[Project Complete]Due Jan 15th - new online concept - $550

[Neighborhood]

Admin code added by Abby - 57T304391T415481B

1a) Name of Company
Neighborhood Work Space

1b) Company Tag Line or slogan:
None yet

1c) Do you have a company logo?
Yes

1d) Do you have a corporate visual identity (a customized (non stock) logo and color scheme carried out throughout your office, stationery, business cards, etc.)?
yes


1e) What is the nature of your business?: Briefly describe your products or services:

Neighborhood Work Space will be an on-line matching service. We will match businesses that have extra space in their offices, usually located in outlying suburbs to major cities, with individuals who want to rent that space for short, irregular periods of time on an hourly or daily basis. Initial users will be commuters, but later this will expand to people who just need a quiet place away from the home office, volunteers who want an official office for their local club, or other uses. Most initial user and offices will be in suburban or distant bedroom communities 45 minutes or more car commute from major metropolitan areas.


1f) Who is your target market? Who are you hoping to reach with your site?
Initial targets will be commuters in the suburban or bedroom communities we want to serve, and businesses in these same communities that may have pace. We also want to reach the corporate market, who will be using this site as a benefit for some of their employees

1b) Do you have an existing website? If so, what is the URL?
We have a beta site with some of the basic navigation in place, but neither the look nor the navigation are finalized. The link: http://nws.bizwebsolutions.net/default.view

2b) IMPORTANT: Please list at least 3 URLs (web addresses) of high quality sites that you like the look of (these do not have to be sites who’s business is similar to yours. It aids us in determining what your design style is.) Please consider layout, colors, navigation, graphics, and typography.

Flexcar.com: similar concept, philosophically and operationally. Like the clean lines, soft colors that fade lighter to darker. Navigation is simple, like ours will be. A very good example of many things we like: space for ads (that we won’t need yet), left side special offers, standard links on the bottom

http://www.scion.com Lines and visuals flow, overall feeling is gentle. VERY easy navigation; quick load, colors are not harsh except in a few key spots.

www instantoffices.com Similar concept to our approach. Front page: too sales-oriented, not friendly enough. However, first link to City, that has map of sites and site details, very easy to read. Good concept.

YWCA: Use of colors and icons makes navigation easy. Orange is a bit too bright, but b/w elsewhere is too plain.

www hq.com: Too corporate, a bit too busy. Too many options. This is our “competition”, although they appeal to a more upscale, full-service, central-city market.

Gocitykids: map up front makes navigation easy: may not work for a totally new concept, but may if we start with “nearest major city”, then go from there.

Rideshare.511.org : center screen with flash might be useful, but could be too busy. Map icon/link a great concept.

Cwride.org: color palette and variations are great.

Type font: preferably a light serif or modern sand serif. Ariel is too plain, Comic Sans a bit too “cute”, Tines New Roman too standard. Lucida has a fresh, “comfortable” feel, but we are open to any other alternatives that fit the sense of “relaxed- but- serious “ feeling

3b) What colors or color schemes would you like?

Something between pastels (too gentle) and 100% hues (too corporate). Currently using earth tones (green, browns) for logo: would like to keep same feeling, some connection with the earth tones and logo (same palette) but do not have to be identical colors. Cwride.org has a nice palette that reflects the range and tone we are initially looking for. A few “bright” spots to stand out are OK, but the general feeling needs to be business-like and comfortable, but not bright and shiny like the Regus site.


4b) List the Navigation links for your Site
Still in process, but on front page: How it Works; Who It’s For; Need Space?; Got Space to Spare? Other basics will include, FAQ, contact us, special deals, About Us, Privacy Policy, Site Directory, User Agreement.

5b) What type of look are you trying to achieve? (e.g. clean, high-tech, conservative, warm, flashy, etc.)

Warm, friendly, definitely NOT flashy or high-tech. Need to keep loading time very fast. Think Levi comfort jeans: good style, similar look to the hard-core stuff, but designed to fit a different, less intense audience

6b) Please provide the addresses of competitors' sites, if possible:

New concept: no real competition for this, but hq.com has a similar approach, except it targets more corporate, upscale clients, and has a different image.


