New Web site for music store - $200, $25, $25 [Archive]

ScottZ

11-08-2003, 05:35 PM

(Admin code added by Palmer - Y787463E)

This is a contest for a web site for a music store called Screaming Mimi's.

The prize is $200 for first place. If three or more people submit designs in the final round, the winner will get $200, and 2nd and 3rd place each get $25. (Pending approval from Palmer, that it is OK to set up that way).

This is a brand new store, so there is very little to go on as far as previous style goes. The store is in the far west coast of Washington (USA), on an Island called Vashon Island - so it is low foot traffic.

The type of music they specialize in is independant and small label bands, and older blues etc. It isn't the place to go for the latest Britney Spears album! And they don't really sell much in the way of house, or hip-hop style.

Some of the bands they sell (that you may have heard of) are:
The Shins
The Strokes
Pete Droge
Matthew Sweet
Cowboy Junkies
Bob Dylan
Lots of Acoustic guitar styles

And then a bunch of OLD blues, gospel and American folk music.

The owner of the store used to be a writer and music reviewer for another BIG internet retailer, so he is well experienced in writing about music.

If the web site works for him, this will be the reason, he will search out smaller label bands and ecclectic music and write great reviews etc.

On the home page, it should hilight 2 albums, with portions of reviews for each. I'll attach a couple of sample reviews. then it would have links to different section of store.

So the look of the site shouldn't be too flashy or edgy, as it doesn't fit the style of the store (think hippy).

I'll post his current logo, and a rough layout I came up with. BUt we're not married to the layout at all, that was just something he and I discussed, in terms of what we wanted to include. The logo and store are named after his daughter, so we better keep those in there. You can change or improve upon the logo, seperate name from illustration etc, as you see fit.

I would like the contest to end on 11/20.

E-mail questions.

ScottZ

11-08-2003, 05:36 PM

Here is a JPG of the current logo

ScottZ

11-08-2003, 05:43 PM

SAMPLE Band Review and image for home page:

PICKIN' & GRINNIN'

Roscoe Holcomb

An Untamed Sense of Control

(Smithsonian Folkways)

March 2003 Release

The title of this collection comes from a description of Roscoe Holcomb offered by Bob Dylan; as usual, his observation is both colorful and spot on. Holcomb's approach to singing and playing is visceral and almost unbearably intense. Possessed with a high, thin, piercing voice and an idiosyncratic guitar and banjo style, his take on Appalachian folk and bluegrass is the polar opposite of the polish and smoothness of Bill Monroe or the guttural richness of Ralph Stanley. There is some jaw-dropping fretwork on both banjo and guitar (he also plays harmonica and fiddle), mainly due to his unusual technique and sense of rhythm. His playing is choppy, disjointed, stuttering—and utterly perfect in terms of stripping a tune down to its essential emotional components. It would be impossible to imitate it or improve upon it in the context of his songs. At times Holcomb sounds like a virtuoso in command of every nuance of his instrument; other times he plays like he's never seen a banjo before, and, driven by despair, uses it in a last desperate effort to chase his blues away. Holcomb's music is strange, spooky, at times incomprehensible, and yet oddly comforting. Hearing it for the first time is nothing short of a revelation.

Born in Daisy, Kentucky in 1911, Holcomb was part of the true oral tradition, learning songs from neighbors, older musicians, travelers, and the occasional Carter Family or Stanley Brothers recording. The earliest recording on this disc is from 1953, but most of the songs are from 1961 to 1973, including some recorded in concert and others captured at his home in Kentucky. Since precious few recordings of him exist, these 26 previously unreleased tunes are an historic event indeed. The excellent liner notes and song explanations are written by musicologist John Cohen (and founding member of the New Lost City Ramblers), who met and began recording Holcomb in 1959 and remained close to him until Holcomb's death in 1981. Haunting, raw, and unforgettable, this is essential listening for anyone interested in American folk music. Shawn Carkonen

Palmer

11-08-2003, 06:25 PM

That's fine to do that as long as you wouldn't be expecting them to provide a template for second and third place.

p.s. We always start from scratch, that's why it takes so long. :)

ScottZ

11-08-2003, 06:27 PM

Here is a second review and image for the home page. Since you will only be able to fit a line or two of review copy on the home page, I think we should show the album cover, and then a few lines of the review ending in... with a link for more on another page.

