Portfolio Website

This page is a work in progress!

During the summer of 2024, I did a work study as a Web Assistant for the University of Toronto Communications team. Wanting to put what I learned to use, I decided to cocurrently work on this personal website. My goal was to create a space that felt personal and fun, while ensuring that it was accessible and easy to navigate.

Research

Target Audience

My target audience for this website was recruiters and potential collaborators in the design and tech industry. They want portfolios that are easy to scan and provide a clear overview of the designer's skills and experience.

User Persona

Name Alex
Occupation Senior Recruiter at a Tech Company
Background Alex has been working as a recruiter for the past 10 years. They are tech-savvy, comfortable navigating various online platforms, and accustomed to reviewing portfolios quickly.
Goals Find a UI/UX designer with a strong portfolio that demonstrates both creative and technical skills. Does not have a lot of time to spend on a portfolio.
Opportunity areas Short, impactful portfolio pieces with clear visuals. Well-written case studies that explain the designer’s thought process, challenges faced, and solutions. Easily accessible contact information.

Secondary Research

I started by looking at the websites of other designers and developers to see what they included and how they presented their work. I found that many of them had a clean and minimalistic design, with a focus on their portfolio and resume.

I also decided to look at websites of some of my favourite artists to see how they incorporate their creativity into their websites. I found that many of them used bright colours, fun and interactive animations, and many unique elements. They also focused on showcasing each piece of their work and had a newsfeed or blog to keep their audience updated.

Prototype Process

Wireframe Sketches

Concept sketches of the website

Prototypes

Check out the Figma file.

Implementation & Testing

Creating this website was a great learning experience for me. I learned how to use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create a responsive and interactive website. I also learned how to optimize websites for performance, accessibility, and the search engine (SEO).

While developing this website, I got quality feedback from my peers and mentors. I used this feedback to improve the website and make it more user-friendly. I also learned how to use Google Analytics 4 to track its performance such as using metrics like the bounce rate.

Reflection

Future Improvements

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