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Project Overview
In today's competitive landscape, a strong online presence is vital. This project challenges you to create a personal portfolio website that encapsulates core web design skills, including HTML, CSS, and basic JavaScript, while addressing industry needs for effective self-presentation.
Project Sections
Understanding Web Design Principles
Dive into the foundational concepts of web design, including aesthetics, usability, and user experience. This section prepares you to think critically about how design choices impact user interaction.
Through this understanding, you'll learn to create designs that are not only visually appealing but also functional and user-friendly.
Tasks:
- ▸Research key web design principles and summarize your findings in a document.
- ▸Analyze existing portfolio websites to identify effective design strategies.
- ▸Create a mood board that reflects your personal design style and influences.
- ▸Draft a wireframe for your portfolio site, outlining layout and structure.
- ▸Discuss your wireframe with peers for feedback and suggestions.
- ▸Refine your wireframe based on feedback and prepare it for the next phase.
- ▸Document your design rationale and how it aligns with user experience principles.
Resources:
- 📚"Don't Make Me Think" by Steve Krug (book)
- 📚Nielsen Norman Group's articles on usability
- 📚Awwwards for design inspiration
Reflection
Reflect on how your understanding of web design principles has evolved and how they will influence your portfolio design.
Checkpoint
Submit your wireframe and design rationale for review.
HTML Fundamentals
Learn the building blocks of web content through HTML. This section focuses on structuring your portfolio site with semantic HTML to ensure accessibility and SEO.
You'll create the foundational structure of your website, setting the stage for design and interactivity.
Tasks:
- ▸Complete an online HTML tutorial to understand basic tags and structure.
- ▸Create a simple HTML page that includes headings, paragraphs, and images.
- ▸Implement semantic HTML elements to enhance accessibility.
- ▸Build the skeleton of your portfolio site using HTML.
- ▸Validate your HTML code using online validation tools.
- ▸Document your HTML structure and any challenges faced during implementation.
- ▸Review your HTML code with peers to ensure best practices.
Resources:
- 📚W3Schools HTML Tutorial
- 📚MDN Web Docs for HTML
- 📚HTML Validator tool
Reflection
Consider how mastering HTML contributes to building a strong foundation for your portfolio site.
Checkpoint
Submit your HTML skeleton for feedback.
CSS Styling Techniques
Transform your HTML structure into a visually appealing portfolio through CSS. This section emphasizes styling best practices, responsive design, and layout techniques.
You'll learn to create a cohesive look and feel that reflects your design style while ensuring usability across devices.
Tasks:
- ▸Explore CSS fundamentals through an online course or tutorial.
- ▸Style your HTML page using CSS to enhance its appearance and layout.
- ▸Implement responsive design techniques using media queries.
- ▸Experiment with different color schemes and typography for your portfolio.
- ▸Create a CSS stylesheet that organizes styles effectively.
- ▸Test your design on multiple devices to ensure responsiveness.
- ▸Document your CSS choices and their impact on user experience.
Resources:
- 📚CSS Tricks for styling tips
- 📚Responsive Web Design by Ethan Marcotte (book)
- 📚Flexbox Froggy for layout practice
Reflection
Reflect on the importance of CSS in creating a visually engaging and user-friendly portfolio.
Checkpoint
Submit your styled portfolio page for review.
Introduction to JavaScript
Incorporate interactivity into your portfolio through basic JavaScript. This section focuses on enhancing user experience by adding dynamic elements to your site.
Tasks:
- ▸Learn JavaScript basics through an interactive online platform.
- ▸Implement simple JavaScript functions to add interactivity (e.g., image sliders).
- ▸Create a contact form that validates user input using JavaScript.
- ▸Test your JavaScript code thoroughly to ensure it works correctly.
- ▸Document the JavaScript functionalities and their purpose in your portfolio.
- ▸Seek peer feedback on your interactive elements and make necessary adjustments.
- ▸Prepare a presentation explaining your JavaScript features.
Resources:
- 📚JavaScript.info for beginners
- 📚Codecademy's JavaScript course
- 📚W3Schools JavaScript Tutorial
Reflection
Consider how JavaScript enhances user engagement and functionality on your portfolio site.
Checkpoint
Submit your interactive portfolio page for assessment.
Curating Your Design Projects
Learn effective techniques for selecting and presenting your design projects. This section focuses on storytelling and showcasing your skills in a compelling manner.
Tasks:
- ▸Identify 3-5 design projects that best represent your skills and style.
- ▸Create case studies for each project, detailing your process and outcomes.
- ▸Design a portfolio layout that highlights your projects effectively.
- ▸Write engaging descriptions for each project that convey your design philosophy.
- ▸Gather feedback on your project presentation from peers.
- ▸Refine your project selection and presentation based on feedback.
- ▸Document the rationale behind your project choices.
Resources:
- 📚"Show Your Work!" by Austin Kleon (book)
- 📚Behance for project presentation inspiration
- 📚Dribbble for design showcase examples
Reflection
Reflect on how effectively curating your projects can impact your portfolio's success.
Checkpoint
Submit your curated project case studies for review.
Responsive Design Principles
Ensure your portfolio looks great on all devices by mastering responsive design principles. This section emphasizes the importance of adaptability in web design.
Tasks:
- ▸Learn about responsive design techniques through online resources.
- ▸Implement a mobile-first approach in your portfolio design.
- ▸Test your portfolio on various devices and screen sizes.
- ▸Use tools to analyze your site's responsiveness and performance.
- ▸Document any challenges faced during the responsive design process.
- ▸Seek peer feedback on your responsive design implementation.
- ▸Make necessary adjustments based on feedback.
Resources:
- 📚Google's Responsive Web Design Basics
- 📚Bootstrap for responsive frameworks
- 📚Responsive Design Checker tool
Reflection
Consider the significance of responsive design in today's multi-device landscape and its impact on user experience.
Checkpoint
Submit your responsive portfolio site for evaluation.
Finalizing Your Portfolio Website
Bring together all your skills to finalize your portfolio website. This section focuses on polishing your site and preparing it for launch.
Tasks:
- ▸Conduct a thorough review of your entire portfolio site for consistency and usability.
- ▸Optimize images and code for faster loading times.
- ▸Ensure all links and functionalities work correctly before launch.
- ▸Prepare a launch plan that includes promotion strategies.
- ▸Gather final feedback from peers and mentors.
- ▸Make any last-minute adjustments based on feedback received.
- ▸Document the launch process and your expectations for the future.
Resources:
- 📚"The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries (book)
- 📚Google PageSpeed Insights for performance optimization
- 📚Social media platforms for promotion strategies
Reflection
Reflect on your journey in creating your portfolio and how it prepares you for professional opportunities.
Checkpoint
Launch your portfolio website and share it with the community.
Timeline
8 weeks, with weekly check-ins and iterative feedback sessions to adapt to learning needs.
Final Deliverable
A polished, professional portfolio website that showcases your unique design projects and skills, ready to impress potential employers and clients.
Evaluation Criteria
- ✓Clarity and coherence of design principles applied.
- ✓Functionality and responsiveness of the website.
- ✓Creativity and originality in project presentation.
- ✓Documentation quality and reflection on learning processes.
- ✓Feedback incorporation and adaptability throughout the project.
Community Engagement
Engage with peers through online forums or social media to share progress, seek feedback, and collaborate on design challenges.