing. And yes you could easily have made that in html/css.

As to the site, what little I looked at was ok, I assume you're around the 16year old mark due to mentioning high school.

I'd get someone to proof read your written work, some of it seemed to be missing a comma or just didn't make complete sense to me.

[bntz313]

yuck flash - sorry hate the thing. And yes you could easily have made that in html/css.

As to the site, what little I looked at was ok, I assume you're around the 16year old mark due to mentioning high school.

I'd get someone to proof read your written work, some of it seemed to be missing a comma or just didn't make complete sense to me.

No I'm not 16 more like 25. I just never know what to right in the about me section. Should you include a about me?

Whats so wrong with flash?(just wondering)

[bntz313]

Preloaders.

One for the initial movie, and one for the external assets in the portfolio page. You probably want to see if you can optimize/get the file size down on the site overall.

And yes, this layout would be fairly easy to replicate in html/css, I guess if your going to stick with flash for right now, I would look into adding some subtle transitions/interactivity so it would be a more interesting design portfolio.

2 cents.

-Sam

I haven't quite got preloaders down yet, whats a good place to find a tutorial

[LeviG]

why do I dislike flash - comes from dial up days, plus I can't stand not being able to navigate as I want to, I have buttons assigned on my mouse for back and forwards in web browsers, flash prevents me from using them.
Flash in its current format doesn't always like old systems (too resource heavy). I'm also impatient and any decent website done in flash seems to take ages to load up.

Apologies for the 16yo estimate, it was an assumption made via the work and the about me. As to what to put in the about me - not sure never been keen on them but you do need things like age, background, education (no further than a-levels) if you are using it to find a job.

Now I know you're a little older (don't take this personally) and had a chance for a better look I have to say that I have seen better work produced than that snake/heart/head thing on the front page, its something I would expect from a high school student and as such I probably wouldn't bother looking any further in the site.

I'd also say some of the work in the portfolio could have been (I'm assuming) scanned in better, the logo one for example seems to have 'dust' and you have the dark edge from a book being scanned, maybe consider taking an arty photo instead of a scan for the magazine/book pages.

Also from a personal perspective, you might need to explain what each of the pictures in the portfolio represent as I have no idea what the 'calendar' ones are on about.

[bntz313]

I'd also say some of the work in the portfolio could have been (I'm assuming) scanned in better, the logo one for example seems to have 'dust' and you have the dark edge from a book being scanned, maybe consider taking an arty photo instead of a scan for the magazine/book pages.

Also from a personal perspective, you might need to explain what each of the pictures in the portfolio represent as I have no idea what the 'calendar' ones are on about.

Not to be an as* but are you a designer? Those dark edges are the actual background I used in the file none of these were scanned in, when I design the magazine as a project it was to look it graphite on paper.

I am going to put a little description of each.

The snake heart guy, is actually a form of a Etruscan god that was blue shown with snakes

Thanks though

Thanks though

[LeviG]

Not to be an as* but are you a designer? Those dark edges are the actual background I used in the file none of these were scanned in, when I design the magazine as a project it was to look it graphite on paper.

Yes I am.

Check the first three links/pages from your 'portfolio' page - the bottom left of all three of them have an angled shading which is normally caused by scanning a page from a book after its been put in a flatbed :rolleyes:
But again lack of info doesn't help though.

The snake heart guy, is actually a form of a Etruscan god that was blue shown with snakes I wasn't even taking into account the topic of the drawing (there wasn't anything to go on hence my description comment), I was referring to the overal quality of the work - it isn't very good especially for a portfolio which should show your best work.

[orangeillini14]

I wasn't even taking into account the topic of the drawing (there wasn't anything to go on hence my description comment), I was referring to the overal quality of the work - it isn't very good especially for a portfolio which should show your best work.

Agreed. No offense to the thread starter, but that doesn't entice me to look into your portfolio anymore.

[bbeers]

As previous posters have said, I would look into a preloader. They are really not that bad to build and will help out a lot. As for where to find a tutorial, I have always like the Friends of Ed series "New Masters of ________". They have New masters of Flash, and Photoshop and Illustrator and more. Great books and you can find them at most larger book store. But if you are looking for an online resource, kirupa.com has always been a good place for me.

I also agree that flash might not be the best choice for a portfolio like yours in this day and age. With so many people using mobile devices, and flash not working properly on many of them, you might want to try HTML and CSS. It would not be all that difficult of a layout either. But if you do want to stay with flash then may it so the site HAS to be done in flash. Add some transitions, and motions., take your navigation to a new level, and make the site wow me so that I don't care that i is in flash. There are many of us out here that hate flash based website. Sometimes they are the only way to do the website effectively and correct, in those cases flash is fin, but this is not one of them.

And Lastly, I am assuming that you change the welcome page, and I don't see what the previous posters are talking about. With that said I like the concept of the welcome typography look, but this execution is just a bit off. I don't exactly know what it is off the top of my hand. It may be spacing or leading, or the kerning, but something is bothering me. And the "enjoy" at the bottom needs to be changed. When I look at it all I can see is ebay's logo.

Just my advice, but keep at it.

[Jim Campbell]

Not to be an as* but are you a designer?

Not to be an as*, but you posted some of this work before and asked for crits. I notice from this:

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb36/jimcampbell2000/ScreenGrab.jpg

... That you took pretty much no notice of the advice you were given.

Even at this size, it's possible to see the uneven point size and mis-matched leading in the bullet points, plus the awful H&Js giving you a break in the middle of the word "Fuels".

Obviously, the smaller text is unreadable, but the shape of the words suggests that the paragraph beneath the header has also not benefitted from the brutal subbing it so desperately needed.

You were given some excellent advice on typography (not specifically from me) on these pieces, but you've bunged them up regardless and then invited everyone to view this uncorrected work as an example of the standards you will deliver as a professional designer?

Forgive me if I am less than blown away.

Cheers

Jim

[bntz313]

You were given some excellent advice on typography (not specifically from me) on these pieces, but you've bunged them up regardless and then invited everyone to view this uncorrected work as an example of the standards you will deliver as a professional designer?

Forgive me if I am less than blown away.

Cheers

Jim

I did fix it, I just didn't have it as a jpeg at the time and I put those there as kind of like a place holder.

Jim-I wasn't trying to be a jerk, I would just like to know if he was a designer, to see what other designers think. as*

[anim8or]

The only advice i can offer you is to be prepared to be roasted when asking advice on any forum....

Whether you like it or not most people take the opportunity to blow of steam on forums like these, i know i do at times.

Try and take every post with a pinch of salt and dig through the responses for those little pieces of gold that some responses do hold.

I think at times people often forget that they were once inexperienced... but back then they didnt have the internet... just morse code and sh** like that.

Good luck!

:)

[zarathustra]

Please consider getting rid of Flash, as others have stated: there is no conceivable reason your site should be in flash. You don't have a reel (videos, TV ads, etc), so just don't do it.

My biggest pet peeve about your site is that when I click "Portfolio" on the landing page, I see your face and your bio. I didn't want to see that. I then have to click again on "Portfolio" on the left. What's the point?

The comments on the work: It is very narrow and shallow. Unless you are a 100% sure that you want to do editorials and newspaper layout, you definitely need some logos, identity packages, posters, brochures, well, you get the idea.

[LeviG]

The only advice i can offer you is to be prepared to be roasted when asking advice on any forum....

Whether you like it or not most people take the opportunity to blow of steam on forums like these, i know i do at times.

Try and take every post with a pinch of salt and dig through the responses for those little pieces of gold that some responses do hold.

I think at times people often forget that they were once inexperienced... but back then they didnt have the internet... just morse code and sh** like that.

Good luck!

:)
You've also got to remember that a majority of us on this part of the forum are the type of people who could be looking to employ someone based on their portfolio or have been through the 'portfolio' stages themselves.

Yes it may be harsh at times but most of us have to deal with difficult clients on a regular basis and so the op will need to develop the thick skin that we've all developed, might as well start early :D.

Anyways - new site.

Can't say I'm overly keen on the menu system on the home page (or the rest - see later), it didn't always seem to work (firefox 3) when the mouse went over it.

The menu is also a tad annoying/confusing as the links are quite random at times - for example from home page, I go (by links on side) about me, portfolio and then back to about me, expecting the relevant pages but I get about me, portfolio and then contacts page, clicking about me again brings up the first picture of the portfolio.

Looks like its making the menu into a 'next page' tab after its been clicked on.

For someone who has several dozen portfolios to go through this would just get your portfolio thrown in the proverbial bin.

I'd also lose one of the email addresses or even better yet make an online form to fill in. The current page just looks too empty.

I'm also not sure the new background (preferred the old one) really works with the styling for the rest of the site.
You seem to be going for what I would say is a more hand drawn/grungy style for the menu and front page yet the rest of the site is pretty structured while the background is picking up on current (home) styling trends.

