PDA

View Full Version : [Project Complete] Due June 16th - BudgetPronto site - $350


mrogers
06-04-2007, 09:11 PM
Admin code added by Abby - 26N065474C976503V

Company Details

1a) Name of Company
BudgetPronto

1b)Company Tag Line or slogan:
Don’t have one yet. Feel free to add one in if it helps the layout, and we’ll replace it with the real one later.

1c) Do you have a company logo?
Yes – attached as Logo.jpg. May be modified slightly – I’ll update if it is.

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.)?
Only the attached logo. I like the color scheme, but am open to changes and variations.

1e) What is the nature of your business?: Briefly describe your products or services:
Online budgeting tool for individuals and families. Emphasis on ease of use and speed.

1f) Who is your target market? Who are you hoping to reach with your site?
The target market is pretty wide, so the site needs to be fairly neutral.




Website Details

1b) Do you have an existing website? If so, what is the URL?
This is a new company – no existing website.

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.

http://crazyegg.com – very clean, the entire page can be scanned in 15 seconds. The elevator pitch (“Track, Evaluate, and Improve your site”) is prominent. Most of the text is dark text on a light background, so it’s easy to read. Screenshots add some color, and the screenshot section stands out as it overflows the main page background. I like the watermark on the testimonial box too. The Pricing and Setup page is attractive. Easy to find information and sign up.

http://hotxt.com – looks bright and cheerful. I like the three sections at the bottom (“What’s in it for me?”, “How do I get it?” and “What’s being said?”) – they stand out well. I’d like my navigation bar to be more integrated with the header and the rest of the content. I think I’d prefer a picture of a person and/or a screenshot instead of the illustration.

http://www.pando.com – I like the simple use of colors and the prominent “Get Pando Free!” button. I don’t really care for the right side of the page. I do like the angled and mirrored screen shot.
Some other sites I think are attractive: https://desktoptwo.com/ (http://desktoptwo.com), http://www.ittoolbox.com/ (http://www.ittoolbox.com), http://www.peermind.com/PeerMind/Default.aspx, http://www.trendio.com/frontpage.php?language=en.


3b) What colors or color schemes would you like?
I’d like the template color scheme to mesh well with the colors of the logo. Most likely, that means the same palette, but I’m open to other choices.

4b) List the Navigation links for your Site:
Home, Features, Demo, FAQ, About, Contact, Free Trial – Sign Up





5b) What type of look are you trying to achieve? (e.g. clean, high-tech, conservative, warm, flashy, etc.)
I’m mainly looking for a clean look. This isn’t a content site, so there isn’t too much information that needs to be displayed. It should all be above the fold.

6b) Please provide the addresses of competitors' sites, if possible:
http://www.mveloples.com – aside from the landscape image, I find it too bland. But it does have screen shots and a picture of a “happy user.”
http://www.myspendingplan.com (http://://www.myspendingplan.com) – not bad. I’d like a more prominent navigation bar. I like the 3 info boxes (“Plan Better”, “Save More” and “Live Smart”).
http://www.dimewise.com – the antithesis of what I want. Dull colors, poor layout. It is quick to read, though.

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 don’t have any images. I’m pretty sure I want a “happy user” somewhere on the home page, as well as a screen shot. Just use any screen shot for the demos – I’ll replace it with a real one once I apply the template to the application.




Deadlines and Deliverables

1c) What is the deadline for your template design?
Saturday, June 16, 2007.

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

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})
I’d like 2 pages – the home page and one interior page.



Are there any other comments/specific ideas we should keep in mind while designing your project?
Both pages should target 1024x768 screen size, and should not drop below the fold. I’ll have standard footer text – copyright, links to contact us, site map, etc.
The home page should have top navigation only – no side navigation. I’d like the logo/header/navigation to not take up too much room. I’d like 3 “info” sections somewhere on the page – they can be lined up on a side, at the bottom, in the middle, anywhere. These will be used for Testimonials, Features Free Trial, Blog spotlight, etc. A 5-8 word elevator pitch (to be supplied later) should be featured prominently in the upper middle section of the body. As mentioned above, there probably should be a “happy user” picture (can be a stock photo) and a screenshot. A large “Free Trial – Sign up Now!” button should stand out somewhere in the page. The top right part of the header should have the standard login fields – User Name, Password, Log In button.
The interior page should share the header and navigation with the home page. I’ve attached a screen shot (InteriorPageScreenShot.jpg) of what I’m using as I develop – only use it to get an idea of what I’m building and placement, not for colors or anything else. Along the left should be a box that will hold instructions and other info for the page. It should be about 150 pixels wide. It will grow as needed, and there may be several below each other. For the body of the page (under the header and navigation), There needs to be a Month / Year display with buttons for moving forward and back. Under this should be the bar-graph area. I’d like to see some pizzazz with the colors and lighting for the bars. They are animated, so they need to look sharp. Under the bar-graph area should be a table with the columns shown in the screen shot. The colors and borders are where I’m looking for improvement here. Make it stand out.

Aliska
06-07-2007, 05:41 AM
Hello
I'm working on my concept

Aliska
06-08-2007, 02:42 AM
Hello
Please check concept from me

Aliska
06-08-2007, 11:12 AM
And with small modification.

matude
06-08-2007, 03:42 PM
Hi,

Here's my version.

Thanks,
matude

mrogers
06-09-2007, 10:01 AM
Aliska - Thanks for starting off. I like the concepts. I like the orange background of #3 and the lighter gray backgrounds on the 3 boxes of #4. Can I see an alternte image to replace the one with the 3 ladies with the laptop in the park? Also, I'd like to see a large headline (4-8 words) replace the large screenshot on the right. I like the way the whole concept pops off the page.

matude - I like the watermarks throughout and the large Free Trial button. I need the navigation to change - the links look too bubbly. I'd also like to see a large headline (4-8 words) and a few smaller bullets replace the block of text to the right of the Free Trial button. I like the 3 boxes - perhaps try different colors for some of them. And the block of text at the bottom can go - I can't think of anything I'd put down there tht would add to the page.

Thanks for the ideas. If anyone has any questions, please let me know.

Marcus

clink
06-09-2007, 05:07 PM
Hi mrogers, I'll be submitting a design. Do you have a better quality logo for us to work with though, I'm finding the attached logo a little blurry and grainy. Just a thought as you are looking for a clean design. :)

EDIT: In fact if you could provide a logo with a transparent background that would be perfect for the design that I'm working on. Thanks.

matude
06-10-2007, 08:38 AM
Hi,

Here's my revision.

Thanks,
matude

Aliska
06-11-2007, 06:34 AM
Hello
Some revisions from me :).
Let me know if you like any of them

mrogers
06-11-2007, 06:33 PM
Clink,

I'm just finishing up the logo design in the other forum - probably another day or so before I get the final one. Feel free to wait till then, or just put a placeholder and I'll know what it should look like. I'll make sure I get a transparent one posted for everyone.

matude - Thanks for the changes. I like the new box at the bottom. I'm still not in love with the navigation tabs - tabs seem too dated. Can you do something with just a bar? I can find a few examples if you need more direction. Finally, for the 3 bullet points next to the Free Trial button, can you use icons instead of numbers?

Aliska - thanks for the options. Let's stick with the first photo - you're initial instincts were correct. Can you combine it with the text you used in the revisions, but drop the whole dark blue section ("Budget Pronto is simple...For You Now!")? Or maybe move the 3 check-mark links ("Features", "Take a Quick Tour", "Try it for Free") into the dark blue box? Whatever looks good. Finally, Can I see the orange background as a gradient, with the current orange at the top, fading to a lighter orange by about a third of the way down the page?

Thanks!

mrogers
06-12-2007, 12:22 AM
I've attached a png of the logo with a transparent background. If you want a different format or anything, let me know.

Thanks.

Aliska
06-12-2007, 08:44 AM
Hello
Please check update from me

clink
06-12-2007, 09:08 AM
Here is my concept:

Feedback appreciated :)www.pushstandards.com/budgetpronto.html (http://www.pushstandards.com/budgetpronto.html)

matude
06-12-2007, 01:22 PM
Hi

Here's my revision.

Thanks,
Matude

Anne
06-13-2007, 04:39 AM
Hi.

Just wanted to let you know that I am working on a design.

Anne

Anne
06-13-2007, 09:10 AM
Here is my entry

Anne

Anne
06-13-2007, 09:50 AM
Version 2 (http://www.alandresen.no/do/budget_pronto/v2.html)

mrogers
06-13-2007, 05:18 PM
Aliska - Thanks for the updates. I like 05. Can you make the selected tab not look like a tab? Still make it stand out, but maybe just a different color text or background from rest of the navigation bar.

clink -Welcome to the thread. Nice design - very simple and clean. Can you make the dark green header section with the logo & login not as tall? Also, can I see different watermarks on the 3 boxes at the bottom, other than the logo?

Matude - I like the revisions. I'm going to center the whole page on the browser, so I'd like to see what you suggest for the background (like where Aliska has the orange backgound).

Anne - Welcome, thanks for the entry. I like the reflection of the people, but I think there's too much white space above the 3 boxes. Also, I'd like to see the "Free Trial - Sign up Now" button changed - it looks like it is cut in half. I like the color choices for the 3 boxes, as well as the background. I think I like the layout of version 1 better, with the people on the left.

Fabian
06-13-2007, 05:53 PM
Hi,I'll be posting mine in a day or two:)

clink
06-13-2007, 06:18 PM
My revisions, if you have any more suggestions I'd be more than happy to impliment them. :)

http://www.pushstandards.com/budgetpronto.html

Fabian
06-13-2007, 11:33 PM
idea 1:)

Fabian
06-13-2007, 11:35 PM
version 2

Anne
06-14-2007, 01:27 AM
Thank you for the feedback.

Here is the revision (http://www.alandresen.no/do/budget_pronto/v2.html)

Anne

Aliska
06-14-2007, 08:02 AM
Hello
Please check revisions

matude
06-14-2007, 09:35 AM
Matude - I like the revisions. I'm going to center the whole page on the browser, so I'd like to see what you suggest for the background (like where Aliska has the orange backgound).
Hi,

I had something like this in mind:
http://www.diip.co.uk/budget

What do you think?
Though, this design can easily be put into box and surrounded with orange background color as well, like Aliska's.

Matude

mrogers
06-14-2007, 08:45 PM
clink - I like the revisions. I'll let you know if I need any more changes.

fabian - thanks for the entry. Very crisp and simple. I like the gadients on the navigation. I'm not going to have sub-pages under the main navigation, so I won't need the secondary navigation bar, although it looks good there. I'm not sure if it should be left there with no text, or removed altogether. Also, the "Sign-up for our free trial" button doesn't fit. I like the size, but the color is too dark and the style doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the page. Can I see it without the icons on the navigation tabs? I prefer version 1 to version 2, so we can work from that one.

Anne - looks good. The only thing I still would like to see changed is the Free Trial button - it still doesn't stand out as the next place for people to click. That's the direction I want to drive users to. It may just need to be moved to a different location. Let me think about it, and if you want to try changing it, go ahead.

Aliska - The navigation looks good. My only concern is with the color change of the logo (I do like the colors you chose). I assume you'd work with the one I posted and clean it up?

matude - I like your idea for the backgound - very unique. I don't have any other requests right now.

This project is scheduled to close on the 16th. If anyone else is planning to submit an entry, please let me know.

Fabian
06-14-2007, 09:11 PM
Thank you for your feedback :)

Is this what you had in mind?

Anne
06-15-2007, 09:45 AM
How is this?

clink
06-15-2007, 11:23 AM
Great thanks. I'm happy to make any changes you might need. :)

Aliska
06-16-2007, 04:52 AM
Hello mrogers

Yes, I used the posted logo and make changes with colors. And if you're not sure on buttons style or color or mouseover - any and everything can be changed :)

mrogers
06-26-2007, 10:44 PM
Thanks to all the designers who entered. I am really impressed with the quality of work presented - each entry exceeded my expectations and I feel I could work with any of them. I have narrowed my choices down to Anne and Matude.

Matude, if I could get 2 changes to your entry for the home page. Change the color of the 3rd box on the bottom. I like the blues other designers have used, but feel free to use whatever you like. I just need another color to work with on the site. Also, if you could make the screen shot, "Free Trial" button and bullet points across the middle smaller and add an image of a person or people. As I look at different sites, I think this inspires confidence in prospective users of a site.

Anne & Matude, my last request is to see a mock up of the interior page. Please work from the one I attached to the first post that you used as the screen shot. I'd like the positioning of the items on the page to stay the same, just change the colors and other details. My decision will be based on both the home page and this interior page.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Again, thanks to all the designers for your time and effort.

Thanks.

Anne
06-27-2007, 02:41 PM
Here is the interior page

Anne

matude
06-28-2007, 08:55 AM
Hi,

Thank you very much for choosing Anne and me as finalists.
Here's my revision and the interior page.

Http://www.diip.co.uk/budget/index.html
Http://www.diip.co.uk/budget/sub.html


What do you think?

Thanks again,
Matude

mrogers
06-30-2007, 11:31 AM
Thanks for the entries. I'm going to go with matude's version.

A few things I'd like to see: can I see a different color for the silver part of the background? I'd like something that the page stands out more against. Also, The Free Trial button needs to be more "clickable" - I think the text needs to be darker, but the whole button may need to be changed to jump off the page. Finally, I'd like to see some different options for the photo. You don't need to integrate them into the design, just post them seperately.

Thanks.

matude
07-01-2007, 07:14 AM
Thank you very much.
Here are the revisions:

button 1 (http://www.diip.co.uk/budget/index1.html)
button 2 (http://www.diip.co.uk/budget/index2.html)
button 3 (http://www.diip.co.uk/budget/index3.html)
button 4 (http://www.diip.co.uk/budget/index4.html)

Photos:
1 (http://www.diip.co.uk/budget/photo/11.jpg) 2 (http://www.diip.co.uk/budget/photo/22.jpg) 3 (http://www.diip.co.uk/budget/photo/33.jpg) 4 (http://www.diip.co.uk/budget/photo/44.jpg)

sub page (http://www.diip.co.uk/budget/sub.html) with blue background.

I'm still looking for more/better photos.


Thanks again,
Matude

mrogers
07-03-2007, 09:47 PM
matude,

I like button 3. Let's change the text to "Free Trial" - I'm fine with the button being longer.

Can I see the home page with photo 4? Fade it into the background if possible, and overlay the 3 Features on the photo. If you have more photos for me to look at, I will.

I do like the blue background - lets go with that on both pages.

If you have an idea for a mouse-over effect on the navigation links, I'd like to see that too.

Thanks for the changes.

matude
07-05-2007, 05:41 AM
Hi

Did you mean button 3 or 4? I'm asking because you specifically used word 'longer'.

Anyway here's (http://www.matude.com/work/budget/index5.html) the revison of button 3, blue background, 4th photo and a little mouse-over effect.
What do you think?

And here you can see more photos, (http://www.matude.com/work/budget/more.jpg) sorry it took longer than expected.


Thanks,
Matude

mrogers
07-05-2007, 09:03 PM
You're right, I meant button 4. Thanks for catching that.

Can you change the color of the text on the mouse-over effect?

I like the photo you inserted. Can I see it with #2 and with #4 from the new ones you posted? I will make my decision from those 3.

Thanks.

matude
07-06-2007, 10:57 AM
Hey,

Here they are:
1 (http://www.matude.com/work/budget/final1.html)
2 (http://www.matude.com/work/budget/final2.html)
3 (http://www.matude.com/work/budget/final3.html)
( Orange laptop can be turned into green or a softer orange one, so the colors matched better, if you find the bright orange color too aggressive at the moment)

mrogers
07-06-2007, 08:58 PM
matude,

Let's go with #2. The only other thing I'd like is for the mouse-over text to be orange, like the color of "pronto" in the logo. Othere than tha, I think it looks good. If you have any other suggestions, let me know.

Thanks.

matude
07-08-2007, 08:48 AM
Hi,

Here they are:

Final version (http://www.matude.com/work/budget/final.html)

Final mouse-over (mouse-over effect for Free Trial button aswell) (http://www.matude.com/work/budget/final_over.html)

Final sub page (http://www.matude.com/work/budget/sub.html)

What do you think?

Matude

mrogers
07-09-2007, 07:32 AM
matude,

Looks good. If you can send the files in both Photoshop format and .png ( I use Fireworks) I'd appreciate it.

Thanks.

matude
07-09-2007, 11:54 AM
It's been a pleasure to work with you and also other designers who participated this project.

Let me know if you have any questions or need anything.

Thank you,
Matude

BlueCherryGraphics
07-18-2007, 08:25 AM
PROJECT UPDATE: This thread has been moved to Template Archives.