In figuring out to how present my work online, my goal was to make the navigation, and the site itself invisible. The emphasis should be on the work, not the vehicle that presents it. Because of this desire to make the site invisible, the navigation and interaction style is incredibly minimal. Full screen images dominate the user's experience, and if they choose to seek more information, it is available through an icon. Navigating with the arrow keys makes the experience more comfortable, and gets the users hand off the mouse & click model, which just like ffffound's 'j' and 'k' functionality, makes the site easier for the user to navigate.Through this process, I learned that I hate action script. Well, really I learned how little of it I know, and how much more I need to learn. I'm uninterested in pursuing interactive design, but knowing actionscript will make me a more competitive designer, and allow me more creative opportunities. I also learned a lot about the web in general through the readings, and am now able to place it in the context of western art history, specifically through the evolution of the picture to the screen. This kind of critical thinking really informed my process, and was intellectually stimulating.
I'm most proud of the functionality, and the end product. I struggled the most with making the site work, and dealing with actionscript. Lots of help from Ian, who should be given a medal for his helping EVERYONE with their sites. Maybe a golden taco medal?
3 comments:
• overall usability of the site?
i think it's really great. the movement is so fluid and everything feels really natural. the large images of your work are really beautiful, and when you find your screen encompasses by them is shockingly pleasant. the navigation is necessary and down-played appropriately. Remember though to blow up the size of you hit spot, so that you don't have to get precise to click over (if you so inclined to click, rather than use keys). xox
• the degree to which it pushes boundaries / questions traditional presentation of portfolio work?
questions traditions yes, but i know you don't care about being innovative, so i'm not sure about "pushing boundaries"; regardless, congrats for going as far as you did. i think you had a goal in mind, and with the help of ian's coding achieved the capabilities to fulfill your design choices (smart choices).
• same as above but for overall site navigation?
same as above, you had envisioned a motion and going about of viewing work that is now fluid and natural. if i want to go over, i click over. nothing is jarring or misinterpreted, or confusing. looks wonderful and i know when its all skinned to perfection it will be that much more "fluid".
• if the site utilizes linear / cinematic elements (such as transitions, image sequences, etc) and the success of those linear elements?
the success really lies in those linear elements—your transitions from piece to piece. but remember to try and allow the user to see "the bigger picture". i think then your transitions from cell to the next will be that much more understood.
• overall organization of the work -- logical? interesting?
interesting yes, logical... i don't know if it's important to have the work relate to the work around it. as far as how you go about navigating through the site, very logical, very natural.
overall usability of the site?
I love the arrow key navigation! It is so smooth and fluid, and is a great way to display your design! The top navigation is a great way to keep your user aware of where he/she is, and good for jumping to different sections.
the degree to which it pushes boundaries/questions traditional presentation of portfolio work?
I think that it is deffinately up to date with the rest of designer portfolio sites. I love the simplicity but yet complicated motion. I think that the work shines, and the interface is a window in which we view it.
same as above but for overall site navigation?
The navigation is non-traditional in a way in which you are using arrow keys rather than the mouse. But I like the way you incorporate both ways of navigating.
if the site utilizes linear / cinematic elements (such as transitions, image sequences, etc) and the success of those linear elements
Yes, the pannning from image to image is very smooth and creates a inviting environment in which you present.
overall organization of the work -- logical? interesting?
Yes, interesting. I agree with morgan, are the projects related? I dont think its a bad thing if they don't, but maybe a stronger connection if they were? Overall I love your site, it is super clean and reflects you as a designer very well.
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