To some extent, I like to be groomed.
I like looking "put together."
Obviously, there are those that are more put together than me, and some trying to be more put together.
Recently, I designed this website—at least the beginnings of it—MAN AND SOME. It was for the recent class I took at the School of Visual Concepts: HTML & CSS - Level 2. The first assignment was to build a 3-5 page website and all other assignments were to expand that website. I could've used Pocket Shots from Level 1, but I thought that would be a cop out and I wanted to try something new and challenge myself.
The concept behind the website is to help men on their journey in becoming well-groomed gentlemen. Each page of the website compares and contrasts 3 individuals. These individuals—my friends—each have unique qualities. Long hair with a clean shave, classic hair with casual beard, and a styled haircut with a big beard.
Additionally, each page features a buyer's guide with items that help a man's features—all of which I own and use.
The Hair Buyer's Guide contains items like shampoo, pomades, soap, and combs.
The Face Buyer's Guide contains items like beard oil, beard balm, lip balm, and soap.
Each item's description linked directly to the product's website for the user to buy the product themselves.
Style has more emphasis on the 3 individuals and their personal style. During the 5-week class, I was unable to obtain the right resources to make an in-depth style guide. The intent was to feature articles of clothing including tops, bottom, outerwear, accessories, and pieces of flair.
In terms of the coding, the website is responsive. As I tried to illustrate with these screenshots, the website reacts to the device you—the user—are viewing it on.
As I said, the website is not complete and can go in different directions—even different layouts. In one direction, I would love for it to be an information hub for gentlemen. A one-stop for products and guides—maybe featuring a store. A place where you can find reviews of different products. At the same time I would love for it to be a blog of sorts featuring different men and telling their stories and their style tips.
The story behind the name came from two things. First off, if you say MAN AND SOME, it sounds like, "man handsome" or "mansome." Essentially the website is to help men make strides towards being handsome and groomed. Secondly, the features that I talk about—hair, face, style—don't make the man, but add to it. We are who we are, and the hair, face, and style have the ability to compliment. A man and some hair/face/style.
All the photographs featured on the site were taken by myself—at different times and in different conditions (natural lighting). All the photographs were taken with either an iPhone or an iPad.
Like Pocket Shots, MAN AND SOME is not hosted anywhere. The screenshots above were taken while my instructor was still hosting our assignments to check that they work and review in class. I consider this website an ongoing project with hopes to launch the website in the future.
