Hey all!
I though I would share with you what I have been working on during my week off work. Yes, that's right, I took a week off work to devote more time to personal stuff, especially considering I worked over the Christmas break.
I have been planning to get my freelance business back up to speed for quite some time now, and hopefully this is the first step to getting there. I complete re-created the website (considering the old one had not been updated in almost 3 years!).
Anyway the website is flash based and was probably the most challenging site I have ever coded. Many early mornings spent pulling my hear out over java scripting and flash coding. But it has all paid off in the end.
There is even an all new video portfolio there as well, which I whipped up over the past couple of days. I have never done one before because I did not have enough material to put in there, so I am happy to finally have one that feels whole.
Anyway, I just thought I would share it with you guys,as you have been there to support me since before I even started in this business, and I am sure you will be around for many more years to come! In the meantime check out the site, and lend me all the critique you can muster, as I am sure there are bound to be a few annoying little issues here and there that I left out. Note: I am aware the scroll feature on the video does not work at the moment... this should be fixed soon.
Here is the link: http://www.provisionaustralia.com.au
Cheers!
-Cub. =o)
I though I would share with you what I have been working on during my week off work. Yes, that's right, I took a week off work to devote more time to personal stuff, especially considering I worked over the Christmas break.
I have been planning to get my freelance business back up to speed for quite some time now, and hopefully this is the first step to getting there. I complete re-created the website (considering the old one had not been updated in almost 3 years!).
Anyway the website is flash based and was probably the most challenging site I have ever coded. Many early mornings spent pulling my hear out over java scripting and flash coding. But it has all paid off in the end.
There is even an all new video portfolio there as well, which I whipped up over the past couple of days. I have never done one before because I did not have enough material to put in there, so I am happy to finally have one that feels whole.
Anyway, I just thought I would share it with you guys,as you have been there to support me since before I even started in this business, and I am sure you will be around for many more years to come! In the meantime check out the site, and lend me all the critique you can muster, as I am sure there are bound to be a few annoying little issues here and there that I left out. Note: I am aware the scroll feature on the video does not work at the moment... this should be fixed soon.
Here is the link: http://www.provisionaustralia.com.au
Cheers!
-Cub. =o)
DrPaul nailed it, very professional looking...
I like the little added feature that you can change the background with that button... Will it change the color as well in the future???
I like the little added feature that you can change the background with that button... Will it change the color as well in the future???
The Paved Straight Road, Won't Always Get You Farther Than The Winding Dirt Road...
Can You Run Your Game??? Click Here And Find Out...
*Note, Not All Games Have Been Tested & Therefore May Not Be Listed...
Can You Run Your Game??? Click Here And Find Out...
*Note, Not All Games Have Been Tested & Therefore May Not Be Listed...
This is brilliant!!
You wrote: lend me all the critique you can muster
I only saw one thing that could be different (although I am sure you would have done this if it was possible): Under CONTACT it should be possibe to "click" on the email address or at least be possible to mark and copy the address with the mouse.
Either way, this is very good!
You wrote: lend me all the critique you can muster
I only saw one thing that could be different (although I am sure you would have done this if it was possible): Under CONTACT it should be possibe to "click" on the email address or at least be possible to mark and copy the address with the mouse.
Either way, this is very good!
Played it once, stuck for life.
Cub, your portfolio presentation kicks ASS! Seamless with your choice of music. Stunning!
The About "You" section could use some tweaking imho. I would stress your professional experience, and not emphasis the self taught. Do you have any memberships or afflilations in your pocket? I would try to come across more as a solid practical business instead of "freelance."
The second paragraph, last sentence, I would also add. (and their budget.)
Take out the Cheers! You want to come across as professional and "adult." Someone they can trust their money to.
On the main page I would remove the first paragraph, no sense advertising that you haven't been keeping up on the site. The 2nd paragraph awesome. Toot the old horn! I would even suggest putting in some of the flash freeze stuff.
Publicity, news, noteworthy, ANY thing that you've gotten public recognition, GOOD! Shout that out!
I'd hire you!
Are you sure you haven't peddled any of your warez to TPTB?
