ZoomConcept Reviews
Minor Problem on http://www.panthersweat.com/ 1 What's the call to action? Serious Problem on http://www.panthersweat.com/ 1 Don't make me think! Definition of Ahoy - Ahoy is a word used to signal a ship or boat, originally used by German sailors. The word had fallen into obsolescence before rising from obscurity as the sport of sailing rose in popularity. "Ahoy" can be used as a greeting, a warning, or a farewell. Critical Problem on http://www.panthersweat.com/ 1 You need to ask yourself - will this photo resonate with your target audience? Is it too personal? Will people ask "what's in the glass?" Does it communicate that "you" can solve their business problems? Select a more "persuasive" photo - that will connect to your target audience... 2 why the "/". To differentiate, change the color of the label (example - contact in darker orange) Positive Feature on http://www.panthersweat.com/ 1 Good modules - but all have low visual affordance. See this reference (http://www.slideshare.net/andrewmaier/affordances-in-modern-web-design) Summary:
Hi Michael,
If your objective is "Increase exposure to my projects and find new ones" - I think you may be slightly of course. To level-set, the site does communicate that you know your stuff (you are a good designer). Your opportunities to increase awareness of your skills (get more projects) - centers around persuading people. I would encourage you to use social proof as the norm you exploit (testimonials are a good way of illustrating this persuasive norm). This will provide you a way to answer the visitors question "why should I hire Michael". I would also encourage you to invoke the social norm of commitment One clear illustration of gaining commitment - build a module that collects email addresses and allows people to download a newsletter (you would have to create one), article or special samples from your portfolio. This has to sub-conscious effects. Typically people feel that something that requires "registration or sign-up" is more valuable, than something easily acquired. The more difficult you make it for people to view your portfolio - the more valuable they will think it is. Although it seems counter intuitive - we humans are irrational. If you have interest in this type of "persuasive design" I encourage you to read a few things:
Summary: - Yes - it's usable - No - the message needs work...
Good luck!
Minor Problem on http://www.panthersweat.com/ 1 may be reduce the size of your pic, and place it some other place. And this space could be used for some slideshow stuff etc. Serious Problem on http://www.panthersweat.com/ 1 Too big for thumbnails. When you click to open it, there must be substantial difference in the size of the image, here it is not happening. Summary:
Hi Michael
Nice site, though it can be much better, specially using the CSS3 and JQuery, possibilities are immense.
I am afraid you have used the "difficult to understand" features by animating your portfolio.
Following are the points I'ld like to highlight:
Home: There is as such no way to return back to home, though, there is nothing like home on your site, still when I am into your portfolio, I would like to go to home! But How?
There is no seperation, visually, between the portfolio content and the links for other work samples. Unless you roll over your mouse scrolling down. A seperating line, marker etc will be great. Even the thumbnails would help in recognizing that these are other samples. The present size is too big to call it thumbnail :-))
Visual: The overall look and feel of the site is OK, it can be much better, appealing. Why put your photo, that to so big :-)), i guess, you reconsider it and reduce it to some decent size. I don no if you have any reason, this is my observation. I would never do :-)
Browser Issues: Have you tested your site in IE8 too. It appears different in IE than in Firefox. These new code are rendered in different styles, in different browsers. I am myself very puzzled for my designs using CSS3 and HTML5, don't know wh the hell it happens.
Footer: consider adding a link to either 'top' or 'home' on the logo placed at bottom.
Well, thats all from my side, I guess you find it useful in rethinking your startegy.
All the very best
cheers
Prashant
Minor Problem on http://www.panthersweat.com/ 1 a christmas tree and a glass? Are you sure about this? Why are you using foto from family event to present yourself? This is your private thing, so keep it in lock. For presentation use presenting foto... 2 what is this? Add headline/description + add som treatment... shadow/border/... 3 I am looking for a serious guy... are you an pirate? If yes try using Yarrr! instead of this... 4 again... dont make me think... add headline/description 5 I feel like this copy is more about-ish than landing-ish 6 why have you used this brush in here? Do you paint or something? If not it is just noise... Other on http://www.panthersweat.com/ 1 is this all? is there any footer? Summary:
Hey there,
The design has some presentation issues... The question is how do you want to present yourself... are you doing this for living or just for fun? Are you trying to look serious and profesional or...? You have to work on the design s message
I have added some notes to point on things I am talking about...
Good luck ;)
Summary:
I like the design, it's clean and professional and conveys all the right messages without waffling.
Minor Problem on http://www.panthersweat.com/ 1 Background is not very good. 2 No no no. This is not good. I'm confused. Is about contact or are they two separate pages? Serious Problem on http://www.panthersweat.com/ 1 No! We are not a sailor here. 2 Have a button that says "Hire me!" or something like that... Critical Problem on http://www.panthersweat.com/ 1 Not very good picture. You look a little intoxicated with your expression and your holding a drink or something... New Idea on http://www.panthersweat.com/ 1 Kinda s p a c e d out here. Maybe make them more compact. 2 This should be big. Other on http://www.panthersweat.com/ 1 These websites you designed are very nice! Maybe you could apply the same principal with yours perhaps... It's a little vague, maybe add a title like "Client Work". 2 This should be small... Summary:
First off, it looks ok. Then after that it isn't good. Problems begin to arise, explained in my notes.
Minor Problem Self-portrait
This is way too big. You could make a small image, about 1/4 the size and wrap it around the about text, but save this space for a more useful image that relates to what you do and how you do it.Grid
You seem to be using a 4 column grid in the portfolio section (where the larger image takes up 2 columns), but the about section is almost on a 3 column grid. Revise to either a 4 or 3 column grid.Minor Problem on http://www.panthersweat.com/ 1 The color contrast is abrupt and separates the page too much. It almost looks like an old-school frame... I'd drop the gray portion down more so it runs behind some of the about container to pull it all together. Serious Problem Portfolio
This area isn't that functional. When you click on an item, the larger image appears and pushes everything else down. But, it's so large that you'd never know the rest of the portfolio is down the page more. You need to make the functionality clear to your users either by making the full images of each item appear in a CSS windowbox or make breadcrumb trail and a "back to portfolio" link.Positive Feature Translucent
I like the translucent container with the about text. You may want to make it a little more opaque in case a bright photo appears behind it and renders it difficult to read.New Idea Social Network Links
Why would I want to follow you? What are you saying? I think you could make a separate container/section for these networks and explain a little bit about what you do on there. This should grab the interest of users.Section Headings
Since this is a one pager, you should clearly identify the About and Portfolio sections with the appropriate headings.Positive Feature Nice
I love the friendly casual feel of the text. And the social icons are great.New Idea slider speed
I feel like the portfolio should slide up quicker. Also, when it's on the Portfolio, there's no indication that that's where you are. I think naming the initial page "About/Contact" seems clunky. Can it just be "Home"?Summary:
I like the concept and the imagery. I just think it could be a little clearer in execution.
Minor Problem on http://www.panthersweat.com/ 1 Too early to link away from your portfolio. save these for your footer please. New Idea on http://www.panthersweat.com/ 1 Show me who you want to be (professionally), not who you are (stading infront of the christmas tree). 2 Be more creative than Ahoy
