My most challenging project ever...

[maritsaki]

...is my own portfolio.

Has anyone else felt like this? I've been in this position for ages but I think I might be getting somewhere now.I was wondering if anyone would like to spare a few minites and give me an opinion?
I have a few samples below, I'm worried that they are too bold, they're still at development stage though and I'd like to know what impession they give you.

The general idea is to have the work on the right hand page and a colour taken from it on the left hand page with a description of the work. The left hand page also acts as space to include more work if I need to. On the bottom there is a line graphic which is very typical of my personal style because I'd like to tie it in with my website www.maritsa.troubleshoots.co.uk (http://www.maritsa.troubleshoots.co.uk). I was going to print it myself at first on my inkjet printer but then when all the colour came in I decided it will probably be more cost effective if i have it printed as a book.

I want to include samples of the work as well so I'm thinking of making a book type folder with tabs to accompany the book to make it easier to find the sample and then package both of the books in some sort of box.

http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/345/momentwmtt6.th.jpg (http://img118.imageshack.us/my.php?image=momentwmtt6.jpg)

http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/597/rpmqq7.th.jpg (http://img118.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rpmqq7.jpg)

http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/7042/rpm2pm1.th.jpg (http://img118.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rpm2pm1.jpg)

[Typically]

too small for me

[maritsaki]

too small for me

ups! I should have made it clear you need to click on the thumbnails... :o

[Typically]

i knew that much :)

even the other files are pretty small

[radiohead1075]

I think the simplicity of it is quite nice. However, I think the colors are overpowering your work which is not a good thing in my opinion. One other nitpick item for me is the illustration that runs along the bottom of the pages – too distracting in my opinion.

[CkretAjint]

I only looked at the purple one, and I see at least 1 widow in it. ;)

[maritsaki]

Thank you for you replies, everyone :)
I've made some amendments as well and have placed them as well and the above ones on this page:
www.portfolio.troubleshoots.co.uk (http://www.portfolio.troubleshoots.co.uk)
I'm sorry if it all looks a bit too cluttered...

[Element_13]

Personally I like the later ones with the white on the left side and the box of colour pulled from the projects. I also think you should leave that line graphic across the bottom as it helps to show your personality and style.

[maritsaki]

I just tried what you said Joe, it's here

http://www.portfolio.troubleshoots.co.uk/development.html

I think that bit of colour on the left sort of makes the graphic sit back one level and is not so distracting any more, it could be just my wishful thinking though... What does everyone else think?

[Optimusdinkus]

On the RPM healthshop a bullet isn't lining up properly. Other than that, nice stuff

[Element_13]

I think it looks better with it. You may want to try screening it back some so that it does not conflict with the text that is located above it. Other than that I think this one is a winner.

[Danger_Mouse]

I think with the solid color on left...you take emphasis away from your work.
But I like clean looking.

[maritsaki]

Thank you everyone, you have been really helpful.

I'm also thinking now of doing a little booklet with about 5 samples of my work to send to companies along with my CV. I've put some mock ups here if anyone wants to give me their thoughts.

http://www.portfolio.troubleshoots.co.uk/mailer.html

[Microswede]

Hey, maritsaki, I feel your pain on the self-designing front; I've never finished a website I've started for myself for that very reason...

Anyway, looking at your spreads, I have to say I'm not a fan of the thin line drawing with the little flower thing; it detracts from your work. Speaking of which, you have a lot of unutilized space on the left page. I don't know about anyone else, but I don't think the actual portfolio 'book' really needs to be 'designed'. Employers just want to see your work, not a display of your work. In all honesty, I'd lose the peripherals and just enlarge your actual samples. If that's too much for you, I prefer the full color left pages without any line drawings. Anything else makes it seem like you're not confident in your own work and are trying to distract us from seeing it.

But that's my opinion.