My previous website wasn't really what I wanted, and updating it was going to be more trouble than it was worth. I scrapped the whole concept and started over with a minimalistic design based on a portfolio I saw on the web. The idea of having larger thumbnail appeals to me, and I like showing the larger images on the supporting pages too.
I'm looking for some feedback on what people like, or don't like, about it. Thanks.
Posted by Brent Logan (Member # 6587) on :
I like it. It's fast, clean & simple. Have you tried it with a darker background?
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
Clean and simple... nice work displayed too!
-grampa dan
Posted by Mr Curtis Dalton (Member # 7547) on :
Amazing.
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
I love your work, Russ. Always have.
The website, as has been stated, is fast, clean, and simple.
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Russ, was this done with SG3?
I like everything....but...
The header kinda got lost on me when I first pulled the site up. My eyes were wondering around not sure where to look first.
I like how you used the meta tags for the thumbs. Everything loads amazingly fast.
Posted by Russ McMullin (Member # 5617) on :
Glenn, it's actually all done with HTML and CSS using Notepad++. I've been slowly going through the SG3 videos, but haven't built anything with SG3 yet. Have you tried implementing the CMS feature? That is the part that interests me the most.
In the mean time, I keep getting better at CSS so it's hard to want to switch. I really need to get two monitors so I can stop going back and forth between the editor and the browser.
I started out making each page a static page. But it was getting tedious to make edits to that many pages, especially when the number of secondary pages kept increasing.
I recently finished a class on PHP and MySQL, so I decided to try my hand at making the pages dynamically. Using PHP, each of the pages builds itself by looking at the database. For example, the logo page queries the database to find all the entries under the 'logo' category. Then it stacks them into rows of thumbnails. PHP creates normal HTML so it can be easily styled with CSS.
Right now I'm working on an interface that will allow me to add new entries to the database and upload the corresponding images to my site. The new entries show up automaticall as new thumbnails, and the secondary pages are generated on the fly. The interface works great, but it's not secure. I don't want to put it online until I know it can be protected.
I can see what you mean about not knowing where to look. I haven't made the header command much attention. I'm going to try a new background color as Brent suggested. Maybe that will help.
Thanks for all the comments!
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
I like Peirce, & Hilltop Construction!
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Russ,
Yep, I have two sites up and running using the CMS. I really haven't had any problems with it except for some permissions issues when it was in late beta before the release.
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
Not bad for being done on a PC.
OK, seriously, great work Russ. I really like your style. Those logos and designs are top notch. I too like the large thumbnails. You can actually see what they look like before you click them. I hate wasting time clicking on small thumbs thinking I'm going to see something interesting only to see something different than what I expected. That is a nice clean site.
Edit: I posted before I explored your whole site. Holy moly your illustrations are incredible. Great work.
[ June 18, 2010, 01:01 AM: Message edited by: Dave Sherby ]
Posted by David Wright (Member # 111) on :
Did something change since this afternoon? When I was at my shop the background was white or very light, this one dark, which I do like. I like your work and portfolio but I question whether the homepage should load with all the logo designs right there.
What about some basic info and introduction with some general work on the front.
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Russ, I like it.
Shows what you can do.
I also agree that your "header/logo" should be a little more prominant.
Simple is often the best way to go.
The biggest challenge is getting the website to the top of all the search engines!!!
Posted by John Deaton (Member # 925) on :
I knew you were an artist, but hadnt seen some of the work you have shown here. Those portraits are some of the best I have seen. Site looks good Russ.
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
I like it Russ. So easy to see 'what you do.'
And to reiterate what some of the other folks have said; You are an outstanding artist, and diverse in your skills. Such a pleasure to see such talent - one of my favorites here.
Posted by Catharine C. Kennedy (Member # 4459) on :
Excellent presentation- really like the large thumbnails!
Posted by Russ McMullin (Member # 5617) on :
Thanks very very much to all of you for your comments and encouragement. It made my week.
I tried the darker color and thought it looked better than the white. It would be good to have another starting page, in place of the logo page, but I'm not sure what to put on it. Posted by Dan Antonelli (Member # 86) on :
Nice Russ. Your work is really awesome.
Only down side on the site is you have no META, Page Titling, and search able content. I would prefer some content on the home page instead of jumping right into portfolio,
Posted by Russ McMullin (Member # 5617) on :
Thanks, Dan. I added some page titles, and some meta keywords and description. I never know what to write for things like that, so I'm going to have to improve on it as I go.
I wish I had a more focused approach to the type of work I do. I tend to do whatever someone will pay me to do, rather than focus on one type of work. So, when it comes to writing about myself, I'm never sure what to say.
That is also why I am having a hard time knowing what to put on the first page. Sometimes I think I would be better off having a separate domain for each type of work.
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
The only thing is where the little dog is facing. I love the little dog, but instead of looking up to the left, I think he show be looking to the right where the copy all starts. Otherwise it's great!
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