Which 'look' do I go for?

So I've been making some attempt at redesigning my portfolio site recently and after about half a dozen, I have something that I'm halfway happy with. Well, I'm happy with the concept. I was gonna go with something modern, clean, 'nice'. I've got some simple stuuf lined out, a little bit of design and structure but I'm now questioning this design. Not the design itself so much, more the approach. I've attached a basic design. This is kind of what it will look like. There will be more going on and it will be a little slicker. The header gives a good idea of the feel I was going for.

Now my question is do I stick with a clean simple design that is, for want of a better word, nice or do I go for something more graphical, more illustrative. Bearing in mind this is a commercial venture and I am targeting small to medium sized businesses and self employed peoples, so artists, musicians et al.

I just don't know. Any thoughts?

Pete.

Attached Images

butterfly_mockup.jpg (338.4 KB, 47 views)

I like it; it's nice and simple. If your looking for inspiration check out the CSS showcases, www.cssmania.com www.cssbeauty.com www.w3csites.com

It always helps to check out your competitors...

Hi Pete:
I think it's a nice design. Your descriptive wording was perfect.

It think it's one of those designs that would cover the entire field of prospective clients. I do not think it "targets" any ONE industry.

It's not so much the design I'm struggling with. Just the approach. Clean or graphical you know? Can't decide which would work better.

Pete.

It all depends on who you're targeting. If you want anyone and everyone to come to you for web design, go with what you've got. If you love a certain industry and really want those clients then go with something geared towards that industry. Design for your audience.

Bah ... I don't know how we can be the judge of that! It's a matter of personal opinion of where you view your talent/work/creativeness.

If you want a theatrical, creative client, I'd say that is NOT the direction to go in. That look "to them" will not inspire them or excite them. They want something to graphically excite their mind or get their creative juices flowing. Something that says, "Wow this guy gets it"!

This guy is so creative and "out of the box" that he can surely design a site for me.

When I started out, I knew about horses. That was the circle I traveled in. So it was obvious to me to target that market. People loved that I knew how to market horses, farms, stallions, babies. So I came up with one horse/agricultural theme after the other. If I had shown them a site like your mock up, that would not have instilled confidence in my equine abilities.

Does that help?

Yeah, I think so. I'll scrap it.

I draw. I'm more interested in design than development and have always been left a bit cold by the web 2.0 movement form a design point of view but I am conscious of giving people what they want. I had felt that I had to do a clean, nice design rather than something more artistic just 'cos that's one of the big trends at the minute. I prefer graphical work were I have a bit of freedom rather than dull logo and e-commerce work. SO I guess I should gear myself towards that, but I am very concious of the competitiveness of the market. I suppose I'll just have to make sure that I'm really good.

Thanks everyone,

Pete.

Pete I'm going to give you the same advice you have so eloquently given other... "Have fun"!



If you prefer graphical work, then most definitely design a site you can enjoy designing which in turn will show your talents best.

Well even though you have already started the new design, I will add in my thoughts. As a web designer when building your portfolio website you really need to make it, just super cool! This is you showing your clients, "Hey, this is what I can do for you!"

I say make it fancy! Anyone can do a simple design. If you can show your client that you can do an advanced, nice looking, graphical design they would be more likely to purchase your design services, as they can really see you know your stuff! Also the client would probably be impressed and would assume you could do something simple like the above design for them if they needed, or something a bit more complicated.

This is just my opinion as a website designer and developer. So don't flip out if you don't agree.