Description
Solidblue.net will be a simple portfolio site, built in WordPress, that will be used to showcase work and gain new clients. Users will be able to interact with the portfolio by using their eyes and mouse. Users will not be able to contribute content or manipulate data.
Outline
- Home
- Portfolio
- About
- Contact
Diagram
Note: Portfolio pages and home page are dynamic in that they will update based on new work being added. Work added to the portfolio page will update the featured content on the home page. As more work is added the portfolio will be divided into categories of design.
Discussion
Web Style. After reviewing the Web Style Guide I came to the conclusion that because of the minimalistic design several sections directly applied to my site.
- Site Structure. Often simple, classy designs start off with good intentions, but then content overwhelms the design. The idea of the portfolio site is to allow the design to speak.
- Theme. The theme must be consistent throughout the site. Subtle impact is better than overwhelming impact. The trick with CMS is to make all the add-ins flow seamlessly together. Often add-ins will come with a separate CSS that needs to be styled.
- Contact Information. Contact information needs to be intuitive. I will probably use a email form.
- Home Page. The home page has high visibility and must draw people into the site. Information must be above the fold and draw people into the site.
Carousel/Slider. This WordPress plugin is key. Below are the plugins that I am considering The one documented by Graph Paper Press that I like is not really a plugin, but code inserted into WordPress. The other one that I am considering is Featured Content Gallery which is a simpler solution because it is an actual plugin. These are the slider plugins that I have come across.
- Rotating Box
- jQuery Carousel
- Sliding Post
- Smooth Slider
- Featured Content Gallery
- Simon Baier’s Plugin
Personality. As I was assembling this plan to take over the world I thought that my portfolio needs to reflect me as a designer. I was contemplating changing the About section to Designer where I can briefly allow people to connect with me. Overall the design must reflect me.
Inspiration.
Inspiration for this design came from Desizntech.
Desizntech Conxept
My Design
Phil, thanks for your comments on my blog! You are inspiring met take a deep breath and try from scratch…that is after I get a better grasp on these new CMS terms/uses/tutorials! I keep finding ‘blue things’ – here is another…just throwing it out there, it seemed to give some dimension to the background that you might like/without distracting from your work -possibly …http://slodive.com/photoshop/how-to-correct-banding-in-your-gradients-using-photoshop/Another thing I noticed about your inspiration site is the lighter outline of the window, wondered if you would have some kind of frame as well? Keep up the design takeover!
Wow – you have put tons of thought and work into this already! Your site is beautiful and professional and I can’t wait to see it develop. Here’s a link for another kind of slider that you may be interested in – I thought it was pretty neat, because the slides are simple html (uses JQuery): http://css-tricks.com/anythingslider-jquery-plugin/
have fun!
Maggie, The moving boxes slider mentioned in my plan is an adaptation of one of the three sliders made by CSS Tricks. I like the slider you link too, however, I want a slider that is fully integrated into the back end of WordPress. Something that a non technical person can implement. This has been my struggle in finding a slider. With that said, I have not begun my tinkering yet. I will definitely keep your link in mind.
Hi Phillip,
I’m working on a portfolio site in Word press as well. This is all very new to me, there are so many different concepts. It was nice to read your plan/blog and get some ideas. Thanks for sharing! I agree with you on personality and your designs should reflect you, I think the “about” would be better to be called “designer”—i like that.
My site will probably hopefully evolve into a more “serviceable” site, but right now i am having fun…having my way and not worrying so much about alienating 1/2 the population…this may change of course when i get serious with it. I think we should let our unconscious mind take over sometimes.
I would also like to add a “slider” when you do decide, I’ll be interested in knowing why you chose the one did choose. Thanks Sharon
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