The Columbus Groove

[Dingo]

(Admin code added by Palmer - A1915824 Go Buckeyes!)

Prize: $150

I need a template for a new content driven site I am going to make. The template needs to have a top header, a left menu that is mostly text based, and a small footer menu (and copyright statement).

The site will post Columbus, Ohio area night venue reviews and local periodicles (E-zine style), but needs to be uncluttered and very simple to navigte.

The site name is "The Columbus Groove" with a slogan of "Get in the Groove." I want " The Columbus" and "Groove" to have different fonts, "The Columbus" being pretty normal, and "Groove" being bigger, bolder, and logo-worthy (t-shirts and posters are in the future). The fonts need to mesh well together.

The only example of a scheme is a template that I ran across. I really like the originality, flow, and action of the header. Colors are good, and I like the curved corners of the text boxes (matches the curvy style of the header). THere's no room for a bold logo at the top though. View it at:

http://www.thecolumbusgroove.com/samples.htm

This site should cater to college-age adults as well as middle-aged businessmen. I want the scheme to scream "night on the town" and interest all walks of life. A black or deep blue background maybe with a two- or three-color shceme should be simple enough. THe blues in the sample aren't bad. The site should look active, but have no mvement like in the sample (there will be enough movement with advertisements.)

The left menu needs to be text based and expandable (meaning I could easily add new menu entries). It needs 4 headings (which can be graphical).

The menu should look like this:

Night Venues
- Adult Entertainment
- Arcades
- Billiards
- Concert Venues
- Coffee Houses
- Dance Clubs
- Gay/Lesbian
- Live Entertainment
- Pubs/Taverns
- Sports Bars
- Upscale
Locations
- Downtown
- Northeast
- Northwest
- Southeast
- Southwest
Calendar
- The Big Picture
- Regional
Community
- The Groove Crew
- Weekly Newsletter
- Opinions
- Discussion Forums

So the headings can be graphical and the actual links textual.

I need to have an area that will not hinder the homepage content that will hold an image. This image will be swapped onmouseover all the links for a graphical explanation of the links in the left menu. This area should be big enough to be obvious, but not so big that it leaves no room for homepage content. this will only be on the homepage.

I want this site to make the night scene of columbus appear to have a smaller feel and appear easier to navigate. The readers needs to imagine they are IN the site.

I don't want a white background anywhere.

Please post any questions, I'll give a dealine of August 28th.

[Dingo]

Well, I think my host is having some trouble...here is the template I was refering to in the original post.

This site template from www.templatemonster.com shows action and has a good color scheme. The only example of a scheme is this template that I ran across. I really like the originality, flow, and action of the header. Colors are good, and I like the curves of the text boxes. There's no room for a bold logo at the top though. The woman dancing is a good touch on the marketing side of things.

[Dingo]

Yeah, so I have some more information to be a bit more descriptive.

A big part of the homepage is the mouseover action for a graphical description of the links on the left. Each link (especially the venues) needs an image associated with it. The image should be something that the trpe of venue brings to mind so the user doesn't have to guess on what he's looking for. For example, for the "Billiards" venue, there could be a close-up shot of a rack of pool balls or something of the sort...

For the locations I was thinking of a small outlined roadmap of Columbus with the cooresponding portion highlighted. The rest is up for suggestion.

I've seen the work that the Outpost designers have put up. I'm looking forward to seeing your artistic touch...

ERIC

[motiveX]

Originally posted by Dingo@Aug 21 2003, 09:24 AM
Yeah, so I have some more information to be a bit more descriptive.

A big part of the homepage is the mouseover action for a graphical description of the links on the left. Each link (especially the venues) needs an image associated with it. The image should be something that the trpe of venue brings to mind so the user doesn't have to guess on what he's looking for. For example, for the "Billiards" venue, there could be a close-up shot of a rack of pool balls or something of the sort...

For the locations I was thinking of a small outlined roadmap of Columbus with the cooresponding portion highlighted. The rest is up for suggestion.

I've seen the work that the Outpost designers have put up. I'm looking forward to seeing your artistic touch...

ERIC
So you need 26 images or 4, for just the main categories?

That would be a big difference for any designer, so I figured I would ask.

Thanks
Sean

[Dingo]

I'm sure I could handle it myself if you want to concentrate on the design, but I actually need one for all LINKS on the left menu. I'm more interested in the placement of the image than the mouseover images themselves (a place-holder wil do) , but I'll eventually need images, some with a descriptive text-over, to fill the spot. If you want to tackle it, I'd would be thrilled, but if time is an issue then I can probobly come up with something myself. I actually have a new left menu too...I was waiting for some sort of response...

