Head's up! Start thinking about your content!

A site without content is simply an empty shell.

That's a metaphor for your life. Let's fill up that emptiness with all kinds of great content. I'm tipping my hand a little for this week as we'll start thinking a bit more about content, as we'll be locking down our structure.

Heads-up! I'm not looking for you to create any content just yet...

I just wanted you to be thinking about your content. Ponder. Daydream. Imagine the "you" you want to present to the world. Does it seem like I'm talking about something besides your portfolio pieces? If so, that's because I am. Your site will likely also contain some words. Words that describe your work, words that describe your process, words that paint the best picture of you possible.

I'm not talking about you as a person...

I'm talking about you as an entity. A marketable commodity. A professional persona. Who do you want to be? How do you want to show up? There are some fine lines between Confident/Arrogant, Personal/Unprofessional. Put yourself in their shoes. Literally. You are about to pay large coin to hire a photographer (for example. Not picking on Photo here) for one of the most important events of your life or career. Who do you hire? Do you hire someone who appears dependable, professional? Or do you take a gamble on the artsy dreamer? There is no right answer to that question, however, the way we position ourselves will absolutely determine who we attract as customers, and ultimately the trajectory of our careers. Take this seriously. It's your life. 

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts below. 

Cheers!

- B

Comparison Matrix

Website Comparison Matrix

Hey again! We talked at length about the feature comparison matrix, and again, I promised you a template. The other part of your homework this week is to look at a few other portfolio sites and pull together a look at what they have and don't have.

Here is an example to get you started. 

Feel free to create yours in whatever tool you feel most comfortable. Anything that helps you build a table is a good start!

Comparison Matrix Example

It's all about Style!

It's all about Style

Hey all! We talked a lot this week about style, and how defining a basic style guide is an essential part of a great design. Part of your homework this week will be to pull together a basic style guide. Working from a basic template (link below), you'll define the colors and typography to be used in your portfolio. Not sure how to begin? Here are a couple links to get you started! And don't worry, you don't have to feel like this is locked in stone. We can make changes over the next couple weeks.

Heres a great basic style guide article

99 Designs has a great article about Brand Styleguides. Have a look, but as always, use your best judgment. You'll be using all your pinned designs to help you get closer to the style you want to achieve in your final site.

99 Designs - Styleguide Article

A bit about choosing colors

Linked article about color

What about typography? 

Linked article about fonts

What about the template you promised?

And finally, if you register (free) on this site, you can get a great free style guide template.

Rafal Tomal's Site

What's a Competitive Analysis, anyway?

Some great reading on Competitive Analysis

Gibbon.co article

You know where you are? You're in the jungle, baby!

Welcome to ePortfolio CC250.

In this class we'll work together to build your portfolio website, a vehicle you'll use to propel you through the first stage of your career. How far it takes you will depend on how much you put into it. Let's strive for greatness and see how far we get.

Cheers!

- Bryce