Critique my portfolio
Categories: design, graduate school
These past couple of days I’ve been working on my design portfolio in preparation for my Silicon Valley trip in December. Making the transition from engineering to interaction design, I’m a bit concerned on how to construct an effective portfolio for IxD internships this summer. I’ve been researching some information online and reviewing interaction design portfolios on the web to get ideas and inspiration.
Aside from looking at material online, for additional guidance, I’ve been contacting my fellow colleagues and asked them to critique my current portfolio. Notably Human Computer Interaction Design PhD student Kevin Makice, second year graduates Sindhia Thirumaran and Jamie McAtee, and a couple of the first year graduates. So far I’ve received some great feedback and plan to make updates based on their recommendations this weekend.
I would like to get my readers advice and critique the current state of my portfolio. I’m curious to what you all have to say and what you think interaction design companies are looking for.
image accessed: http://flickr.com/photos/20745656@N00/284706992/ (2007)
5 Comments, Comment or Ping
Vignesh
I think it looks really good. I like the layout and the way you’ve put each project. I think you should add a section on “reflections” at the end of each project. Dave Royer gave me the idea, and I think its really important. Other than that, I might copy some styles for myself. :p
Nov 1st, 2007
James Pierce
GENERAL
+ the overall look and feel of the site is good
+ the cover photos and descriptions are all clear and concise
- dave royer had a reflections section for each of his project which i thought was pretty cool…might want to consider adding in the future
iPOD TOUCH
+ sexy interface shot
- might want to show the evolution leading up to the sexy shot…e.g. sketches and testing materials for prototyping
- if your report you turned in was really good, you should link to it.
CHI
+ pics of you team meetings are good…show you’ve done work and that you are experienced in a “disignerly” group design studio environment.. might consider adding them for all projects
- consider shortening the design problem for chi, maybe just an excerpt…it feels like this section is about CHI rather than what you are doing.
- would be better to include some concrete progress you’ve made, e.g. some insights or a solid target/affected group with rationale, or affinity diagram (related to the pics you show)
USABILITY
+ the report looks *really* good…
- page 2 of your pdf for the report has a big error message displayed on it that stands out
Nov 2nd, 2007
Qian
I like your portfolio. It is clear and easy to browse.
1. For the text part of each project, you may could write something about how this project helps you in your career, or your insight of the project, rather than all about the project itself, such as methodology. If your target reader is perspective employer. I think that will help.
2. The layout for the portfolio makes the page a very long one. You need to move the slide bar a long way to see what’s in the bottom. (Wow, you have done so many design work.) And, it will get even longer when new projects are add in.
3. This one could be personal preference. When the cursor is on certain button on the top, it turns orange. The color contract is too sharp. Since the bottom is large ones, the color need not to be a very sharp one.
I do not have a portfolio yet.
Nov 2nd, 2007
Jason
@Vignesh: I agree. This is something that I discussed with a few people earlier today. Although I think I’ll be restricting the “reflections” section to a paragraph at max.
@Qian: Thanks for your comments. As far as the length, most likely I’ll need to remove some of my old work and try to focus on a few pieces. I’m still figuring out which ones to leave/remove.
One idea that would resolve this scrolling issue is to use videos to tell my story for each project. Unfortunately, I have very limited video production experience, but it’s an idea worth exploring.
Nov 2nd, 2007
Ankit
Overall it is a good portfolio, the color transitions between elements is really smooth. If i were you i would rename home to “About me” and add the resume along the main tabs (along with photos,blog….)
Nov 2nd, 2007
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