Some designers prefer to keep things simple and business-like, focusing on the technical aspects of their work. Others prefer to infuse their portfolios with personality, sharing their passions, design styles, and unique approaches to web design.

Either way, a well-crafted portfolio can be a powerful marketing tool, helping you to build your brand, establish your credibility, and connect with prospective clients on a deeper level.

To help inspire your own personal portfolio design, we’ve compiled a stunning collection of portfolio websites. From minimalist and clean designs to bold and colorful layouts, these sites showcase a range of styles and approaches that can help you stand out in a crowded field.

You might also like our collections of free portfolio WordPress themes or portfolio PSD templates.

The post 50 Creative Personal Portfolio Websites for Inspiration appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

The 90s were also a golden age for technology as well. The personal computer made its way into the mainstream. And so did the World Wide Web. As such, I started toying with web design during this period.

Building a website in those days was undeniably different. The web design industry was nascent – if it existed at all. Standards and best practices were still years away. Web designers had to adapt existing tools for this new medium.

We made a lot of mistakes. But that’s OK. The lessons learned in that era have brought us to the present.

What was it like to build a website back in the day? Here are a few observations based on my experiences. One obstacle does stand in my way, though. I hope that I can remember that far back!

Web Design without a Map

I first began experimenting with HTML in 1995. The web was very much a novelty. Thus, few organizations had a website.

Web designers had no history to work from. We couldn’t, for example, find previous examples of successful websites. And there were no guides to tell us the ingredients of a great site.

That lack of precedent had benefits. We had the freedom to try all manner of designs and layouts. There were no trends to follow. With that came the chance to establish our own.

There were some downsides, though. We didn’t account for factors like accessibility. Websites from that era had all manner of issues. Poor color contrast, tiny fonts, and intense animation were among them.

We made things up as we went along. And that philosophy covered every aspect of a website.

Tools? What Tools?

Where would we be without web design tools? From code editors to prototyping, they help us work more efficiently.

The right tools are essential for modern web design. But early web designers had no such luxury. There were very few apps aimed at this new medium.

My toolbox consisted of a plain text editor (Windows Notepad) and a graphics app (MS Paint). Not exactly a dynamic duo for web design. But repurposing apps was common.

Even Photoshop was ill-equipped in those days. Its “Save for Web” feature wasn’t introduced until version 5.5. That meant large file sizes and little optimization.

Plus, helpful features like code hinting weren’t yet available. There were no frameworks to provide a quick start to projects. That meant manually writing code.

There were also few references for learning HTML. A handful of extraordinarily thick books existed. But the best way to learn was by viewing the source code of other sites. This technique also came in handy when CSS and JavaScript hit the scene.

Managing Content was a Hassle

We’ve become accustomed to using content management systems (CMS) like WordPress. But such apps were still years away from mainstream availability.

In the beginning, every page was a separate HTML file. Website navigation consisted of links to these files. As you might expect, there were also links within the page content.

Large websites could get incredibly complex. For example, my first job was working on a newspaper’s website. It grew from a handful of pages to over a thousand.

Ensuring that every link worked was like wrestling a giant squid. Changing the navigation was also a challenge. You might have to make the same edit to every file on the site. The advent of Server Side Includes (SSI) eventually simplified the process.

You also had to consider the site’s file structure. Everything was built from the ground up. Consistent file locations and naming conventions were vital. I came up short on a few occasions. But that’s how you learn!

Planning for future growth was essential. Otherwise, you may end up having to refactor the entire thing.

Technology Was Exciting, but Limited

As I mentioned, the 90s were a transformative time for technology. It seemed like computers were changing the world daily.

There were still some limiting factors, however. The computers of the day had little processing power. Graphics were also paltry compared to today’s standard. And we can’t forget the painfully slow internet speeds.

It’s a good thing websites were simple. Users didn’t have the necessary tools to view anything large or complex. Using a 28.8 kbit/s modem, it would take nearly 5 minutes to download a 1MB file. And that’s assuming a stable connection.

These technological limitations presented a challenge to web designers. Using large images was out of the question. Audio and video content had to be highly compressed. And a lack of standard formats meant relying on third-party software like Flash or Real Player.

None of this stopped designers from implementing poor practices. Some websites added “features” like background audio and proprietary code (thanks, Internet Explorer).

