Portfolio to projects in 4 weeks
Case: Brouer Designs
Goal
The goal was to create an accessible website that clearly presents my skills and previous work, making it easier for potential clients to get in touch.
Introduction
When I started building my own graphic design business, I created a portfolio website to present my work and reach potential clients. By combining my technical, marketing, and design skills, I designed and developed a responsive website that clearly communicates what I can offer.
Inspiration
Before thinking about content and layout, I explored visual references to define the overall aesthetic. I gathered inspiration from existing websites and design platforms to decide on both style and structure.
Outline
At this stage, I focused on IA and UX. I asked myself what information is most important to a potential client, and how it could be presented in a way that is quick and intuitive to understand—rather than requiring them to read through a list of skills.
Sketches
Here, I translated the first ideas into sketches. Depending on the scope, I work either with paper sketches or a digital prototype in Figma. The goal was to establish a clear visual direction before moving into development.
Design
For this project, I explored colour and visual tone in Figma before coding. This allowed me to test different combinations and ensure the design created the right first impression.
Execution
Once the layout and visual direction were defined, I moved into development. The website was built responsively using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Approach
The website was designed to communicate value quickly and clearly by prioritising visualisation and readability over visual complexity. I specifically focused on how clients might scan content to ensure key information such as services, previous work, and contact points were easy to find.
From a technical perspective, coding the website allowed for flexibility and continuous iteration, meaning design decisions could be refined directly in the final environment rather than being limited by the initial prototype.
Results
The website was built and launched within four weeks. Within the first 10 days, I secured two client projects through direct outreach and Upwork, using the website to present my work clearly and professionally.
This project demonstrates my ability to combine design, development, and strategy to create a functional tool that supports real-world outcomes.
