Portfolio Wireframes

Since my last post, I have created wireframes as shown below...

Additionally, I have begun creating my portfolio. Below is a screenshot of the home page...

I have chosen to use fixed navigation at the top of the page. This means it will always remain at the top, even when the user scrolls down. The primary advantage of this is that it will always be accessible.

A second feature I have used is the Javascript scroller (which was made available online), to display recent work. The main problem encountered here was that it only functioned in Chrome and Firefox. This was a main disadvantage to Internet Explorer users. To solve this problem, I enquired about it on a Jquery/Javascript forum. A user shortly reply saying  a comma was not needed in the code. Having removed the comma, the scroller worked in all three browsers!

P.S. I also updated the layout of my blog to fit in with my portfolio!

Portfolio

For Context 2, I am required to create a Portfolio to present my work. Even if this wasn't an assignment, I would still create one - to get my name out there and expand my network. I've recently purchased my domain name, so it should be up and running soon!

This is the colour scheme I have chosen to use. Having researched current portfolios, I believe the majority of them have a simple appearance, with a limited number of colours. I have chosen to make mine pretty colourful to represent me as a person!

Above is the logo I intend to use on my site. I created this using Adobe Illustrator and by following online tutorials on how to make 3D text. This is the first time I have created something "graphicy" and I am pleased with the outcome!

After having created my logo and decided on the colour scheme, I created a mock-up of the Home Page, as shown below:

However, I am currently unsure on whether to create each page individually and link them up, or to try something new and create a one page website.

Voyage

Task: Design, build and deploy a minimum five page website that is validated to WC3 standards and includes at least three interactive Javascript routines that enhance the interactive experience.

At first I found it difficult to come up with an idea on Voyage, due to the fact I am used to having a more specific brief. However, having thought about it alot more recently, I have decided to base it on a past holiday in New York, possibly including pages on attractions, places to stay etc.

I have decided to use illustrator to create the majority of it - to provide the site with a cartoon effect.
My initial thoughts for the home page is to create well known New York buildings in Adobe Illustrator, and having an animated plane fly over them (with sound of course), all witn an 'Enter' button underneath.

My Network Diagram

Context 2 companies

Retrofuzz is one company I will use in my Context 2 assignment. They are a small company, based in Manchester, that work in the music industry, designing websites for Artists such as Arctic Monkeys, The Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney, amongst others. I decided to research this company because I share the same interests as them, Music and web design, and working for such a company would be the ultimate workplace for me.  

A second company I plan to use in my Context 2 essay is De Facto, a medium sized company, consisting of 15 designers and programmers, based in Lace Market, Nottingham. They have obtained work for The Specials, Fred Perry and Ted Baker, in addition to local projects. I decided to research this company because, like Retrofuzz, I share the same interests as them.

Context 2: Company Analysis

Last week I received my first Context 2 assignment. At first I didn't understand it, but the more I read it, the easier it seems.

Task: You are to research and write a report discussing your place in multimedia in terms of your network and companies that you identify, that can be connected to that network and that you are interested in working with.

Your report should include a diagram of your network identifying contacts that you already have, both at home and through your university, as well as new contacts and companies that you discover during the course of the research for this report.

Progress: So far I have written my introduction and come up with several questions to ask potential design companies