404 for Personal Website

*bombastic side eye*

*criminal offensive side eye*

Is that you, Brandon, side-eyeing the user (me) because I got 404'd? 🤨

So it is my fault, huh? I mean, I was just following a link, a broken link, that's how I got here in the first place.

That's only one user scenario, and technically it isn't side-eye, but you get the idea. I also really like the personalization, it's a personal site after all, but then again what are you trying to communicate here?

• 404, “oh no page not found, what did I do?” I'm lost and you ask me to get back on the grind, yet you provide me with this comfy music that needs an interaction. Do you want me to stay and enjoy this 404 or should I go back home?
• and look at this good lookin fella here, uh, why is he here? To accompany me in my 404 moment? Is that a menu or a crown? That he's many of those things, creator, chef, gamer, booker, rafter? *I haven't updated my lingo, am not sure if I get it correctly or not.

From an outsider perspective this could be something I'd classify similarly to an internal joke. There are too many visual cues and interactions that feel like they were supposed to be companion or aesthetic elements, but the music card is just too striking.

Also my questions are more like something you can take into account and think about retrospectively rather than literal answers 😄 thanks for the 404, I'll continue grinding.

Hey Brandon.

I am glad to see you openly asking for feedback and being willing to iterate on your design.

Here are a few things I noticed. In your first version, I actually like that you included a header navigation, but it is missing a logo. Navigation supports users ability to find the content and features they need. In the second version, you removed the navigation altogether, and I am not sure why. It would help to clarify the reasoning behind that change.

I also think it was a good decision to remove the music from the first version. Even though it is an interesting idea, it is hard to see the real benefit of having music on a 404 page. The main goal is to get users back on track as quickly as possible, not give them reasons to stay on an error screen longer than necessary.

My general message would be to keep things simple. The sentence “Let’s get back on the grind by going back where you find me at first” feels quite complex and confusing. I would suggest moving toward something clearer and more direct, for example:

“Let’s get you back to where you started.” or “Let’s take you back to the right place.”

Hello!

I like the overall direction of your project and the way you explain your decisions, for example removing the music. That context helps the reader understand your thinking.

I’d simplify the copy so users immediately understand what to do next. Right now it takes a bit too long to decode the intent.

I’d also refine the UI hierarchy. The 404 is a bit too large in comparison to the header and body text, competing with each other, which makes the layout feel flatter than it should.

About the image choice: the subject’s facial expression comes across as slightly suspicious, almost judgmental. I see the playful intent, and the humor almost lands, but the static expression may create the wrong emotional tone. You could explore a video, a loop, a GIF, or even a light animation with an avatar to keep the humor without the unintended side effects.

If you do keep this image, think about how it behaves on mobile and tablet. The cropping might create even more emphasis on the facial expression, so consistency across breakpoints will matter.

Hello brandon, good ti see your intitative in sharing work with all, As a mentor surely I can help you with Improvements here.

Whats did i like:

Using an actual face and eyes pointing to 404 is lvely.

Loving the LOFI music intitative - good for profiles.

What needs improvments.

People hate rejections and something they searched and clicked - its a disspointment. Better make alternative ready on what to DO NEXT.

That means:

1. Imrove the Menu structure - not able to understand at all
2. think like a buiness not as a portfolio site
3. Make 404 error small and like amazon does product is unablave just next shows whats product to buy instead of that.
4. show quick link here itself - homepage clicking is also 1 click away from what its wants. the dropoff rate will be high. Better make every click and page count

👉An if you want a 1 to 1 mentorship - check out the institute and whatsapp from uxcel profile pae and will will surely guide you more about your career next step in free 30 min call.🎉