[Project Complete]Due April 30-Template and Graphics for Limo Company $450

[careylee]

(Admin code added by Palmer - 09S47608V87031035)

My website, www.rrlimousine.com needs new graphics and an actual template with a frame. Right now, there is no frame. If I make a change to the redundant links then I must change every page in the web. The graphics on the pages that I have added do not look good. Our logo (the white R on black background) is important and I want to keep it. I want to keep the simplicity of my site, but want it to look cleaner & more sophisticated.

Company Details

1a) Name of Company
R & R Limousine

1b)Company Tag Line or slogan:
Service. To the Extreme. (displayed in MS Bank Gothic font)

1c) Do you have a company logo?
Yes. See web site White R on black backround

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, but can't figure out how to insert it into this post - will only let me ref a web page.

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

transportation service for corporate clients using Lincoln Town cars, Vans, and buses; retail clients using stretch limousines.

1f) Who is your target market? Who are you hoping to reach with your site?

primarily corporate and executive clients wanting impeccable service, secondarily retail clients looking for limousine service for night out, proms, weddings, etc.




Website Details

1b) Do you have an existing website? If so, what is the URL?

www.rrlimousine.com (links on left side are missing for some reason)

please see www.rrlimousine.com/airport_transportation.html for complete side links

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.

see this site for graphics www.celebritylimousine.com

I honestly have not seen any - most sites have too many graphics zooming in and out and page layouts are complicated. My site is very simple and that's what I want - it's just the graphics that need a cleanup and it needs to be built with a frame so that when I add a page I do not need to go to every page in my site and add the link. I would like the home page to equally emphasize Lincoln Town cars, vans, limousines and private jets. All vehicles should be black.

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

Our logo is shown on a black background with a deep red vertical line next to it. I do not want solid black pages.

4b) List the Navigation links for your Site:

www.rrlimousine.com/about_us.com
www.rrlimousine.com/memberships.html
www.rrlimousine.com/affiliations.html
www.rrlimousine.com/privacy.html
www.rrlimousine.com/employment.html
www.rrlimousine.com/quality.html
www.rrlimousine.com/derby.html
www.rrlimousine.com/airport_transportation.html
www.rrlimousine.com/prom.html
www.rrlimousine.com/weddings/html
www.rrlimousine.com/detail_shop.html
www.rrlimousine.com/jet_charter.html
www.rrlimousine.com/jet_charter_rates.html
www.rrlimousine.com/jet_charter_safety.html
www.rrlimousine.com/jet_charter_aircraft.html
www.rrlimousine.com/concierge.html
www.rrlimousine.com/contact_us.html
www.rrlimousine.com/links.html

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

high tech, very clean and simple to navigate

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

www.azteclimousine.com
www.ambassdorlimoky.com
www.cosmolimoky.com
www.persontopersonlimo.com

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:

I own a beautiful city of Louisville skyline image - but it is 309 MB! :weep: Some of the competitor"s websites have somewhat suitable images.




Deadlines and Deliverables

1c) What is the deadline for your template design?

April 30th

2c) Will you require HTML coding? (Yes/No)

I use Front Page to make changes to my site - didn't know there was anything besides HTML - yes, I will need it. :eek:

18 pages

3c) If so, will you require it to be ONLY CSS layout? (Yes/No --- {fees})

4c) How many pages coded will you require delivered? ({fees})

18 pages

Are there any other comments/specific ideas we should keep in mind while designing your project?

[abby]

Client,
Please make your deposit for this project to reopen.

Also once your deposit is made please answer these questions http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7842 and then copy and paste the questions and your answers into a message here in your project. This will help the Design Team better serve your project.

[abby]

Project Update: This project is validated and open to entries.

[joceb]

I am interested in this project. So what you need is a front page and inside page layout template?

[careylee]

Thank you for your interest! :) I need the home page and an inside page template. I also need a graphic to use when I develop the other pages - such as the graphic R that is shown on each page now. I differs based on the content of the page.

[Aliska]

Hello
I'm start working on your project

[careylee]

Thank you Aliska!

[Aliska]

Hello
Please check my idea.

[careylee]

Thank you for your response Aliska.