Might be worth playing around with some more sketches on paper to get a more cohesive design - theres nothing that says the gallery has to be set up in rows for example which could give it a more edgy feel like the menu.
From my perspective I would like to think that you have a 'personal' style (which obviously will evolve) by now and it may be worth looking at that and trying to incorporate that into your site.

My personal style, which developed during uni, is of a more minimalist approach and all of my 'identity' follows this trend, all the way down to the business cards.

[bntz313]

My style right now has been, a little minimalist and a little hand drawn stuff (stuff that I haven't uploaded yet.)

So, do you think I should lose the homepage?

[Jim Campbell]

I did fix it, I just didn't have it as a jpeg at the time and I put those there as kind of like a place holder.


Then get a JPEG version. This is your portfolio, it's supposed to showcase your skills to the best of your abilities.

The highlighted section here ...

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb36/jimcampbell2000/ScreenGrab2.jpg

... says nothing about your skills, except that they do not include any kind of knowledge of typography. If you have a better version that (for whatever reason) you can't make into a JPEG then put an image with two words -- "COMING SOON" -- in its place rather than substandard work.

Anim8or wrote:
I think at times people often forget that they were once inexperienced

And being inexperienced should exempt you from criticism? The example I've cited needs to be changed. It says to any prospective employer that the OP has no clue about type, nor even how to turn off H&Js in a DTP package, which is hardly going to get design managers flocking to your door to offer you work.

Cheers

Jim

[LeviG]

My style right now has been, a little minimalist and a little hand drawn stuff (stuff that I haven't uploaded yet.)
so try working around that premise - random idea here maybe consider 'sketched' thumbnails (rollover to small finished thumb? or just plain numbers with a finished rollover) for the portfolio which then open up to the finished picture. Again all of this can be done in html.

If your work is currently minimalist and hard drawn theres so many options you can play around with and give it that personal touch.


So, do you think I should lose the homepage?do you need it - if you don't then that answers your question.
Maybe consider revising the about me/home page into the first page of the site and giving a brief intro/about me for the site there instead. Maybe have a link to a pdf with qualifications etc (ie a cv of sorts)

[bntz313]

Jim,

I did indeed fix that, I know how to get it into jpeg(just haven't yet). I'm not currently sending this to anyone, it more to just get the layout right.

-I thought I said something about this just being about the layout, but I did want to include ruff samples to see what they would look like.

[ezekielrage_99]

Just out of experience for portfolios:

- Flash (unless groin grabbingy awesome) never works, do it in HTML it will load faster and easier to update over time.
- It should showcase your best work, so no typos, "coming soons" or for that matter incomplete work (a really really bad idea).
- It needs to display your abilities in your specific area of expertise (typography, web, HTML, Flash, etc...)
- It should state directly what you can do. So knowledge in design, expertise on projects, work history and (I know this one is debatable) but what software/OS you know.
- Try to consolidate to one concept, a bit of everything will confuse potential employers. In other words create some cohesion.

If you are getting your feelings hurt now from the feedback this is because most of the people here know what it's like to get a design job and have been through it all before. We are trying to push you in the right direction because design agencies, etc are ruthless when looking for new talent, they don't really care about feelings or giving you any decent feedback.

Good luck :apple:

[anim8or]

Anim8or wrote:

And being inexperienced should exempt you from criticism? The example I've cited needs to be changed. It says to any prospective employer that the OP has no clue about type, nor even how to turn off H&Js in a DTP package, which is hardly going to get design managers flocking to your door to offer you work.

Cheers

Jim

I really don't want to get into a personal debate here, but just because working in this industry can be harsh at times does not mean that you need to be harsh in your responses....

When someone simply asks advice and critique then i simply think that in a forum on the internet about mac computers, yes, in a design section, one needs to have some tact.

The advice i tried to give the op was simply to grow that extra thick skin that we all need in the industry before feeling that he/she is being attacked on here.... some people don't always realise that to a third party their posts do come across as sharp instead of helpful.

Immediately pointing out something that annoys you is perhaps how you deal with clients/staff but try and have a heart when speaking to a complete stranger who has had the balls to actually post his work for all to see....

...He is braver than I, i tell you that.

As for experience dictating whether criticism is 'allowed' or not, i really think you need to take a step back at times and see that you can be destructive when trying to be constructive just by the tone of your response, this is where experience can play a huge part in your response. Criticism is a two way thing you know, you can dish it out but its the receiver who has to digest it.... ...those with thin skin may lose heart in their own work when the tone of a response is harsh.

