Week 9 - Portfolio Inspiration

Here look at some existing portfolios where I plan to take inspiration from to convert into my own portfolio website.

Im looking more at the layout and the way the site is navigated rather than the content within. 


Example 1:

http://merijnhos.com/

First I found Merijn Hos's portfolio. I felt this very simple layout helped to show off and put all the emphasis on his work while displaying a large amounts of his projects. Which you can select to show a more in-depth page which shows a description and more images within that project.

I feel a main reason that this layout works very well is that Merijn has a very distinct style of art work and this is relatable through most of his projects. In my own portfolio it may benefit me to have a larger initial image size, helping to show the detail and helping specific project stand out. 













Example 2:



http://www.leslie-david.com/


Next I look at Leslie David's portfolio. In her portfolio the main attraction is the side navigation bar which is static to the page scrolling, but also she has implemented responsive text that changes slightly when mouse-overed, this gives users decisive feedback to let them know where they are on the page.

The images are all individual project and when these are mouse-overed they change to the name of the project, this is useful to help users understand what they are looking at and if they want further information they can click this which will bring up a more detailed and in depth series of images on that particular project. 


Another feature i like on her website is the custom logo she has in the top left of the page. I feel it would be nice to have something of my own to differentiate myself from other portfolios.













HOW CAN I MAKE MY PORTFOLIO RELEVANT TO UX DESIGN OR MY FINAL CHOSEN DISCIPLINE ?




Example 3:


http://www.husamelfaki.net/


Here I look at Husamel Faki's portfolio, here he has created a very clear and easy on the eye landing page. He displays a number of project on the home page each with a striking first visual images that gives the viewer an insight to what that specific project contains. 

Each project can be expanded through clicking the initial sample image on the landing page, these reveal a detailed description and more images. The thing i like about how Husamel has displayed his work is that he has implemented the App design work inside the iPhone shell and also implemented lots of reactive / moving clips of how the apps he has designed would flow through. This shows the audience of his skills of a UX and UI designer. 

Week 6 - Working on 5 year career plan

This is a preparation page for my formative assessment on the 5 year career plan :

For the assessment i will briefly run through the entirety of the document, Highlighting the main areas that i have focused on, These include:

• SWOT Analysis
• Quick Self Assessment
• Skills Analysis and peer review 
• Conclusion of self analysis & next steps 
• Career aspiration 1, 3 & 5 Years
• Class exercises (brainstorms & mind maps)

For each of these sections, I plan to briefly explain how I have approached each individual task and what it has helped me understand or develop my knowledge regarding to the job area it will help me develop skills or understanding around the subject. 

Also explaining how each task is relevant to my interests and helping me discover what i want to do. By doing this i feel it is the best way i can help my self discover what i will be able to enjoy as a digital career.   

Week 8 - Finding design jobs for me

Design jobs:

Exploring jobs and the suitability to myself through interest and skill requirements.

Job 1:

Graduate User Interface Designer 

From Dorset Software

• Explain very briefly how well they match

I believe this job wold be a good match for me due to my interest in UI design but also working as part of a team to create bespoke IT systems for a range of clients. 

• what does each job involve/ what they do?

Dorset software create and maintain bespoke IT systems. 

• what responsibilities?

Designing adverts and marketing material alongside the Digital Marketing team, 

Creating engaging and self-intuitive user interfaces across a variety of digital and non-digital platforms

Contributing to our marketing strategy and raising brand awareness through new and adventurous ideas

Providing consultancy at clients’ premises across the UK as required

• skills required (hard and soft) for the job:

A minimum 2:1 degree in a relevant, creative subject

An excellent academic background

Exceptional creative design skills

Knowledge of current and appropriate software tools

Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills

• where do they work?

Bournemouth, Dorset & Providing consultancy across the UK

• hours?

Unknown
But state: Excellent work/life balance with flexible working hours

• salary range?

£23000 - £24000 dependent on experience

• A role with a future?