7b) Do you have any images for use in the design of your site? If not, do you have images, can you offer suggestions of what you type of imagery you feel would be most suitable for your website:

No specific images. Prefer no photos, would like stylized artwortk that has simple, friendly lines, preferably something that later can visually be changed (simplified) into an icon.


1c) What is the deadline for the design of your project?
Jan 3, 2007


2c) What is required breakdown of the files you require our designers to supply you with on finalization of your project?
Home page design and one internal page design and both coded.

Are there any other comments/specific ideas we should keep in mind while designing your project?
Our major Corporate HR clients will need to see this as extremely user-friendly, while our small businesses will need to have the navigation to track/enter their data be highly intuitive. Icons and friendliness are very useful to use, but nit at the expense of making it seem like we aren’t a serious business.

[Aliska]

Hello
Do you have logo file in any editable format?

[Elena]

Hello,

I have three slightly different designs for you... Please see attached.

Waiting for your feedback.

Thanks,
Elena.

[Elena]

... and one more.

Hope to get your feedback :)

Elena.

[will]

Here is my concept :D

[Aliska]

I will upload my concept during next 12 hours.

[Aliska]

Hello
Idea from me. Please, let me know your comments.

[Neighborhood]

Thank you!

First I’ll discuss general stuff, then the specific ideas.

1) We’ll need a “log in / forget your password” section on the page. We also will need a separate “search” section” like you have, but it will be based on city and state and Zip as three separate boxes. This will be for people to get a bit of info even if they are not “signed in”. Title is “Find a Workspace”
2) The map should be the U.S. only – and be prepared to leave the “map” portion blank if our programmer says the underlying work is too expensive for now.
3) Probably our fault, the “Bug/Feature” portion of the sample was NOT intended to be included in your design – I apologize for not making that clear. It’s just a thing our programmer put in for use to use internally.
4) Sequence at bottom: “Special Deals needs to be displayed elsewhere: not highly prominent, but easy to see (perhaps after log in?)
5) Top visual conveys the sense of commuting and offices, but we also need to create a sense of “building community” and neighborhoods/outlying small suburbs (good luck with that one!)

Design 1: A bit too much space taken up for visual. The logo in upper left seems disassociated from the majority of the site. I liked the icon concepts, but in light of your 2nd and 3rd designs, think I was wrong to suggest it – doesn’t quite work. Ease of site entry is very nice!

Design 2: The move to a more business-like design feels fine. I don’t care for the green color scheme at the left 1/3, but I am NOT aesthetically skilled. On the other hand, I do like the variations on blue at the top. Visual of a man in an n office is too oriented to the in-city business world, and (perhaps) needs to include women? I like the inclusion of a laptop in the visuals – says “portability, flexibility”, which is what we need. The triptych-like affect is interesting – simply adding the “search” section (as noted above” where you have search would make this a very easy to understand/use site. Our favorite of the three alternatives!

Design 3: Icons/links at top are too removed from text. Since we are a new co/concept, we need people to have a very easy/quick grasp of what we are about. Bottom limnks (offices…) may be where we end up when we have a lot of inventory, but not quite yet.


Hello,

I have three slightly different designs for you... Please see attached.

Waiting for your feedback.

Thanks,
Elena.

[Neighborhood]

The layout concept is good, but I misled (accidentally!) in that we don't want the selection process on the opening page. The opening page shoudl allow members to sign in, OR to allow visitors to enter a limited portion of the site. A lot of what you have will probably work a lot better on the second page, once some one has entered the initial site.

Joel


Hello
Idea from me. Please, let me know your comments.

[Neighborhood]

Will:

The entry page needs minimal text (I'll supply), and an attractive visual. Idea is to create a sense of interest and comfort: the concept is new and too long-winded to be on the front. Also, I want business involved, but (as above replies) need to include the sense of exurban commuters and communities.

TO ALL -- because of my timing and internet problems, the deadline is extended until 15 January. It is not fair for me to foist my problems upon you!

Thanks -- the replies will be FAR more timely this first 2 weeks of 2007!

Joel

Here is my concept :D

http://www.dergolem.com/workspace_idea2.png

[Elena]

Thanks for your feedback. I'm working on changes...

