This semester, I want to improve my HTML and CSS skills and build a portfolio for my illustrations. I like modern, black-and-white websites, so I want to explore that style while making my work easy to find and look through.
The website shows Shantell Martin's work and introduces her to people who might want to work with her. Visitors can explore her projects, learn about her background, and contact her studio. It also connects people to her shop.
I would describe the website as bold, creative, and confident. The black-and-white drawings and typography make it recognizable. What I like is that I can get a sense of her style just by browsing the site, even before reading much about her.
The project pages feel more focused on exploring the artwork, while the Info page feels more professional. Project descriptions explain the work, and the Info page gives details about her experience and collaborations. This helps people who are just browsing as well as those who are considering working with her.
Her line drawings connect the different parts of her work. Whether they appear on a wall or a piece of clothing, they are still recognizable as hers. The website carries that same style through its black-and-white design. I chose this site because I like how it has personality while keeping a limited color palette.
Emily, Art Director — age 32
Emily works at a magazine and needs an illustrator for an upcoming article. She looks through the projects to see whether Martin's style fits the story, then checks her background and contact information. Even if she does not contact her right away, she might save the site for a future assignment.
Daniel, Clothing Brand Founder — age 29
Daniel runs a small clothing brand and is looking for an artist to collaborate with. He is interested in the clothing projects because they show how Martin's drawings look on something people can wear. He would share a few examples with his team before reaching out. He might come back to the site as they plan the collection.
Sophie, Independent Curator — age 38
Sophie is putting together a group exhibition and wants to include drawing in different forms. She looks at the wall and installation projects to see how Martin works with a space. She also reads about previous exhibitions. If the work fits her plans, she would contact the studio and return to the site while developing the show.
Lizzy Stewart's portfolio is another site I looked at. Her work includes books, comics, and illustration, while Martin's site also shows projects involving spaces, clothing, and objects. For me, Martin's consistent drawing style is what makes her portfolio memorable.
Stewart's site is useful for thinking about how to present my own book and illustration projects. I would take inspiration from both: Martin's strong visual identity and Stewart's focus on individual illustration projects. I want my portfolio to have a clear style, but I also want someone visiting it for the first time to find what they need.