Oh, and if you haven’t experienced dial-up internet, the following video offers a great demonstration.

We Had No Idea What the Web Would Become

The web’s novelty wore off within a few years. It slowly became a necessity for all types of organizations. And the audience had grown beyond hardcore computer geeks.

The seeds of online commerce were beginning to take root. Even so, I had no idea how big the web would become. And I couldn’t foresee the impact of smartphones and wireless internet.

But it’s worth remembering that things didn’t start that way. The 1990s version of the web seems light-years away from the present.

Little did we know that our experiments would lead to something bigger. A platform that adopted standards and developed trusted techniques. Not to mention methods for interacting with data in real-time.

Maybe the web is a better place in terms of technology. But it couldn’t be more fun than it was back in the day. It was amazing to witness.

The post Here’s What It Was like to Build a Website in the 90s appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

Taking the latter approach can create a memorable experience for your users and make them feel more connected to your brand. This can be achieved with clever copywriting, eye-catching graphics, and innovative design elements that catch the eye and spark the imagination. Taking a more creative approach will make your website memorable and create a positive impression on your visitors.

Of course, it’s important to note that a creative 404 page doesn’t necessarily mean sacrificing usability or functionality. In fact, by combining creativity with practicality, you can create a page that is both entertaining and useful. For example, you could include links to popular pages on your website or provide a search bar to help your users find what they’re looking for.

To illustrate the power of creative 404 pages, we’ve put together a collection of some truly inspiring examples. You’ll notice that some of these pages don’t necessarily adhere to basic usability guidelines, but that’s part of what makes them so interesting. By incorporating humor, and unexpected surprises, these pages are sure to put a smile on your face and leave a lasting impression.

The post 50 Creative Examples of 404 Pages in Web Design for Inspiration appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

The web is becoming increasingly homogeneous. This encompasses the tools we use and the designs we implement. Thus, it can be hard to distinguish one site from another. You might even notice a sameness in your portfolio.

Other websites may not always be the best source of inspiration. Not if you want something completely original. So where should we look?

That’s our topic for today. Let’s explore places outside of web design that we can mine for inspiration.

Photography

As the old saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. And the right one can provide a creative spark as well. That’s why photography is more than a tool to enhance a website. It can also serve as an inspiration.

A photo’s subject matter may or may not be relevant. A picture of a mountain, for example, can lead you to an idea for a tech startup’s design. Or maybe an image of a sports car spawns an epiphany for an auto mechanic’s site.

Creativity works in mysterious ways. An image may conjure up thoughts that lead you to exactly the right place. Features such as colors, lines, or even facial expressions can wield amazing power.

Images are also incredibly convenient. There is a massive amount of photographic resources online. You’re never far from finding something that gets those creative juices flowing.

Print Design

Web designers have long strived to mimic printed materials. But that’s been traditionally limited by technology. That has changed in a hurry, though.

For one, CSS has come a long way. It’s now possible to recreate complex print layouts on the web. We no longer need to employ hacks to create these looks.

As such, you can look to printed materials for inspiration. Spend time browsing books, magazines, and catalogs. There’s no shortage of potential here.

And you aren’t limited by items you can hold in your hand. Outdoor advertising on billboards and vehicles is also worth admiring. Murals and graffiti also have something to offer.

The Natural World

The natural world is bursting with design possibilities. And they can be found anywhere from the most majestic tree to the tiniest insect.

Color and texture are of particular interest. Maybe it’s the intricate pattern displayed by a bird. Or the magnificent color palette of leaves in the spring and fall. There is something unique to fuel creativity everywhere you look.

You don’t have to go to a remote locale to find inspiration. Backyard nature can be just as influential. Finding previously hidden details in everyday things can be awe-inspiring.

Imagery alone can be powerful. But there are also benefits to being outdoors. We can see nature with our own eyes. And we get the full sensory experience. Hearing a bird call, feeling a breeze, or smelling a flower have long been sources of creative mojo.

Industrial Design

Now, let’s look at the very opposite of nature. Industrial design spans everything from the phone in your pocket to the tallest skyscraper. We can see it pretty much everywhere humans have made their mark.

This art form also provides an eclectic mix of styles. There are uniform structures reminiscent of block-based design. And then there is the controlled chaos of engines and assembly lines. They can lead us to employ design in ways we may not have thought about.