But actually I posted 4 versions. What do you think about version 4? (http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/showpost.php?p=244775&postcount=4)

Thanks,
Elena.

[Neighborhood]

Elena:

I did see the 4th version, forgot to add comment. Many of the com,ments on the others are also applicable here, BTW.

Colors are fine: since yesterday we've chatted here, and the "warmer" colors of version 3 (oranges) and the co,or scheme of the 4th version give the "friendlier" feeling we are seeking.

Top use of email / pw / forgot / sign up.... is what I noted as being needed. I like to format, but play with the location a bit. I don't know if upper rt, center op, or elsewhere is easiest for users.

As noted in previous email, the "bug" feature should not be on front page. "bugs" are not inclcuded at all. Also, we are not going to have the site selection on the front; instead it will be on the fitrst clicke of either "nned" or "goyt"


I like the size of the logo; however, since we are trying to establish image and brand, see if you can try a layout that allows it to be a bit more prominent without hitting the viewer over the head.


Thanks for your feedback. I'm working on changes...

The "Benefits" box is OK, but we'll need to include it somewhere that is clear to new users, but not in the way of members. That is, not overly prominent, but easy to find/see.

"Featured Locations" will not be used for our concept.

Thanks -- I look forward to the next iteration.

Joel


But actually I posted 4 versions. What do you think about version 4? (http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/showpost.php?p=244775&postcount=4)

Thanks,
Elena.

[Aliska]

Hello
Revisions from me.

[Aliska]

And small modification

[Elena]

And mine three corrected... :)

Elena.

[abby]

Project Update: The project deadline has been extended to Jan 15th.

[Elena]

And here's my fourth version with changes implemented.

Elena.

[Neighborhood]

Format fits the bill -- colors also are good. Not sure why you have the blue line of link that is identical to the bottom: try deleting the blue line and making the bottom either that blue or another col,or -- or leaving it the same (YOU'RE the designer). Also, is there a logic about having the "Special Deals" in both the navigational links as well as the box (and I like the box)

Last, although we're getting closer, I'm still only so-so on the visual. The message that we want to create is that a small town office is just aas good as a big town suite; avoid commute, be closer to neighbors and community, have the benfits of working at home without having to BE at home.

Concept 1-8-1-07 is really close. It does create the sense we weant, but I am a little concerned about showing a small suburb of homes, instead of a small town. Not sure how you'd do the latter, though, while still giving it a sesne of being "where you live". Think about this, and if you feel this current version creates the right image, let me know why. I am willing to listen to brighter peoplke (design-wise). If you have a boffo concept that you think makes it all good, let me know that too,

Hello
Revisions from me.

[Neighborhood]

And here's my fourth version with changes implemented.

Elena.
Fourth version won't work for this early stage: the virtual tour is contemplated for a much later version, and there isn't enough room for explnation of a new concept.

[Aliska]

Hello
Some modifications from me. Please check and let me know your comments

[Neighborhood]

Both #1 and # 3, which are similar, are moving in the right direction. I am leaning toward #3, wanting to avoid the photo (#2?) that hads a all-the-same-home subdivision look. I am not sure I get the concept of the magnifying glass -- what is the message you're attempting to communicate?

Hello
Some modifications from me. Please check and let me know your comments

[Elena]

Fourth version won't work for this early stage: the virtual tour is contemplated for a much later version, and there isn't enough room for explnation of a new concept.

What about first 3 versions corrected? From message #15.

Elena.

[Neighborhood]

Version 1.1 layout is better. The icons at the top (on V3) are probably too early in our life -- we need to be a familiar face before we try to do that.

However, I prefer the graphic direction you've taken in V1.3 over 1.1. Not sure what the magnifying glass conceopt is, so am concerned it may also be unclear to others. Please explain: maybe it's just me.

Here's an idea for a tryptich-like visual: home office, small town or home (like in v.3), and an office building (like in 1.8.1 or 3.8.1. If this is too busy, or you can create the sense of bringing business toyour small town with other visuals, designs, I am open to all ideas.

Sorry for the wishy washy, but we THINK we know what we want. If we we're sure, we'd be done by now and would have chosen one of your alternates!.

Joel (not just Neighborhood)



What about first 3 versions corrected? From message #15.

Elena.

[Aliska]

Hello
As for my message - it means if you check nearest places more carefully - you will definitely find a office space right at your community.

[Elena]

Hey Joel,

What about this one?

Elena.

[Elena]

... or this one.

Elena.

[Neighborhood]

This visual doesn't work: not enough visual of the service.

[Neighborhood]

The elevated roadway does a nice job creating the "here - there" sense. However, the office park seems like a suburban office, instead of something in a small city or town. (I KNOW this is tough). If you can find a photo that's more small town-ish, that'd be better. Failing that, we might need to stay with the residential stret from #3.

Also, I'd like to try to stay with the layout from #3. The new layout has 2 "search" sections, and we only need 1. It's also not as intuitive-feeling for me.

I look forwasrd top your next versions, and appreciate the effort/patience.


Joel



OTE=Elena]Hey Joel,

What about this one?

Elena.[/QUOTE]

[Elena]

Hi Joel,

Ok, here you can find 5 designs with the same layout but different headers. Pick one which works best for you in terms of visual :)

Elena.

[Neighborhood]

Nworkspace2 is our choice. A final few details to work out.

1) Add "to Your": Welcome to Your Neighborhood Worspace

2) Under special deals, can you add the "gift box" visual you previously had? If that doesn't fit, can you find another approrpiate diagram?

3) Search for available workspaces should read, from top to bottom: State; City/Town; Zip

4) After "Forgot Your Password", add a "?". And, do you have /can you find room for a "Sign Up Now"?

The top navigation chart (How it Works...) needs to visually "pop" a bit more. I like the gradations of Blue, but when I first looked it was not as obvious. Yet.... I do like the color fit.

IWe are sooooooo close. Thanks. I'm out of town until late 2mro night, so I won't get a chance to see your revisions until late 2mro.

Joel


Hi Joel,

Ok, here you can find 5 designs with the same layout but different headers. Pick one which works best for you in terms of visual :)

Elena.

[Elena]

... and here we go! :)

Elena.

[Neighborhood]

Last small tweak to home page (boss' idea): can you please change "Sign Up Now!" to "Join the Neighborhood!"

[Elena]

No prob. Attached... :)

Elena.

[Neighborhood]

How frustrating -- the boss is gone for a week, and I can't think of anyone else to ask to see if I can add more changes.
Sigh.

It's a done deal. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!! We like it.

Now it's time for me to go play with my kid: I'll have more thoughts tomorrow or Monday. Enjoy your weekend Elena

[Elena]

LOL :)

Ok, I guess that means you choose my design here, right? If so, you need to post a message stating that you award me a winner and moderators will move this thread to 'Revisions forum' section.

You may still ask for any changes after that. And when you completely satisfied with look and feel, I will create HTML for front and back pages and give you a link to download all files (PhotoShop source and HTML).

That's how it usually works here. ;)

Thanks,
Elena.

[Elena]

In the meantime, here's how I think inner page should look like.

Elena.

[Neighborhood]

I have been a single parent for about 5 days with spouse gone for 7 days, and kid suspended from school (great 13 y-o, just made a bad choice; starts back tomorow), so l;ife sorta got meesed up. I'll be back tomorrow, or late tonight.

Joel

In the meantime, here's how I think inner page should look like.

Elena.

[Elena]

Oh, I'm sorry to hear about that. But you should definitely have white stripe in your life after this black one!

No worries, take your time... We're not in a hurry! ;)

Elena.

[Neighborhood]

Thank you to all the designers who participated. Your ideas and approaches helped us clarify in our OWN minds what we trying to do.

We have chosen Elena as our designer for this website. We look forward to working with her, and hope the rest of you will take the time to view the final "Neighborhood WorkSpace" site in about 3 months, to provide feedback about the design, contents, and concept.

[Elena]

Thank you Joel!

Let me know if you need any changes in current design or I can start HTML coding?

Elena.

[Neighborhood]

I need to speak with Pres. tomorrow, and check with our content programmer. Unlikely we'll have any Home Page changes except minor minor.

At samme time, I'll want to look at your internal page draft with same people to see how it fits. Stay tuned.

Joel

[Fabian]

Congrats Elena:)

Project has been moved to revisions, client could you please post a quick note once files received.

Thanks
Fabian
DO Moderator

[Neighborhood]

Below is from my programmer. I am quite sure YOU understand this, even if I don't. Let me know if this poses any problems, or needs clarification ... or if you want a direct line to my programmer.
Joel


Don't know if you have seen this/ forwarded it on to your designers. The key thing to keep things simple is for your designers to 1) look at/adjust/deliver the cascading style sheet at http://nws.bizwebsolutions.net/themes/default.css 2) deliver sample pages where all styles are contained in external style sheets and 3) deliver any graphics.

[Elena]

Ok, that sounds clear to me. Does it mean I should start with HTML coding and there's no more changes needed in graphics design?

Elena.

[Neighborhood]

Elena:

After noodling a lot, here's what I think I'd like on the inner pages.

(And please remember that my background is NOT design. So, if your experience with design and/or websites allows you to see things I am missing and make recommendations, I would appreciate it.)

On the inner pages, I'd like to have 3 - 5 boxes/visuals that reflect the color and format of the "search" section on the front page. Each of these 3-5 will have -- ideally -- an explanation in text as you roll the cursor over the box, AND a link to the rest of the information or actions.

For example, after you click on "Who It's For", the next page you see will have the boxes identified as "Individuals at Work", "Organizations and Groups", "Businesses", and "Seasonal and Small Businesses". As you roll the cursor over, I'd like a pop-up that allows the user to get a quick (10-15 word) description of this. Alternatively, just having the cursor there and clicking on it should pop up a section (not a new page) that has more information, and perhaps some links.

I can see this as being in the horizontal space below the picture, on the left hand side of the page leaving about 1/2 the page for text/phot, or even as large "buttomes" that cover then entire page. That's where yourr design experience is esp. needed.

Some of my concern is that the number of "boxes" on the diffeerent pages may vary -- I am not done determining the text and groups. Do you need to have fixed numbers before you can start?

Also, since I am anticvipating adding text and visuals later in many of these areas, are you designing so that later we can add these when we need to?

Thanks.

(FYI, here it is almost March, and I am looking out of our window, 35 miles NE of Seattle, at an unforecasted and heavy snowfall, 3" so far with no sign of slowing. I guess the weather Gods didn't get the memo -- "Spring is right around the corner! "

[Elena]

Hi Joel,

Everything seems to be clear and I'm working on inner page revisions now.

As for number of boxes and other other areas. Well, that sounds like you talking about complete website. Here on DO you just get a template ("Home page design and one internal page design and both coded"). And then you build your website using this template (or have your programmer do that).

So, next step would be implementing changes to inner page as per your request. And once you approve the inner page general design, I will give you 2 PSD (PhotoShop) files for front and inner page and 2 HTML files for those pages as well.

Elena.

P.S. You lucky you have snow! Here in San Antonio it's 82 degrees and sunny. No winter :(

[Elena]

Hello Joel,

Please see attached... Is that what you are looking for?

Elena.

[Neighborhood]

thx for the clarification. Like many, I am a bit unclear on the terminologies as well as DO strucutre.

Joel

[Neighborhood]

Elena:

What I had in mind was smaller "buttons", about the same size or a bit larger than the ones at the top ("Need Space"). And the location would be either directly underneath the visual (b4 the text), or to the far left or right. Eliminate any texty, and I'll want a box of sort taking upo the 2/3 of that area not used for link buttons or the visuual, and I'll wnat to put in static text and visuals for now, later maybe ads.

If that's not clear, let me know.

Joel




Hello Joel,

Please see attached... Is that what you are looking for?

Elena.

[Neighborhood]

Elena:

On my screen I don't see any atttachments. Could you re-send sometime today; if the problem occurs again, I'll need to check my pc's filter. Thx.

Joel

[Elena]

Try these links:

http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77280

http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77281

Elena.

[Neighborhood]

Thx.

These look the same as the one you posted on 3-2 -- let me know if there are differences that my untrained eye does not see.

