Online Portfolio

[mdsimpson1987]

Hi There,

I am a graphic design graduate (2009) and I have spent the last year getting work experience to add to my portfolio. I have an online portfolio with websites like Carbonmade : Your online portfolio..

However I am beginning to feel that it would be better to have an actual website with my own domain name as it would look more professional.

The only thing is that I have no experience in web design, as all my work and qualifications is print/logo design based.

I have thought about going to a web design company and ask them to create me a website. However I feel that it would seem a bit funny, as a graphic designer getting someone else to design for me.

I'm probably being silly, but just wondered what everyone else thinks?

Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Helen]

Not at all!

I assume you will be designing the site yourself. You will simply be hiring someone to do the coding for you!

[mdsimpson1987]

Hi there,

Thanks for the quick reply.

What program would use to design the website. I have dreamweaver, but i have never really used it.

Would I just design it in illustrator/photoshop and apply it to a website template?

thanks

[Helen]

I was actually thinking you could design how you want the site to look in illustrator/photoshop, then pass it on to the website designer and let them sort out all the functionality for you.

To be honest, I would steer clear of dreamweaver if you don't know what you are doing, as you will probably end up giving yourself a headache! lol!

[creatabledesign]

Yea, dreamweaver is probably not the best place to start. As a print designer, you may be better off outsourcing the work to someone that does it on a day to day basis.

You give them ideas of a platform that you would like to use if any and then pass the design over to them.

That might be the easiest and quickest solution for you.

[mdsimpson1987]

Hi,

Thanks very much for the advice.

Very much appreciated.

mark

[creatabledesign]

No problem Mark,

If you need anymore help please do not hesitate to contact me. There are a lot of confident XHTML developers on here that may well be able to help build a site for you. :)

[chris_17]

As Helen suggested, creating your own design in photoshop or illustrator and passing the appropriate files to a developer would be good way to go about it especially if you're unsure about the coding side, integrating a CMS could also be beneficial.

[mdsimpson1987]

Hi there,

Thanks to everyone for their help.

I'm going to start designing in illustrator, what size document should i create and are there any of specifics i should take into consideration when i'm creating my design?

Also, excuse my ignorance but what is a CMS system?

thanks

mark

[omninogd]

Surely you could just use the slicing function in illustrator/Photoshop to create a graphics heavy design, then pass the html file that Illustrator/photoshop creates for you on to anyone capable of creating a good style sheet for the site.

Take a look at one of the blog scripts to help you keep it updated and you're away.