Template for Media Sales Upstart [Archive]

Dan Morgan

11-14-2003, 08:48 AM

(Admin code added by Palmer - 10829328

Hey All,

I said I would be back after the success of our last contest (http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/?showtopic=1688) to post another, so here I am. We need a simple and elegant template for the main site of our relatively new company, http://www.adrevenue.co.uk/

We are after something that is pleasing on the eye without being too in-your-face and is one of those designs which is fairly submissive, I.e. non designers would look at and not notice either how bad the site looks, nor how great it does (I.e. nothing OTT like 2advanced). Simple, straight to the point and easy to use.

Some sites we like:

http://www.adtech.de/
http://www.muse.net/
http://www.adrevolver.com/
http://www.befree.com/

We have a logo already, available from the site in Gif format, and attached in EPS so you can bring it into PS or FW at any size nice and crisp, site should use similar colours.

Open to any suggestion really, ask questions and I will try and help steer you on the right track as you go along.

We need a homepage and one sub-page. Main Navigation should include:

Advertisers
Publishers
Technology
Company
Contact

And the sub-pages should allow for various subcategories navigation wise.
Navigation text can be image or system text based, your call so long as it looks good. Big fan of text statements made in graphics apps, like the one on our homepage as it is (70%…).

Deadline will be 6pm, 2 weeks from today, extendable if needs be.

Any questions please ask!

Thanks

Dan

madbees

11-14-2003, 09:11 PM

Something along the lines of this..?

size is at 100%

<img src='http://www.madbees.com/clients/adrevenue.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

tragu

11-14-2003, 11:24 PM

Take a look at my entry below. The photo in the template below is less quality than the original one.

Feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

T Ragu

elements

11-15-2003, 06:51 AM

Hi Dan :)
It's nice to see you back again.

Here's a little something I put together. Clean, simple, yet professional.
Let me know what you think.

<img src='http://www.dilicious.ca/outpost/arv_layout_v1.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

Thanks!

Adil

Tim

11-15-2003, 02:19 PM

Dan,

Expect an entry from me later today or in the morning.

Tim

11-15-2003, 03:56 PM

Dan,

I drew up something a little different. Its a clean and simplistic layout that has a technical but very professional feel to it. Tell me what you think.

Tim

Dan Morgan

11-16-2003, 12:52 PM

Hi All,

Just a quick post to check in. I do not want to comment on any of the designs yet until I get in to work tomorrow and can post a summary of what my colleagues think as well as myself as this will be a group critique based contest. From tomorrow I will be providing regular feedback, however we work to a Monday - Friday schedule :D

Needless to say I am impressed by the initial four designs, very much so.

Until tomorrow :tup:

Dan Morgan

11-17-2003, 01:48 AM

Morning Guys!

Right in order of submission :)

madbees

We like the simplicity of the design. It kind of has a vibe of the new Macromedia.com design, and the little arrow highlighting the 70% image is a nice touch.

We feel the header and layout/formatting of the text is a little too simple on their own though, very similar to what we have now.

tragu

Our favourite so far. We love the layout, the colours and the use of the photo (which normally I think looks tacky and overused nowadays - but this one is spot ion). I am not sure if you did it intentionally but the tone of the orange used in the logo is slightly darker and this makes the logo look exponentially better than the bright colour it curently uses. Was it intentional - it looks good anyway :).

I personally would like to see some variations on the font used for the normal text (maybe try Tahoma, Verdan/Geneva or Trebuchet MS), as well as the image text used for the 70% image (the name of that font escapes me but I am not a big fan). *Maybe* try a image text for the headers like "Who are we?" etc.

I feel that all is missing to complete this design is some minor image touches, such as some nice bullets/'>>'s'/ or customs, and some thing to complement the large areas of block colour, although nothing over the top of course.

Adil

Hi Adil! Not feeling this one for some reason. The images are not very sharp the fonts uses in the imges just do not seem to gel with the template. I would like to see something a bit more like your winning entry in my last contest, with maybe a bit of added inspiration from the muse and adrevolver sites in my first post.

Tim

Hi Tim. Similar comments to those I gave Adil. Love the footer though (althgouh only a footer should have text that small), and the angled edges of the boxes with the sites background colour is something we do very like, how ever the main content lets it down slightly.