Industrial design is versatile and can fit just about any purpose. This style works for both stark minimalism and clever complexity. Much inspiration can be found here.

Look for a Fresh Perspective on Design

Seeing the same thing over and over leads to stagnation. Web design is a little bit like that. Browsing through so many websites can lead us to stale ideas. And what we build might lack originality.

This isn’t always a bad thing. For example, predictability in user interface (UI) design is a welcomed feature.

The idea isn’t to make our creations more difficult for users. Usability and accessibility still need to be priorities.

Originality counts for something, though. Finding it often means looking outside of the web design bubble. The sources above can offer a solid starting point.

The post Looking Outside of the Web for Inspiration & Ideas appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

While many methods exist for creating a sitemap, we’re not focusing on that today. Instead, we’re exploring sitemaps that have been thoughtfully designed with beautiful aesthetics in mind. These sitemaps are not only functional, but they are visually appealing and showcase the importance of design in all aspects of web development.

So whether you’re looking for inspiration or just appreciate a beautifully crafted design, these examples of carefully designed sitemaps are sure to impress.

The post 25 Beautifully Designed Sitemaps & User Flow Maps for Inspiration appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

Design agency homepage designs vary significantly depending on the agency’s focus and target audience. Some agencies may opt for a minimalist approach with simple typography and clean lines, while others may use bold colors and graphics to create a more playful and attention-grabbing design.

When seeking design inspiration for an agency homepage, it’s important to consider the agency’s unique selling points and brand identity. A website that effectively communicates the agency’s strengths and value proposition can help differentiate it from competitors and build trust with potential clients.

Some key elements to consider incorporating into a design agency homepage include a clear and concise tagline, high-quality visuals that showcase the agency’s work, a well-structured navigation menu, and prominent calls to action to encourage users to explore the site further or contact the agency.

By carefully considering these design elements and studying other successful creative agency homepage designs, you can create compelling website designs that attract and engage potential clients.

You might also like our collection of free design agency website PSD templates.

The post 30 Beautifully Designed Creative Agency Websites for Inspiration appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

To the untrained eye, creating an ultra-minimalist site may seem like it involves stripping away all non-essential elements and replacing them with whitespace. However, creating an effective ultra-minimalist design requires a skilled eye for choosing the right elements to keep and discard and a deep understanding of negative space, typography, and color theory.

Every pixel must be carefully arranged to produce an optimal visual experience. The result is a beautiful and highly effective design that communicates its message with striking simplicity. They can be highly impactful and engaging, drawing the user’s attention to the most critical elements of the design.

To see for yourself what an ultra-minimalist website looks like, we’ve compiled an inspiring collection that demonstrates the beauty and effectiveness of this design style.

The post 15 Examples of Ultra-Minimalism in Web Design for Inspiration appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

Shopping doesn’t have to be complicated, and smaller eCommerce stores don’t have to look like the big players. They can stand out by embracing their unique identity and creating a beautifully designed site that reflects their brand and values.

We’ve created a collection of fifty beautifully designed eCommerce sites to inspire your own eCommerce design. These sites prove that a simple and modern design can be just as effective, if not more so, than a more complex and content-heavy site. From minimalist designs to bold and colorful layouts, there is something for every eCommerce store here.

So if you’re a smaller eCommerce store looking to stand out from the crowd, take a look at these inspiring examples and see how you can create a unique and user-friendly eCommerce site that showcases your products and delights your customers.

You might also like these collections of free WooCommerce themes for WordPress, eCommerce PSD templates, or payment method icon sets

The post 50 Clean & Modern eCommerce Sites for Web Design Inspiration appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

This time we’re diving a little deeper and focussing on some of the tinier details of the hamburger menu, like the animation and transitions between the clicking of the three-line icon and the moments as the actual menu appears. It takes just a split-second or so to work, but as you know, the details make all the difference – even the smallest ones. And this little effect can drastically add to the overall pleasure of the experience.

In this article, we’ll explore a selection of exquisitely designed websites that showcase breathtaking hamburger menu transitions. Each site has pushed the boundaries of what’s possible with this simple but essential design element, resulting in a truly memorable user experience. Join us on this inspiring journey as we explore the limitless possibilities of the hamburger menu!

Gizmo

Traditionally, the hamburger menu has been characterized by a sliding effect when transitioning between its two states. One classic example of this is Gizmo’s menu, where the section with links delightfully fully descends from the top, fully occupying the screen. This transition effect may be less noteworthy in terms of functionality or innovation, but it is visually satisfying.

