Following my research I was able to brainstorm then narrow down a set of rules to apply to my website as follows:​​​​
I n i t i a l B r a i n s t o r m i n g
M y F i n a l R u l e B o o k
V i s u a l C o n s i s t e n c y
C o n t e n t + M a i n t e n a n c e
01
ART STYLE:
USE A HAND-CRAFTED QUALITY TO YOUR ART, TO RETAIN VISUAL CONSISTENCY AND YOUR OWN SENSE OF STYLE.LIKE THE USER IS FLICKING THROUGH A SKETCHBOOK
02
LAYOUT:
-
USE A CONSISTENT, CONTEMPORARY AND CLEAN LAYOUT TO ALLOW FOR YOUR DETAILED WORK TO FULLY APPRECIATED.
2. BE MINDFUL OF THE PLACEMENT OF
IMAGES USING COLOUR THEORY, IN
ORDER TO AVOID A VISUAL CLASH
03
TYPEFACE:
USE A MODERN, SIMPLE STYLE OF SANS SERIF TO GIVE INFORMATION BUT NOT DETRACT FROM WORK
04
ICONS:
STICK TO BUTTONS AND ARROWS THAT ARE THE SAME THROUGHOUT THE PORTFOLIO, TO AID USER ABILITY
11
MAIN HEADER LINKS:
ILLUSTRATION, PAPER ANIMATION, BOOKS, PERSONAL PROJECTS (INC. INSTALLATION, POP UPS), ABOUT ME, CONTACT (FORM) + CART (IF I SELL DIGITAL WORK)
12
FOOTER:
A) LINKS TO OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA I.E. LINKEDIN, INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK
B) CONTACT INFORMATION AGAIN
13
MAINTENANCE:
A) CREATE A SET FRAMEWORK FOR THE PAGES, SO IT IS EASY TO DROP NEW WORK IN
B) KEEP THE BACKGROUND WHITE SO ANY WORK CAN VISUALLY FIT IN
C) DECIDE ON SET DAYS FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE
I d e n t i t y + P e r s o n a l i t y
05
BRANDING:
CREATE A LOGO, SIGNATURE OR ALTEREGO/MASCOT AND TRY TO ENCORPORATE THIS WITHIN THE LAYOUT OF THE PAGE, SO IT IS UNEFFECTED AS YOU CONTINUE TO ADD MORE WORK
06
SHOWREELS:
FIND A WAY OF INCLUDING SHOWREELS WHICH GIVES A BEHIND THE SCENES AND A SNAPSHOT INTO YOUR WORKING LIFE
07
PASSION PROJECTS:
-
CREATE A SEPARATE PAGE FOR PERSONAL PROJECTS, WHICH WILL SHOW YOUR INTERESTS OUTWITH ILLUSTRATION.
-
USE COLOURS IN THIS SECTION THAT REFLECT YOUR PERSONALITY AND INTERESTS
I n t e r a c t i o n s + T r a n s i t i o n s
F o r M e
14
CONSISTENCY:
A) UPLOAD AND UPDATE YOUR ONLINE PORTFOLIO AND SOCIAL MEDIA AT A SET TIME AND DAY.
B) MAYBE MAKE A FEATURE OF THIS I.E. #MOTIVATIONALMONDAYS, #TUESDAYTIPS, #HUMPDAY, #TBT, #FOLLOWFRIDAY ETC.
15
PASSION:
SHARE WORK THAT MEANS SOMETHING TO YOU
16
FOCUS:
DON’T GET OVERWHELMED BY THE WORK OF OTHERS, STAY TRUE TO YOUR JOURNEY AND BE PATIENT
17
PERSONABLE:
REMAIN PROFESSIONAL AND FIND OPPORTUNTIES TO ENGAGE WITH OTHERS
08
MIX OF MEDIA:
TRY TO USE A MIX OF MEDIA SUCH AS REELS, GIFS, STILL IMAGES, ANIMATIONS, THUMBNAILS ETC. TO CREATE VISUAL INTEREST AND A VARIATION IN INTERACTION THROUGHOUT THE PORTFOILIO, BUT MORESO ON THE LANDING PAGE.
09
CAPTIONING:
IN ORDER TO KEEP THE PAGE CLEAN, USE THE HOVER CURSOR OPTION TO BRING UP CAPTIONS ON THE IMAGES WHERE POSSIBLE
10
NAVIGATION:
A) USE CAROUSEL OF IMAGES AND VIDEOS.
B) USE THE DOWN ARROW TO ALLOW FOR MORE INFORMATION TO BE DISPLAYED AND FOR USERABILTY
C) CREATE MAIN LINKS AS A BANNER AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE, FOR EAST OF NAVIGATION
R e f l e c t i o n o f A p p l i c a t i o n
For this online portfolio. I was able to apply some of my research and rules:
1. Using a clean white background to showcase my illustrations and by using a non offensive or strong typeface like Heather Clements
2. To use a hand crafted style of Typography like Julian Curi
3.By retaining my anonymity on my 'about me' page, similar to Zim Zou
4. Keeping navigation tools to a minimum like Owen Gildersleeve
5. The inclusion of social media links
6. By introducing elements of animation and interaction like Ingamana
​
There are elements that I think need work, but I believe I will be able to develop in time, such as:
​
1. The link between my site and my Instagram. There needs to be more visual cohesiveness. Right now it feels like two separate styles. By bringing white into my Instagram posts, as well as more considered photography like Owen Gildersleeve, I believe it will help make the connection
2. More reels, and more behind the scenes needed like Heather Clements
3. More personality like Julian Curi and Lobulo. I hope as I develop my work that I will be able to draw this out and present this in my site. Right now, I am still not sure what that looks like.
4. More colour blocking like Lobulo, although I hope this will naturally develop as I add and develop my own work
​