Please critique my portfolio (Updated - Please look again!)

It doesn't matter if you do all the error checking in the world, or if you have the most beautiful graphics, if your site or application design isn't usable, it's not going to do well. Get input and advice on usability and user interface issues here.

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slimsam1
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Please critique my portfolio (Updated - Please look again!)

Post by slimsam1 »

I just did a major update! Two changes: increased the iframe size and reworked the nav.


http://worksinmetal.com/

I'm looking for opinions on anything and everything.





Please let me know if you can't see the large images when you click a thumbnail in the gallery. I'm using simple javascript pop-ups to display the large pictures, and I want to make sure that it works for everybody. (Those with a popup blocker should get a javascript message explaining the problem, and also a new plain window should open with the picture)
Last edited by slimsam1 on Thu Feb 24, 2005 2:00 am, edited 3 times in total.
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Chris Corbyn
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Post by Chris Corbyn »

Not made for 800x600 then? :lol:
slimsam1
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Post by slimsam1 »

d11wtq wrote:Not made for 800x600 then? :lol:
Not as such.
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feyd
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Post by feyd »

I'm not a fan of the iframe setup, especially with the size font used, and volume of content.. (requires a lot of scrolling) .. everything else is okay though.
slimsam1
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Post by slimsam1 »

feyd wrote:I'm not a fan of the iframe setup, especially with the size font used, and volume of content.. (requires a lot of scrolling) .. everything else is okay though.
Text and thumnails shrunk! You made a valid point. I think it's a lot better now, thanks!
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CoderGoblin
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Post by CoderGoblin »

Personal opinion only.... :wink:

I like seeing scroll bars on the right of the page, not in the middle. As such I would swap the two information areas around. I think some users my not recognise the fact that they can scroll and therefore not realise the full range of items you have. The problem with the scroll bar gets compounded by having it next to the blue vertical line which tends to "attract the eye" to itself rather than the scroll bar.
slimsam1
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Post by slimsam1 »

CoderGoblin wrote:Personal opinion only.... :wink:

I like seeing scroll bars on the right of the page, not in the middle. As such I would swap the two information areas around. I think some users my not recognise the fact that they can scroll and therefore not realise the full range of items you have. The problem with the scroll bar gets compounded by having it next to the blue vertical line which tends to "attract the eye" to itself rather than the scroll bar.
I read your post, and programmed something that should help with those problems. Refresh and take a look! You'll need a newer browser for things to work properly.
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CoderGoblin
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Post by CoderGoblin »

Had a quick look, unfortunately (using Mozilla Firebird 0.7) clicking the scroll down 'graphic' (Initially I thought that would scroll for me) then moving outside the frame creates a strange block effect.

The scroll down graphic itself also detracts from the content. I would just reverse the two blocks (the "menu" and the detail) rather than complicate matters.
slimsam1
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Post by slimsam1 »

CoderGoblin wrote:Had a quick look, unfortunately (using Mozilla Firebird 0.7) clicking the scroll down 'graphic' (Initially I thought that would scroll for me) then moving outside the frame creates a strange block effect.

The scroll down graphic itself also detracts from the content. I would just reverse the two blocks (the "menu" and the detail) rather than complicate matters.

I appreciate the input, however I would like the content to be on the left. The image at least lets the user know that they *can* scroll down. Perhaps if I change the image itself it would be more clear that the scrollbar is what needs clicking.


What sort of a "block effect"? Screenshot perhaps?
windwaker
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Post by windwaker »

I already have a scrollbar at the right. :(

The design is quite good, but yeah, implimenting a block layout (as seen in just about every site that doesn't have an iframe/div scrollbar) would be great.
slimsam1
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Post by slimsam1 »

windwaker wrote:I already have a scrollbar at the right. :(

The design is quite good, but yeah, implimenting a block layout (as seen in just about every site that doesn't have an iframe/div scrollbar) would be great.
800x600?
Last edited by slimsam1 on Thu Mar 10, 2005 8:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
slimsam1
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Post by slimsam1 »

Just updated, see original post.


http://worksinmetal.com/
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Ambush Commander
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Post by Ambush Commander »

Initial response: Looks professional but professional at the same time. I think it's the color scheme.

The opening text isn't very explanatory. I don't really know what exactly this site is for.

IFrame works very well in this context. Thumbnail positioning is kinda arbitrary, your eye has to skip from one side to the other.

"There's More" popup is kinda annoying.

Script seems to work flawlessly.
slimsam1
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Post by slimsam1 »

professional but professional?


Thanks for your thoughts. I will definitely do something about the home page text.
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