Portfolio critique

Navya Raju

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Nathalie Kranich

Hey!

Only things I noticed is that my browser can't load your logo, potentially.

...Both at the top and bottom of the page!

I also wonder if it's worth including a call to action with your email on the main illustration page, or separate out a clear contact page..I can see why you didn't, because ultimately it would be very brief with the information just repeated, but I believe it's good form to have a very clear link to contact information on first glance.

braden H

@Navya-Raju Can confirm what @Nathalie-Kranich said. Logo does not load

Navya Raju

@Nathalie-Kranich Thank you for pointing that out, I just reset the logo, let me know if it is working?

braden H

@Navya-Raju It now works

For a starting portfolio I think you're following all the advice I've heard others give on podcasts and blogs 'n such. You start on the page with your art where it's all easy to see. There's a separate section for your published books (I should do this, too), and there's a nice contact/about section with a picture of you and a short/sweet bio.

I think it's a great base portfolio to add to as you create more!

Navya Raju

@Braden-Hallett Thank you! This is my base portfolio, hope to expand it more in a couple of months before I apply for agencies.

KayPotter

I love how colorful and playful your portfolio is!
Question- why do you need to tell that you are an architect in your ‘About’? I think of it like this- if this website is, in essence, an application for an illustration job, do you want to tell your potential employer that you already have another job that is unrelated?
It would make me think like, oh, does she work for someone? Is this an afterthought? Will I have to compete with her other employer for her focus/time/energy?
Maybe consider leaving it out? For the sake of this website... you’re an illustrator.
But, that’s also just one persons opinion

braden H

@KayPotter said in Portfolio critique:

Question- why do you need to tell that you are an architect in your ‘About’? I think of it like this- if this website is, in essence, an application for an illustration job, do you want to tell your potential employer that you already have another job that is unrelated?

Interesting! I've been told otherwise. The 'about' section can the place to let the client get to know you (interests, passions, skills both related and unrelated), and no one is just one thing. Every little thing including job/life experience can be the difference between getting an illustration gig or not, so why not let people know? I've gotten at least one job (and clients often mention it) because I mention I used to be a teacher in my bio.

But then again I could be wrong! I'd be interested to hear what others have to say

KayPotter

@Braden-Hallett
I agree with that perspective. It is really important to celebrate and share who you are with potential clients!
Perhaps it is the distinction of ‘used to be’ (as in your case, used to be a teacher) vs ‘am’ (I am an architect) that I’m reacting to. And, architecture IS related bc of drawing skills/professionalism/work ethic etc etc.

Perhaps something like ‘I’m a trained architect, and I bring my love for architecture, my training etc to my illustrations’.

Maybe I’m just being overly pedantic. It’s hard for me to tell

Navya Raju

@KayPotter I never thought of this till now, but like @Braden-Hallett said I would love a mention of my background in Architecture since I believe those skills show that I can bring something different to the plate. But your point does make sense, I have reworked around with the words there, to not make it too direct.

lizardillo

I love how great your work looks on your portfolio. It really shows your style off well. One comment is on the books page, could the two books be separate? It looks a bit like one book sometimes. I just noticed that one of the books you have worked on has won an award too

I think you have managed to get a very good balance with your about me page. I have the same thing going on with my about page - I have been a graphic designer for nearly 20 years, it's tricky combining the two descriptions.

aska

love the mouse gif your portfolio is very colourful. I like that!

Asyas_illos

One thing I would do is to move coinciding images next to each other like the pea-pod hotel and the mattress stack should go together I would think.

Navya Raju

@lizardillo Thank you so much Liza ️ Reason I have added those two books to one slot is because they are baby board books part of the learning series by that publisher. I wish to add my picture books separately but keep this series together in one slot.

Also, graphic design skill is such a handy skill to have if you are an illustrator, many pro illustrators who are graphic designers do put it in there bio.

Navya Raju

@Asyas_illos will do that thank you

willicreate

Congratulations on the website launch. I have some thoughts on the about page:

I share a similar concern KayPotter have mentioned. Without meaning to, your first two sentences can be interpreted as a negative. “…a background in architecture. My true passion lies…” can be read as dismissive towards your past experience. Can the second sentence be rephrased as there being a union of two disciplines?
While I understand your confessed passion for “making lists” is an act to humanize yourself, it’s irrelevant and cuts the flow of the conversation. You’ve mentioned your other quirks at the end of the bio, so I would recommend omitting the statement.
The adjective “heavily” isn’t necessary; its inclusion doesn’t change the statement.
The comma after ‘books’ should be replaced with a period.
'Movies' and 'books' could be replaced with the appropriate terms ‘cinema’ and ‘literature’. You're influenced by the art form, not the object. However, I will concede it may alter your statement to sound unauthentic.
Try to avoid repetition of a word in a paragraph; this includes similar sounding words (illustrator/illustrating/illustration). You could reinforce your architecture background with playful use of words like construct, layout, draft, build, etc.
‘…illustrations that have a narrative essence which people want to revisit’ is a confusing statement. Does anyone else have issue with this sentence?
'.. and collecting ~~some~~ trinkets ~~(a lot!)~~' is an oxymoron.
The photo background is distracting. The image should be about you.

I like how your bio is informal and the way you present yourself. Don't lose that.

Navya Raju

@willicreate This is really helpful, thank you!

Kori Jensen

Beautiful Work