Calexico

Feast of Wire

(Quarterstick)

The Tucson duo known as Calexico (Joey Burns and John Convertino plus a revolving cast) are known for their Southwestern soundscapes and experimental bent and this album continues that tradition. with an array of styles native to the borderlands: mariachi, Tex-Mex, country, and themes for imaginary westerns all merge seamlessly on this album. They can also move seamlessly from a spaced-out cello and synthesizer vignette straight into a smoky, cool jazz number. Brief instrumentals that pepper the album tie the work together rather than chop it up, as a range of instruments, including horns, cello, mandolin, accordion, and an array of keyboards produce a. A new sonic layer is exposed with each listen of Feast of Wire—a lonely pedal steel guitar lick here, a semi-smothered melodica line there. This album is eclectic, to be sure, but not unfocused, and that, along with the impressive musicianship throughout, prevents this rich experiment from turning on its creators. Shawn Carkonen

Mark

11-08-2003, 08:58 PM

Hi Scott.

Looks like I'm first... Here you go! :D

Palmer

11-09-2003, 06:58 AM

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Palmer @ Nov 8 2003, 10:25 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> That's fine to do that as long as you wouldn't be expecting them to provide a template for second and third place.
[/b][/quote]
Scott you were posting when I posted the message above. Can you verify that the $25 is a consolation prize and you are not expecting a template for $25?

Thanks :)

ScottZ

11-09-2003, 11:44 AM

The 2nd and 3rd prizes are simply prizes for the effort... So they don't leave empty handed. The winner will be the only one who supplies a template.

Palmer

11-09-2003, 12:09 PM

Ok, thanks. That is what I figured. :)

Luc

11-09-2003, 05:50 PM

Hi! Expect an entry from me :)

elements

11-10-2003, 05:11 AM

Here's a take at it.
If you (or your client) is feeling it, I can continue developing it.

<img src='http://www.dilicious.ca/outpost/mimis_layout_v1.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

Looking forward to your comments.
Thanks :)

ScottZ

11-10-2003, 09:10 AM

Hey everyone, great posts. My plan I to wait a few days until there are a few more to eview, and then go over all of them with Shawn (the store owner) and provide feedback for all.

I like that the first two are very different from each other, and want to encourage that, so we have some real variety to choose from.

Scott

ScottZ

11-12-2003, 05:02 PM

I'm hoping to get about 2 more designs to look at before the end of the week. So if there is anyone else that is interested in giving it a shot, that would be great.

If you have a completely different idea for laying it out, that would be great too. I want to keep the layout and design as open as possible at this stage, let me know if you need more info from me.

Scott

Luc

11-15-2003, 10:53 PM

I still couldn't come up with a design for this. Can you please post links to related sites pls?

Thanks!

motiveX

11-17-2003, 12:17 AM

I will take some time on this tomorrow and see if I can come up with something.

No promises on an entry though.

Since this is a store, are images of the artists this client sells available to use within a design?

Also, can you load a layered .PSD or .EPS file of the logo that we can use?

Thanks
Sean

:ph34r:

motiveX

11-17-2003, 02:47 PM

Here is my entry.

A totally different direction than you requested...but sometimes diversity is good.

:tup:

*link removed until contest closes*

:unsure:

Victoria

11-17-2003, 04:11 PM

Love your work Sean! :tup:

motiveX

11-17-2003, 04:14 PM

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Victoria @ Nov 17 2003, 08:11 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Love your work Sean! :tup: [/b][/quote]
:wub: :blush:

Many thanks Victoria.

:flowers:

ScottZ

11-17-2003, 09:56 PM

Thanks everyone for your entries so far. Luc has asked for some other sites for inspiration, and that is tough for me as I don't really know what this should look like.

