9 August 2009
Hi Luke,

What a treat to be able to see an aspiring new media developers' work in it's initial stages. It's often hard to find avenues for exposure to help get your name out there and I certainly applaud your efforts both in your posting and of course in your dedication to school!

If you don't mind, I am going to hit you with a few observations about your portfolio, and PLEASE, take this as constructive observation and not criticism.

I am viewing your portfolio on a Linux machine, so there may be some things I am missing that a person on a Windows machine may see, so here are my observations:

- When I clicked on the "The Search for Utopia" video, I saw that the page was loading but received no pre-load screen or anything that indicated that there was something that I should wait for.

- For the, "Super Amazing 3D Experience", I tried clicking on the links and nothing happened.

- The background image is nearly 2 meg in size, which, even for high-speed internet is a tad excessive.

- in reviewing your source code, although you are using CSS, might I suggest importing your CSS rather than having it on the same page as your
html content.

- As I mentioned previously, I am viewing your portfolio on a Linux machine, please consider cross-platform compatibility.

- Lastly, many of the images that could have been used as CSS background images were images on screen.

These are my initial observations and I do hope you take them as intended; working for web development companies as a multimedia expert will also include knowledge of web standards and an awareness of file sizes.

Again, let me reiterate what a pleasure it is to view your efforts, and I certainly wish you the VERY best in your future and of course during your continued studies.

I have no current positions open, however, if you have questions, please feel free to contact me. I am more than willing to share what experience I have, and I hope you receive similar responses from other developers on this website.

Very best regards,
Mark Cloyd
Mark Cloyd Designs

4 January 2010
Hi Luke,

I am from Huddersfield aswell and was in the same situation a few months ago, I started by contacting companies in the Media Centre (http://www.the-media-centre.co.uk/clients/).

It is full of new media agencies, I am presuming you are looking for a paid placement?

Its a catch 22 situation, alot of agencies wish to have developers with a real world experience however you cannot get real world experience without first finding a job/placement.

Anyways I notice this post is almost 4 old and I hope you all the best of luck if you are still looking.

Kyle Hudson

16 February 2010
Hi Luke

You need I think to offer your services for free, this way you can built up a portfolio and some experience to deal with the 'Catch 22' situation that the last reply rightly mentions.

I would look around the forums for people start new businesses etc, on limited budgets and offer your services for a fraction of what they pay elsewhere, being honest, so that the pricing is explained.

Also offer your services to Charity's can be a great way to gain experience, and can't hurt on your CV.

Very best of luck Luke.

Regards

Ashley

Webmaster

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