Indexhibit^TM
Index + Exhibit

Hi everyone, I'm just about finishing my web-portfolio: fluidforfun. Since the name (talking about it here goes over the thread topic) I thought about something vibrant but also not too "minimal", consciuos that it could even push Indexhibit's native simplicity a bit too far from its common uses.
Probably someone wouldn't agree with this choice (I know it's not just a matter of tastes), but I would to get to the bottom of it.

To speak pragmatic, this site would be one the main reference to find a new job (in a studio, not clients), so what about the main page? Do you think it would be better to swap the actual "main" exhibit with just a page of general info about the author? Also said: If you were a boss, would you make an idea of this person about his works in progress (The Boiling Pot), his general posts (News) and his most recent cultural interests (Sizzles)? or just reading a few words about his past (short) career and education?

Honestly, I find that page too complicated. It's better to have a couple too many pages than an overbearing page - espeically when it's easily accessible via the Index.

Or, if you can, you might simply try giving each column more padding at the right - maybe that will help.

Thanks for the fast answer. I'm agree with you which having an exhibit for every section and if the things don't set up well, that's propably the way I will edit the things.
In the meanwhile I tried to reduce the paragraph width in each column and the image width and things start to look a little better.
Another question: what do you think about the menus? do you find them too much distracting? I was thinking as an alternative to use small coloured bands on a slightly yellowish background for each section.

oops... I forgot part of a sentence:
I'm agree with you which having an exhibit for every section is the best solution (honestly I percieved it differently when I designed the layout ^^; ) and if the things...

@anawesometechnique

Hay, You should open at least strong and simple and feed the rest to them gently. What strikes me is that I am spending more time watching PDF's load and searching the layout for what i should click than actually looking at your work.

I find the medium (the website) is kinda getting in the way of the message (your work).

That is the beauty of Indexhibit, it enables the user to present their CONTENT nicely. I think if you want a website with lots of bells and whistles you should look for a different solution.

anyway that's my two cents, stick with it, you'll get there.

m

I think it has to do with the custom phase. The custom phase is a phase one goes through when finding that indexhibit is flexible enough to create wild (!) templates and then indulges into it. That phase wears off and then you go back concentrating in content... For example I wouldn't be suprised if you get rid of all the drop shadows and gradients...
As a suggestion, fine tune all paddings and margins.
I would fool around with type as well (enter the cufon phase :-D)...

@moss
Thanks a lot for your precious comments. Perhaps the message actually lacks of strenght in some points, I should work much more with images than with text.

Certainly a designer's portfolio has much to do with contents (the works) and their structure on the website, than the decorative aesthetics.

When I was making my website I had (and still have) a very simple design (that's one of the reasons I choosen Indexhibit), but in the other hand I would obtain a bright, unexpected user-experience. I'm still doing experiments, also the site and its developments are becoming fluid, not just its domain name ;-)

Also the comments about your browsing experience are very useful. Thanks again for your contribute.

@arsondpi
Uhm.. I don't know about gradients, I've choosen them as a background to send the visitor's visual field to the main part of the content. They're not there just for decoration. Same thing for the shadows on the menu voices which would add a sort of "clickable-element" perception.
Maybe in future I will add to images a bit more smoothness or transparency, but BTM I still like them. :-D

About paddings and margins, you're right, there's a lot of work to do: in this way Firebug hase become my favorite Firefox Extension!

Cufon is very interesting. And now that you mention it, I think I'm going to give it a try one of these days. just hope to not lose myself with it!

Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts!

@anawesometechnique

Very cool design. A very content heavy home page, but I think its going to be manageable per all the suggestions in this thread.

Any chance you can help me out understanding how you customized your menu layout? I've used firebug to take a look at your css, but being a newbie to customizing code, I am a little unsure if just copying your css is all there is too it.

Many thanks.

Good template, interesting menu.
How you made two different languages on one indexhibit-based site?

He made it with the "multi language plugin", a javascript togle in fact.
Search the forum for it, you'll find it.

Hi, how do you display multiple exhibits on your main page like that? is that with PHP coding?