John Heeter - Level Designer

    Hi I am graduating soon from Savannah College of Art and Design with a game design degree. I have been trying to get some feedback on my site lately and I want to put it in front of this forum because it looks like others have been getting some really detailed critiques.

    My site is http://www.johnheeter.com

    Also, I recently made a tutorial, which is located at http://www.johnheeter.com/tubetut

    I think that as part of my portfolio, my tutorial helps to show that I am detail oriented and able to convey information. Also, it covers stuff that lots of people at school ask me about, so now I have somewhere to point them.

    Nice content but far too much clicking to actually get to your works content. You should have all your projects listed out on the main page underneath the demo reel.

    I agree with Dux about placing the projects on the first page.

    I'd also preload the alt images of each project because right now you have to let your mouse hover on it for 1 to 2 seconds to let the picture load. You can simply create an invisible div somewhere on the page to force the browser to preload these pictures so it's instant. (

    ... somewhere at the bottom of the page will do the trick.)I notice you've got a linkedin profile but that it's only accessible from the blog. You should at least place the Linkedin icon on all pages, and also add a link or icon to your mail address (right now it's only text). Put that instead of "Constructive criticism is welcome" (I know, I'm guessing this is temporary while you show your portfolio around, but just saying) on all pages.

    Otherwise, it looks pretty solid to me, and the content is definitely interesting. Good work!

    Saw your post on LinkedIn, actually. Some pretty cool Flowgraph stuff in there, have you thought about applying to Crytek for maybe a Technical Level Designer position?

    Thanks for the feedback. I am currently trying to figure out the best way to combine my reel and projects page. I think I will just put my demo reel at the very top of my projects page, and get rid of the Reel page. Also I will be adding a linked in button to the side of all the pages. Yes I have submitted my stuff from Crytek but have not heard anything back. None of the companies I have sent my stuff to have given me any response, thats about a dozen big and small game studios with no response. So I am trying to figure out what is up.

    If you don't have the right to use the soundtrack of Inception for your reel, you shouldn't use it ...

    You can give a look on Jamendo.com which contains a lot of free right music !

    I listened to everyones suggestions and tightened my site up some more. Thanks again.

    I see lots of other demo reels using commercial music. I own a legal copy of the song and I am not selling anything. I give credit to the song in my reel. I think I am in the clear.

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