I believe this job had potential to have leads to move up to a more senior UI designer, as i would be working in a team the graduate job would start off at the lower end of the team. Allowing room for growth. 

• how would you get this job?

Need to have a minimum of a 2:1 Degree, what i believe i will be able to achieve.
Exceptional creative design skills, what i will be able to showcase through a strong portfolio at the end of my course. Also strong understanding of current industry software what i will continue to develop as it is in my interest.

• Would this be a good career for you? A good match to your skills and strengths and interests?

Yes i believe this would be a good starting job from leaving university, due to the good pay, it falls within my interest, seems to have room for promotion within the workplace and will help me develop industry standards and experience on a range of projects.  

Job 2:

• Explain very briefly how well they match

Match well, look to be an interesting company who continuously adapt to the newly adapted technologies/software. also work work with large clients.

• what does each job involve/ what they do?

Use of Axure Pro for interactive wire framing
Applying usability principles and best practice to design work – across devices and channels
Delivering and supporting research with end users
Creation of corporate identities for medium to large organisations
Photography and video steer
Digital brand translation
Animation/3D/Video experience
Passion for content and attention to detail
Experience platform learning and client support in this area

• what responsibilities?

?

• skills required (hard and soft) for the job

Industry knowledge and experience.  

• where do they work?

Bournemouth, Dorset 

• hours?

Unknown

• salary range?

£20,000 - £25,000 - subject to experience

• A role with a future?

Yes 

• how would you get this job?

Would need to create a very good portfolio with relevant work of industry standards.

• Would this be a good career for you? A good match to your skills and strengths and interests?

Yes i believe that this role could be very interesting as i would be able to work on a range of project not limited to focusing on one particular skill of field.

Job 3:

Thought this process of looking for job posts I don't feel like this would be the right process for me, instead I would contact smaller creative agencies and see weather the would want to take me on. This way I believe I would be happier in finding a location/ business where I feel i would fit in and they wold have the kind of environment that i would want to work under.  

Some Companies that i would consider Includes:

• Candy Black

           https://www.candyblack.com/

•  Rolling Rouges 

           https://www.rollingrogues.com/

• Salad Creative 

          https://saladcreative.com/

• Thinking Juice 

           https://www.thinkingjuice.co.uk/

• Explain very briefly how well they match
• what does each job involve/ what they do?
• what responsibilities?
• skills required (hard and soft) for the job
• where do they work?
• hours?
• salary range?
• A role with a future?
• how would you get this job?
• Would this be a good career for you? A good match to your skills and strengths and interests?

Candy Black - Example of a company id like to work for:

Links:

https://www.candyblack.com/contact/

https://ifyoucouldjobs.com/

https://www.hexstud.io/

http://www.uxconnections.com/wp-content/uploads/UX_Connections_UX_Consultant.pdf

https://www.underwaterpistol.com/

Week 7 - Feedback on 5 year career plan

Week 7 

Following on from presenting my 5 year career plan in class, I was given feedback from Dave and the class. This gave me some points to address, change and adapt to make a better, more relevant 5 year carer plan.

Areas to improve:

• SWOT analysis, could add more points in all areas. Maybe complete another as the process goes on to give some contrast and see if i have turned and weaknesses into strengths or what i still need to address.  

• Redo Quick self assessment as document has corrupted.

• Regrade my personal skills analysis, may have been harsh on myself ?

• On conclusion and next step stage i need to look more in-depth at the kinds of jobs that will suit me. UX / UI what jobs inside would suit me best. Need to narrow down and understand the job roles in more detail. This will help me develop relevant skills depending on my area of interest.

• Need to add current CV, its fine that its not relevant.

• Start developing promotional tools. Ideas of what i can do.

• Add to appendix 

• Add to bibliography

Overall:

From this feedback I have found areas that I must improve to develop my 5 year career plan, this is to help me understand the job areas I am most interested in through more research and developing understanding around the possible skills and knowledge in that subject area. As well as developing areas like my current CV, personal skills and developing self promotion to show off my best current skill set.