I went looking for other small independant type music sites, and frankly, most aren't all that great, so I hesitate to list them as examples, since your work already far surpasses theirs.

If you want to get a feel for the types of music sites that I am referring to:

http://www.primalrecords.com/
http://www.notlame.com/store/home.asp
http://www.plan9music.com/

Of these three, I have some feedback, but I haven't shown any of them to the store owner yet, as I was planning on waiting for the fourth from Luc.
Having said that, I like Mark's, but think it might be a little too cute (driven by the logo no doubt) I would like it to feel a little bigger, and maybe use less of the background color, and a more traditional font for the section headings etc.

The design by elements is nice and clean, and I could see this working. Especially if we swapped out some of the photo's to add a bit more of the personality of the store in place of the band images. A lot of the music he sells is guitar so I could see doing something with a mix of acoustic instruments and bands. Although I guess you have to be careful not to make it look like a instrument store.

Sean's design is very different than what I was originally thinking of, but I think it is great, and cold work as well.

The changes that would need to be made are;
1) the central image needs to be easily changed and updated, by someone who isn't a photoshop wiz, so the logo integration with the background image probably won't work.
2) It isn't super clear it is a music store. I am wondering if we lose the illustration of the girl playing guitar, and just go with a large stylized text Screaming Mimi's Music at the top if it would fix that?

That logo feedback goes for any of you. If you'd like to try something without the illustration or splitting the name and the illustration go for it. There aren't ant rel parameters for use of that image, so anythingn goes.

Let me know if this is good feedback or if you have additional questions, and thanks everyone for the work so far.

motiveX

11-17-2003, 10:47 PM

I just went through about 400 fonts and didn't see anything remotely resembling the font used in the logo.

Any help?

:help:

motiveX

11-18-2003, 09:52 AM

Here was the change.

As for the middle graphic. It would be a matter of someone having the ability to use Macromedia Fireworks MX and/or Photoshop.

It would be a simple paste into within the vector shape in the headers. My initial thought was to have like 5 images made or something and just have them rotate through those over a 5 month time-frame.

*link removed until contest ends*

Luc

11-20-2003, 06:48 PM

Err I'm sorry Scott. I jut really couldn't feel a design for this :(

elements

11-24-2003, 04:47 AM

Hi Scott,

I'm not sure if it's too late to submit a revision for this, if not then I've put together another one for you. Same style, just different colours and a little cleaner.

<img src='http://www.dilicious.ca/outpost/mimis_layout_v2.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

Thanks :)

marengo

11-24-2003, 07:01 AM

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (xteriormotive @ Nov 18 2003, 06:52 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Here was the change.

As for the middle graphic. It would be a matter of someone having the ability to use Macromedia Fireworks MX and/or Photoshop.

It would be a simple paste into within the vector shape in the headers. My initial thought was to have like 5 images made or something and just have them rotate through those over a 5 month time-frame.

http://www.placidminds.com/mimi/test2.html [/b][/quote]
it's wonderful Sean! :tup:

JeremeDavid

11-28-2003, 07:16 AM

I will do a submission for this one if the contest is still going. The deadline appears to be over.

Trifolic

11-29-2003, 05:42 PM

Yea, If this contest is still running let me know as well, I can have a design for in tonight.

Thanks

ScottZ

11-29-2003, 06:41 PM

Thanks for the interest - it is still open. I had planned on wrapping it up a few weeks ago, but got so busy with other work, I had to take a break from it.

I tracked down some other ads they have run, and also their font, so I will try to post those tonight.

I look forward to seeing your entries,
Scott

ScottZ

11-29-2003, 07:40 PM

Here is a copy of the ad they ran before they opened the store. I like what I am seeing here on designoutpost better than what they have done before... but if it helps to see what they have done, here is an example.

ScottZ

11-29-2003, 07:44 PM

Several people have asked about the font - here is what I have figured out, which isn't much...

I think it is called London Blast, and I have attached a contact sheet of the characters.

