Website (Crit)

My website : https://cd-illustration.design/

Today I had a crit with Spike Dennis about my website, I asked about ways to improve my website. He took a quick look and then I had some feedback given.

I pointed out that I wanted to change my header and he suggested I should create something more simplistic and a lot smaller so the images get lifted up. I definitely need to work on my banner and create something I will not become bored on or that will be outdated quickly. A simple banner means I can be more creative with the website itself as it doesn’t limit me to different coloured backgrounds.

It was suggested that I should separate my work by projects rather than by category as it then bulks out the content and makes the work in each section be clearer and more cohesive. It looks more professional as the work fits together better. It also allows me to really evaluate which images I want on my website and which I don’t, to create a critically edited selection. 

Grouping together the images as a category such as “branding” can leave room for someone to disagree or become confused as my idea of ‘branding’ doesn’t match theirs. However if I did it by projects, possible employers could visualise what they would like to use my work for by other projects I have done in the past.

I can do this through using the ‘categories’ in WordPress, so that the dropdown menu takes the viewer to the categories and not the actual posts.

I already have a few mock-ups on my website but a few more for certain projects would work really well and help to show the work in context. 

Adding a hyperlink to Instagram to connect them both helps the viewer to see more work that what I’ve selected for my website. 

I also need to make a conscious effort to post more behind the scenes stuff and unfinished work rather than the finished product as that is something I currently struggle with doing.

What I’ve changed 

I have reselected the images, only choosing images I would want employers to employ me for, and things that fit my visual language best. Although I may like an image or the project it might no longer represent my style or what I’m trying to market myself as. I also changed the header as the previous one was too big and too busy. It’s a lot simpler now and it’s the page better.