The next stage of my project focuses on ideation and sketching, where I will begin exploring how I want to present and showcase my portfolio design. This will involve experimenting with layouts, visual hierarchy, and navigation flow to ensure my work is displayed clearly and effectively. Through sketching, I aim to visualise different design directions and identify what best represents my personal style and will act as a foundation for developing the final website prototype.
As I begin this stage of the project, my main focus is on exploring how to visually structure and present my portfolio in a way that feels cohesive and reflective of my personal style. One of the biggest takeaways from my discussion with Daniel was his suggestion to integrate elements of my CV design into my portfolio. This idea really stood out to me, as it would create a consistent visual identity across both of my documents. During this design phase, I plan to experiment with this approach, testing how typography, colour schemes, and layout choices from my CV can be carried through into my portfolio design for a unified and professional look.
For my initial sketching stage, I began exploring early layout ideas for how my portfolio website could look and function. I focused on rough concepts for the homepage and project overview sections, considering how users might navigate through my work and experience the site as a whole. These sketches helped me visualise the structure, including potential features such as interactive project previews, clear navigation links, and an engaging introduction to who I am as a designer. I also noted what each page could include, such as project summaries, visuals, and links to full case studies. This early stage was really useful for mapping out both the functionality and flow of my site before moving into more refined design work.
Following my initial layout sketches, I created another series of sketches, this time in a storyboard-style format, to further visualise how my portfolio website would function across its main pages. These sketches included the home screen, projects page, about section, and contact page, each illustrated with notes and depictions of their intended features and content. For example, I outlined how users would transition between sections, what type of information or visuals would appear on each page, and how interactive elements like buttons or hover states might work. This approach helped me better understand the user journey and flow of my portfolio, allowing me to see how the pages connect and what refinements might be needed before moving into digital prototyping.
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This stage of development has allowed me to establish a clear direction for how I want my portfolio website to look and function. Through a series of sketches, layout explorations, and storyboard visuals, I now have a solid foundation that outlines the structure and flow of each page. With this groundwork complete, I can move on to the next phase, bringing my designs to life by beginning the actual creation of my website. This will involve experimenting with different aesthetic choices, typography, and visual styles, as well as deciding whether to code the site manually or use a web builder. I’m really looking forward to seeing how everything comes together and how my ideas evolve throughout the build process.
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