--

Hope thats constructive enough, looking forward to volleys and new serves! :)

tragu

11-17-2003, 07:27 AM

Hi! Dan,

Thank you your compliments :)

I am not sure if you did it intentionally but the tone of the orange used in the logo is slightly darker and this makes the logo look exponentially better than the bright colour it curently uses. Was it intentional - it looks good anyway .

Orange color used in the original logo looked very bright as I implemented it into the bar below the photo. So, I've played around with colors to come up the one that is there now. I glad you liked that touch :tup:

I will make necessary changes and submit modified entries soon.

Thank you,

T Ragu

Dan Morgan

11-17-2003, 08:07 AM

Excellent. I have seen lots of your stuff over at SPF and always liked it. Glad I got the chance to see what you can do outside the TP!

Dan :)

elements

11-17-2003, 12:29 PM

Hi Dan,
Thanks for the feedback, I incorrectly interpreted what you were looking for.
Here's another shot at it, let me know if this works any better.

<img src='http://www.dilicious.ca/outpost/arv_layout_v2.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

The gray box would be the header, I left it empty to see first if you feel the layout, if you do I can continue working on it.

Thanks :)

1on1

11-17-2003, 12:43 PM

I must say that their are some very talented peeps on here.

Here is my effort and my very first template on DO:-

tragu

11-17-2003, 02:19 PM

Hi! Martin,

I'm glad to see you here in Design Outpost forums. You were one of my respected designers in WebHostingTalk.

Your design for Adrevenue.co.uk looks awsome.

Thank you,

T Ragu

madbees

11-17-2003, 08:07 PM

Here's another, do you like stock photography (or any), it can be done.

<img src='http://www.madbees.com/clients/adrevenue2.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

1on1

11-18-2003, 03:36 AM

Some changes from me :-

Dan Morgan

11-18-2003, 06:48 AM

Next round ;)

Adil

Much better. Nice choice of colours, structure and I am very happy with the custom bar graph graphic you have used. That is the sort of nice touch I am looking for, similar to the sites I listed above, so :tup: Not sure about the copy text being image based, if I put a php backend on it then it will be a problem, plus I think system text looks better for general copy anyway.

1on1

Very very nice! Colours are nice, content flows very well. Not sure about the 70% text in the middle of the header, looks like it has been plonked there for no reason. Cannot really see much of the detail due to the scale, but the logo looks weird, have you used the one supplied. The blue bar at the top does not seem to do much, I can understand it for contrast but it is a little too thick and empty especially staright after a relativel un-busy header as is typical with sites like these.

madbees Nicer, but still a little too simple and I think naviagtion tabs take away rather than give anythign from the design. texts looks like a massive block rather than with any structure or bolded headings so the user can differentiate.

--

Thanks

Dan

tragu

11-18-2003, 09:25 AM

Hi! Dan,

Take a look at the updated version of the template below.

Thank you,

T Ragu

Dan Morgan

11-18-2003, 09:54 AM

Hi Tragu,

Nice touches, however maybe a little similar to the graphics on one of our client and competitors sites, Adtegrity.com. On the right track though with the idea, maybe try 2 (blue and orange) similar to what Adil did in his last entry. Would like to see the a few touchs like image symbols instead of the plus '+' symbols on the left.

--

If this is the standard after only 3 or 4 days then I cannot imagine whan these are going to be like after 2 weeks!

1on1

11-18-2003, 01:29 PM

Hi Dan, thanks for the feedback. I have made a few alterations:-

tragu

11-18-2003, 01:43 PM

Nice touches, however maybe a little similar to the graphics on one of our client and competitors sites, Adtegrity.com. On the right track though with the idea, maybe try 2 (blue and orange) similar to what Adil did in his last entry. Would like to see the a few touchs like image symbols instead of the plus '+' symbols on the left.

Icons usually look similar since objects used in them (In my case, light bulb and eye) are used to reveal a universal idea. I don't think you site would lose its uniqueness just for having similar icons as the other sites. On the other hand, I didn't quiet get what you wanted me to change in the icon part. However, I made some changes according to your (blue and orange) idea.

I've also created simple bullets to replace "+" sign. Take a look at the modified version below.

Thank you,

T Ragu

motiveX

11-18-2003, 01:57 PM

I want to jump in here, but I have a hard time creating sites that are not focused on eye appeal but more on content.

I shall give it a shot and see what I come up with though in any event.

:unsure:

Dan Morgan

11-18-2003, 02:27 PM

1on1

Much better, much better all round! Not much more I can say on that. Nothing I would change immediately.

tragu

I see your point on the icons. Point well made. The dual colours look good, I feel like I am singling you out but I would like to see:

1. Variation on the font used for the content text. Tahoma or Trebuchet maybe.
2. The text used to say "70% changed to something a little more stylish (my opinion of course).
3. Not too keen on the bullets used, that shape seems to have been overused. Mabe a couple of >'s in orange would work.

xteriormotive

Looking forward to it :)

madbees

Wow, only just noticed the low opacity logo and curves in your design in the background. I studied it quite hard and but it obviously not showing up on my screen at work (15" TFT - no abnormal contrast or brightness settings ??), but it does here and I like. Very subtle and very effective :tup:

elements

11-18-2003, 03:37 PM

Hi Dan,
Glad to see you liked the second version better :)
I made a few revisions; changed the text to web-based as well as added a few more elements.

Let me know what you think, and if there is anything in particular you'd like to see changed.

Thanks.

<img src='http://www.dilicious.ca/outpost/arv_layout_v3.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

motiveX

11-18-2003, 05:29 PM

Just a quick idea...

:ermm:

tragu

11-18-2003, 08:01 PM

Hi! Dan,

Take a look at the template below that is modified to have the font, Trebuchet MS for the content.

Thank you,

T Ragu

tragu

11-18-2003, 08:04 PM

Hi! Dan,

Take a look the template below that is modified to have the font, "Tahoma" for the content.

*Note - I personally think that "Verdana" works best and looks well-balanced.

Thank you,

T Ragu

Dan Morgan

11-19-2003, 01:46 AM

elements

Very nice. Love the little touches. Iwould tweak a few font things and colours but apart from that, I like it very much!

xteriormtive

I though you said you couldn't do content based sites!!! Thats very good! :) Not sure about the text in the darkest of the blue rectangle, a bit too small and hard to read, but concept very good, would like to see a few variations.

Navigation (top) does not look quite right, maybe capitalise it and use a clearer font.

Normal copy text is too light to use links that dark, as it just makes the actual xopy text fade into the background. All of that I can change though, generally though very good.

tragu

I think you are right about the font. I think I would probably use a variation for the News items on the left but in general you are spot on.

--

Thanks all.

1on1

11-19-2003, 03:55 AM

Hi Dan, I have made some more quick changes to the template.

motiveX

11-19-2003, 09:15 AM

Here are some slight changes.

I changed the text and link colors. I also adjusted the header a bit and changed the font and sizing of the main set of navigation.

I also made the text clearer and changed the font size on the 70% area you had mentioned was hard to read.

Tim

11-19-2003, 03:39 PM

Hi Dan,

I am trying something completely different from my first entry. I tried to incorporate photos with eye catching colors and a different content area style.

Tell me what you think.

Thanks,
Tim

Palmer

11-19-2003, 06:37 PM

Ummmmm, that's an American 100 dollar bill. :D

Tim

11-19-2003, 06:52 PM

heh.. thanks for spotting that out palmer. I thought there was something that wasn't correct. I wasn't thinking correctly, I will have to fix that but first I would like to know if I'am on the right track with my design. As of now, I have to finish writing an essay for a college I am trying to get into.

Dan Morgan

11-20-2003, 07:10 AM

Hey all!

Just had a meeting with my colleagues and took the printouts of all so far.

Gist is:

tragu and Tims (2nd entry) and Adils are their favourites so far, however all the others are still liked, but they are missing *something*.

Hints:

madbees's low opacity logo in the background was highly liked.

Requests:

Tim

The background colour on your first design and footer were commended, along with the angled edges. Can we see your second design using blue instead of green in that photo on the left, and also one using the angled edges and background colour of you first.

tragu

There is something that would really make your design standout even more but I cannot put my finger on it. If you come up with anything, please show it!

Dan Morgan

11-20-2003, 07:11 AM

Oh and Fastclick.com has a new design. :tup:

Tim

11-20-2003, 06:32 PM

Revisions :
- Changed background color to the first entry colors
- Added angled edges
- Changed photo invloving money
- Made left photo blue

Dan Morgan

11-21-2003, 08:05 AM

:tup: for the mods and the photo!

Maybe the navigation could be enhanced somehow, a little less rich, different font, maybe a little pixelbased or something, and the formatting of the text could be better but I like it! :)

Dan Morgan

11-21-2003, 09:38 AM

Off for the weekend now, may be popping in on the weekend though.

We are going to be adding a list of our current clients along with logos to the new design on the home page. I have quickly hashed it up on our current site which you can see, although I will be using php to pick one at random in the new site, with a little box and "One of our clients:" rather than "Some of our clients". Just something to think about.

Also would like to see some of your ideas for the sub pages, if they are goign to be structurally different from the main page.

Thanks

Dan

Tim

11-23-2003, 07:04 AM

Dan, heres an update :

- Navigation is more pixel based

How would you like to see the formatting of the text?

elements

11-23-2003, 05:03 PM

Hi Dan,
here's my final revision, with the advertiser section added, and a few other changes.

<img src='http://www.dilicious.ca/outpost/arv_layout_v4.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

Thanks :)

Dan Morgan

11-24-2003, 06:05 AM

elements

Very nice indeed.

Swapping the placement of the side nav and the current advertisers is something I would do but other than that very nice.

Tim

Looks good Tim.

Not really sure about what I would change about the formatting of the text to be honest. Some bullets of similar might be nice or some custom graphics.

I assume all of you can make a suitable subpage based ont the designs you have easily?

Thanks

Dan

Dan Morgan

11-24-2003, 06:37 AM

Just posting to set a time for the deadline for this friday.

1400 GMT.

Thanks

Dan

1on1

11-24-2003, 06:57 AM

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Dan Morgan @ Nov 18 2003, 04:27 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> 1on1

Much better, much better all round! Not much more I can say on that. Nothing I would change immediately.

[/b][/quote]
Hi Dan - is this still the case ?

Dan Morgan

11-25-2003, 03:12 AM

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (1on1 @ Nov 24 2003, 08:57 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> </div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Dan Morgan @ Nov 18 2003, 04:27 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> 1on1

Much better, much better all round!  Not much more I can say on that.  Nothing I would change immediately.

[/b][/quote]
Hi Dan - is this still the case ? [/b][/quote]
Indeed. Adding anything else I feel would detract from the design. Any changes I would make I can make afterwards.

Thanks

Dan :)

Dan Morgan

11-26-2003, 03:28 AM

Any new designs or subpages to come?

Thanks

Dan

tragu

11-26-2003, 02:20 PM

Hi! Dan,

Take look at how a sub-page would look below. (I've created one for advertisers section). Since you want the sub-pages to allow for a sub navigation, I've created some fictious links.

Thank you,

T Ragu

Dan Morgan

11-27-2003, 01:09 AM

Good stuff Tragu.

I am looking forward to tomorrow, I am going to try and get everyone to vote around lunch time.

Can I ask, the forum description says that we get HTML/CSS and what have you, is that the case for all these designs?

Off to write another couple of briefs. We have made a business portal type website which needs to look nice!

Thanks

Dan

Dan Morgan

11-27-2003, 02:38 AM

In fact tragu, is there anyway to incorporate any orange into the design for the subpage?

Dan Morgan

11-28-2003, 01:27 AM

4 and a half hours to go boys and girls! :)

Dan Morgan

11-28-2003, 06:12 AM

Right then, times up!

Very impressed by the standard of entries here, and as with my first contest this was difficult to call.

Everyone who looked at them here had a different personal favourite, and EVERY design posted was someones personal favourite (MadBees - unfortunately your server has been down for the last couple if days so we could not see your entries and I did not keep the first lot of printouts I did, nor do I keep my cache very long :().

In the end the design which had 2 votes instead of one was Tragu's! So many congratulations to you, and thanks to each and everyone of you for your entries! Tragu, I will be sending you a PM, and everyone else... I should be back very soon with a bigger pot and a new project!

:tup: