[Project Complete] Wrestling Website Redesign ($550 / Deadline: 14th December 2007)

[Kamran]

(Admin code added by Palmer - 4ES98259L84807011 , 1J599190M5250750X )

Hey all,

I'm back again with my 12th project here! I originally had this redesigned here (http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1131) way back in 2003...but its time for another change!

Company Details

1a) Name of Company:

Talk Wrestling Online (TWO)

1b) Company Tag Line or slogan:

Building an online wrestling community

1c) Do you have a company logo?

Yes. I have included two folders, one is "Talk Wrestling Online" which contains the logo files. The other is "Wrestling 101" which contains images associated with its sister site.

Logo files can be found here (http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14877)

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.)?

Just the logo.

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

Pro wrestling interactive website with forums, chatrooms and games. I've always used the tagline "Building an online wrestling community" which I would like to keep.

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

Mainly male, late teens and early twenties.

Website Details

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

TWO (http://tinyurl.com/29vyeg) - Its rather bland.

2b) Websites I like:


Website 1 (http://tinyurl.com/28h8eo) - Quite similar to how I would like the main page to look, but with more of a wrestling theme.

Website 2 (http://tinyurl.com/2uwp6a) - Its light, looks professional.


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

I would like to use my existing logo which uses black/white. However I would like to try and have the main content area on a lighter background and use lighter/more colourful colours. I’m open to any suggestions including changing the logo colours if you feel its necessary.

I would also like the UK flag to be a focus of the design to show that we are a UK based community.

4b) List the Navigation links for your Site:

The main links are:

Home / Forums / Chatrooms / Games

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

I want it to look clean and professional but still attractive to its target audience.

Mainpage - Needs an introduction area with the main focus on the links to the three main areas of the site: Forums / Chatrooms / Games.

NEW: Something that is not included in the current site, I'm looking to include an area displaying the latest 10 forum topics. In addition to that it needs to display links to the latest headlines/articles and blogs from Wrestling 101, our sister site. Thats why I have also included some Wrestling 101 images, since you may be able to use them for this. For a similar (ish) example if you look at my sister site here (http://tinyurl.com/3xo6bs) it lists the latest forum topics, news and blogs at the bottom of most pages.

I'd also like somwhere to link to the latest edition of our Community Newsletter.

Sub-page - The sub page needs to contain a content area AND the links to the latest forum topics / news / articles and blogs.

Basically the same as the mainpage without the general intro stuff!

Please note: I hope to update the look of my forum (http://tinyurl.com/2xv4me) with whichever new design I choose to keep the site uniform. So its something I'll be thinking about when choosing the winner.

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

The following are two sites I own which are associated with TWO and have already been redesigned:


Website 1 (http://tinyurl.com/3xo6bs) - The sister site to TWO.

Website 2 (http://tinyurl.com/2kjmrf) - A directory.


I'm very pleased with both the above.

Here are some competitors sites:


Website 3 (http://tinyurl.com/389oqk) - I quite like how they've done the representation of the wrestler next to the logo.
Website 4 (http://tinyurl.com/2ajrvg) - I like the header (I dont want any flash 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:

No. But I have uploaded some images HERE (http://tinyurl.com/ys47cl) for inspiration. You dont need to have any wrestling photos, can be a basic representation whether it be of a wrestler, a ring, a belt etc.

Deadlines and Deliverables

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

Friday 14th December 2007 – Can be extended

2c) Will you require HTML coding?

Yes.

3c) If so, will you require it to be ONLY CSS layout?

Nope.

4c) How many pages coded will you require delivered?

Two.

HTML template of the main page + one sub page - I can sort out the coding to get the latest forum/news/articles/blogs links to show.

I would also like the PSD file incase I need to make any future changes to the design please!

Prize: $550

[Aliska]

Hello
I will provide you with concept for checking during this week.

[abby]

Project Update: The project deposit has been raised to $550 and the deadline extended to Dec 14th.

[Kamran]

I've upped the prize to $550 to see if I can entice a few of you to submit some entries!

I've also changed the deliverables to include a psd file (incase I need to change something in the future) plus have two pages instead of one. The additional page is just a generic subpage so you can use your design for the mainpage but with a content area.

Hope to see some designs soon!

[Aliska]

Hello Kamran

Please check concept from me.

[Kamran]

Hi Aliska, thanks for entering!

I’ve tried to show you some changes in the image below, here are the notes to accompany them…

1) Could you use black as the main outside background colour and use the logo there – I think it looks best with the black background. Then having it curve into the faces.

2) Could you put the “Building an online wrestling community” text under the masks.

3) I don’t want the search bit. Could you move the “Login/Register” links above there instead, keep them small and still on the right though.

4) This can be removed.

5) Don’t need this section.

6) We don’t need that one there – maybe put a square ad banner there for the time being. I need somewhere to advertise my newsletter so I could use that area maybe.

7) That’s where the “Latest Forum Threads” section will go.

8) Change the background colour there. I can use that area for the “Latest Wrestling News” + “Latest Articles” + “Latest Blogs” from the other site. If you could try and use the “Wrestling 101” logo there to show that they are coming from there maybe?

9) If you could change that image and put something with the UK flag there. I didn’t really like the little icon you did with the flag, I want something that stands out alittle more. I just cant think of any ideas...

10 + 11 + 12) All these images are different styles I would prefer the same style for all 3. I like number 12, is there a way could you make something similar to associate with the forum (maybe him typing on a computer?), for the chatrooms you could use the same image but with a speech bubble to show him talking, and for the games maybe him fighting another one? I’m not sure if that’s too difficult or not! If it is, maybe use something more generic but all in the same style.

It’s a good start! I do like the masks, they add some much needed colour.

Thanks.

[Aliska]

Hello
Please check update from me.

[Kamran]

Hey,

1) I cant see the “Talk” and “Online” words in the logo, I think because you changed their colour to black in your first draft.

2) For this top section, could you remove the mask (put it for the wrestling forums underneath) and remove the grey shading here. Just so it doesn’t look the same as the Wrestling Forums / Chatrooms / Games sections.

3) The flag is better, could you make it less shiny?

4) The mask here isn’t used in the top header, so could you change it with the one marked in number 2?

5) This is the same mask – could you pick a different one from the top header, one that isn’t used already…so all 3 sections have different masks next to them…taken from the top header.

6) The legs look funny on them…could you instead just do it closer on their faces?

7) Could you add the same mask you use for the Wrestling Forums bit here next to “Latest Forum Threads” also? Plus can you add small icons instead of numbers next to the thread links. Also can you try adding a divider between them and the newsletter section?

8) For the newsletter I just need to include a text link “Click here to read our latest community newsletter”. Maybe put a adbanner space under it to fill it up?

9) Could you change the background colour for this section, so its lighter? Plus maybe add some dividers between the sections?

Thanks!

[Aliska]

Hello Kamran

Please check update from me.

[Kamran]

Hey,

You forgot a few things...

1) The logo still isnt right

1) I cant see the “Talk” and “Online” words in the logo, I think because you changed their colour to black in your first draft.If you check the original files or the current site (http://tinyurl.com/29vyeg), you'll see the words "Talk" above the "Wrestling" and Online below the "Wrestling"

2) For this top section, could you remove the mask and remove the grey shading here. Just so it doesn’t look the same as the Wrestling Forums / Chatrooms / Games sections. This hasnt been done also. If you could do the top intro bit ("We are a UK....)" with just the normal white background and no mask.

I like the idea of the different masks indicating the different areas of the site, so we dont need one in the welcome bit.


9) Could you change the background colour for this section, so its lighter? Plus maybe add some dividers between the sections? For the bottom section with the 3 columns - could you change the background colour so its not black and add some dividers between the columns.

Thanks!

[Aliska]

Hello Kamran

How about the update?

[Kamran]

Thats better but you still havent changed the background colour for the bottom 3 column area - I dont want that in black.

Thanks

[Aliska]

Hello Kamran

Please check update for me and let me know if you would like to improve it in any way :)

[Squad]

Hello sir,
proposal attached, looking forward for feedback!

George.

[Kamran]

Aliska - Thats better, but I still think it could look better but I dont know what to suggest. Currently it just looks as though its been added on to the bottom of the site rather than fitting in with the site.

Squad - Good to see another entry! I like the flag but not its location...it seems to take up too much room on the left side. I dont like the top bit where you have the "Building an online wrestling community"...could you try moving the flag in the top header bit somehow? Keep the tagline but you can remove those images.

I'll be showing the latest 10 forum threads so will not need them listed by numbers but icons.

Its a nice start, bright and colourful!

Thanks.

[Squad]

Hello,
thank you for your comments, here it is the revision.
Let me know if you think that we can improve anything else.

George

[Kamran]

Squad - Could you turn the flag on its side and do something with it there? I want it to stand out, make an impact. Also could you keep the old tagline, all I see there is "Online" and "Wrestling".

[clink]

Hi,

I'm working on a concept for you and would really appreciate some initial feedback to know if you like the direction that I'm taking with things. I wouldn't usually do this but you seem very particular about what you want (in a good way) and I really want to be sure that things are working for you before I continue.

Preliminary Design Concept (http://pushstandards.com/talkwrestling.html)

Many thanks,

Tom.

[Kamran]

Hi clink!

I dont like the wrestler, but the blue background and flag look good.

An idea I had (not sure if its possible!) is to move the flag to the tagline area and maybe have the tagline going horizontally across the red cross area...I'm not sure how that would look.

I’m not sure if the black/orange/blue all go together either.

I wouldn’t want the page to stretch all the way out too.

I’d also prefer the content area to be more simple, so instead of having that white area in the middle with the outside border colour background, just have it white with the content.

For everyone:

I think this may help to make it easier to help you see what I want:

HEADER AREA
Logo, UK Flag image (can be used in any way...I just want any visitors to see automatically that we're a UK based site, from any page), links and tagline. Maybe another image also...it has to make an impact!

CONTENT AREA
...content area

FOOTER
All the links to news, articles, blogs etc

This way it will be easier for me to incorporate the design into the forums - copying the header and footer areas into the forum templates.

Usually with these competitions I always have had a few entries that make me think wow (in the good way!) when I see them, I have not really had that so far…they’re nice entries but just missing something…

[Squad]

Hello,
new proposal.

George

[Kamran]

Hi again Squad!

I prefer this to your last entry.

- Could you make the flag/tagline alittle bigger? Try to do it as a similar size to the logo.

- Instead of using yellow as the background of the little headers, could you try using blue?

Thanks.

[Squad]

Hello Kamran,
attaching 2 more proposals.

Thanks,
George

[Squad]

2nd one

[Kamran]

Hi Squad, its getting better.

I've include some pic suggestions and more:

- Could you move the navigation links into a straight line bar (replacing where the red line is)...keep it the same colour though.

- This should allow you to make the flag image alittle bigger...but make the tagline text abit smaller so it doesnt look too big.

- I noticed you've used images from iStockPhoto, could you replace the top one with THIS (http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/style_and_design/illustrations/vector_cartoons/781485_masked_wrestler.php?id=781485) , the chatrooms one with THIS (http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/what/actions/fighting/1602274_extreme_mexican_wrestling.php?id=1602274) and the games one with THIS (http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/what/actions/fighting/1605440_mexican_wrestler_pinned.php?id=1605440)

- Could you try adding some small icons next to the Latest News/Articles/Blogs links

- Could you change the outer background to just one colour - something similar to the blue colour used at the top end of the outer background.

Thanks.

:clap:Is anyone else planning on entering? Let me know by Tuesday!! :clap:

[Squad]

Hello Kamran, new update.

Let me know please if you'd like to make some variations over the header regarding the tvlines and the low opacity duplicated logo.

George

[Kamran]

Its looking better Squad!

Could you play around with the header area? I dont think the black goes well with the rest of the design, feel free to change the logo colours if need be. The UK Flag bit doesnt look as good as the rest either, so whatever you can think to do with that top area...to make it fit in better with the rest.

Thanks.

[Squad]

Thanks,
i hope now is better. From my opinion, the flag is better now, and it has enough size to stay on top. Let me know.

George

[Kamran]

I'd like to announce Squad as the winner! :tup:

I still have a few more changes I would like though:

- Could you remove the "UK" from the tagline please.

- For the latest Forum Threads box could you make the icon column alittle smaller, there seems to be a big gap between the arrow and the thread titles. Also could you try a different icon rather than the arrow?

- For the bottom area could you change the news icon to something else? Plus add some icons next to the titles. Also could you change it to show 10 titles for each area - just so I know what its going to look like.

I'm not sure if it will look better this way or having the three areas on top of each other, rather then next to each other.

Thanks.

[Squad]

Thank you for choosing me as a winner!

Posting another revision based on your latest post.

George

[Kamran]

Hey Squad,

Better!

- Could you make the gap from the side of the 'latest forum threads' box up to the star icon smaller? I noticed you made it smaller to the right of the icon but there is still a big gap to the left of it.

- In the navigation bar could you add an S to 'forum' and 'chatroom' = Forums / Chatrooms

I dont think I'm going to be around much for the next two days, so after that you might want to start working on the content page. If you would rather wait for me to make sure the above page is OK first, no problem.

Content page:

For that keep the header the same, content area under it, then keep everything under the 'latest forum threads' box. The only other thing to change would be, could you add a box similar to the 'latest forum thread' but with a title 'Talk Wrestling Online Community News'? Here I'll include a link to the newsletter and anything else that may need a link. If you could put that under the 'latest forum threads' box / above the Latest News/Blogs/Articles area.

Thanks.

[Squad]

Hello Kamran,
please check your private message, i sent home page and secondary page coded as html, i hope are fine.

George.