I have many of the solor letteers in smaller files, so if you want more, let me know and I can e-mail them to you in a zip or stufit file (let me know which you prefer)

Trifolic

11-29-2003, 10:03 PM

Hi Scott, Here's my submission, Let me know what you think, if you want anything changed or not. The color scheme can be changed in a matter of seconds. as well as the layout of things. I eliminated the image of the girl to prevent the "cute" look, but still designed it to be a "fun" layout. Is this something you had in mind?

Thanks.

Trifolic

11-30-2003, 08:08 PM

Hi scott, Here are some changes in colors to the template, I also shrunk the header, so it doesn't dominate as much. The colors are a bit more contrasting. Let me know what you think.

Thanks

JeremeDavid

12-02-2003, 03:57 PM

Here is my entry. I went for a simpler look. I did most of the work as HTML so I could position things better. It will adjust to different resolutions.

ant1832

12-02-2003, 07:25 PM

Here's my take on it. Clean and simple. :tup:

Let me know if you would like to see any revisions.

<img src='https://www.quickbase.com/up/9bugw8f4/g/rbd/en/va/mimis.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

Trifolic

12-08-2003, 08:42 PM

Is this still running?

Palmer

12-08-2003, 08:56 PM

I just contacted the contest holder and asked him to pick a winner or comment on the entries. I would wait until he stops by and posts a message.

ScottZ

12-09-2003, 09:26 AM

Sorry for the hold up everyone! I wanted to runt he different designs by the store owner who was on vacation. He is back now and has seen the designs, and will be sending me input later today or tomorrow.

Thanks for your patience on this!

Scott

ScottZ

12-15-2003, 04:07 PM

Hey everyone - thanks for your patience on this one. I finally was able to spend some time getting feedback etc. and here is where we are at:

Currently in first place is the Mark Beaudry version.

Here is what he liked on the Beaudry version:
1) the size and location of the logo
2) the background color
3) overall page layout
4) the guitar pick buttons on the left navbar

Specific Edits He would like to see to this page are:
1) label the guitar pick buttons on the left:
Staff Picks
New Releases
Featured Artist
Screaming Deals
About the Store

2) Change the Top Navigation Buttons (that currently say: CD's Vinyl etc) to:
CDs
LPs
DVDs
Books
T-Shirts

3) Change the format for the navigation buttons themselves.
(Perhaps even move the tabs down and leave room above for a different link/graphic/text.)

4) Add to the nav buttons or the left side links a Search engine. Ideally you would have a pull down menu, with "Search by:" and the following options: artist, title, and label - similar to the search function on amazon.com where you type what you want to search and then select the category to search in

5) At bottom of page include tabs/buttons/links that read: Blues, Bluegrass/Folk/Country, Jazz, Rock/Pop, World - now this is one where you might have a different opinion on where to put them. They are the satyles of music. Should they go at the top above or below the navigation buttons? Or along the bottom? If you feel strongly one way or another let me know or just try it.

In second place was Trifolic-B (the second submission). Most of the edits above apply to your submission, with the addition of:
1) He would like to see the girl and guitar logo displayed prominently at the top along with the name, per Mark's entry.

In third place was the 2nd Elements entry, although they aren't as "local" looking as he put it. It was interesting to see his input compared to my own, as I was leaning towards Elements and ExteriorMotive, but he really doesn't want the site to look like a big corporate website and he thought these were too corporate looking.

So does that help things along?

Palmer

12-17-2003, 07:02 AM

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (ScottZ @ Dec 15 2003, 08:07 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> In second place was Trifolic-B (the second submission). Most of the edits above apply to your submission, with the addition of:
1) He would like to see the girl and guitar logo displayed prominently at the top along with the name, per Mark's entry. [/b][/quote]
The other designers are not permitted to copy elements of another designer's entries or they will be removed from the Design Team. It is against the rules.

ScottZ

12-17-2003, 09:52 AM

I don't think I meant they should copy the other designer.