Columbus Community
- Weekly Guide
- Your 2 Cents
- Weekly Newsletter
- Discussion Forums
- The Groove Crew
- The Nightlife Resource (designer's note: this is a collection of articles, top 10's and reviews)

Regional Rundown
- Downtown Columbus
- Northeast
- Northwest
- Southeast
- Southwest

Night Venue Reviews
- Adult Entertainment
- Arcades
- Bars/Pubs/Taverns
- Billiards
- Comedy Clubs
- Concert Venues
- Country Bars
- Dance Clubs
- Gay/Lesbian
- Live Entertainment
- Sports Bars
- Upscale/Lounges

To all,

The deadline is pretty flexible here. I'm pretty busy working on content. I thought I should put something down there though. I think you all do an outstanding job with speed anyhow...

Thanx, ERIC

[Dingo]

All,

FYI, my biggest competition is www.columbusunderground.com. These guys are in the club DJ business. I have better content, but I think the Outpost designers can blow them away in overall online experience.

ERIC

[Palmer]

Is Max's deli still at 16th and High?

[Dingo]

Sure is! A lot of the old places remain, but a group called The Campus Partners shut down ALL the bars in the campus area to "clean up" the image of OSU. I went to Michigan State for a bit, and the bar scene there had a few dedicated blocks just outside of campus. I'm publishing this guide so the hot spots here will be easier to find not that the ones that are easier tofind are gone...I'm also gonna publish The Campus Partners Satire...do you blame me?

ERIC

[marengo]

Hello, this is my work in progress. Too modern? :lol: If you like my desgn's idea I'll collect all pics for navigation and I'll finish the header (some attributes of city will be inluded there) . Thanks :)
http://marengo.neopages.net/gr/demo.htm
Nat

[Dingo]

Nat,

Yeah, Nat, a little too modern. I think a little less blocky would be a better look for me. With my link distribution methods, I need to rely on a visual energy to promote my site. The layout is good, but I need the header to really pull the reader in. I did ask for the site to apear "nightish, but now after seeing what it looks like, I need it to look a little "duskish" (meaning not too dark, but not light). I'm not so much looking to promote the club scene, like the Columbus Underground that I mentioned earlier, but rather a social scene that appeals to all. The breakdown of the left menu is done wonderfully. I like how you separated the sections of it rather than making one long menu. I also dig the size of the "mouseover" image space. I would like to lean toward the color scheme of the sample I presented earler also.

I also really would like the page to appear as one image. You notice in the sample I gave that the colors and images flow and fade into one another.

Also, "Groove" is one of my keywords. I use it a lot in headings and stuff. I need it to be electric and really stand out.

Great start...seeing the words I write being visually interpereted is really interesting...

ERIC

[Dingo]

FYI, I also have a forum up that either the colors can be matched to or I'll need a skin to. It's the default scheme for a new install if Invision Power Board. Just a tidbit of information when choosing your colors.

The Columbus Groove Forum (http://www.thecolumbusgroove.com/forums/index.php)

[marengo]

:crying: :crying: <----me :lol:
Thanks for feed-back, I'll try to make another version may be. Yeah, I'll try. (I just don't like blue color, and that's why I always try to work without it :D ) But I've understood now what you need and I'm still here: in your contest. :tup:

[Dingo]

Nat,

Why not the blue? Maybe there's a reason you don't like it...fill me in if you think there's something I'm missing...

ERIC

[marengo]

No, I've said I don't really like blue in general. But, of course, if you want I'll use it for your site. Contest is contest. And this is your site. :) Will show you my new entry tomorrow.
Thanks.

(My vision : colours "blue" or why i don't like it (http://marengo.neopages.net/gallery/blue.htm) <--- j/k)

[marengo]

Blue version attached. (90%) :wizard: Thanks! :)

[Dingo]

Nat,

The style and coloring is great. The placement of the slogan and the rollover is right on (although it's "get in the groove" as opposed to "get IT in the groove"). Thanks to your map pictures in the rollover sample that you showed earlier in your first sample, I'd like to change the "northeast, southeast, northwest, and southwest" to just "north, south, east, and west." I really like some of your other pics too. The images on the right are great additions too.

There is a space just below the header, just to the right of the left menu and just above the text that is empty. After the images are in the rollover, do you think that you can make an image for each page with words to the right as a title? I also need a 100% header for my IPB forum. Can we see if we can get a funkier "Groove"? The title "The Columbus Groove" is gone very well, bu I think I need a more streamlined and sleek-looking "Groove." Remember, when seen alone, "Groove" needs to acurately represent the website. If it's not worth your time, but you can do this stuff, we'll talk extra cash if and when you win. (Note: that goes for everyone.)

This is a great-looking site. You don't have a whole lot of competition, so you should be pleased. I am going to hold out for a while to see if I can get any other entries, but in the meantime, job well done!

ERIC

[marengo]

Eric, I'm happy you like it. :)
100% header for IPB forum is not a problem.
Sorry for typo in the slogan.
After the images are in the rollover, do you think that you can make an image for each page with words to the right as a title?
I have to think here. You have many subpages. Titles are not a problem, as for so many illustrations... I'll reply you tomorrow with sample, ok?
Can we see if we can get a funkier "Groove"? The title "The Columbus Groove" is gone very well, bu I think I need a more streamlined and sleek-looking "Groove."
Have you some ideas already, or may be some online examples ?

Anyway I'll show you my updated version tomorrow. :)
Thanks alot for helpful comments :tup:
Regards,
Nat.

[Dingo]

Nat...well let me know on the titles.

I talked with one of my cohorts here and we came up with the look of the font at this site (http://www.thecolumbusgroove.com/images/dancer.jpg). I think it gives the needed effect.
"The Columbus" and "Get in the" fit over the word "Groove" very nicely and can be a compact logo for shirts or whatever. I used the Juliet font that can be downloaded at www.fontface.com then stretched it to fit right under whichever phrase, either "The Columbus" or "Get in the". I'll let you handle the coloring and art...

ERIC

[marengo]

Hello, Eric,

here you can see "crew.htm" sample. When your visitor will choose page in the menu, in the top frame he'll see different pic's for illustration (when mouseover occurs a javascript function is called to show the layer. The layer hidden on mouse out event). When he is on the new page this picture will be in the frame. All titles for subpages: text as here or something. So, as you have asked before I'll collect 24 small photo's for each subpage and I'll install script for rollover (based on CSS+javascript). That was my idea when I've entered in your contest. Making more than 20 gfx small headers (text+photo) takes more time and costs more. (Sorry, but personally I think I have to say that now, just because I prefer to be honesty).

Thanks :)
Best regards,
Nat

[Dingo]

Nat,

No problem! We can only expect honesty in the business world. A placeholder will be fine, then I'll duplicate the pages and insert the titles myself. Can I get "Groove" to be gold in color like the title is though? The white-white looks a bit too rudimentary. When I end this thing, do you thnk you can give me instructions on how you created the rounded effects on the rollover images so I can make others when the time arises?

ERIC

[Dingo]

Well, that's it...I'm calling this early. After much deliberation and some stiff competition...Nat, you're the winner! Congrats... :tup:

Lemme know where we can go from here so I can get this baby in place and start publishing...

ERIC

[Dingo]

Well, that's it...I'm calling this early. After much deliberation and some stiff competition...Nat, you're the winner! Congrats... :tup:

Lemme know where we can go from here so I can get this baby in place and start publishing...

ERIC

P.S. Nat, cat I do a profile on you for publishing under "The Groove Crew" as the site designer?

[marengo]

Originally posted by Dingo@Aug 25 2003, 07:03 AM
When I end this thing, do you thnk you can give me instructions on how you created the rounded effects on the rollover images so I can make others when the time arises?


Sure, Eric, I can make a step-by-step tutorial for you with screenshots. Usually I write an action (macros) for Photoshop, and so it's pretty easy to use. And you can always ask me any help. Don't worry about that. :)

Regards,

Nat

[marengo]

Originally posted by Dingo@Aug 25 2003, 07:08 AM
Well, that's it...I'm calling this early. After much deliberation and some stiff competition...Nat, you're the winner! Congrats... :tup:

Lemme know where we can go from here so I can get this baby in place and start publishing...

ERIC

P.S. Nat, cat I do a profile on you for publishing under "The Groove Crew" as the site designer?
:tup: Great! We post at the same time! Thanks alot! I will PM you. :) :tup:

[BrianDove]

Looks like I'm a bit late on that one :crying:
Anyways, congrats marengo !
:lol2:
Brian

[Palmer]

That was quick :)

Congrats Nat, thanks Eric :tup: