Brief

I needed to create a professional portfolio website that would showcase my diverse skills across graphic design, video production, and strategic communications. The site needed to reflect my creative approach while functioning as an effective business development tool—all without requiring advanced coding knowledge.

Challenge

As a self-taught web developer, I faced several significant obstacles:

• Limited technical background with no formal programming training
• Need for a highly customized design that reflected my personal brand
• Requirement for portfolio functionality across multiple creative disciplines
• Limited budget that precluded hiring professional developers
• Need for a solution I could maintain and update independently

Solution

I developed a strategic approach to creating my website through WordPress, focusing on self-education and creative problem-solving:

Learning Strategy

• Created a structured self-education plan focused on WordPress fundamentals
• Identified key skills needed: theme customization, CSS basics, plugin management
• Utilized targeted online resources rather than attempting to learn everything at once
• Established a test environment to experiment without affecting the live site

Design Approach

• Sketched the complete site architecture before beginning technical implementation
• Identified sections requiring custom functionality versus standard elements
• Created a consistent visual language that unified diverse portfolio pieces
• Designed mobile-first to ensure responsiveness across all devices

Technical Implementation

• Selected a flexible theme framework that could be extensively customized
• Leveraged page builders for complex layouts while learning underlying principles
• Implemented custom CSS for specific design elements that required precise control
• Integrated portfolio plugins customized for different types of creative work

Optimization Process

• Conducted regular user testing to identify friction points in the experience
• Implemented performance optimization for faster loading times
• Created streamlined content management workflows for efficient updates
• Established regular maintenance routines to keep the site secure and current

Results

The completed Lexis Phoenix website successfully:

• Presents my diverse portfolio in a cohesive, professional manner
• Functions as an effective business development platform
• Provides a flexible framework that can evolve with my expanding services
• Demonstrates both my design sensibility and problem-solving approach
• Operates with minimal maintenance requirements and maximum flexibility

Key Takeaways

This project demonstrates my ability to:

• Self-educate and overcome technical challenges independently
• Translate design vision into functional digital experiences
• Balance aesthetic considerations with technical requirements
• Create efficient systems for ongoing content management
• Approach complex projects with structured, strategic thinking

The development of my own website embodies the same strategic design thinking I bring to client projects—a commitment to both visual excellence and functional effectiveness.