Michael Baumrucker

Freelance web design portfolio redesign

By Michael Baumrucker

   on Jun 19, 2010
10 Reviews9 Votes1 Favorite632 Views

Concept Reviews

  • Serina Patterson

    Serina Patterson

    Rank: 1 Elite

    2944

    • Design: 4
    • Purpose: 5
    • Originality: 3
    • Engagement: 4
    3 Votes
    This review has been awarded.
    I like it!

    Posted on Jun 19, 2010 at 2:38 PM

    This design is a much-needed improvement from the current site - well done!

    Although it is similar to other portfolio sites out there, I especially appreciate the emphasis on your work and expertise/services. The "process" in the bottom content area is especially helpful, I think, to potential clients; I wonder if it would do well higher up the page. In any case, it is a good addition.

    I'm going to have to disagree with the previous reviewer in regards to the contact form. From a development point of view, each input must be inserted separately - I would consider placing "email address" under "full name," however, since people are more familiar with that format for contact forms. Since this is a one-page design, removing the contact page would be a detriment to your goal - leave it right where it is. Also for the contact form description, I'd suggest adding something like "want to work with me?"

    Also, the "contact me" button in the slideshow looks a little plunked in and doesn't quite fit your sleek design. I'd suggest making it smaller and moving it to the left or changing it to a different colour (orange or blue).

    Have you considered adding testimonials? This would also help deciding clients and really fit into your scheme.

    Overall, nice job!

    • Michael Baumrucker
      Posted: on Jun 20, 2010 at 4:55 AM

      I have chosen to put the process beneath my work because the main goal of this site is to show off my work. Eventually they will stumble upon the process table.

      I like the way I have done the contact form, because I feel like now it's balanced with the left side of the page.

      I will definitely look at he contact me button, maybe I will try a different color, just to see how it works out.

      Thanks for the great feedback!

  • Adam

    Adam

    Rank: 6 Apprentice

    155

    • Design: 3
    • Purpose: 3
    • Originality: 2
    • Engagement: 3
    1 Vote
    This review has been awarded.
    Me, me, me

    Posted on Jun 19, 2010 at 4:27 PM

    The first tab in the slideshow "Who am I?" - as a potential client I wouldn't care who you are, but what you do;) Another thing - under the "My work" section you could distinguish each example a little bit. See how ConceptFeedback did a similar section: http://www.conceptfeedback.com/concepts/

    Last thing - make contact form easier to be spotted.

    • Michael Baumrucker
      Posted: on Jun 20, 2010 at 4:56 AM

      What do you mean by 'distinguish each example a little bit'? You mean showing the information on a rollover or something?

    • Adam
      Adam commented:
      Posted: on Jun 20, 2010 at 8:41 AM

      Sorry, not an Eng native speaker. I meant to suggest making each of the images with titles looking more separate from others around. Adding a frame / adding more space between them / move the titles closer to the images / put each row into a frame (like on CF). More info on rollover is nice but should be done a little bit differently.

  • Miranda Sehl

    Miranda Sehl

    Rank: 1 Elite

    2636

    • Design: 5
    • Purpose: 4
    • Originality: 4
    • Engagement: 3
    1 Vote
    This review has been awarded.
    i think this whole thing looks lovely.

    Posted on Jun 20, 2010 at 12:27 AM

    my only concern is the image in the "who am i" section at the top. you look like you're going to cry and i don't think people will be excited to talk to you from this image. do a caricature of yourself that is exuberant and excited.. that way people will be more excited to contact you.

    i like the sketchbook photograph... i think all of your top images could look more like this style.. for instance you could: get a pallet and paints out and lay it down on a white background like the sketchbook.. or lay out colored pencils on graph paper..? i don't know you process.. but whatever it is.. lay out your materials and replace that fake looking paint set. you could also photograph yourself to match the style of the sketchbook picture.. then the CMS you could maybe just show a laptop..? just throwing some ideas around.. its really great as it is though.. just please change your melancholy picture.. if nothing else. but really.. nice work here!

    • Michael Baumrucker
      Posted: on Jun 20, 2010 at 5:01 AM

      Thanks for the feedback?

      To be honest I wasn't so excited about the CMS image myself, maybe a laptop is a better choice. I will look into it! I will also see if I can find something better for the paint set, but this picture is not really bothering me to be honest.