Fishfinger Creative Agency

The team behind Fishfinger Creative Agency website tries to make the menu transition a little bit more interesting by smoothing out the angles and using a circular shape to match the overall bubbly aesthetics.

6tematik

The 6tematik agency splits their hamburger menu transition into two split sections – forcing each part of the navigation to come from the opposite side and form the common area. As a result, not only does this simple idea give a little zest to the experience, but it naturally draws the attention toward the heart of the page where the actual navigation is.

IGOODI

With IGOODI, it feels like you are taking a trip down memory lane. The website is packed with high-end features that give the site a modern look, and that feeling carries on with their hamburger menu, where the transitions and effects have Flash-like quality.

We Virtually Are

We Virtually Are also has some oldie-but-goodie vibes like iGoodi above. Here a picture appears and disappears from the small dot in the center. The solution is also spiced up with recognizable TV noise and distortion, making everything look incredible.

Digital Designer

The team behind Digital Designer took their inspiration from a classic horizontal window jalousie. The overlay screen is broken into three wide stripes spiced up with a vertical block reveal effect. The team managed to give a transition between the two states a charming and, most importantly, eye-catching appearance.

Senshu Ad Creators

If you liked the previous idea, but you want to rotate it 90 degrees, then you will undoubtedly appreciate Senshu Ad Creators‘ approach. The corporate website of this creative Tokyo-based agency also features the jalousie effect. But, this time, the shutters are vertical, and open and close across the horizontal axis.

Wizardry

The team of the Wizardry agency wins over clients with a fantastic, well-though-out cosmic theme jazzed up with advanced features. So, it is not surprising that some techy vibes also mark the transition for their menu, predictably hidden behind the hamburger button. Although the solution is based on a sliding effect, it stands out from the crowd and perfectly contributes to the theme.

Blab Studio

Blab Studio uses some kind of an origami effect. Each block of their navigation screen gradually and coherently opens in a boxy way, triggering the next area. Whether you open or close the menu, everything starts from the left bottom square that represents a menu icon and moves gradually to the right top corner, recreating a feeling of harmony and consistency.

Ruya Digital

The main menu in Ruya Digital opens with an accompanying splash-like effect that falls from the top. It has a distinctive gradient background that is also seen in the mouse hover effect. The transition smoothly changes the scene, naturally grabbing a visitor’s attention.

Bebold

Much like the previous example, the team of Bebold opts in favor of the same effect. It’s reminiscent of a watercolor painting, quickly running down the screen’s glossy surface. This time, the team adds vibrancy to the realization by using pale blue, neon green, and gentle pink into beautiful gradients. Several layers go one-after-another, recreating a lovely dimensional feeling.

Die ANTWORT

Die ANTWORT‘s solution was also borrowed from the art world. The transition is a small animation where the black drop of paint was carelessly thrown down. It opens the navigation section. Not only does the solution produce a profound effect, but it also goes well with everything else on the website. It serves as a logical transition between the homepage and the main menu area.

The Details Matter

Like it or not, in most cases, the boxy structure of a website’s layout influences the choice of effects. Undoubtedly, the block reveal effect and boxy aesthetics seen in Blab Studio or Wizardry look great and even feel more natural to the user. However, artistic approaches like Bebold and Die ANTWORT always stand out amongst the competition and grab attention.

The important thing is that you pay attention even to the smallest details, as the design teams from the examples above have done. Give a bland hamburger menu a breath of fresh air by using transitions that will catch an eye and enrich the impression.

The post 12 Stunning Examples of Hamburger Menu Transitions for Inspiration appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

Animated logos, whether created using CSS & SVG, After Effects, or as an animated GIF, have the power to draw attention to your brand and make it highly memorable.

While not yet widely used, we’ve compiled a small collection of subtly animated logos that we hope will inspire you to create your own. By adding a touch of animation to your logo design, you can make it stand out and create a lasting impression on your audience.

So, if you’re looking to add some extra flair to your brand, consider experimenting with subtle animations in your logo design. With the right approach and execution, it can elevate your brand to a whole new level. Of course, we’ll start with the fantastic Fubiz logo first.

The post 15 Inspiring Examples of Subtly Animated Logos in Web Design appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.