Research

My website research started off with looking more closely at sites of designers I already liked and have previously made a note of.

Contrary to some really nicely designed sites and interesting portfolio layouts, it can be difficult to find information and understand the context of each project.

My research helped me find a middle ground between a very neat and interesting-looking portfolio — but also one that is easy to understand and navigate through.

Layout

I liked grid-like formats that use landscape, portrait and square images, so it doesn’t appear too rigid and keeps the design intent for each project.

I really liked Gregory Lalle‘s site – I think there is a really good sense of space and layout that really allows the projects to be the focus.

Sites including DenCool, Norm Architects and Studio Feixen use a grid format, displaying images with different proportions. I think this is a good way of showing a variety of work, through landscape and portrait formats. It does not feel too structured or rigid, but neat enough to guide your eyes down the page without feeling overwhelmed.

I wanted to make reference to Clover Robin‘s site, specifically where her portfolio page features her work-in-progress images too. Her practice is centered around collage and traditional methods, and I thought having images of her raw collage pieces and unfinished work was really nice to break up the grid of finished, more polished work.

Typography

In terms of typography choices, I quite liked the sites Gregory Lalle, Katy Welsh, Studio Moross, Geroge Lewin Studio and Blank Slate Studio. Their sites are super simple and easy to read and skim across through uncomplicated sans-serif typefaces.

These sites all rely on imagery and portfolio work to be the focus of their site and first impressions, and having a very simple typeface selection makes it very easy to navigate and understand, especially for non-creative personnel.

Colour Scheme

I took inspiration from Gregory Lalle, Geroge Lewin Studio, LOM Studio and MML Studio, where they have very neutral colour palettes. I love the consideration of white space used across these creatives; I think it helps all your imagery stand out and feel balanced.

It also sets the tone for your audience when your site is easy to navigate and the overall appearance is easy on the eye.

I liked the use of coloured accents in the logo, the colour of the footer, and the navigation menu — I think it adds an interesting point to your site and breaks things up visually, whilst reinforcing the identity of your creative practice or studio.

Logo

I took inspiration from How Studio, PA Architects, MML Studio and qR Architects — I love the simplicity of the lettering and how their logos are really easy to read and recognise. I think having a simpler logo that isn’t too heavy on the eye makes it easier across a variety of uses and completes your website in coming across as professional and clean.

Navigation Menu Design

I thought having a fixed navigation menu was the best option in having my pages and work accessible. With a hidden navigation menu, although it might be obvious in concept, it can be easy to miss.

I especially like the use of having the logo and the site name within the navigation menu, as pictured inAdam Higton‘s site and Sophie Patterson Interiors

It makes it really clear and gives your audience a name or a simple graphic to remember.

Blog Post

My portfolio page leads you to individual posts about each project. I took inspiration from Katy Welsh‘s site and how she formats hers, starting with Research. I think taking the audience through a visual journey as well as providing some context to how you got there is really interesting and gives your practice a sense of personality and profession.

About Section

Across most creatives’ sites, the About section details the artist’s practice, what areas of design they cover and what kind of work they create. I specifically liked how simple Katie Welsh and Studio Feixen’s About sections were, focusing on the type of work, their location and a selection of clients they have worked for.

I noted how Studio Feixen has links to their social media pages too, which is useful to have on the About page in case someone in your audience is not necessarily wanting your services just yet, but wants to connect with you. I included these in the Contact page too.

Social Media

I am still working on curating my social media, but some of the artists and studios I follow because I quite liked their social media approach are ZainabMughalArts and graphidesignand_.

They are different in terms of visual aesthetics, but I have always loved how ZainabMughalArts‘ social media is very ‘on brand’ — she uses the same colours, formats and carousel templates frequently to create consistency and reinforce her identity.

I like how she presented her work using mockups, reels and carousel posts — this variety.

Similarly, graphidesignand_. consistently used the same formatted images, at a 1:1 ratio, to create white space and breathing room between images, as her colour palettes are quite strong and bold.

I like the variety of work graphicdesignand_ shows too: page spreads, book covers, exhibition photos, quotations, all contributing to showing her practice.