MUDSHOP.NET >> Feedback needed please

EJRS.COM · #1 (**permalink**) 02-22-2004, 01:27 PM

What do you think of http://mudshop.net ?
Would love your feedback.

Najoba · #2 (**permalink**) 02-22-2004, 04:29 PM

Hi Jeremy,

I took a look at this recent design of yours, and it looks very nice and professional.

Please think about some of the following suggestions:

1) your banner could more closely resemble an awning by having vertical lines added with a slightly different color dividing each scalloped segment to add a little depth. I am not saying to change what you have, but just to try it to see if that makes it looks more readily like an awning.

2) The colors you used on your home page are pleasing and the banner colors are reinforced in the photograph, which is good, from a design standpoint.

3) I had a hard time seeing the photo, and was wondering if there was any way you could use a photo which is closer to the objects, showing more detail?

4) Following links, I came to a hardware section. It seems to me an explanation of each piece of hardware/price/etc. would be helpful, if it is the intent to sell hardware, also.

5) I am curious here with a question. Why is the word mudshop chosen for a URL? What does this have to do with the product? As I so woefully learned after publishing my first site, a primary keyword included within the URL is helpful at being found by search engines.

6) I'd really like to see you change the white screen to something in a light but shaded color. White creates so much glare back at the eyes, especially after one has been sitting at the monitor for some time. It even gets worse at night.

I hope my input has been helpful.

Please read my posting today in the Google forum, if you have not already done so (Analysis) It is difficult to follow, but my research had some interesting results. (It was very difficult to put it all together and make sense out of it while viewing only a small section of it at a time on the computer screen. If I were not at the moment babysitting my two young grandchildren and their mischievous little dog at their house, I may have done a better job of it.)

EJRS.COM · #3 (**permalink**) 02-22-2004, 05:02 PM

Quote:

3) I had a hard time seeing the photo, and was wondering if there was any way you could use a photo which is closer to the objects, showing more detail?

Which photo is it you find difficult to see?

I am being very highly restricted by my client as almost all the elements and content were requested by client, as h drew it on paper. I am breaking the rules to do the awning style which I really hope he will accept. As it is the prev design was so terrible that the partners were arguing over it. I finally got to change it much to my clients dismay so I better not overstep my boundaries here. Not worth it. Better to keep his partnership as long as the design isn't too jeapordized.

MUDSHOP Fabric Architecture is the name of the client's company. It's an Australian/Malaysian company. (The green and Orange being Aussie colors - Earth colors). As for Mudshop, I guess it's coz it's gotta do with earth colors.

Najoba · #4 (**permalink**) 02-22-2004, 08:15 PM

Hi,

I was referring to the photo on the left side of the home page.

I understand completely about having to please your clients. There isn't much you can do when they have their minds set on something.

Nanci
www.neckwares.com (website-in-progress)

EJRS.COM · #5 (**permalink**) 02-25-2004, 02:36 PM

What do u prefer? Design on http://mudshop.net or other page?

Najoba · #6 (**permalink**) 02-25-2004, 03:11 PM

Hi Jeremy,

I like this new banner heading very much. Here are some ideas that might improve it even more:

Try this color adjustment and see if you like the results any better (that is, of course, if your clients will allow it):

Lighten the blue-green background to the lightest aqua color that is visible in the sail in the picture. That will tie the photograph and the banner together (from a design standpoint). It will also allow the gold letters to stand out more..the problem is that the blue-green and the gold are very close in value. See if it doesn't look better.

Or..here's another idea...maybe you could add a very small "stroke" to the gold text so it will stand out more?

Also, "fabric architecture" doesn't seem to stand out enough...what if it were larger, or bolder, etc?
Experiment with it just a tad.

But overall, I think the change is definitely positive. I like it!

Nanci
Nanci's Necklaces
www.neckwares.com

EJRS.COM · #7 (**permalink**) 02-25-2004, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Try this color adjustment and see if you like the results any better (that is, of course, if your clients will allow it):

Lighten the blue-green background to the lightest aqua color that is visible in the sail in the picture. That will tie the photograph and the banner together (from a design standpoint). It will also allow the gold letters to stand out more..the problem is that the blue-green and the gold are very close in value. See if it doesn't look better.

I am sorry, but I don't understand which background... :( Mmmm are you saying change to white bground to turquoise? Sorry I feel kinda dense lol.

EJRS.COM · #8 (**permalink**) 02-25-2004, 07:08 PM

What do you think of these 3 pages. let me know which would you prefer and why?

http://mudshop.net/contactus.html
http://mudshop.net
http://mudshop.net/aboutus.html

Najoba · #9 (**permalink**) 02-26-2004, 01:11 AM

Hi,

I'm sorry, I wasn't clear enough. I was talking about the MudShop sign on the top banner heading. The gold lettering is approximately the same color value as the blue-green background.

I was thinking that maybe if you could change the blue-green to a lighter color...like the blue-green in the sail in the photo ....you might try that in Photoshop and just see if it improves it any.

When you have two colors side by side or one superimposed on the other, and they are close to the same value, they are more difficult to differentiate. They tend to mix together somewhat. By making one color either lighter or darker, it will be easier to see the lettering.

Either that or add a dark edge to the gold letters. Just a suggestion.

Of the three of them, I like the Mudshop.net one the best.

EJRS.COM · #10 (**permalink**) 02-26-2004, 06:55 AM

That's their logo and is plastered on the walls, namecards, stationery and all. Sadly I have restrictrions on what I can do.

N30 · #11 (**permalink**) 02-26-2004, 07:06 AM

It is difficult when you're restricted by the clients logo, once they spend out on stationery, signing etc they're very reluctant to change it. What you "could" do is recolor the gold text to white. Major companies do a color switch all the time, eg NIKE.

Anyway, back to Mudshop.net

My major gripe about it is the opening page doesn't fit into 800x600 and you have to scroll right to even see the menu.Maybe you should consider moving it over to the left??

Between the three pages you have asked to be reviewed you have a variance in the header image. Personally I try to keep the header/menu constant throughout a site so visitors always know where they are.

The font size is ok, bit big for my tastes but it is easy to read.

The images download a bit slow but other than that it's shaping up to be a good site.

;)

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