rev.iew.me

Matt Mitchell has 4 Reviews

Below are the reviews left by other members on Matt Mitchell. Jump to review form?

1. avja gave it on 19th Feb 2009 and said:

   its good, its clean, its fresh... like the rest of the web developers websites, i think you need to think of something more attractive, interesting, something that will make people say wow!

   The thing is, someone will recognize it if its different if they see it and it looks like the rest of them, people will see it as they see the rest of them 'the same'

   I like the colours and the text flows through, but if you make it different then it will be amazing!

   Good luck, keep up the good work!

   Using Safari on Windows | Report This?

2. 

   katili gave it on 30th Dec 2008 and said:

   // Layout:

   Maybe it's just me.. but I'm really kind of tired of the "web 2.0" style layouts. Rounded corners, single columns, drop shadows, black, white, and one accent color is a little cliche.

   But, everything is easy to read, which is a plus.

   I only peeked at the code briefly, but upon first glance, it is clean and organized, and doesn't appear to have any unnecessary fluff, which is also a plus.

   // Content:

   This statement is probably best put under Layout, but I'm putting it here because I didn't think about it until I started to write that there's a lack of content: It may be due to the fact that sleep hasn't come easily to me lately and my brain isn't working at full capacity today, but I didn't immediately notice that the icons on the right on the front page are your examples of previous work. My initial reaction was to think they are simply a graphic element to your site, and I was disappointed that there were no examples of your previous work.

   Granted, it did click in my brain that those icons would show me the examples I was looking for, but I stayed at your site longer than I may have because I am writing a review. Potential clients may just brush over your page, and leave thinking that there are no examples (I doubt most people in the market for a developer would contact someone to ask for examples when there are plenty of other places that have them in quick-to-find locations)

   The point of the last two paragraphs: I recommend putting some sort of label with the icons so people know to click them.

   You might put some information in your About section about your experience and training. Some people care a lot about that.

   // Originality:

   I've already ranted about the whole "web 2.0 style is cliche" thing so I won't get back into that. Some of your examples are much more original, but I personally would call the actual portfolio cookie-cutter.

   // Overall:

   If I personally was in the market for someone to create my website, I don't know that there is enough on your site to compel me to contact you. Your layout would make me think that I wouldn't be getting a website that would make me stand out from the crowd, and there is little apparent evidence that you can do anything for me that I can't do for myself (if I stopped being so lazy).

   UPDATED 30 Dec 08:
   Hi Matt,

   To elaborate on "cookie cutter", it just means that the site looks and feels like a lot of other sites out there. It's a bit generic.

   I don't think you need to put a lot of emphasis on experience/training, but maybe just a quick blurb, like "I studied here and have been doing this kind of work for x amount of years" or something. I do know where you are coming from though, with not wanting to come off as trying to justify yourself, as I have seen that before! But a little bit doesn't hurt :)

   I hope I didn't come across as being harsh or like I thought you don't know what you're doing. I tend to review portfolios harder than other types of sites just because you're trying to sell yourself, and I want to point out what potential clients might think (and I'm sure you know that they are not always nice!)

   Using Firefox on Windows | Report This?

   MattMitchell's Response:

   Thanks for your feedback!

   I guess the layout is kind of "web 2.0" but I was just going for something simple and straight-forward and you seem to agree that it is so that's cool. Due to client work I don't think I'll have the time to focus on a complete re-design but touch-ups here and there could make it a little less generic so thanks!

   I am going to review the gallery feature for usability because you aren't the first to comment on it so thanks!

   Thanks for the input on putting some more content too - I guess I was weary of putting too much emphasis on my experience and training because it tends to be those that are most concerned about their capabilities that feel an excessive need to justify themselves but I appreciate the feedback and will look at some more content about this.

   Not sure what you mean about the portfolio being cookie-cutter so if you could elaborate a little that would be great!

   Also, on your last point thanks for your honesty. I guess I need to get across that when someone hires me they are getting someone that will work with them to create a site focused on their users.

   Overall thanks for the feedback.

   UPDATED 04 Jan 09:
   Thanks for the clarification and nope you didn't come across as too harsh - it's great to get some specific feedback.

3. HelloJupiter gave it on 30th Dec 2008 and said:

   You by any chance aren't Jem's husband are you? Haha, just kidding.

   I love your layout and your site, the only thing I'd really change would be how you have your contact square, add a heading or making it a bit smaller. It's just you have a HUGE space for two little sentences.

   I don't like mentioning people's coding because I'm not a coding guru. Sorry!

   Originality, I'd have to give you a 4 out of 5, I've seen MANY people (now a days especially) using blues and greens in their designs. Like someone said before, everybody's attacking the "web 2.0" thing. I personally would switch all of your typefaces in your images to Helvetica, I just love that font no matter how many times it gets overused. Lol.

   Overall, love the design, great inspiration to aspiring designers.

   Using Safari on Mac | Report This?

   MattMitchell's Response:

   Thanks for the feedback!

   I think I'll play around with the contact square to see if I can make it a little smaller but still prominent.

   I guess my site does come across as a bit "web 2.0" but it was't intentional - I was just wanted something clean and I guess we are all subconsciously inspired by the designs we visit daily.

   I'll play with some different fonts and if anything looks good I'll be sure to give it a go - thanks again!

4. 

   goodwin gave it on 29th Dec 2008 and said:

   This is a very aesthetically pleasing website - it has a nice colour scheme, and is nice 'n' simple. I like it a lot.

   However, I'm not too sure about using Trebuchet MS. It screams "free pre-made amateur website template"; plus, it sort of clashes with the other font you're using (Avenir?) for images like your logo. Consider using Lucida, maybe?

   The snazzy Javascript-based image swappy gallery thingy is all very well, but the thumbnails on the right look sort of squashed together, and they don't really give a great deal of information. I'd suggest having, say, two portfolio pieces on the front page - perhaps randomly rotated with some server-side scripting magic - with a link to a main portfolio page, where more stuff can be found.

   Also on the home page, the trio of lists - "Websites", "Custom Software" and "Maintenance" - look a bit silly with text centre-aligned.

   Apart from that, it's a nice site.

   Using Firefox on Windows | Report This?

   MattMitchell's Response:

   Thanks for the feedback!

   The logo is Reznor I think (from memory) actually but it looks incredibly close to Avenir from the quick compareI did. I am a big fan of Lucida but always thought there were considerable web issues so thanks for the link discussing this.

   I don't actually mind Trebuchet MS so much because I think it's a nice web font and can turn out different when you play with letter-spacing but I will take your point on board that a lot of templates use the font now and give Lucida a whirl sometime soon.

   Thanks for the feedback on the gallery feature - I am going to play with this because you aren't the first the comment on the usability.

   Yeah I don't like the lists either and am going to look at doing something better here too :-)

   Thanks again!

Write Your Own Review

Leave your feedback for Matt Mitchell below, and remember - the longer your review, the more points you receive. Don't forget to look at things like style/design, content, coding and originality as they will all help to improve the quality of your review.

You have to be logged in to write a review.

Site copyright © 2008—10 Jem Turner. Designed by Jacky Gilbertson © 2008.
About ⋅ Terms of Use ⋅ Site Map ⋅ Help ⋅ Contact ⋅ Points Charter