$400 Magazine Template (don't need coding)

Look at my blog in my signature. I want to make it look even more like a magazine, and less like a blog. It's a men's online magazine/blog. I'm looking for a new design, and I don't need the coding.

I'm looking for something fun, but professional and not too cluttered. Take a look at my header, and the "Trend Spike presents..." banner that is above the video player, and you'll have an idea on what I like.

I'm looking for someone to create a design, showing different banner placements, color schemes, etc. I don't have any specific dimensions, nor do I have any banners for you to use. You can just label them x, y, z, and leave them blank. I will need to have a featured article section as well, that flips through the articles, kind of like what I have now on my blog. So be sure to leave a space for this, although it doesn't have to be the same dimensions.

I will need banner placements for advertising, as well as banner placements for featured items. I will be featuring 5 items: Goddess of the Month, Healthy & Delicious Recipes, Bar Drink Recipes, Featured Video Games,and one other random feature. So basically, there needs to be 5 banners for the featured items. On top of that, banners for advertising spaces. There aren't any specific guidelines for how many banners for advertising and dimensions. Just looking for a great design that attracts visitors from my target niche.

Here are some great examples to look at (some of the big boys):

http://www.g4tv.com/
G4 represents the kind of fun I'm looking for. However, it's way too cluttered.
http://www.bullz-eye.com/
Bullz eye is one of the best designs I've seen in my niche, although still a bit cluttered
http://www.maxim.com/index.aspx
Maxim has a pretty decent design. They represent a lot of the same content, features that I plan to offer.
http://www.askmen.com/
http://www.trendpimp.com/
http://www.menshealth.com/cda/homepage.do
http://www.mensfitness.com/index
http://www.fhm.com/

 

wow... very nice contest mate.. count me in... will you accept layered PSD files? thanks!

 

I imagine he will accept that format as that is the standard for this kind of contest mate

I'll try to enter something if I get time.

Is there a deadline?

 

Im currently in the process of desiging a template for this, plus different colour schemes for each, will post when finished

 

Ok, this is what it looks like so far, still a lot to do, but please give feedback thanks.

 

I have a lot of good ideas for this, just gotta find the time to make it!

 

Collegerut - The layout is ok, but the design and colors aren't what I'm looking for. You might be able to take that layout and work on it.

UKF Kurtis - I definitely like where you're headed. You keep it clean, and fun. I like the color scheme, and you've obviously worked on the design to make it original. In that top big box, I'd put my auto flash scrolling featured articles, and an advertisement in the box on the right of it. In the bottom three boxes, I'd throw my featured banners in there. I'll still need two-three (your choice) featured boxes, along with some more advertising space. Can't wait to see the rest of it!

RNHHalawi - That's fine. Looking forward to seeing your design.

DaveyBoy - Hopefully you can manage to find some time. I'm curious to see what you have in mind.

I don't plan on closing this contest for at least a week, maybe more if others show interest. I'd like to see all my options.

 

I Am On a Move And Will Surely Grab This One.

Thanks.
Hope This Contest Is Open For 10-12 Days!

 

Ohhh, this sounds interesting. Definitely count me in. I will enter as soon as possible.

 

Ok, this is what I finally came up with, please give feedback on how you would like it to be improved, so I can amend it a make it perfect to your needs. Thanks

 

UKF_Kurtis - Awesome design. Can you:

a) Add another horizontal rectangle for advertising somewhere...maybe below the second set of three featured boxes?

b) Show a drop down menu on one of the categories in the category menu (I'll be adding sub-categories). For example, sports might drop down into MMA, Football, Boxing, etc. Just need one category done, so that whoever codes the theme has an example.

c) Add navigation to the large featured article box at the top. Preferably arrows with "PREV" and "NEXT" and numbers in between...located on the bottom of the box. An example can be found at askmen.com

Besides that, everything looks great.

 

Here is my entry so far - didn't quite finish it tonight but I gotta go now so thought I would post it anyway!

http://www.memvis.com/dp/trendspike/

Thanks mate,
Davey.

 

Davey - I see what you had in mind. The colors go really good together, but I'm looking for something more clean, and light.

 

No problem; I will clean and lighten it before the end of the contest - again, if time permits!

Cheers!

 

oooh I may have a go at this...how long before you close ?

 

at least until this Monday...longer if others intend to enter after that date.

 

Hey, here is my 2nd entry - i'm hoping the white from the boxes makes it a lot brighter! I will add content into the boxes if you want.

http://memvis.com/dp/trendspike/index1.htm

Cheers,
Davey.

 

Hi

Here is my entry

I'm hoping you love it

http://www.templaterocks.com/contest/trendspike.jpg

Best regard,
Plai

 

Hi, recieved your PM, and implemented the changes into the design, and this is what it looks like overall, again if you have any more changes you would like to be done, then just say