Your heart is in the right place at least.

[bntz313]

I really don't want to get into a personal debate here, but just because working in this industry can be harsh at times does not mean that you need to be harsh in your responses....

When someone simply asks advice and critique then i simply think that in a forum on the internet about mac computers, yes, in a design section, one needs to have some tact.

The advice i tried to give the op was simply to grow that extra thick skin that we all need in the industry before feeling that he/she is being attacked on here.... some people don't always realise that to a third party their posts do come across as sharp instead of helpful.

Immediately pointing out something that annoys you is perhaps how you deal with clients/staff but try and have a heart when speaking to a complete stranger who has had the balls to actually post his work for all to see....

...He is braver than I, i tell you that.

As for experience dictating whether criticism is 'allowed' or not, i really think you need to take a step back at times and see that you can be destructive when trying to be constructive just by the tone of your response, this is where experience can play a huge part in your response. Criticism is a two way thing you know, you can dish it out but its the receiver who has to digest it.... ...those with thin skin may lose heart in their own work when the tone of a response is harsh.

Your heart is in the right place at least.

Thanks man! I'm always thinking of some way to make it better. I like the opinions and like to know who's giving it, wether a designer or just someone looking, gives me an idea of what different people like.

I'm going to keep trying

[notnek]

your menu needs to be larger when its on the side. right now the type is way too small.

[mac 2005]

I really don't want to get into a personal debate here, but just because working in this industry can be harsh at times does not mean that you need to be harsh in your responses....

When someone simply asks advice and critique then i simply think that in a forum on the internet about mac computers, yes, in a design section, one needs to have some tact.

The advice i tried to give the op was simply to grow that extra thick skin that we all need in the industry before feeling that he/she is being attacked on here.... some people don't always realise that to a third party their posts do come across as sharp instead of helpful.

Immediately pointing out something that annoys you is perhaps how you deal with clients/staff but try and have a heart when speaking to a complete stranger who has had the balls to actually post his work for all to see....

...He is braver than I, i tell you that.

As for experience dictating whether criticism is 'allowed' or not, i really think you need to take a step back at times and see that you can be destructive when trying to be constructive just by the tone of your response, this is where experience can play a huge part in your response. Criticism is a two way thing you know, you can dish it out but its the receiver who has to digest it.... ...those with thin skin may lose heart in their own work when the tone of a response is harsh.

Your heart is in the right place at least.

Bravo! There are far too many MR members who prefer to toss **** than offer objective advice.

The OP clearly indicated he wanted a critique of the LAYOUT. He also said he was working on converting the architecture away from Flash to CSS/HTML.

There is a way to offer criticism without putting people on the defensive. For example:

Have you considered __________? I've found that this approach __________.

Too many people in this thread made authoritative statements, a puzzling way to critique something as subjective as design, and practically no counsel. And I don't know what's up with the person who dismissed the OP as a teenager. Who cares? He made a polite request for comments on his site: If you don't have anything constructive to say: Move on! :rolleyes:

[LeviG]

And I don't know what's up with the person who dismissed the OP as a teenager.

I'll assume you mean me with that comment - its quite simple really as there was no reference to age anywhere on the site I had to make an estimate at the op's age, as I posted the first impressions and about me gave me the idea that it was a younger person. As I'm sure you're aware work created upto 16-18 (high school/a-level) is completely different to that which is created during/after uni, different life experiences, teaching standards etc - hell I know mine was. So to judge the work of someone who has just come out of high school/a-levels and looking for a uni placement at the same level as someone looking for a job would be unfair because the requirements (atleast in my experience) are generally completely different.
I'm even harsher with my own work, you can't do things half heartedly these days.

But, atleast in my opinion, I have given fair feedback on the site with suggestions where necessary. There's no point beating around the bush if the work isn't upto the expected standard, universities and businesses are now cherry picking because they want the best due to there being both a recession and (atleast in the UK) good money in being a high end uni.

[mac 2005]

I'll assume you mean me with that comment - its quite simple really as there was no reference to age anywhere on the site I had to make an estimate at the op's age, as I posted the first impressions and about me gave me the idea that it was a younger person. As I'm sure you're aware work created upto 16-18 (high school/a-level) is completely different to that which is created during/after uni, different life experiences, teaching standards etc - hell I know mine was. So to judge the work of someone who has just come out of high school/a-levels and looking for a uni placement at the same level as someone looking for a job would be unfair because the requirements (atleast in my experience) are generally completely different.
I'm even harsher with my own work, you can't do things half heartedly these days.