Cheers! (ha)
Jen
The About "You" section could use some tweaking imho. I would stress your professional experience, and not emphasis the self taught. Do you have any memberships or afflilations in your pocket? I would try to come across more as a solid practical business instead of "freelance."
The second paragraph, last sentence, I would also add. (and their budget.)
Take out the Cheers! You want to come across as professional and "adult." Someone they can trust their money to.
On the main page I would remove the first paragraph, no sense advertising that you haven't been keeping up on the site. The 2nd paragraph awesome. Toot the old horn! I would even suggest putting in some of the flash freeze stuff.
Publicity, news, noteworthy, ANY thing that you've gotten public recognition, GOOD! Shout that out!
I'd hire you!
Are you sure you haven't peddled any of your warez to TPTB?
Cheers! (ha)
Jen
Wow, thanks for the feedback guys, and gal!
Jen, that's some awesome advice, and as you will see from the most recent update I have added those bits in there. Thanks! The only thing I left was my reference to being a freelance artists. The reason is: because I have a full time job most of the time, I do not want to give potential clients the impression that Pro Vision Media is my full time job as it may cause some issues especially if I am expected to work throughout the day.
Steve, I had actually forgotten to hyperlink the address, so I have done it now. Thanks for spotting that!
I have also reduced the size of the whole thing to from 1.9mb to 300kb! Which means that loading should be a snap.
Here are some of the fixes I have added:
* File size reduced from 1.9mb to 300kb... this has reduced loading times by around 300%
* Progress bar percentage loader bar added to replace static loader
* Fixed bug where peopel could re-click already active sections
* Fixed bug where clicking tabs whilst content is still loading would re-set the website
* Added hyperlink to email address
Anyway, thanks for all your help, keep em coming if there is anything else!
-Cub. =o)
Jen, that's some awesome advice, and as you will see from the most recent update I have added those bits in there. Thanks! The only thing I left was my reference to being a freelance artists. The reason is: because I have a full time job most of the time, I do not want to give potential clients the impression that Pro Vision Media is my full time job as it may cause some issues especially if I am expected to work throughout the day.
Steve, I had actually forgotten to hyperlink the address, so I have done it now. Thanks for spotting that!
I have also reduced the size of the whole thing to from 1.9mb to 300kb! Which means that loading should be a snap.
Here are some of the fixes I have added:
* File size reduced from 1.9mb to 300kb... this has reduced loading times by around 300%
* Progress bar percentage loader bar added to replace static loader
* Fixed bug where peopel could re-click already active sections
* Fixed bug where clicking tabs whilst content is still loading would re-set the website
* Added hyperlink to email address
Anyway, thanks for all your help, keep em coming if there is anything else!
-Cub. =o)
I think Jen's comments (and everyone else's) are really good and the site looks great. I would probably suggest you take off your name and title from the last page and put your title under your name on the first page only. Reason being that with your name repeated it looks like you're a one man band and that in itself defeats the object of giving yourself a job title if you do everything anyway.
Having your job title on the first page shows you're the boss, and leaving it out at the end suggests that you might have a team of people if you are pushed for time or just need help from someone else in the future or simply expand your business.
Having your job title on the first page shows you're the boss, and leaving it out at the end suggests that you might have a team of people if you are pushed for time or just need help from someone else in the future or simply expand your business.
David
Am I the only one having a slightly hard time with the font? Sometimes the edge of the letters are a little too blurry. Could be my settings though, but it's the only site giving me the feeling I need glasses!
Reading the About Us I suddenly learn a lot about you and your experience, but I'm not too sure exactly what it is you do. The Portfolio showcases it nicely, and I guess the list at the end clarifies this, but if I just clicked around the site and read what's written I'd never know.
I think this comes from the fact that the About Us immediately talks about you, not the company. After all you DO mention your experience in all those multimedia facets, but the feeling I get from it is more a CV than the description of services you offer.
