Website Review - 12/01/2016

As part of the portfolio and promotion module I am to review two websites from artists who I am currently following/interested in and to answer the following questions for each website.

Stanley Lau, Digital artist. Website: http://artgerm.com

1. Describe the overall aesthetic and branding, including typography, layout and space etc.

Rotating imagery of visual artworks in the background on the home page. Each imagery representing some of the works he does (personal artwork to represent personal works, commercial illustration representing the commercial work he was involved in, etc.) Typography is simple and the text is at a bare minimum as the website is focused primarily on the visual presentation. Minimum colours, mostly white and navy blue to keep things clean.

2. Include Pictures

Mostly digital artworks he has produced, though not all of them (such as his recent works) are on the website. Sketches, doodles and/or pieces of illustration that he has produced as part of his teaching to students are excluded, maybe with the exception of a few.

3. What attracted you to this person’s website?

The professionalism and the presentation of the website. The layout doesn’t feel cluttered.

4. What immediately engages you with this site?

The website is visually appealing with the showcase of his artworks as the primary focus for attention.

5. Are the pages categorised?

Yes. The pages are divided into categories and sub categories (tabs) that allows for easy navigation around the website.

6. Is the site easy to navigate?

Yes, as explained above.

7. Are the images clear?

All images are clear and in high resolution with the option to view at a large scale.

8. How many images are there? Is this too much, too few, right amount?

Within each category (commercial work, digital art, traditional art and fanart), the gallery consists between 50-70 images, so personally I feel that’s the right amount, given that the consistency in each of his works are equally produced at a high standard.

9. Is there any writing? What does this tell you about the illustrator?

Minimum writing on the front home page, though there is a dedicated section in the “About Me” section where there is information about himself as an artist and his input within the art community as a professional. Not a lot of information was provided, though there is enough that reveals his educational past and his influence in the entertainment industry.

10. Client list? Links? Social media?

Each artworks are linked to various social media such as Google+, Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook. Links to other social websites such as Instagram and YouTube are also included as well as other artists he has collaborated (other founders and mentors of the school).

11. Does this site feel professional?

Yes, since the artist is a teacher and a professional within the art community who has been drawing digitally for the past 20 years.

12. Does the imagery convey a consistent language of work? Or a range of styles? How would this make you feel as a client?

The consistency in his art style are recognisable, so as a client it will be easy to identify his work, especially since he is a known artist and teacher within the art community for his digital works.

13. Does the website show a range of projects on different themes?

A few, as most projects are focused on popular entertainment which are nearly similar to each other.

14. Summarise the website in a few bullet-points of handy tips that you can use for your own website.

- Categorising and grouping particular artworks that associates a theme or different projects.

- Keeping the text to a bare minimum and have a dedicated section for biography and contact details.

- Consistency is important. 

Feng Zhu, Digital Artist. Website: http://fengzhudesign.com

1. Describe the overall aesthetic and branding, including typography, layout and space etc.

Very professional and really well organised. Well-structured in presentation and space. The typography is simple and the overall space is not cluttered despite a lot of text for some information in regards of services, the school tuition application and free online tutorials.

2. Include Pictures

The website includes an image gallery of all Feng’s artworks, which also shows some step by step visual tutorials as well as design boards.

3. What attracted you to this person’s website?

The website holds some online tutorials (via YouTube) and they are very useful resources for learning new skills and educational purposes. For people who wanted to learn and to hear general Q&A directly from the artist, the website is directly linked to its dedicated YouTube channel for free tutorial videos.

4. What immediately engages you with this site?

The presentation and layout of the website. Everything is organised and not cluttered, despite a lot of text.

5. Are the pages categorised?

Yes.

6. Is the site easy to navigate?

Yes.

7. Are the images clear?

The image gallery showcases all his works in high quality though you cannot click each one individually to view it at a large scale.

8. How many images are there? Is this too much, too few, right amount?

There are many, many images of his artworks and visual tutorials in his image gallery, though it is not categorised, however it is ordered where you will see the recent illustrations first and as you scroll down you will view his previous works over time.

9. Is there any writing? What does this tell you about the illustrator?

There is a lot of information which includes the founding of the school, the artist’s history in the community and his success with working with big companies in the entertainment industry. A lot of vital information is provided on the website for online applications and services. Despite a large amount of text in some pages they are very informative and direct.

10. Client list? Links? Social media?

There is a large client list under the “About FZD” tab, that showcases all the various companies within the entertainment industry that Feng Zhu has worked with on AAA films and AAA games, as well as working with well established directors in Hollywood such as James Cameron and Steven Spielberg. Social media includes Facebook and Twitter, as well as YouTube for his free online video tutorials.

A list of clients that Feng Zhu has worked with. Most are big studios from the entertainment industry. 

11. Does this site feel personal?

Not really as it feels more commercial based.

12. Does the imagery convey a consistent language of work? Or a range of styles? How would this make you feel as a client?

His works are very consistent in terms of quality and visual output. His sketches and design boards are slightly different compared to his final artworks, though with a mixture of final artworks and design boards it adds a bit of variety to the website’s visual presentation. As a client I would say his expertise on anatomical design and visualisation is excellent.

13. Does the website show a range of projects on different themes?

It shows a variety of works that he has produced, though none of them are labelled as to what it is for. From what I know most of his works that are featured on the website are tutorial works or class demonstrations. Professional works that he has produced for clients and big companies are nowhere to be seen.

14. Summarise the website in a few bullet-points of handy tips that you can use for your own website.

- Professional presentation with limited colours to keep it clean and clear.

- Easy navigation.

Write your own bio/intro for your website – 3-4 short sentences that introduces you, your work and inspirations.

“I am a UK based artist and have begun digital painting in early 2013. Graduated from University studying Illustration and wanted to pursue digital art as my professional practice. Interested in popular culture and entertainment in games, movies and Asian culture which my works are based and influenced from. Characters and visual narratives is what most of my works centred around in."