Software Engineer Vishal Ramkissoon

Why is my Portfolio using Brutalist Design?

I spent the last few weeks trying to figure out how I should go about displaying my portfolio now that I’m looking for a job.

I have been applying for more and more jobs recently, and many would like you to have a website. It would be most beneficial for ‘Frontend’ or ‘Fullstack’ jobs. I am mainly looking for a ‘backend’ position, but I would like to develop native or systems level software.

There were a few jobs I applied for that wanted to see the depth of my technical writing skills. I did not have any public-facing pieces of work that I could have used.

I walked through hundreds of themes and templates online. I spent a considerable amount of time looking at web design inspiration boards. It became overwhelming, and I ultimately decided against a web portfolio.

From a different direction

I thought to myself, “I’m overthinking this”.

I picked up back the notion of a web portfolio last week, but this time I took the time to think about what I wanted my portfolio to say.

The reality is, I know most people aren’t going to spend much time on this site. They just want a quick way to navigate my public-facing work and maybe get a sense of my personality and maybe how I code.

I can’t say I blame them.

Brutalist design seemed like the most natural candidate for this job. I found a site that lists guidelines for brutalist web design. I was impressed with how clear and concise everything was.

I knew this was would a perfect fit for what I think persons visiting this portfolio would like.

I wanted to inject a bit of my personality, and I know I will.

Perfection works against us.

Truthfully, I keep holding back because I keep trying to make something perfect rather than making something that meets expectations.

I know I want to continue improving this site.