Your portfolio mentions PriceWaterhouse. One quick visit on their site brings the following:
First thing I see, "We help organizations large and small by providing industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to build trust and create value*"
If I check the About Us: "Now celebrating 100 years of excellence in Canada, we provide industry focused assurance, advisory and tax services for public, private and government clients in four areas:
1. Corporate accountability
2. Risk management
3. Structuring and mergers and acquisitions
4. Performance and process improvement"
See, they basically give out the same information you wrote down, but to me it's suddenly a lot clearer this is what I can expect from them, and a little less like a CV that leaves me guessing what I can or can't ask you.
I don't know what Jen or anyone else thinks. Maybe changing it would be too corporate and less freelance. Maybe it's not the vibe you want to give.
See, to me, unless it has a catalog or serves as a purchasing device, a company website is an extended business card, and the same rules apply. One quick look at the card I know your name, what you do, and from the choices of colors and logo I get a personal opinion based on several factors. The site has to be the same. I feel that while it's extremely well crafted and pleasing, the site doesn't quite fulfill its primary role. Nothing that can't be easily fixed though, should you share my opinion. Of course I can be wrong as well.
Oh and btw, I haven't repeated what I thought was great, it's all been said. The positive easily outdoes the little irk I have, just to be clear
Reading the About Us I suddenly learn a lot about you and your experience, but I'm not too sure exactly what it is you do. The Portfolio showcases it nicely, and I guess the list at the end clarifies this, but if I just clicked around the site and read what's written I'd never know.
I think this comes from the fact that the About Us immediately talks about you, not the company. After all you DO mention your experience in all those multimedia facets, but the feeling I get from it is more a CV than the description of services you offer.
Your portfolio mentions PriceWaterhouse. One quick visit on their site brings the following:
First thing I see, "We help organizations large and small by providing industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to build trust and create value*"
If I check the About Us: "Now celebrating 100 years of excellence in Canada, we provide industry focused assurance, advisory and tax services for public, private and government clients in four areas:
1. Corporate accountability
2. Risk management
3. Structuring and mergers and acquisitions
4. Performance and process improvement"
See, they basically give out the same information you wrote down, but to me it's suddenly a lot clearer this is what I can expect from them, and a little less like a CV that leaves me guessing what I can or can't ask you.
I don't know what Jen or anyone else thinks. Maybe changing it would be too corporate and less freelance. Maybe it's not the vibe you want to give.
See, to me, unless it has a catalog or serves as a purchasing device, a company website is an extended business card, and the same rules apply. One quick look at the card I know your name, what you do, and from the choices of colors and logo I get a personal opinion based on several factors. The site has to be the same. I feel that while it's extremely well crafted and pleasing, the site doesn't quite fulfill its primary role. Nothing that can't be easily fixed though, should you share my opinion. Of course I can be wrong as well.
Oh and btw, I haven't repeated what I thought was great, it's all been said. The positive easily outdoes the little irk I have, just to be clear
Part-Time Nomad
Frank,
You've made a very valid point, and now that you mention it, it kind of irks me as well. After re-reading the site with your comments in mind, I will definitely need to rework the 'About Us' section to include a list of services provided first and foremost. Either that or have them listed on the first page (before the news updates, i.e, ABC) so it is the first thing everyone sees when they enter the site. The logic I behind the latter idea is that they should (as you said) know immediately (even before clicking on any tabs) what I/we do, and then the subsequent sections should be facilitators to this.
Also, I was thinking of another idea and want to see what you guys think: In the portfolio section; the video is, of course, very video oriented with small emphasis on print media (which is probably one of the strongest / most in-demand parts of the business at the moment). I have a print portfolio which I have in PDF form, so I think I should have the online portfolio split into 2 sections, the video, and the print (where you can flip through pages to see previous work). What do you think?
I knew it was a good idea coming seeking feedback from you guys. So far you have all provided some very valuable advice. I will make the updates tonight and post back when they are done.
-Cub. =o)
You've made a very valid point, and now that you mention it, it kind of irks me as well. After re-reading the site with your comments in mind, I will definitely need to rework the 'About Us' section to include a list of services provided first and foremost. Either that or have them listed on the first page (before the news updates, i.e, ABC) so it is the first thing everyone sees when they enter the site. The logic I behind the latter idea is that they should (as you said) know immediately (even before clicking on any tabs) what I/we do, and then the subsequent sections should be facilitators to this.
