Portfolio Critique

tZ · 11-23-2010, 04:34 AM

HTML Code:

<!-- .. snip .. -->

<body onload="MM_preloadImages('images/overbuttons_20.jpg','images/overbuttons_21.jpg','images/overbuttons_22.jpg','images/overbuttons_23.jpg')">
<div id="all">
  <div id="header"><img src="images/Logo-02.png" width="350" height="69" alt="logo" /></div>

  <div id="navBar"><img src="images/upbuttons_07.jpg" width="380" height="44" /><a href="index.html" onmouseout="MM_swapImgRestore()" onmouseover="MM_swapImage('homeButton','','images/overbuttons_20.jpg',1)"><img src="images/upbuttons_08.jpg" name="homeButton" width="103" height="44" border="0" id="homeButton" /></a><a href="resume.html" onmouseout="MM_swapImgRestore()" onmouseover="MM_swapImage('resumeButton','','images/overbuttons_21.jpg',1)"><img src="images/upbuttons_09.jpg" name="resumeButton" width="103" height="44" border="0" id="resumeButton" /></a><a href="portfolio.html" onmouseout="MM_swapImgRestore()" onmouseover="MM_swapImage('portfolioButton','','images/overbuttons_22.jpg',1)"><img src="images/upbuttons_10.jpg" name="portfolioButton" width="103" height="44" border="0" id="portfolioButton" /></a><a href="contact.html" onmouseout="MM_swapImgRestore()" onmouseover="MM_swapImage('contactButton','','images/overbuttons_23.jpg',1)"><img src="images/upbuttons_11.jpg" name="contactButton" width="102" height="44" border="0" id="contactButton" /></a><img src="images/upbuttons_12.jpg" width="9" height="44" /></div>

  <div id="content3">
    <p class="headings">Resume <span class="text"><a href="resume.pdf" target="_blank">(PDF Version)</a></span></p>
    <p><span class="subheading">David M. Ehresman</span><br />
      <span class="text">1 Gary Ave, Haverhill, MA 01830 • info@dehresman.com • 978-994-6533</span><br />
      <span class="subheading"><br />

      Summary of Qualifications</span><br />
      <span class="text">Highly creative and multitalented Graphic Designer with experience in branding, marketing, 		print and web design. Possesses excellent problem solving and interpersonal skills; motivated 		team player with innovative style and well developed written and verbal communication abilities. 			Knowledge of high volume production; accustomed to performing in a fast paced, deadline-driven environment. Extremely hard working with a professional attitude and passion for design. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="subheading">Technical Proficiency</span><br />
<span class="italic">Software (Windows and Mac platforms):</span><span class="text"> Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, Flash, Dreamweaver, Acrobat; Timestone, Filemaker Pro; Microsoft Word, Powerpoint<br />
</span><span class="italic">Scripting Languages:</span><span class="text"> HTML, CSS, Actionscript 3.0 (basic)</span><br />

<span class="subheading"><br />
Related Experience</span><br />
<span class="bold">Hockmeyer Studios,</span><span class="text"> Amesbury, MA, August 2009–present<br />
</span><span class="bold">Graphic Design/Digital Imaging</span><span class="text"><br />
</span><span class="italic">Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, Timestone, Filemaker Pro:</span><span class="text"> Works with sales team to create marketing campaigns; performs high volume photo retouching and green screen removal<br />
</span><span class="bold"><br />
DefHog.com,</span><span class="text"> North Andover, MA, May 2009–August 2009<br />

</span><span class="bold">Graphic Design/Marketing Intern</span><span class="text"><br />
</span><span class="italic">Illustrator, Photoshop, Indesign:</span><span class="text"> Worked with marketing team and created online banner ads, 					posters, logos, newsletters, t-shirt designs<br />
</span><span class="bold"><br />
Discovery Club,</span><span class="text"> Haverhill, MA, 2008–present<br />
</span><span class="bold">Freelance Graphic Designer</span><span class="text"><br />
</span><span class="italic">Indesign, Photoshop, Illustrator:</span><span class="text"> Creates flyers, brochures, logo re-design<br />

</span><span class="bold"><br />
Publication Design,</span><span class="text"> coursework<br />
</span><span class="italic">InDesign, Illustrator, Word:</span><span class="text"> Used typography and creative visual communication to design newsletters, posters, brochures, menus, flyers<br />
</span><span class="bold"><br />
Graphic Design,</span><span class="text"> coursework<br />
</span><span class="italic">Illustrator, Photoshop, Indesign:</span><span class="text"> Studied design principles and used them to create letterheads, business cards, logos, package designs, cd covers, calendars<br />

</span><span class="bold"><br />
Digital Imaging,</span><span class="text"> coursework<br />
</span><span class="italic">Photoshop:</span><span class="text"> Learned image acquisition, color correction, photo retouching, filter effects<br />
<br />
</span><span class="bold">Advertising,</span><span class="text"> coursework<br />
Explored principles of advertising, created ads, developed and presented an Integrated					Marketing Communications project</span><br />
<span class="subheading"><br />

Education</span><br />
<span class="bold">Northern Essex Community College</span><span class="text"> <br />
Graphic Design/Desktop Publishing, 2009<br />
</span><span class="bold">GPA: 3.8</span><span class="text"><br />
<br />
</span><span class="bold">McNally Smith College of Music </span><span class="text"><br />
Associate Degree/Music Production Degree, 2005</span><br />
<span class="subheading"><br />
Accomplishments and Awards</span><br />

<span class="text">Dean’s List, 2009</span>  </p>
  </div>
 
  <div class="text" id="footer">Copyright &copy; 2009, David Ehresman</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>

I think not. That HTML reeks of some type of mark-up generator. Purely obvious to anyone who knows anything about HTML. Throwing everything in a span, is worst than throwing everything in a div. Not to mention breaks, uhh – it makes my skin crawl.

manprit · 11-23-2010, 07:26 AM

Nice graphic works...but long way to go

dear...

i went through the links shared by you..portfolio is nice...you seem to be a good graphic designer....but put in more efforts...look for more inspirations and read more articles related to design. You can by good read become even better.
Best of luck...

Manprit

**garricks** · 11-23-2010, 12:00 PM

Welcome to the forum Manprit. I removed your "sig." When you have a few more posts, you'll be able to add a discreet link to your portfolio to your actual sig.

Please make sure to read the forum rules posted HERE. Enjoy your stay!

The Artist · 11-23-2010, 12:52 PM

I'm much more of a print guy then a web guy but the principle is more or less the same. I would spread out your work a bit more.

On some of your "Portfolio" pages there's a ton of information jumbled up together and it's hard for the eye to distinguish between them and pick where to go.

For example: Let's say you do a business card, promotional flyer, postcard, letterhead and a website for a Mr. Jose Cuervo. You could place a picture of the website on the top as the main image so people look there first and see your lovely website for Senior Cuervo then you could place the remaining items groups/arranged together underneath.

That's my 2 cents.

Designs · 11-23-2010, 02:15 PM

Developer,

Although I appreciate your reply, I do not remember asking for a critique of my resume or html codng, just my design work. I am a designer, not a coder. And? Even though my html is self taught and far from flawless, I have still managed to make it work with my website along with 2 other clients websites, so I would still say I know enough html to include it on my resume.

Manprint, thanks for your critique. I know I have a long way to go, but I absolutely love graphic design and I plan to improve over many years to come. In fact that is why I want a job in a design studio. I want to better myself under the direction of great designers who have had years of ecperience in the industry.

Keep the comments comming! Thanks.

**garricks** · 11-23-2010, 05:01 PM

You asked:

Originally posted by Designs View Post

Please at least, let me know if you would call me in for an interview by my portfolio. Thanks.

I think tZ is simply saying that no, he wouldn't call you for a web job. You say in your resume that you're proficient in HTML and CSS, and tZ seems to think your code is lacking.

I think that's a fair assessment. You may need a heavier sweater.

Audentia · 11-23-2010, 05:07 PM

David I think your website is looking better than when we last saw it, but it still needs some work.

I'd like to see descriptions (short) for each design. What is it? Was it a real client or a school project. That sort of thing.
I'm not sure that the piece you have at the front is the strongest. The captivated traveller brochure might be a better choice. Wanna start out with a bang remember. Pick the piece that has the most impact and really showcases good design.

As for the coding... Where are the links in your portfolio to these sites you've built?
tZ isn't wrong to question the code at all on the portfolio site in my opinion. And if one person questions it others will. So let's see some solid proof of this coding!

A few other edits:
multitalented: should be multi-talented. Though I'm not really sure what this means...
Indesign: should be InDesign
And ALL Adobe programs should say Adobe in front of them, so Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign etc.
Creates flyers, brochures, logo re-design: should be "create flyers, etc."

I would personally put your education above your work experience. It's important for people to know you have credentials. I detest it when people have their GPA on resume. It's just a brag session. And just because you have a high GPA doesn't make you good in industry working. Just makes you good at taking classes.

As for hiring for a job... would depend on what you were up against.

tZ · 11-23-2010, 05:30 PM

Originally posted by Designs

Although I appreciate your reply, I do not remember asking for a critique of my resume or html codng, just my design work. I am a designer, not a coder. And? Even though my html is self taught and far from flawless, I have still managed to make it work with my website along with 2 other clients websites, so I would still say I know enough html to include it on my resume.

Fair enough, but isn't your resume one of your most important design pieces. With that said, what has been presented with your portfolio site in no-way demonstrates a technical proficiency in CSS and HTML.

Designs · 11-23-2010, 09:58 PM

Hi Audentia,

Thanks for the comments. I will take them into consideration when I update again. Question: Don't you think that putting Adobe in front of all program names is a bit redundant. I always thought so.

Also, it is hard for me to judge my own design work for some reason. That is why I want honest opinions from others. Does anyone else have that problem?

I also take back my comment about not critiquing my resume, tz you are right about it being the most important piece.

Audentia - Also the link to the clients website is posted under the piece in my portfolio. The URL is www.hayleybateman.com. The HTML coding will probably not be any prettier, but it is a working website and she is happy with it. Please feel free to critique that website also. Tz I already know the coding is going to make your skin crawl...lol - Site 2 is still in the making.

Again, I am not a coder, I know enough to make money off of static websites. If I am paid and my client is happy, then It is okay with me if TZ's skin crawl's from my awful coding...haha....but maybe "proficient" isn't the best word when applying for design jobs.

Audentia · 11-23-2010, 10:07 PM

I didn't even realize there was a website in there. It's just too busy with all the things you've done for her. I'd break up your portfolio into sections:
- brochures
- logos
-stationary packages
- websites.
Each one has it's own section. (yes you will need secondary navigation of some sort to do this, but it will clean it up and make it much nicer in my opinion).

Is the homepage supposed to look like this???

Audentia · 11-23-2010, 10:09 PM

Oh.. I missed addressing Adobe. I think it's necessary when you list the programs. Not necessary in the description of each job as you've indicated above that it's Adobe.

I also think proficient is not the word you should use with html/css.
Perhaps, understanding of. Or something?

Designs · 11-23-2010, 10:11 PM

Originally posted by Audentia View Post

I didn't even realize there was a website in there. It's just too busy with all the things you've done for her. I'd break up your portfolio into sections:
- brochures
- logos
-stationary packages
- websites.
Each one has it's own section. (yes you will need secondary navigation of some sort to do this, but it will clean it up and make it much nicer in my opinion).

Is the homepage supposed to look like this???

nope. what browser are you using. I am glad you brought this to my attention.

Audentia · 11-23-2010, 10:13 PM

Firefox 3.6.12 , Mac OS X (snow leopard)

Cluttered · 11-24-2010, 02:37 AM

Can I have that stylist's phone number?

Portfolio Critique

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment