Does anyone like this layout?

gerardkelley · #1 (**permalink**) 05-02-2007, 06:48 PM

I would like your opinions. Does this site: sandedwood look any better than my old one: alteredwood? Most of the navigation is working, but not all. You'll be able to see what some of the different pages look like. I'm especially interested in what you think of the layout and the colors. Any feedback on either site is welcome.

Haze · #2 (**permalink**) 05-02-2007, 07:43 PM

Hi.
You have way to large text. Its almost impossible to find a place to start reading as it all looks the same, like a large wallpaper.
What you need is text in different levels/sizes, same as in your local morning paper.
Headlines and bread. Capital letters is ok in the menue, but keep them small.
Try that and the rest will be ok.
Ciao Haze
www.activemarbella.com

bj · #3 (**permalink**) 05-02-2007, 08:29 PM

I think if you want your wood products to stand out you need to tone down what's around them. Get rid of the bright stuff and let the wood speak to our eyes.

davebarnes · #4 (**permalink**) 05-02-2007, 11:52 PM

Gerard,

Think subtle, tasteful, elegant. Your site has none of those characteristics. But, your products do. Amazing.

Start all over again. Focus on design and forget technology. None of your customers will care if you are W3C compliant.

Fix the broken links. And get rid of the cute applet on the 404 error page.

Steal some ideas from these guys: http://www.tiffany.com

,dave
Age = 58

pagetta · #5 (**permalink**) 05-03-2007, 05:27 AM

the new design is definitely better. personally i would change the colour scheme to more natural colours (green hues etc) to reflect the nature theme/natural aspect of the products but that's not to say that your colour scheme is bad it is bright and eye catching. I am not a fan of the background colour though its a bit dull.

I agree 100% about the text being too large. break it down into small chunks of smaller text these are much easier to read on-screeen. also on your information pages the content is great, but perhaps intersperse this with images or bullet points as large blocks of text are difficult to read on a computer screen.

Your products are beautiful and the images look great although a click to a larger image would be nice too. and perhaps a nice border on each image to make them sit better on your page.

arbie · #6 (**permalink**) 05-03-2007, 09:30 AM

See if this is any good for you:

http://www.benjis.co.uk/alteredwood/alteredwood/

All the best

Rich

arbie · #7 (**permalink**) 05-03-2007, 09:36 AM

Sorry - should have said...none of the links will work, it is a homepage mock up only

Rakky · #8 (**permalink**) 05-03-2007, 10:04 AM

I prefer the newer site purely because the are less colours. Too many colours can be a little distracting.

bj · #9 (**permalink**) 05-03-2007, 10:31 AM

Much better!

The only thing I will point out to you with this new one is your product should be front and center up top, where that header graphic is currently.

Oh, did I mention I really love your jewelry boxes? This kind of thing does well on the web if you promote it right.

arbie · #10 (**permalink**) 05-03-2007, 10:35 AM

pssstt... bj - I don't think he has seen that site yet - I only put it up as an example for him....

pagetta · #11 (**permalink**) 05-03-2007, 10:35 AM

i will be 100% honest rich i really like that design but to me i prefer the original - i find the green one quite impersonal and generic as opposed to the original, which if a little less polished to me gives a much more personal feel to the products and purchasing process.

maybe i'm just an old sentimental....they're both nice but agree that if you go with the green tree design make sure your products are in that header

arbie · #12 (**permalink**) 05-03-2007, 10:38 AM

All I'm doing is trying to help...it's only there as an example of what he could do if he wanted a cleaner look it isn't meant to detract from him getting the critique that he's looking for on his existing work.

arbie · #13 (**permalink**) 05-03-2007, 10:49 AM

There you go - products front and centre

:-)

gerardkelley · #14 (**permalink**) 05-03-2007, 10:54 AM

Great work. arbie, you put me to shame. I spent a couple of hours last night and only came up with this: index1. Only the home page and jewelry boxes are changed. Am I going in the right direction? That's what I took from davebarnes and bj's input. I'm going to have to look closely at arbies mockup, though. Thanks for your input bj, and I'm glad you like my boxes. And thank you all. Please, more feedback.

arbie · #15 (**permalink**) 05-03-2007, 10:58 AM

gerard - let me know if you want the files emailing to you

bj · #16 (**permalink**) 05-03-2007, 11:03 AM

Yes, you're headed in the right direction, though the gray is a bit cold. Try this color in that background-- #c7b481

I took it right out of your jewelry box photo and lightened it a bit.

gerardkelley · #17 (**permalink**) 05-03-2007, 11:34 AM

I'm not sure about that color, bj. But, I'm the one asking for help. Is this any good: index2 ? Of course it could be a better photoshop job. And arbie, if you would, send me the CSS file. I'm liking how CSS works more and more. Oh, and I took the gray down and left it white on index1

davebarnes · #18 (**permalink**) 05-03-2007, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gerardkelley

Is this any good: index2 ?

Much better.
Drop the green leaves background. Go with a neutral color: light gray, beige.
Use Arial or Verdana for your body font. Open up the leading. Use paragraphs. Make it easier to read. Reduce the font size.

gerardkelley · #19 (**permalink**) 05-04-2007, 04:17 AM

If you have been following this, you know I've gotten some great feedback. Starting with this: alteredwood and going to this: alteredwood2 and then: alteredwood3 and on to this: alteredwood4 and some other backgrounds, I've now been playing with this: alteredwood5 thanks to Rich, who was kind enough to do a mock-up and then send me the code. I can't believe how little I know, and I have a great appreciation for all of you who can do this. What do you all think of this last attempt? I've only got 4 pages up, but you can get the idea. And if it's good, do I carry the sidebar to what pages? And the footer? Or, stick with what I was doing and incorporate some of the CSS that Rich sent me? Help

davebarnes · #20 (**permalink**) 05-04-2007, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gerardkelley

on to this: alteredwood5 thanks to Rich, who was kind enough to do a mock-up And if it's good, do I carry the sidebar to what pages? And the footer? Or, stick with what I was doing and incorporate some of the CSS that Rich sent me? Help

Finally! Looks very elegant.
Use Server Side Includes for your footer and sidebar. It will make it much easier.