Also, I was thinking of another idea and want to see what you guys think: In the portfolio section; the video is, of course, very video oriented with small emphasis on print media (which is probably one of the strongest / most in-demand parts of the business at the moment). I have a print portfolio which I have in PDF form, so I think I should have the online portfolio split into 2 sections, the video, and the print (where you can flip through pages to see previous work). What do you think?
I knew it was a good idea coming seeking feedback from you guys. So far you have all provided some very valuable advice. I will make the updates tonight and post back when they are done.
-Cub. =o)
I had half a mind to suggest putting a clear and concise description on the main page. From our point of view the site overhaul is fine to read, but to someone who doesn't know you, which I'm sure is who the site caters to, the update being the first info they see is not specifically what they are looking for in the first place.
Having a section of your print portfolio would be very appropriate. I think we see them in the video, but it's not extremely clear. As you said, it's very oriented on the impressive high quality footages, which makes sense, but doesn't let me know exactly how good you are with prints. We all know you're good, so show it off!
Having a section of your print portfolio would be very appropriate. I think we see them in the video, but it's not extremely clear. As you said, it's very oriented on the impressive high quality footages, which makes sense, but doesn't let me know exactly how good you are with prints. We all know you're good, so show it off!
Part-Time Nomad
Yeah that sounds like a neat idea, kind of like a little notebook hat they flip through pages on the screen...Cubase wrote:Also, I was thinking of another idea and want to see what you guys think: In the portfolio section; the video is, of course, very video oriented with small emphasis on print media (which is probably one of the strongest / most in-demand parts of the business at the moment). I have a print portfolio which I have in PDF form, so I think I should have the online portfolio split into 2 sections, the video, and the print (where you can flip through pages to see previous work). What do you think?
You mentioned Video and Print in the same sentence with {which is probably one of the strongest}, were you talking about the Video or the Print???
If the Print is the one that is in Demand the Most, then I would definitely have a section to show the Print work...
The Paved Straight Road, Won't Always Get You Farther Than The Winding Dirt Road...
Can You Run Your Game??? Click Here And Find Out...
*Note, Not All Games Have Been Tested & Therefore May Not Be Listed...
Can You Run Your Game??? Click Here And Find Out...
*Note, Not All Games Have Been Tested & Therefore May Not Be Listed...
Okay,
As per some of the most recent suggestions, I have made the following updates:
Made the main/first page page more about services provided, instead of news updates. It is now more concise in detailed the list of services people can expect.
Added a print portfolio
I think some of you might like that print folio, especially you Baf seeing as you pretty much hit the nail on the head in therms of what the book would be like. I decided to keep the print portfolio to only 8 pages of content, mainly because I did not want people to lose interest, and this way it leaves them wanting more, I guess... I hope.
Anyway, let me know if it works better as a whole.
http://www.provisionaustralia.com.au
Cheers!
-Cub. =o)
As per some of the most recent suggestions, I have made the following updates:
Made the main/first page page more about services provided, instead of news updates. It is now more concise in detailed the list of services people can expect.
Added a print portfolio
I think some of you might like that print folio, especially you Baf seeing as you pretty much hit the nail on the head in therms of what the book would be like. I decided to keep the print portfolio to only 8 pages of content, mainly because I did not want people to lose interest, and this way it leaves them wanting more, I guess... I hope.
Anyway, let me know if it works better as a whole.
http://www.provisionaustralia.com.au
Cheers!
-Cub. =o)
Yes, I like that very much, it even has the Page sounds, that rocks... And you can zoom, very nice work Cub...
I wish you the best success... With talent and skills like I've seen from you, I don't doubt that the success is in your future...
I wish you the best success... With talent and skills like I've seen from you, I don't doubt that the success is in your future...
The Paved Straight Road, Won't Always Get You Farther Than The Winding Dirt Road...
Can You Run Your Game??? Click Here And Find Out...
*Note, Not All Games Have Been Tested & Therefore May Not Be Listed...
Can You Run Your Game??? Click Here And Find Out...
*Note, Not All Games Have Been Tested & Therefore May Not Be Listed...