This portfolio has gone through a few design iterations, fueled primarily by my further learning about how to use WordPress. Initially, I was not using a theme and I was primarily blocked by my inability to navigate WordPress’s editing systems. However, I finally found a theme that worked well enough to post things over the course of the semester and focused primarily on making sure the copy in my portfolio was professional/appropriate for the pages it was on and accessibility concerns, like making sure contrast was acceptable and alt text was present on images. However, in this final design phase, I’ve made aesthetic changes in how the pages are laid out and navigation changes. This final design is much easier to navigate, features the most important pages at the top, and still keeps focus on my primary design values of simplicity and efficiency through a neutral color scheme and clear signifiers for affordances.
- Navigation
- The newest iteration of the portfolio has an expandable navigation menu from the top-right of the screen on desktop. It lists all of the important pages that are featured on the landing page of the application as well as a link to the blog that is accessible at the bottom of the page.
- Color
- I’ve kept the color scheme on the page as simple as possible, as I think it adds to the simplicity value that I keep echoing. Additionally, no other color combination provides as much contrast as black text on white background.
- Affordance/Signifier Harmony
- One example of this is that in every case on the main page, if there is an image, it can be clicked to go to a different page.
- Accessibility
- I’ve ensured all headers and images have header tags and alt text respectively.
- Usability Elements
- I utilize bulleted lists in any area where lists would be beneficial for digestion (primarily here and in my list of usability problems and fixes on the project page). Additionally, I make sure headings are appropriate, common, and descriptive on all main pages.
At the end of the day, since this class was primarily a learning opportunity to help cover my weaknesses in design rather than to add to my strengths, I don’t particularly feel like this portfolio is employer ready. But as I develop further projects and keep adding to my portfolio in the future, I think this is a great starting place in terms of experience and inspiration for the future. I could certainly lean more into aesthetics because I feel like I frequently neglect the creativity/character of designs I create (as I mention in my project page as well), but I’ve learned a lot so far. Anyways, it’s been a pleasure.
-Jacob