I like the crisp clean look of the corporate jet/executive photo. I also like the incorporation of our logo and colors in the site.

Other observations:

1) The main focus when you first look at the page is still a stretch limo - would like to emphasize a regular sedan, van, stretch limo and charter jet equally.

2) The page does not fit on a 17" monitor - must scroll to see the right side of page. I would like for it to fit on a standard screen.

3) The van in the "reserve online" box is a minivan - we use the vans shown on this link:

www.julieslimousines.com/vans.asp

The inside of our vans do not look like those shown in the above link though.

4) With regard to the "Just Married" photo - we do not carry any white vehicles, and the one that is shown in the photo is also an older model limo.

5) The different pages and links are grouped in different areas - i.e. the Company Info, Services, Affiliations, Quality & Excellence are displayed differently and on separate lines. I really like the current way that it is displayed on our site -simple left-side list of services that we offer. Also remember that the real and complete set of links such as the Jet Charter link on our site is not currently visible on our home page - you can see our true and correct links at:

www.rrllimousine.com/airport_transportation.html

6) Our toll-free and local phone number should be highly visible on the home page as well as the inside pages.

7) I think that a person's face on the home page as well as the inside pages can be important to emphasizing our personal service - the man currently shown on our site looks somewhat goofy because sort of looks like he's wearing a headband, but I like the idea of a welcoming face photo.

8) My current site has a bit more color - such as the left side and the top - I prefer that over the small bit of color just at the top.

I hope this feedback helps! Thanks again!
Carey

[Zoe]

Hello Carey,

You mention in your post how you want the website to be in a frame so you can easily add new pages. I just want to let you know that this is a particulary bad thing to do when it comes to Search Engine Optimisation. As well as problems that can be caused if people are linked to a page within your framed website and then can not move throughout the rest of the site because there is no navigation.

A couple of options that you could look at.

1. Implementing a CMS (content management system) - there are some free systems available such as Mambo. http://www.mamboserver.com/

2. Using a language like PHP you can have the design split into elements that are included into a "template". This then allows you to make changes to just one file if you need to add a new link throughout the site. Using something like this would simply mean that you would just have to make sure you keep the small snipets of code in place when you create a new page or make any changes. Most hosts have PHP installed.

If you have any questions about this I would be happy to answer them as best I can.

Meanwhile, I will begin working on a design for you. :)

[careylee]

Thank you for the advice Zoe - I appreciate it.

For someone used to Microsoft Front Page - which method would you suggest? I am unfamiliar with both methods that you wrote about, but consider myself a fast learner. :unsure: I would like to keep my website updating pretty user-friendly if possible.

I am eager to see your design!

Carey

[Aliska]

Hello Carey

Could you please provide us with images for a regular sedan and charter jet? I'm not sure what models of them you're using.

[careylee]

Aliska,

Here are some photos that I hope will be helpful.

[Zoe]

Hi Carey,

I just wanted to check that these photos you posted are just examples of the types of vehicles you use and that we should try to find similar photos?

Thanks

Zoe

[careylee]

Yes, Zoe, they are just "representative" images

[Zoe]

Hello Carey,

Please see my design idea at bottom...


1. A content management system is set up by a programmer. They take the template design you give them and then they alter it to work with a content management system. This way, you can simply log into an admin area and pretty much create a new page at the click of a button. It is all secure on your host and also means that you can make changes to your website from any computer that can connect to the internet.


2. The other option is to split your template into segements - which would be the areas that don't change often. The header graphics for example.

Then when you create a new "content page" you would simply have a small piece of code similar to this -

< ? include (" header.php ") ? >

This will tell the server to call that file when it creates the web page - and then it slots the page together like a jigsaw puzzle. :)

This way, means that you still have to create each "content" page manually, however in the future if you want to add a new page or make changes to something in the header file - you can do so changing a couple of files rather than every file.


Personally - I think in the long run a CMS is the way to go. :) Less files to keep track of, and you can log in from anywhere.

Hope that helps a little.

--------------------------------------------------------

The design I have created would have static links at the top to the "main" sections of your site. The links on the left would allow you to expand as your site has more content.

The design may appear a little wider on your screen - however that is only to show you that there would be a background for larger monitors. The middle area would only be visible to people on a lower resolution and they wouldn't have to scroll to the right or left.

I look forward to your feedback on my design. :)

Zoe

----------------------------------------------------

[Aliska]

Hello
One more concept from me. As you know, any detail or image which you probably don't like could be changed easily. Just let me know if something is wrong :)

[careylee]

Thank you Zoe, I really appreciate your detailed explanation on CMS vs. "small pieces" for a template. If I use a CMS, it would be difficult to switch site hosts if I needed to - I think...? So I might be better off to use small pieces for a template.

I really like the design's layout - it keeps the simplicity of our present site - many people have commented positively on this.

I also like the idea of showing a jet and a vehicle at the top. The jet shown should be a smaller jet though - I think I included some pics in an earlier post. The car should be a Lincoln Town car, black.

I think that a smiling face might look good in between the jet and the car on the right - don't know whether should be male or female, but a friendly face that looks professional.

You have done a great job of incorporating our company colors of black and red within the photos and down the left side. Somehow though, the red seems disturbing - perhaps more black or gray instead?

I feel that the type size should be smaller for Company Info, etc. and the type down the left side.

What would the actual Home Page look like vs. the Wedding Page?

Thanks Zoe!

[careylee]

Thank you Aliska! Wow - I really like the color scheme of the page and photo at the top. Even though the color scheme is not our company red & black, it looks good with the black/white logo. I definitely prefer the simplicity of keeping nearly all of the links on the left side of the page as my current site shows.

[Aliska]

Hello
Please check revisions from me.

[Zoe]

Thank you for the feedback Carey. I will work on those revisions over the weekend. :)

[Zoe]

Hello Carey,

Here is my idea for the home page including the new changes.

Thanks

Zoe

--------------------------------

[Fabian]

Hi,I'll be posting mine shortly.

[careylee]

Thank you for your message Fabian - I look forward to seeing your design!

[Fabian]

Thanks,

Here is what I have in mind for your site design. A clean classy design that has room for expansion. The central column can be use for your written content, whislt the rightside I have envisioned for placing your specials or promote various packages that R&R can offer.

A simple left navigation that uses CSS to control backgrounds on rollovers, notice how the “About us” has a white background this will occur when the mouse is held over each link.

Just think aloud,anyhow hope you like it.

[Severner]

Hello Carey,

I have been working on a design and here it is, let me know what you think so far?

[BrianDove]

Here is an idea from me :) I look forward for your comments, and ready to make modifications! (the "istock" trademark on the pictures will be removed if template is chosen).
thank you!

Rgds
Brian

[Fabian]

Hello again,

After contacting "The Ford Motor Company" I have gained personal permission to use the two vechicle images in the header,documents are on file and can be supplied to verify.

Hope you like it.

Version 2

[careylee]

Hello
Please check revisions from me.

Aliska,

Thank you for the revisions. I really like the clean look of this page. The left-side links look very good as well - this gives our potential clients an easy, uncluttered way to find what they need.

I also like the general impact the main pic, but not the actual vehicle. All of our vehicles are black and should always be shown that way.

The mirror website section is not really of value to our clients, and should be removed - possibly replaced with a photo of a friendly employee taking a reservation over the phone?

My favorite part of your design is the overall clean look and feel of the page.

[careylee]

Hello Carey,

Here is my idea for the home page including the new changes.

Thanks

Zoe

--------------------------------
Zoe,

Thank you for your revisions. I think that the friendly faces make a positive impact - gives a more personal feel. We are "all about" personal service, so it fits well with our intended image.

The wedding photo in the middle of the page is likely not an appropriate photo to use because the bulk of our clients are corporate clients - needing sedan (Lincoln Town Car) service or van service. Weddings are part of our service offering, just not our primary one.

The left side links are easy to read so it would be easy for a visitor to find what they need. I also like the fact that there aren't redundant links at the top and very bottom of the page - this will allow for faster revisions when I need to make them if I want to add links.

We really don't have News and Events right now, but as I look at your design, it might be a good place for us to add current/seasonal information such as sell-out dates, etc.

Thank you again, you accurately made the revisions that I requested.

Carey

[careylee]

Thanks,

Here is what I have in mind for your site design. A clean classy design that has room for expansion. The central column can be use for your written content, whislt the rightside I have envisioned for placing your specials or promote various packages that R&R can offer.

A simple left navigation that uses CSS to control backgrounds on rollovers, notice how the “About us” has a white background this will occur when the mouse is held over each link.

Just think aloud,anyhow hope you like it.
Dear Fabian,

Thank you for your submission - like the friendly face of the reservationist - we heavily promote personal service, and a "face" is an important part of our image.

The left side links will allow for an easy, clean way for our clients to find what they need. I also like the idea of a link showing in white when the mouse moves over it.

I saw your second submission, which I like even more because of the photos you used - I'll respond to that one seperately so I don't confuse myself.!

[careylee]

Hello Carey,

I have been working on a design and here it is, let me know what you think so far?
Dear Severner,

Thank you for your submission. I like the idea of showing a vehicle parked in front of a home - promotes a personal touch. We regularly pick up clients at their homes, so this is a part of our service that would be appropriate to emphasize. The geography is a bit off though, we are in the midwest (Kentucky) with lots of tall trees and green grass.

We do not have any white vehicles - all vehicles should be shown in black. We have stretch limousines, but the primary market that we service is corporate - executives going to or from our airport in a Lincoln Town car, and special events using vans. I believe that a photo of an executive getting on to a private jet would better convey our service offering.

Thank you again Severner, I'll look forward to seeing your revision.

[careylee]

Here is an idea from me :) I look forward for your comments, and ready to make modifications! (the "istock" trademark on the pictures will be removed if template is chosen).
thank you!

Rgds
Brian

Dear Brian,

Thank you for your submission! I really like the overall design and look of the page. You have incorporated everything that I asked for - private jet, stretch limo and Lincoln Town car, ask well as the friendly face. You have also done a great job with incorporating our logo with the red, but leaving the rest of the impact of the page in a more soothing color scheme other than so much red.

The links near the bottom - Service, Reservations, Flights, are a bit "off". For example, Service - I'm not sure what that would link to (Vehicles only?, not Jet Charter), and Flights - would this be Jet Charter Service?

The links on the left look great and are straight-forward - easy for someone to find what they need.

I really like the look and the fact that you obviously read in detail what I asked for.

Thanks again!
Carey :yes:

[careylee]

Hello again,

After contacting "The Ford Motor Company" I have gained personal permission to use the two vechicle images in the header,documents are on file and can be supplied to verify.

Hope you like it.

Version 2

Dear Fabian,

Thank you - the design looks very good, and incorporates our company's strongest focus, the corporate client.

Again, the friendly face of the reservationist is a plus.

Carey

[BrianDove]

The links near the bottom - Service, Reservations, Flights, are a bit "off". For example, Service - I'm not sure what that would link to (Vehicles only?, not Jet Charter), and Flights - would this be Jet Charter Service?

It was a bit confusing I agree. I have changed it to the 3 services you offer, with more appropriate pictures.
Also, I have attached two more screenshots of optional mouse over effects.

thanks,

Brian

[Aliska]

Hello
Please check revisions from me.

[careylee]

Hello
Please check revisions from me.

Aliska,

Thank you for the revisions. The overall impact of the page is very clean and I really like the color. The vehicle at the top is now black, which is good, but it is still the wrong type of vehicle. I think we would be able to work out the specifics on this if I end up chosing your design.

Thanks again,
Carey

[Fabian]

Carey,here's another idea that came to mind :)

[careylee]

Thank you to all the designers that submitted their ideas for my project -Aliska, Fabian, Zoe, Severner, & Brian. The quality of your work demonstrates great creativity and professionalism.

I have chosen Brian as the designer that I will work with to complete my project.

Thank you again everyone for your great submissions!

Carey Fieldhouse

[Fabian]

Congrats:)

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

Thanks
Fabian
DO Moderator

[BrianDove]

Files uploaded and sent to client.

thanks!

[BlueCherryGraphics]

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

[careylee]

I have received my completed files :)