Website Building

Yesterday, we were asked to create a website as part of our Developing Professional Practice module. I tend to associate websites with businesses and popular brands, however, I like the concept of producing a web page to represent myself and my work. My site will act as an online portfolio where I can advertise myself to potential employers. I believe that the design of a website should represent a brands identity. Therefore, I will experiment with illustrations, colour and layout to portray my cheerful personality.

Our tutor recommended a series of platforms we could use to create our website. He listed the programs in order from easiest to hardest. Google Site is the most straightforward website builder but is limited in its features. I was discouraged from using Google Site as I don't want to restrict my creativity. WordPress requires a certain level of technical skills and is challenging to follow. Last year, I produced my blog with WordPress and found myself using Google to learn how to manage the software (Figure 1). It was difficult to adjust the design and layout of the pages. Unless you purchase complex themes, you are limited in what you can create. As a result, I decided to use a different platform to construct my blog and website.

Figure 1, the blog I created using word press last year. (Click me to open the web page)

Wix is the online site developer I favoured as it's simple to use and provides a mini-tutorial when you begin. It is straightforward to reconstruct the appearance of the site and add different media by using the toolbar. Wix is free to use and provides several templates that users can choose from. It is perfect for young professionals and students. After experimenting with the program, I decided to create my website with Wix.

Figure 2, David Chipperfield Architects Web Page

Before I began building my website, I searched for inspiration. I admire David Chipperfield Architects page (Figure 2) as it adopts a minimalist approach. The design consists of a white background and little text which encourages the viewer to focus on the photographs and projects. I like the style of the navigation bar. The font is easy to read and allows users to guide their way around the site. The home page includes a slide show of projects completed by the firm. Information about each image is provided when individuals click on the headline at the bottom of the page. The company website is simplistic but sophisticated. Although I would like to mimic a similar aesthetic on my site, I also want to experiment with colour to convey my personality and design approach.

References

https://davidchipperfield.com/

https://elliesinteriorblog.wordpress.com/