okay okay, nothing it original but I would say it’s quite fresh, lots of portfolios follow trends, this is not too mainstream, it’s quite different. Agreed, perhaps the style does not have tooo much relevance, but it could be that its a scrapbook of her work and thoughts, in that sense it would be relevant to a portfolio design. Still like it.
Hey guys - just wanted to say, as the designer, I appreciate all of the comments, even the constructive criticism is good.
However, just wanted to point out that for those that maybe didn’t take the time to click past the homepage - most of Jenn’s portfolio is focused around wedding invitations and the like, which comprises a large majority of her clientele - hence the design concept. She also does branding and packaging design, but she did not want that as the focus of her site.
So, just a reminder - before being quick to through criticism, take the time to make sure that it’s informed.
Jared Says:
November 26th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
The comments by dudeydudedude are pretty ridiculous. The presence of this site is an excellent representation of her work.
The site does not need to scream “Im a Graphic Designer” in order for it to be efficient. This gives you a sense of the designer on a more personal level and taste which most likely going to drive the clients she would work well with.
dudeydudedude Says:
November 26th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
@Joshua and Jared:
Home page copy:
The question was: Why 13?
The answer was: Nothing related to her work.
About page copy:
The question was: all about 13 creative…
The answer was: on page 1 - nothing. Just blabbing.
on page 2 - nothing… until the last paragraph! (and I quote)
a full-service design firm that specializes in producing high-quality, custom invitations, logos, business cards, collateral and packaging that pushes the envelopes, engages the viewer and elicits conversation.
Oh surprise, surprise! She does LOGOS, BUSINESS CARDS, COLLATERAL, and PACKAGING DESIGNS.
Now a look at the portfolio… what do we see?
“Invitations”, “Branding”, “Packaging”, and what’s this… “Exhibits!”.
Apparently, her numerous talents are best expressed as a site that seems to offer a scrap book service?
The cold hard fact here is: While I comb through the sites I criticize, potential customers usually do not.
“Oh, is this… I think she does scrapbooks or albums… I need a logo designer.”
Lost income? Definitely. Which is a shame, because she’s quite talented.
If your design’s first impression gives off the wrong message, then it’s been done wrong.
dudeydudedude Says:
November 27th, 2008 at 8:14 am
@Lonnie D:
That was EXACTLY the point. You’re missing my point - my point was: The girl the site is about does MORE than just scrapbooks, albums, and invitations, but the design does NOT represent her other services.
I really like the design, but I have to disagree with the background not working, I feel this is the bit that does work.
From a design perspective, mixing graphics with cut out photography can work if done correclty, I think it is the scrapbook background with the ring binder which is the bit that does not sit correctly.
Why was there so much time spent on creating a nice background, header and footer and then a not so nice screen shot of a scrapbook put in?
The designer can obviously design, why not design this bit aswell?
Just my thoughts, without wanting to go in to deep the rest of the site on the whole is nice.
Rich Says:
November 25th, 2008 at 8:52 am
beautiful and original. Nice one!
Jamie Says:
November 25th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Yes, it is beautiful, but original it is not.
JRA Says:
November 25th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Love, love, love the style. Very nice.
Jamo Says:
November 25th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Very lean markup, nice design execution, bit image heavy for my taste tho, no not original but very little is.
dudeydudedude Says:
November 26th, 2008 at 1:00 am
It’s a bad design.
It’s pretty, yes, but was it appropriate?
She does graphic design, branding, and print. Her business is more about visual identities.
But thanks to this design, it appears as if she’s offering some sort of fancy “scrapbooking” or wedding invitation or wedding album service.
Very poor choice of design direction. Should be changed A.S.A.P.
Rich Says:
November 26th, 2008 at 5:51 am
okay okay, nothing it original but I would say it’s quite fresh, lots of portfolios follow trends, this is not too mainstream, it’s quite different. Agreed, perhaps the style does not have tooo much relevance, but it could be that its a scrapbook of her work and thoughts, in that sense it would be relevant to a portfolio design. Still like it.
Joshua Says:
November 26th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Hey guys - just wanted to say, as the designer, I appreciate all of the comments, even the constructive criticism is good.
However, just wanted to point out that for those that maybe didn’t take the time to click past the homepage - most of Jenn’s portfolio is focused around wedding invitations and the like, which comprises a large majority of her clientele - hence the design concept. She also does branding and packaging design, but she did not want that as the focus of her site.
So, just a reminder - before being quick to through criticism, take the time to make sure that it’s informed.
Jared Says:
November 26th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
The comments by dudeydudedude are pretty ridiculous. The presence of this site is an excellent representation of her work.
The site does not need to scream “Im a Graphic Designer” in order for it to be efficient. This gives you a sense of the designer on a more personal level and taste which most likely going to drive the clients she would work well with.
dudeydudedude Says:
November 26th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
@Joshua and Jared:
Home page copy:
The question was: Why 13?
The answer was: Nothing related to her work.
About page copy:
The question was: all about 13 creative…
The answer was: on page 1 - nothing. Just blabbing.
on page 2 - nothing… until the last paragraph! (and I quote)
a full-service design firm that specializes in producing high-quality, custom invitations, logos, business cards, collateral and packaging that pushes the envelopes, engages the viewer and elicits conversation.
Oh surprise, surprise! She does LOGOS, BUSINESS CARDS, COLLATERAL, and PACKAGING DESIGNS.
Now a look at the portfolio… what do we see?
“Invitations”, “Branding”, “Packaging”, and what’s this… “Exhibits!”.
Apparently, her numerous talents are best expressed as a site that seems to offer a scrap book service?
The cold hard fact here is: While I comb through the sites I criticize, potential customers usually do not.
“Oh, is this… I think she does scrapbooks or albums… I need a logo designer.”
Lost income? Definitely. Which is a shame, because she’s quite talented.
If your design’s first impression gives off the wrong message, then it’s been done wrong.
Lonnie D. Says:
November 27th, 2008 at 3:10 am
@dudeydudedude:
Did you happen to miss the huge slideshow on the homepage? Nothing but obvious images of package and stationary design. Thats a pretty big giveaway.
This design itself will suck in a certain client base in to browse the site regardless if they are certain whether or not she is a designer or not.
dsfg Says:
November 27th, 2008 at 6:58 am
dfg
Remon Says:
November 27th, 2008 at 7:00 am
Great job.
dudeydudedude Says:
November 27th, 2008 at 8:14 am
@Lonnie D:
That was EXACTLY the point. You’re missing my point - my point was: The girl the site is about does MORE than just scrapbooks, albums, and invitations, but the design does NOT represent her other services.
Chanty Says:
November 29th, 2008 at 11:43 am
I really like this one :) Great job!
David Says:
December 2nd, 2008 at 12:47 pm
@dudedudedudedudedudedudedudedude Shush.
I like this site, but I think the background is a bit much.
Rob Says:
December 5th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
I really like the design, but I have to disagree with the background not working, I feel this is the bit that does work.
From a design perspective, mixing graphics with cut out photography can work if done correclty, I think it is the scrapbook background with the ring binder which is the bit that does not sit correctly.
Why was there so much time spent on creating a nice background, header and footer and then a not so nice screen shot of a scrapbook put in?
The designer can obviously design, why not design this bit aswell?
Just my thoughts, without wanting to go in to deep the rest of the site on the whole is nice.