First professional site - follow up

[flashlight]

Hiya gang,

A week or so ago I posted my professional site (www.flashlightdesign.com) and got some great feedback - thanks.

I've decided to launch a second site to promote ME, as opposed to my company, to potential employers. The idea being that if you're a client, I'll direct you to flashlightdesign.com, but if you're a design studio, I'll direct you to www.peterflaschner.com

Would one (or all) of you be so kind as to check www.peterflaschner.com?

Feel free to be harsh and rude - it's way more fun that way!

[smoothhabitat]

what if you put that intro thing on the main page somewhere?

[flashlight]

Hey - thanks, but I'm not quite sure what you mean.

[smoothhabitat]

If you put that rotating "BECAUSE: blah blah blah" on the about page, you could avoid the "intro" and people might actually look at it more.

[TennisStar]

Hey, i like your marketing strategy! pretty powerful!
It would be better if you could back it up with a more creative site though!

:D

Varun

[flashlight]

If you put that rotating "BECAUSE: blah blah blah" on the about page, you could avoid the "intro" and people might actually look at it more.

Ah, good point. Thanks

[flashlight]

It would be better if you could back it up with a more creative site though!


Thanks. I've purposefully kept this very simple to try to appeal to a wider audience. Not sure this is the right tactic, but I'm gonna give it a go for a bit.

[smoothhabitat]

simple can be good. keep the focus on your work though, you have to prove all those statements you make with evidence.

[Curly Brace]

Few moments:

1. The index page has a title 'Untitled Document'. Is it a joke?
2. At the end of intro why don't you improve the 'click here' button so it become more clickable? :)

And yes, you've got nice site!

[flashlight]

Yes, it is a joke. Only I'm not laughing. Thanks for catching that!

[cool.Marty]

I don't like being negative, because just when you think someone might not be that good, or whatever, they can turn around and become awesome, making you eat your words. Possibly.

However, from both of your sites, i think that all your marketing and sales experiences comes accross VERY well, but i think it is even overpowering the actual creativity skills that you may have.

It comes accross like you definitely talk the talk, but are not quite yet walking the walk.

[flashlight]

Fair enough – I've only been practicing as a designer for a couple of months now. I guess what I've learned, in my short time on this little planet of ours, is that unless one is willing to stretch one's abilities, growth comes slowly.

I don't think I'm going to pull the wool over anyone's eyes with this site: I'm not going to be hired as a designer if I can't back up the skills. But my hope is that the site will help me stand out a bit from the hundreds of others out there in the market all vieing for the same couple of entry level jobs.

Thanks again,

Peter

[ikkon]

I think what they were saying...was just the simple fact of...to obtain a audiance you first have to captivate them....draw them into to what your dream is...they have to feel apart of it...entranced almost...

this doesn't mean you have to have a great 3d site or something...but eye catchers are always good to have....something that brings your site out of the norm...

like some said...you have to show the clientel what your selling you can actually porform...no one will just trust what you say on your web site to be true...unless they have proof they can see...

[flashlight]

Ok. So, what I'm hearing is that there may be problems with the "less is more" approach to the message. My specific question pertains to the portfolio section then: is the work a) too hidden (ie too deep in the site), b) not up to the "strength" of the message (ie crap), c) too thin (ie not enough examples), or d) all of the above?

Keep in mind this site exists solely for the viewing pleasure of art directors/studio principals, etc. I will be directing those people to the site via resume's, job applications, etc.

I really appreciate all the comments. This form and this group are fantastic. Consider me a newly addicted member. Thanks!

Peter

[smoothhabitat]

i'd put your portfolio on the main page and big. you can keep things simple still. companies want to know if you're work is up to par first, then they want to know about you. also, they're more likely to read the text after they see your work. prioritize.

my site has the same downfall. i'm working on a redesign with the focus on the work.

[cool.Marty]

Nah, i don't think that your work is crap AT ALL, your logos are great imo, but BECAUSE of the great job you've done with the logos it shows that you have the ability to do much better with the site(s) themselves too.

They look kinda rushed/unfinished in my opinion? The other one more so than this one.

And, yea, the work speaks louder than words, so make that the main focus of the sites.

In fact, i think that your sites don't need flash and would look better as a few well designed photoshop pages in html (with css). Would go well with your minimalist approach, and you can design the whole page/site as a 'logo'.

[flashlight]

Thanks cool.Marty. You've convinced me. Back to the drawing board!

Peter