But, atleast in my opinion, I have given fair feedback on the site with suggestions where necessary. There's no point beating around the bush if the work isn't upto the expected standard, universities and businesses are now cherry picking because they want the best due to there being both a recession and (atleast in the UK) good money in being a high end uni.

You can defend your approach all you like, but age simply plays no role here -- not in terms of the advice you could offer or the courtesy you should extend. Einstein developed the theory of relativity while working as a patent clerk. Were this forum available then, would you justify lashing out at him because he did not work for an accredited "uni"?

In any creative endeavor, there is no easy way to discern who has the "gift" beyond the work individuals produce. Based on the work I saw, the OP could just as easily be 16 as he could be 46; you don't know. Offer the feedback/critique people request; if your comments work for them, chances are they may come back to you for the advice you want to give.

[LeviG]

You can defend your approach all you like, but age simply plays no role here -- not in terms of the advice you could offer or the courtesy you should extend. Einstein developed the theory of relativity while working as a patent clerk. Were this forum available then, would you justify lashing out at him because he did not work for an accredited "uni"?
[quote]iirc einstein's theories were initially snubbed.
But as I said different advice is needed for a uni placement over a job, and if the site gives the impression that the person is still in their teens when they're not it isn't a good start if looking for a job is it :rolleyes:

[quote]
In any creative endeavor, there is no easy way to discern who has the "gift" beyond the work individuals produce. Based on the work I saw, the OP could just as easily be 16 as he could be 46; you don't know. Offer the feedback/critique people request; if your comments work for them, chances are they may come back to you for the advice you want to give.
My estimate on age was due to not just the work but the about me page, as I've already explained all my reasonings I'll leave it here - if you're not happy with my approach then fair enough but the op asked more questions in respect to my comments.
You could also argue that they don't have to take the advice if they don't like it.

[JasonElise1983]

well, i'll critique your site (and maybe some of your work)

Site Build:
is wonky at best. I don't really care if it's flash, html, or something i've never heard of. If it works, it works, and that's what matters at the end of the day. Right now, your site doesn't really work. From the home page i can click on "portfolio" and get a page that has one thing on it. if i click portfolio again, i ge 2 things, click it again there are 3 things, etc... Also, if i click on any of the other links i just get random pages. Sometimes it takes me to what i want, but mostly it takes me to some random page. Like i can click on Contact Us and get a big picture of Paul Rand. Work on that...it's a big problem. I'm using Safari 3.1.2 with the most current Flash player so, i don't think it's me.

Site Design:
I like the hand drawn stuff. It's pretty, but to me your site has no backbone, no cohesive idea. A good designers site is pretty and well put together. A great designers website has an idea or a concept behind it. Ok, back to design. I really don't like the boxyness of it. You've got this distructed edge on the whole thing. Maybe make that less subtle, and the color of the html background, so it looks as though the site is literally rough around the edges (which kind of plays into the hand done aspect). Play with the menu some more, i'm not sure it's right. I don't like the fact that it's not in the same place as the "splash screen"...and why do you need a splash screen? Maybe make the site more "interactive" by having better transitions between pages. Make it worth using flash if you are going to use it.

Work:
I think your work is good, needs a little polishing and refinement. Mostly, things are just too big and kind of random. I'd like to see you use a grid once and a while, just so you understand the premise, and it would help clean things up. Experiment with type and color a little more too. Try to use more of a hand done look and feel in your work, if that is really what you are into. Develop your style basically. The photomontages on the bottom are kind of weak. Look like you just through a bunch of images togther and between feathering, erasing, and blending modes, you managed to get something "cool". I don't really know what could make them better, but they need a lot of work in my opinion.

alright, that's all i got.

-je

[bntz313]

Thanks alot.

I'm going to keep working on it, and putting more samples and cleaning up the ones I have.

I'm using Safari 3.2.1 and the new flash player also. The links are kinda messed up at times, it's weird sometimes the work good and other times it don't.

[JasonElise1983]

I'm using Safari 3.2.1 and the new flash player also. The links are kinda messed up at times, it's weird sometimes the work good and other times it don't.

How is ur site built? Is it all on one timeline? Did you use scenes? I would consider calling external swfs instead, scenes are a little strange, and if something doesn't completely load, it will randomly pick where it needs to go. If you don't want to rebuild it, put preloaders at the front of each scene, it should keep it from doing that.

-je