Much like in the evolution of this blog, developing my stand-alone portfolio site has provided numerous challenges. Finding a style that seems both engaging and playful, but sophisticated and functional requires a strict focus and willingness to adapt. When looking at a well designed space it seems obvious, but to create one from scratch - without simply copying someone - is a process.
As the novelty of my portfolio site has started to fade somewhat, I've felt obligated to re-evaluate my approach. While the reality is that my portfolio site proabably won't ever be a regular draw for traffic like my blog will, I do want it to seem stylistically paired and able to grow as my body of work continues to. This requires a confidence in my presentation to simply let it be. Creating said presentation is exactly what all these months of work have meant.
My latest update to editingluke.com has come in the form of streamlining my previous design, and refreshing the portfolio section of the site. You can see the previous designs here, but what I wanted to do was create a more uniform and structured feel - still raw in a way, but less hand made looking. Having used my rooftop image as the basis for branding and design on this blog and portfolio site, I also wanted to incorporate more of that rustic urban theme and feel into this section.
While you'll notice only 3 posters visible on each page, those images scroll just by moving revealing more projects. A small play button also appears when hovering over each poster which links directly to the blog post and/or video for that project.
The original title page to enter the portfolio has also been removed to make navigation more simple and clean. This trend will continue in how my layout evolves. There may still be plenty of pages in the end, but their purpose will be more clearly defined. Less filler is always a plus. That said, here are the new pages.
As the final cap on last years road trip experience, I've created a specific page for my Indio Outio Project on my portfolio site at www.editingluke.com. Simply click the tab on the home page and you can view direct links to each of the edits, clearly laid out, with some added novelty to boot!
While on the page, hover over the orange CD to play Real Life's Send Me An Angel. It was the unofficial theme song for our road trip.
There was a point when all of this seemed so incredibly far-fetched. The trip, the location, then completing the edit, and so on; I questioned and hoped that something would pan out. I needed this experience I think.
So now, posting the complete edits over the last month and reflecting on the entire road trip that became Indio Outio, I'm actually a bit shocked that all of this actually came together. Granted it's been almost a full year from when this trip was first considered to the point of uploading and closing out all the trip footage. Still, what an incredible ride.
Indio Outio has come to represent a personal bookmark, another subtle transition from my former film school self into adulthood - a long journey in and of itself it seems. Ultimately, the trip helped me prove to myself that I could take a whim and make something defining from it. I'll say it again, I went into this with the specific goal of trying to create something unforgettable.
Traveling with my friend Dave proved to be another great lesson, both in how we could bring out the best in one another, and how our perspectives and goals could be unifying or alienating given the circumstance. It's always interesting to bond with someone in a new way even after you've known them for years. The dynamic between Dave and myself was fueled with nostalgia, but we didn't seem inhibited from creating new memories given the places we visited.
The entire trip, without making more sweeping generalizations, is a series best told in pieces. So that's exactly what I did. The entire evolution of the trip, from talking about what it could be, to editing it, and eventually debuting it, can be experienced by following the link at the end of each post to continue on to the next destination.
I've done my best to create something a bit interactive here. Through stories, pictures, and videos, I want you to feel like you were along for the ride all the way to California. As I say in the Indio Outio conclusion, "It's a trip that was best seen first hand, but best seen, regardless".
