Please review my sites graphics

Discussion in 'Websites' started by billybw, Jul 11, 2008.

  1. #1
    Please review the basic appearance of my website. You don't need to read any of the content. Just give me your opinion of the layout, colors, general design, and overall visual impression. Thank you.

    http://www.other-voices.net
     
    billybw, Jul 11, 2008 IP
  2. Project Mobius

    Project Mobius Peon

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    #2
    hi there, generally i would avoid that color as background and your Other Voices and the image to the right are blurry. I also suggest putting your categories on the top area as some form of navigation bars/buttons :)
     
    Project Mobius, Jul 11, 2008 IP
  3. Macecraft

    Macecraft Peon

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    #3
    You use way too much compression in the header image (banner.jpg). Also, here's a tip: don't name any graphics like "banner.jpg" because many people use software that removes advertisements from websites, image names like these will most likely be removed and your site will look strange to these users.

    Graphic-wise your site is very basic, all I can see is the header image. Of course, there's nothing wrong with that but it would be worth the effort to get a better and higher quality header image to better sell your site.
     
    Macecraft, Jul 11, 2008 IP
  4. joyofcode

    joyofcode Peon

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    #4
    Hi

    I think you're off to a very good start.

    You use valid html and you're using CSS but what I'd do is use and external CSS file rather than have all of your style rules in each file. You'll like that idea better than what you have. I'd also get rid of all the styling info you have in your <body> tag.

    Also, your navigation needs work. Don't have your home link at the bottom of each page. That's too much work for your site users.

    Keep going!!

    Bud

    Bud Kraus
    Web Design Training And Consulting
    joyofcode.com
     
    joyofcode, Jul 11, 2008 IP
  5. sheknows

    sheknows Peon

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    #5
    I must have misclicked, I ended up on a page with tons of pop ups...any ideas?
     
    sheknows, Jul 11, 2008 IP
  6. chobo

    chobo Peon

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    #6
    very simple, little too plain
    add a header and stuff
     
    chobo, Jul 12, 2008 IP
  7. camp185

    camp185 Well-Known Member

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    #7
    The logo is messed up. I would start there, and then add a tag line so visitors know what your site is about right away.
     
    camp185, Jul 12, 2008 IP
  8. bara-san

    bara-san Peon

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    #8
    The site is very simple and I think you can do better than that. You over done one fonts. The site looks booring. I hope Im not hurting your feelings or anything. I meant no trouble xD I just think you can do better than that :)
     
    bara-san, Jul 12, 2008 IP
  9. corenaturals

    corenaturals Guest

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    #9
    Obviously, your site isn't taking too many design risks. Starting with the logo, the first thing most people will say is it's jaggy or "chunky" because you over-compressed it as a JPG. In reality, you should have 2 separate files for the header - a GIF file for the logo (because it's comprised of very few solid colors) and a JPG for the painting image (because JPG's are better for photographic images with gradients). That being said, there's a more critical issue with the logo. Camp185 told you to add a tagline...but you already have one "A directory of Dissent" - the thing is, it's not clear that this is the tagline. Here's why:

    Your brand ("Other Voices") and your tagline ("A directory of Dissent") are practically the same size, so your brand isn't standing out enough and your tagline isn't functioning as a tagline. You should make "Other Voices" about 1.5x the size it is now and tighten it up. I would also bring the tagline font down to about 11pt so it becomes a secondatry message. For the logo, I'm not really fond of the font you chose. I might use the font you used for the tagline for the brand itself, then go with a simple font for the tagline (something like Tahoma, Verdana, Arial) that isn't going to dominate your logo.

    I have a few recommendations:

    Read "The Design of Dissent" by Milton Glaser (if only for the irony of the title - plus he's pretty much the most legendary living American designer, rivaled only by Paul Rand).

    Visit this website and get inspired: http://www.thefwa.com/

    You should take some risks and add some spice. Don't be afraid to bring on an affordable consultant.
     
    corenaturals, Jul 12, 2008 IP
  10. billybw

    billybw Peon

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    #10
    Thanks for all the replies and recommendations. Looks like I need to make some changes!
    Thank you
     
    billybw, Jul 13, 2008 IP
  11. godsofchaos

    godsofchaos Peon

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    #11
    The site ain't good looking and though I always say content is king but in your case its just way too yellow! lol...

    Dude please change the template, at least change the yellow!! Get some CSS working at least.... :)

    Do let us know through this thread if you change it in the future.
     
    godsofchaos, Jul 13, 2008 IP
  12. tdsii

    tdsii Member

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    #12
    is this really a site?
    very basic look and content, i suggest putting some more effort.
     
    tdsii, Jul 13, 2008 IP
  13. Alex-Z

    Alex-Z Peon

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    #13
    I can see the pixels in the title and the picture
     
    Alex-Z, Jul 13, 2008 IP
  14. Alex777

    Alex777 Peon

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    #14
    It is very simple design.
    This site likes personal page.
     
    Alex777, Jul 14, 2008 IP
  15. alfonso

    alfonso Peon

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    #15
    ya.. u can change the design bro..
     
    alfonso, Jul 15, 2008 IP
  16. yoyo968

    yoyo968 Peon

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    #16
    a little plain - might want to jazz it up with better graphics
     
    yoyo968, Jul 15, 2008 IP
  17. jteusa

    jteusa Peon

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    #17
    I think the site is a bit to 1990's and simple. It does get the point across well, but I think taht it could be designed a bit more modern feeling using some simple HTML templates (assuming you don't do too much graphic design yourself).

    Just my thought

    good luck. good job so far
     
    jteusa, Jul 15, 2008 IP
  18. HL-James

    HL-James Guest

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    #18
    I agree with the others, it seems pretty plain.
     
    HL-James, Jul 15, 2008 IP