Web Design Case Study: Crafting the Intro Video for Simeon Robinson’s Portfolio

In this second installment of my portfolio project breakdown for Semeion Robinson, I’m diving into the process of designing and editing the intro video that lives just below the hero section of his site. Video can still play a huge role in modern web design — especially when it comes to user engagement and storytelling.

Let’s walk through the approach, tools, and editing decisions that shaped this piece.

Why Include a Video on the Homepage?

Video isn’t dead — far from it. On a portfolio site, especially for someone like Semeion who brings depth and personality to his work, a short, engaging video can help visitors instantly connect. The goal here wasn’t to just add a video, but to:

• Keep users on the site longer

• Build curiosity

• Tell a concise but meaningful story

The Planning Phase: Asking the Right Questions

Before jumping into editing, I needed clarity. I asked myself:

• How long should this be?

  • I decided on 30 to 60 seconds max — enough time to tell a story without losing attention.

    
    

• What would potential clients want to know right away?

  • I wanted to answer key questions:

    • Who is Simeon?

    • What does he do?

    • Where does he work from?

    • What industries does he serve?

    • How and when did he start?

My goal was to convey all of that in under a minute.

Collecting Footage: YouTube + Instagram

Simeon had already uploaded around 180+ YouTube videos, so I dove into his content, watching and rewatching key clips. I also went through his Instagram to find supporting footage that could visually fill the narrative gaps.

Here’s how I gathered the content:

• YouTube:

  • I used 4K Video Downloader Plus (free version — 10 downloads) to extract the clips in 1080p.

• Instagram:

  • I grabbed videos using SnapInsta, a simple downloader for public IG content.

Editing in Adobe Premiere Pro

Once I had my footage ready, I brought everything into Premiere Pro and began building the story.

My Editing Setup:

• Main footage and audio were nested together to stay organized.

• I layered in B-roll clips to visually align with the voiceover (e.g., fitness shots when Simeon talks about his early career).

• At the top layer, I added manual captions — useful for users watching with the sound off (e.g., at work or on mobile).

I chose to manually transcribe captions rather than rely on auto-generated tools — they’re often inaccurate and misaligned.

The Goal: Story First, Not Fancy Effects

I kept the editing clean. No wild transitions, no heavy effects. The focus was simple:

Tell Simeon’s story clearly and quickly.

Even though video editing isn’t my main focus, it’s a valuable skill that elevates a portfolio or landing page — especially when a client wants something immersive or scroll-stopping.

Tools You Can Use (Even If You’re Not a Pro)

Don’t let tools be a barrier. You don’t need Premiere Pro to make something great. Some alternatives:

• CapCut

• Final Cut Pro

• iMovie

• DaVinci Resolve

As long as you understand pacing, structure, and storytelling — the tool becomes secondary.

Final Thoughts

This process reminded me that storytelling doesn’t have to be complex. With the right strategy and a little editing discipline, even a short intro video can transform a portfolio site.

If you want to see the final video or have questions about video editing for web, let me know — happy to break it down further.

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Thanks for reading — more portfolio breakdowns and dev/design insights are coming soon. Stay tuned!