What do you think of my portfolio?

[LancasterJohn]

I have just finished my online portfolio of print and Web work and would like to hear your comments/criticism.

www.jblindsey.com (http://www.jblindsey.com)

[Eraser Nubbin]

lots of white space.

[LancasterJohn]

as far as home page or internal pages?

[Eraser Nubbin]

I don't see anything but white space.

[LancasterJohn]

Are you serious or joking? The home page is Flash.

[Eraser Nubbin]

Seriously, all I get is a blank white page, it shows your URL at the top, and doesn't appear to be loading. It may have something to do with my security at work, but I suppose that might mean that other people will have the same issue.

[Kool]

Thread moved to the showcase section.

The link works for me :D

[chalsema]

I see it... I like the introduction and the main home page. Very cute and clean. The sub-pages are good too, but I don't really like the navigation for viewing the design pieces. It doesn't really flow with the rest of the site, at least for me.

[LancasterJohn]

Hey Eraser,
Thanks for letting me know. Must be a Flash issue over there -- haven't come across that yet. I made a minor change to the code, but doubt it will do much.

[Eraser Nubbin]

Ok, just so you do know I do have the flash player installed. I am guessing that it has something to do with IE security.
Do you have an intro HTML page that directs you to the flash page?
You might want to have some kind of info page telling people (like me) possible reasons why they are not seeing your site properly as opposed to them just assuming something is wrong with your site.

[cbscreative]

Eraser, is there a small security bar near the top of your browser screen? If there is, you should have the option to "allow content" and then load the Flash. This however is a definite issue using Flash with networks that have security features built in. This security is very common since network administrators don't enjoy undoing damage caused by some web content, so they opt to go with caution even though it can be inconvenient for users.

[LancasterJohn]

I do have an auto re-direct page, so it's gotta' be a security issue. I tested this on multiple platforms.

[13yrGuru]

hey, LancasterJohn (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/member.php?u=6780) vbmenu_register("postmenu_146358", true); do u really live in lancaster PA? I do to!

[LancasterJohn]

Hey 13,
Yes I do -- about 2 miles southeast of the city.

[13yrGuru]

cool, what town? I live in brownstown.

[LancasterJohn]

I live over in Lancaster Twp.

[LancasterJohn]

Can anybody add their comments/criticisms to my book?

[Eraser Nubbin]

cbs - I have the standard internet security one down in the bottom right hand side of the browser, I am a little bit hesitant to mess around with the settings. I don't see anything Flash specific included in it. Our company website has Flash on it and it displays when I view it.

[cbscreative]

I wouldn't mess with that standard security either Eraser. I was thinking your network admin installed a browser add-on. These sometimes display an extra toolbar that allows you to accept content (they often block Flash and scripts). It is also possible that the override is disabled. Since you can view other Flash, it could be a weird bug in your system (not harmful, just annoying).

For your reference John, these mysterious types of problems happen. Most of the time, you never hear about them, but it's good to know, just in case you are able to figure out the cause. I would advise using the Flash as an element of the design and do an HTML alternative for those who do have problems. Sites that are all Flash do take a risk on users who cannot see anything.

I also suggest NEVER doing a Flash email. The problems far outweigh any potential benefits regardless of what the promoters of these services claim.

[keith1]

Can anybody add their comments/criticisms to my book?

I think you have a very solid selection of material for your portfolio. You have some excellent logos. However I wouldn't put the drop shadows on the logos even if it were just for display on your site. On your print & web work nothing stood out to me and said "hey look at this!" Also in your print & web work I see a lot of the same looking font, that bold helvetica italic looking font and sometimes with drop shadows. I'm also not really fond of a lot of your color choices. Too many bright colors clashing. I think the "vintage interiors" is some solid stuff though.

Overall Positive: you have a lot of good stuff and I have no doubt it can or does get you a lot of work.

Overall Constructive Critism: I think you need to work on typography & color. But who doesn't, right?

Just want to give you my honest opinion and I hope this helps since eraser nubbin hijacked your thread. LOL

[LancasterJohn]

Thanks Keith,
Yeah, font and color selection has been on my mind. I'll take another look at the logo drop shadows -- might be too distracting.

[Drawing a Blank]

Hey John I took a quick look through your site and had a few things I wanted to mention. I notice on your portfolio pages it says "Download a PDF my resume" and I'm assuming you meant to say "Download a PDF of my resume". In my opinion the crickets chirpping in the background is at first a distraction then it just gets annoying. You might want to consider a button to allow people to turn off the sound. Overall the site is nice and it was easy to navigate. Nice work!

Did you grow up in Lancaster? My wife grew up in Lancaster, but she went to a Catholic High School.

[LancasterJohn]

Thanks for catching the typo! Fixed. The "Turn off Sound" button just got added to the to-do list (along with mowing the lawn). I just moved to Lancaster -- grew up in the state of Chicago.

[keith1]

Chicago's a state? ;)

[LancasterJohn]

Only a matter of time before they drop the whole "Illinois" thing.

[keith1]

Yeah a lot of people mispronounce it all the time anyway.

[Crimson]

After looking at your site, I understand your avatar. It goes with the website but as a stand alone logo I don't feel it has a lot of presence maybe a little flat. I can appreciate all the hard work you put into your website. I think it crafted well and navigate easy. Some things seem a little cliche - Like the overdone tin cans. I like that you used flash. I like flash website for visual appeal and interactivity. I think hard core web designers feel Flash should be used sparringly but it is becoming more and more common. Adobe's investment will want to change that trend.

That's my 2 cents. I think it's very slick and should get you tons of freelance. I don't have one of those fancy website thingys yet. Maybe some day you'll get to critique mine.

[LancasterJohn]

"Illi-noise"

[keith1]

"Illi-noise"

Yep :)

[LancasterJohn]

Knew I was going to get busted for the tin can image even before I put it on the page, but how else do people communicate?

[Crimson]

Big Blocky 80's Cell phones. Just ask Keith

[keith1]

This is how the players communicate!

[LancasterJohn]

Oh, man, I haven't laughed so damn hard in ages! That image is hysterical. I should just put this image on the contact page instead of the cans!

Too funny!