The concept for the overhaul of the Laura Ljungqvist website is to create a non-intrusive space, that is reminiscent of an internet without ads.
Additionally my goal is to create a fast and simple portfolio, in both a dark and light theme. Be intentional with my copywriting, and incorperate DevTools audits to inspire the design process. The tools I used include WordPress, OceanWP Theme and Elementor.
Chrome DevTools Audits
My hope is that by starting in a minimalist way, getting to that minimum viable product, my focus can be on the essence of what is most important first.
And by doing that I hope to build a foundation that focusses on simple solutions with big impacts. By including the guidelines from the Google Dev Tools audits from the foundation, I hope it be a guide and inspiration to keep things simple.
This will allow me to learn a bit more about their prameters for performance, accessibility, best practises and SEO. And how they impact the process and the end product. In time, I will go more into the individual steps, but you can get the Chrome DevTools free from their website.
Chrome DevTools is a set of web developer tools built directly into the Google Chrome browser.
Cross Device Compatibility
By simplifying the content and design, I hope it will be easier to create consistency across devices. I don’t want there to be too much content that’s visible on desktop only. And I want to avoid creating content specifically for mobile only.
Hopefully soon I’ll write up a little more about the concept of working mobile first, screen sizes and responsive web design.
Material is a design system that helps teams build digital experiences.
Light and Dark Theme
One important read thread in the website concept was to have both a dark and a light there. There’s research advocating for either side of this conversation, therefor I wanted to have both options with a toggle.
Currently I am testing WP Night Mode by Marko Arula. It’s easy to get it started, and works across devices. This decision had a major impact on the design, which you can read in my article about LLD Website Design. I’m writing a little bit more about dark themes, which should be live very soon.
Wordpress plugin which enables users to switch between Night and Day Mode.
Loading Speed
Page speed and loading for become more important in resent years. It’s more accessible and a better user experience. Some of my design choices, such as CSS for both a dark and light theme, and using WordPress plugins, are going to have their impacts on the speed.
I want to go through some of the parameters of PageSpeed insights, and find ways that make sense, to optimize for speed whilst keeping a balance with the website concept. I still have some work to do.
Make your web pages fast on all devices.
Copywriting
The writing for the digital- and print portfolio, the website and SEO, all have to work well together.
In continuation of the website design and brand identity, the goal is to keep the text to a minimum in each category.
When preparing for the text on the website, I’m looking at SEO optimization as an important restraint and point of inspiration. To help me find a balance between the marketing elements and staying on brand. Being to the point, but keep personality within each text, that is informative and on brand.
Some of the tips for optimizing SEO have a way of getting to the essence of the information you want communicate with your audience. It has greatly inspired me in the direction I want to take the content, and the kinds of posts I want to write; tell the story about who I am, the work and projects I have worked on and where we go from here.
Continue Reading
Over the coming months I’ll go more into detail on the individual topics. Read more how the scope and brand influenced the design choise.
Design of lauraljungqvist.se
Resources
Chrome DevTools is a set of web developer tools built directly into the Google Chrome browser.
Material is a design system that helps teams build digital experiences.
Wordpress plugin which enables users to switch between Night and Day Mode.
Make your web pages fast on all devices.
