There seems to be a trend...

[Susanna-Cole]

...happening with graphic designer's portfolios. These are a few designers' portfolios that I've visited lately, and many of them seem to use a simple listing layout. Usually there's left side frame with a list (most of them seem to use the same font and size as well... anyone know what font that is?) and then another frame to see their work in. Or a drop down menu list. Or both. Is it just me... perhaps this style of portfolios has been around for ages, and I'm just now noticing it... or do you think it's a trend that's now happening?

Here are some examples, each slightly different, but with the same simplistic listing concept:

Travis Stearns - I Am Mint Condition
Gary Fogelson - Gary Fogelson
Birthe Steinbeck - BIRTHE STEINBECK
Mario Hugo - Mario Hugo
Holly Gressley - Holly Gressley
Patrick Johnson - Home : PATRICK JOHNSON

[Toon]

The original idea was for graphic designers to only need a link list at the left and their work filling most of the page because, nice design doesn't want to be compressed down for the speed of the site so there was no point in having all sort of other logo's, js menus etc. using up the bandwidth that could be saved for loading a high quality large image of the work. Basically that the work takes centre stage and the web design itself takes a back seat to it.

[zumojuice]

There is also the 'should a designer have a brand' argument here. There are those who think that a designer can make a name for themselves but should be nothing more than a puppet master and the work should speak for its self. Many of the big designers and some agencies stick to this general formula. Hell Spin, with its cool menu is putting enough in make a statement but not to move over the work.

On the flip side, there are agencies like mother and others where they make a big thing about creating a brand...

In designing my site, I wanted to make enough to an impact, but also keep it clean and about the work. Effectively, I've made it simple with little flourishes to make it mine..

[headphones]

^^ under that Spin link, what fonts being used for the Meta stuff?

[zumojuice]

hard to say - it's a thin slab serif and there are many like that. lubalin graph is a good example but the lowercase 'L' does not curve like that.

[Toon]

This is quite a good version of that style

Fontan2.com