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I'm thinking of doing re-designs of a few popular websites (2-3 pages mobile & desktop, wireframes) that I think can be improved. And then coding them into life.
Would that make a good front-end portfolio or are there better projects that I can be doing? Also, I'm new to github-- What could I contribute to on there?
From a JS perspective, I would be interested to know that you understand how to make requests, parse them into a data structure, and manipulate them DOM. Preferably, one project which demonstrates that you can do this without the help of a framework; another project, that you can.
I would love to see how much you can do with not much at all. Anybody can make a great-looking site, but can they do it in under 500kb? See https://a-k-apart.com/ for tips!
I would love to see how much you can do with not much at all. Anybody can make a great-looking site, but can they do it in under 500kb? See https://a-k-apart.com/ for tips!
©2007–16 Microsoft
Microsoft!? That's one of the last companies I'd think would sponsor something like this. It seems they really have changed a lot.
Who are you intending to showcase them to?
These "junior positions" you'll be applying for - what sort of companies are they with and what sort of work are they likely to ask a new junior FEDev to do?
Since you sound like you're just starting to get this portfolio together - and it seems like it's major objective is to land you your first FE Dev role - target it like crazy at the actual roles you're applying for, keeping in mind the sort of work they'll expect and permit a first-time junior FE Dev to do.
First thought there, if you're working anywhere bigger than a startup or 3-5 person agency, you're probably not going to be asked or even allowed to "change things so you think they're improved", you're much more likely to be required to "build another page for an existing site that fits in with all the other pages - both in styles/designs, as well as using the same framework/js-libraries/css files". Example: if you're applying to an agency that runs an automaker's website, as a junior you won't be asked to redesign their flagship vehicle's page, you'll be asked to add a new model or variant to something in their mid-level or entry-level range. You'd be better off (if I were interviewing you) having something in your portfolio showing an imaginary new Corolla model that uses the existing Toyota website's css/js-includes/bootstrap-files/whatever and would _obviously_ fit in with the existing site - compared to a innovative and game-changing new marketing strategy for the top of the line Hilux or Landcruiser - because that's _not_ what junior FE Devs get asked to do...
First, prove you are proficient with the following:
http://learn.shayhowe.com/html-css/
http://learn.shayhowe.com/advanced-html-css/
Here's a contest today that can test your skills
Learn javascript and show you know ES5 inside and out. If you already know ES6/ES2015, awesome, show that too.
Any project where you've written the code from scratch (not using Bootstrap), where you teach others what you did, will show you're on the right track.
Want to contribute to Github? Look for a language, project, framework, library you're interested in, fork the project and improve the code. Doing this regularly, every day if you can, will show you're eager to learn and contribute.
If you're already at this level, pick up a specialty. It could be templating within WordPress, .NET or Java, or it could be MVC based coding using React+Redux, Angular, or Ember. Pick your favorite from these, get super proficient and even blog about your progress.
Finally, once you've gotten this stuff done, you will set yourself apart by learning cutting edge tech like Service Workers, Offline first, progressive web apps and just about anything the Google Chrome Developers are talking about here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnUYZLuoy1rq1aVMwx4aTzw
My favorite is Totally Tooling Tips (all three seasons are gold).
Cheers!
D