The ones I saw on 3-2 were the ones to which I replied on 3-5. In my reply I was trying to describe what I was looking for: a different location and size for the links/buttons., as long artistic sensibilities agreed. I didn't see any difference on design that you sent with the new links. So ... can you check and tell me what I should be looking for? Or perhaps did you accidentally send the old images?

Joel

[Elena]

Hi Joel,

This is misunderstanding.. I my message on 03/02 I said "Please see attached" and yesterday you said "On my screen I don't see any atttachments. Could you re-send sometime today".

So, I resent that again as per your request...

It seems to me something's wrong with DO notifications and yesterday you got notification in your e-mail about my message posted on 03/02 :)

Anyway, I'm working on changes you requested, I'm not done yet so they never been posted here :)

Elena

[Neighborhood]

DO is imperfect, so we'll just work arouhnd. I'll work on other stuff until I get something from you. Also, let me know if my dscription is clear, or if you have ideas to clarify/improve design.

Joel

Hi Joel,

This is misunderstanding.. I my message on 03/02 I said "Please see attached" and yesterday you said "On my screen I don't see any atttachments. Could you re-send sometime today".

So, I resent that again as per your request...

It seems to me something's wrong with DO notifications and yesterday you got notification in your e-mail about my message posted on 03/02 :)

Anyway, I'm working on changes you requested, I'm not done yet so they never been posted here :)

Elena

[Elena]

Check this out... Is it correct now? :)

[Neighborhood]

Need to pass it around top get feedback, but it looks great.

Only small problem -- no biggie -- is that I am NOT a designer. You have executed what I think works, but I'd also like to know if there's anything here that, on the next go-arouyou'd recommend we change.

Joel

[Elena]

Well, frankly speaking I like how it looks now. You had a very good idea with those boxes and popups. It's good for website usability.

I don't see anything else to change. If you have any more ideas, you're welcome! :)

Elena.

[Elena]

Please let me know if I can start HTML coding for this design already.

Elena.

[Neighborhood]

I spoke a bit too soon, but changes are small.

On home page, please move the "Sign In Now" box after, instead of before, the Member login, and add a bit more white space between the two different sections (sign up and members log in)

"Search for Available Workspaces" should be changed to "Available Workspaces". and the whole size of that box decreased by 25% - 40%

"Special Deals": Please capitalize both words and put them in the same size font.

Thanks

[Elena]

Done... :)

Elena.

[Neighborhood]

The President is out for the afternoon: when she returns I'll show this to her, hopefully have an answer tomorrow a.m or late tonight

[Neighborhood]

Elena:

President likes this a lot. Teeny nitpicks, then we should be ready to code.

1) On home page, WorkSpace in the "Welcome" line and "Search" box should be one word, with W and S capitalized (like in logo)

2 On Home page and Inner page, please change "Got Space to Spare?" to "Have Space to Spare?"

3) On the inner page there are 4 boxes with text. Will we have the ability to easily add a box if we need, and change th text in the boxes -- or do we need to be giving you exact number and content?

Joel

[Elena]

Hello Joel,

Please see attached. Let me know if I can start to code.

As for the boxes. You would be able to change content yourself and add/remove boxes also if you have some minimal knowledge of HTML or HTML Editors (like MS FrontPage, Macromedia DreamWeaver etc.). I'll make sure to foresee this opportunity for you...

Elena.

[Neighborhood]

That's A Wrap!

Thanks Elena; you've got the official "go" to start the coding.

I am 100% certain we'll find things to change later, but that's part of the process of building a new conmcept: thingfs change. This is more than enough to get us moving with the rest.

When you've got the coding (our programmer called it cascading style sheets -- which is greek to me), let me know so I can let our programmer know.

[Elena]

Files sent. See private message ;)

Elena.

[Neighborhood]

I am forwarding the links to our programmer, who will use your coding to impart his majic onto your magic. I will let you know when I hear from him if there were any questions or problems. Hopefully by end of week. Thanks.

Joel

[BlueCherryGraphics]

PROJECT UPDATE: This thread has been moved to Template Archives.

Client, the thread is still open to posts should you need to contact the designer.