Portfolio format?

Isis' Minion

I'm thinking about making myself a portfolio page, to display a variety of my work (2D, 3D, animation, programming, game projects and so on). What would be the best format for such a site? Would simple clean HTML suffice? Maybe PHP? Or Flash that loads from XML files perhaps?

I've been dabbling with the latter for a bit and i got it working. After i got it working i wondered if it would be wise to use it on my site, as not all viewers might have Flash plug-ins installed. Is it safe to assume that they do, at these times?

I know how to build a clean page with HTML, so that wouldn't really be a problem, but i'm willing to learn PHP. Which of the two is better for a relatively simple page?

Here's an example of a page i like (the splash):
http://www.nivbed.com/
It feels like Flash, but it's HTML. Though, what do you guys think about making a page a bit flashy?

Also, what system is easy to update content with? SQL? XML?

I'd like to hear your opinions about this matter.

AstroZombie

Clean and simple. Fast load time and easy to naviage; impress me with your work, not your ability to design a "creative" website. Ideally, thumbnails that link to larger images along with a CV/Resume that is RELEVANT to the game industry (I do not care about the 5 years you spent at Burger King).

Simple HTML with a nice interface should suffice.

[edit]
Not to say that you couldn't blow me away with a sexy flash site that is quick to load and easy to navigate, however, you definitely do not want to frustrate your potential employer by making him/her wait for your images to load and/or by cluttering / confusing your interface.

sprunghunt

whoops too slow - what he said ^^

PaK

Simple is best. Rorshach, and Tyler Wilson's portfolios are always the ones I suggest.

http://tylersart.com is the the only one i could find atm.

-R

hawken

nivbed doesn't have a usefull site from a recruiters point of view.

I'm a frikkin jack of all trades, but I like the way my site works: http://hawken.dadako.com/skillset.3d.php?page=main

Isis' Minion

http://portfolio-eljo.hku.nl/
That's an example of a flash portfolio, loading dynamically through XML so it's easy to update with new content. This pretty much matches the idea i have to make my own portfolio site, since he also has other stuff outside graphical art on his site. What i also like is that the pop-ups dont need an additional window, but can remain inside the Flash, which takes out the risk off pop-up blockers.

This page is actually the page that got me thinking about the whole format thing, since i like the way this guy did it (we have to build a portfolio site for a school assignement in the second year...i'm still a freshman but i'd like to get a head start ). Is it safe though to assume that the audience does have the Flash plug-in installed? Or is there maybe a way to check for Flash, and if it's not installed, have it load my HTML page?

Is XML parseable in PHP like it is in Flash?

Oh, and i showed Nivbed because i like how he has mouse-overs that load instantly...i am also considering to build a clean HTML with fancy roll-overs like the ones on his page, but more clarity to their function, by adding some text ("gallery", etc)...

Basically, i want to make a page which loads up all the content from the XML file (or some other database), so that i dont have to hack away at the html every time i want to update my content and so that all items are listed in one place, to keep order.