I meant that if they wanted to alter their designs for a second round of competition they should include the following:

1) Girl and guitar logo prominently displayed at the upper left including the name logo next to the girl. The store owner uses the two together like that on banners and t-shirts, so would like them to be prominent and close together.

2) Left side navigation in whatever shape or form they are in should have those specific link "Staff Picks, new releases" etc

3) Top bar navigation should contain these links "CD's, LP's etc."

4) Figure out where to add a search function

5) Add an additional layer of navigation somewhere for "Blues, Bluegrass/Folk/Country ... etc."

I hope that clarifies what I meant on the edits.

Palmer

12-17-2003, 09:53 AM

Ok, thanks for clarifying.

Trifolic

12-21-2003, 12:07 PM

ScottZ, Here are the changes you requested, Please let me know if there is anything else your client would like to see or needs.

Thanks

Jason

ScottZ

12-23-2003, 12:33 PM

Trifolic - thanks for the update.

I think the only thing left that I would change would be the way the two CD's on the main page are presented. It didn't really occur to me until this version, that they would be better if broken out on your version a bit differently.

Can you add a headline with the "Pickin and Grinnin" album cover "Shawn's Pick" and then cut the copy below to about half of what you have showing. Then on Calexico album add a headline "New this week" and again, cut the copy in half or so.

Other than that I wouldn't change a thing.
Scott

Mark

12-23-2003, 12:49 PM

Hi Scott

Sorry for taking so long.. I'm just about done the changes and will be uploading it very soon.

Mark

ScottZ

12-23-2003, 12:57 PM

Hey, no problem at all. I figured I took too long to get the changes posted, and lost you.

Thanks for the quick response, and I'll look forward to seeing your edits.

Don't knock yourself out to get it done today, everyone here has split for the holiday, so I am going to follow suit. As long as I know you are working on it, I'm happy.

Scott

Mark

12-23-2003, 01:32 PM

Here you go Scott! :)

No sweat. (Like I mentioned earlier, I was just about finished anyway, just had a little tweaking to do.)

Anyway, have a great holiday and a fab New Year! :D
I look forward to comments when you return.

Cheers,
Mark

Trifolic

12-23-2003, 01:50 PM

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (ScottZ @ Dec 23 2003, 02:33 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Trifolic - thanks for the update.

I think the only thing left that I would change would be the way the two CD's on the main page are presented. It didn't really occur to me until this version, that they would be better if broken out on your version a bit differently.

Can you add a headline with the "Pickin and Grinnin" album cover "Shawn's Pick" and then cut the copy below to about half of what you have showing. Then on Calexico album add a headline "New this week" and again, cut the copy in half or so.

Other than that I wouldn't change a thing.
Scott [/b][/quote]
Does this mean you want them displayed Horizontally rather than vertically? I am a little confused as what you are asking for.

Thanks

Jason

ScottZ

12-23-2003, 10:37 PM

Not necessarily horizontal, just wanted to see a headline above each and less of the copy. If they need to be horizontal to do that, that is OK too.

If this doesn't make sense, let me know and I wil e-mail you a little sketch.

Scott

Trifolic

01-11-2004, 12:16 PM

ScottZ Here are the changes.

ScottZ

01-17-2004, 03:53 PM

Thanks for the revised post.

I am going to try to get this wrapped up in the next couple of days - trying to do this around the holidays wasn't my smartest move! But I think Shawn is back in town and we can pick one, or make any final edits. He hasn't seen the last couple of posts yet, so I'll try to get this done soon.

Scott

ScottZ

01-20-2004, 08:29 PM

Mark Beaudry - you've won! This is probably the longest contest in the history of the site - but I finally got the go-ahead to call it finished!

I have a couple of questions for you before we wrap it up and hand off art, but we can handle all of that in e-mail I assume.

In second place was Trifolic, and 3rd place was Elements.

Big thank you to everyone who participated, I realy appreciate the effort! And I have to say, everyone I shoowed this to, was blown away with the style and professionalism of the site and the entries. Kudos to all.

Mark, if you can get a hold of me through the site or via e-mail at scottz@drg.com that would be great.

Thanks again!