      And about my self-portrait, yeah ... maybe I do look a little depressed haha :p

  • Antonin Ak Pixel

    Antonin Ak Pixel

    Rank: 6 Apprentice

    68

    • Design: 4
    • Purpose: 4
    • Originality: 2
    • Engagement: 3
    0 Votes
    more color maybe

    Posted on Jun 21, 2010 at 5:37 AM

    realy cool design, big step forward previous design.

    but for me i would play a little more with contrasts... add a punch color...

    the simplification of the logo is good aswell

    good job!

  • Tedi

    Tedi

    Rank: 4 Master

    38

    • Design: 4
    • Purpose: 5
    • Originality: 3
    • Engagement: 3
    0 Votes
    Draft

    Posted on Jun 22, 2010 at 8:03 PM

    Definitely a step up from your current site!

    The colors are great and easy on the eyes. I like your photo and the way it blends in with the first slider window.

    I would maybe put the services next to the process section, but that may require some redesign.

    Right now you list Web design from scratch, redesign, cms on the top...as your services? I would somehow differentiate these from the "who am i" tab, even if it means an easy solution like adding (service) underneath the title on the tab.

    Other than that, good job!

    Tedi

  • Andy E

    Andy E

    Rank: 3 Superior

    4626

    • Design: 4
    • Purpose: 2
    • Originality: 3
    • Engagement: 2
    0 Votes
    emphasis of who you are

    Posted on Jun 23, 2010 at 12:13 PM

    This design is clean, simple, and effective. However, as a few people have stated, you should reconsider the emphasis of all your content. I would remove the entire my name is section and move the work up into this area. Catch people's attention with your designs, tell them about your services, process, allow them to contact you, and if they're interested they'll take a look at who you are. In the about section, I'd rework the content so sell your experience, education, and creativity, not the fact that you are young, etc...

    As for the smaller design elements, the work and process sections look great. I'd recommend making the corners on your navigation active/hover states less rounded and more like the contact me button.

  • Abdul Wahid

    Abdul Wahid

    Rank: 4 Master

    67

    • Design: 5
    • Purpose: 3
    • Originality: 1
    • Engagement: 3
    0 Votes
    Nice

    Posted on Jun 23, 2010 at 12:23 PM

    I like the overall design its good but gray gray all over.

    • Nice thumbnails
    • Like the contact form

    Background color of process breaking the flow or look odd.

    keep it up.

  • Pradipta Sinha

    Pradipta Sinha

    Rank: 10 Newbie

    10

    • Design: 5
    • Purpose: 5
    • Originality: 4
    • Engagement: 5
    0 Votes
    Font

    Posted on Jun 23, 2010 at 12:40 PM

    A brilliant professional approach. Love the contact form and the light color combination,

    But If i am not wrong, you have to change the site fonts u used.

    Overall Good

    Keep it up :)

  • Altaf Rahman

    Altaf Rahman

    Rank: 2 Titan

    314

    • Design: 4
    • Purpose: 3
    • Originality: 4
    • Engagement: 3
    0 Votes
    Perfect

    Posted on Jun 23, 2010 at 1:44 PM

    Perfect freelance Website. Try to reduce the whitespace in overall layout. Fonts and Colors are nice.

  • Jai

    Jai

    Rank: 10 Newbie

    16

    • Design: 3
    • Purpose: 4
    • Originality: 2
    • Engagement: 3
    0 Votes
    length of the page

    Posted on Jun 19, 2010 at 2:02 PM

    Hey.. couple of quick point to start working: I love the colors and the font used. The contact list has three windows - name, email and note.. make it one. I'd increase the thumbnail of each work, make the link and info roll-over.. so the site looks clean and fresh. And can you smile in that photo.. dude you look depressed .. lol. I would keep the Contact form away from the home page.

    • Michael Baumrucker
      Posted: on Jun 20, 2010 at 4:46 AM

      Good point about the thumbnails, I will see if I can make a rollover to show the info. It will make the design even cleaner. Thanks!

      But I do disagree about taking the contact form away from the homepage, since it is a one page portfolio.

    • Michael Baumrucker
      Posted: on Jun 20, 2010 at 4:48 AM

      Oh yeah, about making the contact form 1 field, that's not really possible. Then in most cases my visitor will forget to input their email adress, which will make it imposible for me to contact them.

    • Jai
      Jai commented:
      Posted: on Jun 20, 2010 at 8:14 AM

      hey... the contact form's background image is nice.. but to have it repeat three times - name/email/comment is too much. Why don't you put two dotted lines in the name/email on top corner in the singular form. Also make it more friendly - "get a free quote, or just drop in to say hi - I'd love to hear from you" Less is more.