My design portfolio

[JsteRmX]

what do you think of this most recent design of my personal portfolio? its extremely simple, but seems thats the look i like. though i would think that if i am trying to be a web designer, i should make my own site a better example of my abilities... what do you think?

what are your first impressions when you see the site here:
http://www.jesslester.com

thanks for your input.

 

[Mike]

Indeed, very simply. Refreshing to see that you came up with a different route of presentation. Your frontpage image is actually leaving an impression, personally, i like it. Loading time was a bit slow though, i'm not sure if you actually sliced the image - if not, do it, it's going to improve your loading times.
While the lamp itself is great, it could need a few improvements such as removing the label on the inside, and generally cleaning the image up a bit more and make more "crisp".
The font that you're using is highly disturbing, it doesn't flow with the looks of the lamp, and by that i don't mean the color that you're using, just the font itself. Actually, my recommendation would be to change the font throughout the entire site, the current font reminds me of a "beefed up version of an old atari computer... ". The "tag line" that you're using on the bottom has the same problem with the font and would be much better incorporated if you were to find an option to wrap it inside the lamp shade. Engraving would look good there and will certainly ask for a pretty good amount of skill in Photoshop. "Creations by Jess Lester" should be taken out of the line up of skills and practically applied like an "artist's mark" on the bottom of your image, incorporate it, make it look as if it belongs to the picture.
Your Nav bar should improve by switching the font, maybe you can give it a hint of a button, not a full button, just a "hint" of a button, identifiable by a reflection of the light from the actual main image - the lamp. (As an example; the low that you used in "Honeylife", that rolls into the nav buttons is the closest visual that would apply)
Great job, just a few improvements here and there and you should have a very impressive product on your hands. I'm sure there will be further evals and suggestions coming your way, so mine is really just :imho:

Oh yeah, don't forget the FavIcon, your lamp would be great

IB

 

[JsteRmX]

hey! thanks alot for such a detailed response. I really appreciate it.
ill play around with the fonts and making the buttons seem more like, well, buttons. I also like your idea of carving some of it into the lamp. that would definately be interesting and really test my photoshop skills, hehe.

Well, i will play around with some revisions and post back here. Thanks again!

any other impressions for anyone else??

oh yes, favicon is a must! your right. I will add that in too.

also, what do you have in mind for the font that will make it fit in more with the lamp? like, should it be more rounded, more spaced out, etc...?

 

[Mike]

also, what do you have in mind for the font that will make it fit in more with the lamp? like, should it be more rounded, more spaced out, etc...?

I was thinking about something along the lines of "engraving", not sure about the exact font, i believe it's going to largely depend on how much text you're going to use and how much space the lampshade is providing for you. Something alone the "round but modern" line... (sorry, i can't be more cryptic...i've tried!)

IB