I’ve been debating the value of keeping an updated portfolio somewhere. Deterring factors are (1) time + creative investment for creating a portfolio layout (this one is too dark and blue and personal to be likable as a portfolio. And I want to make a site with a footer because they look neat), and (2) appearing as though I’m looking for work when I’m not.
About a month before the end of my temporary assignment for web, I was approached with an offer for an associate web design position. All of the projects I’d been assigned up till then had had their challenges which consequently forced me to learn a lot quickly, and verily I appreciated that. I’d learned how to use their water cooler, half of their break room is a bar, and their logo is a sprite of Raynor punching Murky…so of course I accepted.
Aside: A page I coded (the awesome designer on the mobile app was responsible for photoshop magic) for the new WoW Auction House which was just launched tonight: World of Warcraft Remote Auction House marketing page! (It may or may not be going through maintenance right now…) While the majority of the page was cake to put together, my javascript was super green at that time so I was very pleased with the pithy little jQuery sliding gallery dongle at the bottom. Don’t laugh. I’ve since written much more complex things using the jQuery :(
Anyway, the question of whether or not to maintain a portfolio for personal projects and work I’ve done for public Blizzard sites… I’ve yet to meet someone in the department who does keep one, so I have to wonder if it’s taboo in web. The exercise of it seems like a good idea – a way to feel as though I’m keeping in touch with the web outside of web team. I may not be able to take on freelance work, but I still want people to look at me!