Template for a Commercial Builder $250 [Archive]

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tls

10-31-2003, 10:10 AM

(Admin code added by Palmer - Y413593L)

This is my first contest (hopefully of many) Let me start by complimenting the talent I've seen displayed in the other contests I've viewed. I'm very impressed. As I am new to this, I'll do the best I can to identify our requirements. I'd be happy to clarify anything that is confusing.

This contest is for a website template (technically a redesign, but it's basically starting from scratch), and some minor tweaks to their logo

Background: Town Center Construction is a relatively small commercial building firm (around 10 employees). Rather than describe the buildings they build, I have a page with that plus some other information at: http://www.nresults.com/tcimages

There you will find….

The logo they currently use
The clock tower on which the logo was based
Some example buildings they have constructed
and the Primavera Logo (software they use which they want to convey to visitors)

Goals of the site:
- Give Town Center the image of being a little bigger than they really are. We want people to have the impression "These guys are good and they are big enough to handle our project". Clean, professional look
- Minimize need for scrolling - especially on home page (target browser 800x600)
- Have the following buttons/links from home page
- Home
- About Us
- Portfolio
- Current Projects
- Contractors/Suppliers
- Employment Opportunities
- Primavera Expedition Login (they want people to know they use primavera and that’s why the logo is included) - no login area needed - we will just link this to another page with instructions and a login prompt.
- Contact Us

(Buttons not necessarily in that order if they work better a different way)

They toyed with the idea of having a faded blueprint in the background, but had an internal, non-graphical person attempt that and didn’t like the result. You can see that image on the example page too. I think they would still be interested in integrating the blueprint concept into the home page, but in a much more subtle/professional way. The blueprint show in that example is from the clock tower which has evolved into their signature structure and has become part of their logo.

As for the logo tweaks. They like their logo, but would like to transform it into something round - possibly with the words "Town Center Construction" circling the clock tower image. They will continue to use the rectangular logo, but in certain places, that logo does not work well and they felt something circular would be better. Either the round or rectangular logo can be used in the site. (whichever works best with your design)

Some of their competitors are:
http://www.donleys.com
http://www.summitconstruction.com
http://www.marousbrothers.com
http://www.gstephensinc.com

This contest is for BOTH the minor tweaks to the logo, plus a template for the site (one winner) The expectation is that once complete all images/etc on the site can be used by Town Center without any copyright infringements. The winning designer will be expected to provide all images/files/etc needed to complete the site, plus the revised logo upon completion of the contest.

Finally, their general color scheme is a black/white/grey, but I would imagine some color should be injected into the design to bring it to life. Wish I could give you a better description than that , but I'll be happy to field questions if I've overlooked anything.

Again, the example images I have are at: http://www.nresults.com/tcimages

They'd like to have something ASAP. Can we shoot for a deadline of 11/10/03. Love to have something sooner

$250 to the winner - Good Luck

Tim

hairyiguana

11-01-2003, 02:35 PM

Entry #1

motiveX

11-01-2003, 10:13 PM

Just to clarify for other designers and for this contest in general, how many pages are you expecting from the designer?

I might have overlooked that in your original post, but I think for everyone involved it would be good to upfront say that you need one or two pages completed for the $250.

Thanks
Sean

tls

11-01-2003, 10:21 PM

Just looking for the home page, plus the modified logo.

Tim

Palmer

11-02-2003, 05:16 AM

Hi neighbor! (I'm from Stow)

tls

11-02-2003, 06:41 AM

We're in Twinsburg. Small world!

tls

11-02-2003, 02:08 PM

Just a note to all those submitting designs for this contest....

I will not comment on designs until I have the opportunity to show the designs to my client (during the business week) - Should have daily contact with them Mon-Fri. So I appreciate your submissions over the weekend, but since the ultimate decision will be theirs, I won't comment until I hear from them.

Thanks to those who already submitted - just wanted to make it clear my delay in responding does not indicate any dissatisfaction with your entries.

Tim

Palmer

11-03-2003, 07:14 AM

Note to njdcb, thread split...
http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/?showt...opic=1835&st=0& (http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/?showtopic=1835&st=0&)

motiveX

11-03-2003, 11:56 PM

Is there any way we can get higher resolution files to work with? I personally don't like working with optimized files to create a design.

Let me know if this is possible.

I ask, because I have some ideas...but they are not possible to put together with such small assets.

Thanks in advance.
Seanathan

pod

11-04-2003, 03:09 AM

Hi Tim ,
Here is my entry
http://www.podmultimedia.com/towncenter.html
ı am looking forward for hear from you
Thanks

tls

11-04-2003, 05:18 AM

I'm checking for better images. I suspect the originals are around somewhere. We just need to track them down.

Tim

tls

11-04-2003, 05:20 AM

Just a note to those who submitted entries.... I have forwarded them to Town Center for review. As soon as I hear from them I'll post feedback.

Tim

motiveX

11-04-2003, 09:48 AM

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (tls @ Nov 4 2003, 09:18 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> I'm checking for better images. I suspect the originals are around somewhere. We just need to track them down.

Tim [/b][/quote]
If this could also include a better logo, I think it would help us all tremendously as well.

Thanks!

:tup:

tls

11-05-2003, 01:41 PM

Here is a link to a larger logo, plus some other big images.

http://www.nresults.com/tcimages/bigimages.html

tls

11-05-2003, 02:25 PM

OK here's some feedback. They liked the entry by Pod better than the hairyiguana entry.

Here is some specific feedback on the Pod entry:
They liked the way you were going with the header, but have would like to remove the clock on the left (too much clock), slide the drawing to the right, which will give a larger area between the clock and the drawing. In there they were thinking the logo could go (rather than at the top of the page (They don't like the area above the clock/drawing header and would like to eliminate it and make the clock/drawing be at the top of the page instead). So I think replacing the words "Welcome to Town Center" with the logo would be more what they want (without the logo area at the top)

They would prefer a drawing image that is more commercial looking (in the one shown you can see bedrooms, closets - things you wouldnt normally find in an office).

On the photo on the right of Mavis Winkles, they would like a larger area for the photo (maybe 25% larger than currently, and they will use that area to rotate images. That would cause the text area under Our company to be a little more narrow because the image to the right will take up more space.

They would like to change the Our Company heading to "Mission Statement" and also make a few button changes:

They would like two Primavera buttons (1) Primavera Expedition Users and (2) Primavera Sure Track Users
Also would like to add a "Timberline Users" button

I know that sounds like a lot of changes, but they liked it very much overall.

For hairyiguana:
Still waiting for more specifics from the client, but my understanding of why they did like the Pod entry better is that they liked the idea of the engineering drawing in the header rather than too many buildings. Instead they'd prefer to rotate a single photo rather than see so many at once. I think they also liked the darker color scheme of the Pod entry too. I'll post more specifics as they give them to me.

Tim

motiveX

11-05-2003, 11:32 PM

I have no idea where I am going with this. Midterms are kicking my ***, but here is 'something'

:lol:

*image removed due to steaming crap*

pod

11-06-2003, 03:58 AM

Thank you very much for the feedback Tim:)
I'm working on the changes as you described...
I'll post it soon..

Regards,
pod.

Michael

11-06-2003, 08:03 AM

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (xteriormotive @ Nov 6 2003, 08:32 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> I have no idea where I am going with this. Midterms are kicking my ***, but here is 'something'

:lol: [/b][/quote]
:notworthy:

motiveX

11-06-2003, 09:53 PM

Just an FYI I am making another design.

I think my first entry is crap and want to improve on it...in saying that my time will be limited over the next week.

I am currently working on it a bit before I hit the sack. I will do so again on Saturday before I head to work again for the night...then my GF is here until Thursday, so no work for me....well maybe a lil.

:lol: :tup:

tls

11-06-2003, 10:02 PM

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (xteriormotive @ Nov 6 2003, 11:53 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>Just an FYI I am making another design.

I think my first entry is crap and want to improve on it...in saying that my time will be limited over the next week.

:lol:  :tup:[/b][/quote]
Definitely not crap, but I'm still waiting to hear what the client thinks (sorry - they are busy building stuff so sometimes can't reply as fast as I'd like.) But I'm looking forward to see what you come up with. (The deadline is not firm, we can extend a little to get more ideas)

Tim

motiveX

11-06-2003, 11:04 PM

Ok, my second effort came a bit faster than I thought it would...amazing how fast you can work when you have something as motivational as a girl.

