Need feedback on my new (uncomplete) portfolio design

freelancer · #1 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008, 09:44

Hi all, just wondered if you could take a look at my new design, its by no means finished, I just wanted feedback on the general feel and design on the site, and what you'd like to see differently.

If I get lots of negativeness, its saved me time in creating another design see

No links work, so remember its completely static:

http://www.bengribbin.com/labs/cv4/

Thanks,

Ben

IP2 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008, 20:22

Well it is certainly ...err...black! I hope you don't mind but I am going to be a little critical here, although I hope the advise is useful...

First off you need to liven the page up, if your company is promoting branding, it is very unclear from that page, either get some of your client brands looking flashy on that page, or make some new brands up and show off your work that way, first impressions and all that!

Quote:

"“We’re a branding solutions company, based in
Liversedge, West Yorkshire...”

Unless you are only after local work, that has to go, it draws away from your message..."How much more could your company earn if it improved it's image? Our Branding Design and Solutions can make YOUR company stand out from the crowd" in my humble opinion is what you want to say!

Quote:

" We could have used this space for some buzzwordy, marketing slogan. But we dont need to. We let our passion, quality of work and superior service exube through previous work samples. "

Sorry mate, that reads to me like "we could not think of anything to say here!" Is Exube a word? If people want to trust you to rebrand them, then you should show you can use some buzzwordy marketing slogan, if you can't do it for yourself, could I trust you to do it for me?

Quote:

We design for a variety of principles, from websites to business cards, as well as providing hosting and printing services. In fact, why not check out the full range of services we offer, on our lovely services page?

Lovely?! Lovely?...You are supposed to be selling yourself here, your services page may be "loverly" but why not tell perspective clients what you are offering and link through and let them decide...but scrap the word loverly!!!

Two more gripes innovating has two n's and the "Want to hire us - click here!" thing...sheesh, from what your front page shows how would anyone know if they wanted to hire you and if they did, is the wording going to appeal..."Want to hire us"!!!

Sorry Ben, you asked and I am being honest, I think you need to do a lot of work to the fundamentals, as I said this will hopefully help and I trust you won't see it as anything other than a desire to make your business more successful. I think their are times when it is hard to accept or see errors in our own work and I wish you every success.

whistle ink · #3 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008, 22:10

Hi,

I can see where IP2 is coming with those comments,

But my eyes got the biggest shock when I clicked 'back' on the old brower. I would defo rethink the colours used.

You say you let the quality of work show through examples and then waste precious space on that sentence - you might as well show the work you have done in that space. Maybe a before and after?

I think theres too many things tightly packed into the 'darkest' box at the bottom. They are not all really related but grouped together - maybe experiment splitting them up a bit. Is it worth having the contact details taking up vital space when you have a link to in the nav bar anyway?

What does branding mean?

All the best with it.

sally · #4 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008, 22:34

Sorry but it looks very depressing, all that black ..... it just goes on forever.

I say this every time I look at a designers site, show me your work. I want to see something that makes me think wow I love that maybe they could do something great with my site. Sorry but black on black doesn't suggest that at all and unless I like the first page I won't click through to your amazing portfolio.

Jills · #5 (**permalink**) 09-05-2008, 08:18

I'm not a designer whatsoever, but on first impression

Black! It really doesn't sell to me as a prospective customer.

Daniel · #6 (**permalink**) 09-05-2008, 10:19

On first impression, it's black and I immediately looked at the big button on the right side. Adding some colors would help to increase the people's willingness to stay longer I guess.