;) :lol: :brow:

http://www.placidminds.com/clock/etalpmet.html

Luc

11-07-2003, 06:21 AM

Hi! Expect an entry from me. I'm working on it now.

Luc

11-07-2003, 10:33 AM

Hi Tim! Here is my entry. I made two background color you can choose from.

Luc

11-07-2003, 10:48 AM

And here's with a white background. Looking forward to your feedback. Thanks!

pod

11-08-2003, 02:36 AM

Hi Tim
Here are your modifications, also I' ve added a small flash movie for rotating images ;)

http://www.podmultimedia.com/towncenter2.html

Ps:I have a lot of ideas for this project that I think they would like. If you would like to see more, please inform me.
Thanks

tls

11-08-2003, 09:48 AM

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (pod @ Nov 8 2003, 04:36 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

Ps:I have a lot of ideas for this project that I think they would like. If you would like to see more, please inform me.
                                                                                                    Thanks[/b][/quote]
I think you really captured what they were looking for in the revisions they suggested - nice job of interpretting my rambling comments. Probably can't show it to them before Monday though.

Any ideas you have would definitely be appreciated.

The only thing I notice at first glance is that we will probably have to get you a better clock image if they choose this design. (better resolution image of the same angle - so it's not so grainy)

I'll get back to you.

Tim

tls

11-08-2003, 09:50 AM

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (xteriormotive @ Nov 7 2003, 01:04 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Ok, my second effort came a bit faster than I thought it would...amazing how fast you can work when you have something as motivational as a girl.

;) :lol: :brow:

http://www.placidminds.com/clock/etalpmet.html [/b][/quote]
I like some things here, but unfortunately I'm not the ultimate judge. I'll get this to the client (who hasnt seen it yet) and get some feedback as soon as possible. Thanks for the entry.

Tim

tls

11-08-2003, 09:53 AM

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Luc @ Nov 7 2003, 12:33 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Hi Tim! Here is my entry. I made two background color you can choose from. [/b][/quote]
I like this one too - this will be a tough contest to pick a winner from. But all I can tell you at this point is that I have to present it to the client and get their feedback. (I have my opinions, but I don't want to influence them - so I try to hold off on giving too much feedback until they look at things)

I'll post back as soon as I hear.

Tim

tls

11-08-2003, 09:57 AM

NOTE TO ALL:

I've seen some very nice work here and I'm not looking forward to choosing a winner (because we'll be turning down some very good efforts) I have yet to see a design that was not good. I wish I could reply faster, but since there is a third party client for which we are doing the design I need to hear from them. But I just wanted to express my appreciation for all your effort to date. Any more ideas or alternative designs are still welcome.

Tim

Luc

11-08-2003, 06:52 PM

OK thanks! Looking forward to the feedback.

hheine

11-09-2003, 10:46 PM

Can we shoot for a deadline of 11/10/03

I´ll be posting today.

tls

11-10-2003, 03:11 AM

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (hheine @ Nov 10 2003, 12:46 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>
I´ll be posting today. [/b][/quote]
Sounds good!

Tim

hheine

11-10-2003, 04:20 AM

Thanks, Tim. ;)

hheine

11-10-2003, 05:04 PM

Hi Tim ! Thanks to be waiting so much time. Promise made, promise done.

Goals of the site:
- Give Town Center the image of being a little bigger than they really are. We want people to have the impression "These guys are good and they are big enough to handle our project". Clean, professional look
- Minimize need for scrolling - especially on home page (target browser 800x600)
- Have the following buttons/links from home page
- Home
- About Us
- Portfolio
- Current Projects
- Contractors/Suppliers
- Employment Opportunities
- Primavera Expedition Login (they want people to know they use primavera and that’s why the logo is included) - no login area needed - we will just link this to another page with instructions and a login prompt.
- Contact Us

Done. ;)

They toyed with the idea of having a faded blueprint in the background, but had an internal, non-graphical person attempt that and didn’t like the result. You can see that image on the example page too. I think they would still be interested in integrating the blueprint concept into the home page, but in a much more subtle/professional way. The blueprint show in that example is from the clock tower which has evolved into their signature structure and has become part of their logo.

Done. ;)

As for the logo tweaks. They like their logo, but would like to transform it into something round - possibly with the words "Town Center Construction" circling the clock tower image. They will continue to use the rectangular logo, but in certain places, that logo does not work well and they felt something circular would be better. Either the round or rectangular logo can be used in the site. (whichever works best with your design)

Done. ;)

So if you like it, is because YOU have showed us the path. B)

Wish you good luck tomorrow, Tim. :D

Here is the especial link1: tower_construction_round_logo (http://www.openmarket.com.br/DesignOutpost/tc/index.htm)

Here is the especial link2: towerconstruction_official_logo (http://www.openmarket.com.br/DesignOutpost/tc/index2.htm)

tls

11-11-2003, 09:19 AM

NOTE TO ALL:

We are very close to choosing a winner. Therefore I would recommend holding off on more entries. Should have a winner selected later today or early tomorrow.

Tim

hheine

11-11-2003, 11:38 AM

hairyiguana: Good luck !

xteriormotive: Good luck !

pod: Good luck !

Luc: Good luck !

Thanks, Tim. ;)

pod

11-12-2003, 07:36 AM

Hi Tim
Thanks for feedback I am working for my new entry
and Dont worry about clock image ıt can be easly replaced with better resolution
Thanks

tls

11-12-2003, 09:40 AM

To all those who participated - thank you for your fabulous efforts. Your talent is amazing. Let me start by saying that I left this decision totally to my client. It was really tough to get much feedback out of them as to what they liked and didnt like - other than to say "I like this one - or - I don't like this one as much".

They have selected POD as the winner (with a few more minor tweaks needed) (Will contact you with details). Something about that design just captured what they wanted for this project.

I'm between meetings at the moment and will provide some feedback to the other contestants later today - I have handwritten notes from the client and just need to find time to type them up.

Once again - great work everyone, and Congratulations Pod.

Tim

hheine

11-12-2003, 10:11 AM

:tup: Great JOB POD !

Thanks TIM !

tls

11-13-2003, 06:08 AM

Here are some comments on the runner-up entries (I can't bring myself to call them losing entries since I thought they were all pretty good)

Hairyiguana - They liked the header in some ways, but didnt in other ways. They liked the idea of the various buildings all shown there, but didn't think the outcome was quite what they were looking for. They also thought there was too much text - which I would translate as I don't think they liked the way the page looked with alot of text.

Xteriormotive - They liked the creativity with their logo, the fact that you tried something new. They liked the background - but also felt it was a little bold for them. They did not like the small fonts and thought the page seemed broken into different sections - they thought it was too "divided up" in their words.

Luc - they really liked the header, but didn't like the layout with some buttons on the side, and some on the top. There were also a few colors they didnt like, but they liked the font sizes/photos/etc.

hheine - They loved the clock tower image, and how it faded into a drawing. Very creative, and well done - in fact some of the delay with naming a winner was that they were debating over whether to try to somehow find a way to incorporate that into the final site (maybe as a splash screen or something). After alot of discussion, they decided to just go with the Pod entry and not have a splash screen.

I think any of these designs could have worked. It just came down to a subjective decision that the Pod entry was the closest to what they had in mind.

Thanks again for your efforts, and I would encourage all of you to enter my other contests as I post them.

Thanks
Tim

Luc

11-13-2003, 06:58 AM

Good job pod!

hheine

11-13-2003, 08:37 AM

Thanks for the appreciation, Tim ! It´s very important to show us the pros and cons, despite of the end.

I agree to luc when he said:

Posted: Nov 12 2003, 09:56 AM
I don't really mind how many hours I spend on each and every design I make. Doesn't matter if I win or not. (Although it's surely nice if it'll win  ) I love what I do! And it's a good thing in this profession. Passion is important! Without it, you can never make a good design. That's what I believe in.

Please, tell them that I (we all do that) wish a lot of success with their new website !

Thanks, TIM, congrads POD !

:tup:

pod

11-14-2003, 04:18 AM

Thanks guys :rolleyes: