Asbestos Cancer Claims Center - $275

[samm27]

(Admin code added by Palmer - 265960A)

Hi,

The challenge of this contest is to create a highly professional and appealing site while making it appropriate for the serious nature of the subject.

Abstract: This contest is for 2 HTML template pages – A main page and a 2nd level page. Deliverables include the 2 HTML templates and all required graphics. The prize is $275.

Scope of Deliverables: - Two HTML templates, as per Design Guidelines, below.
- Associated CSS style sheets for headers/signpost text, for textual navigation elements, for body text, footer, etc.
- Buttons and/or Tabs as required by design (also see general design guidelines).

Contest Rules: Designers should submit designs for the first page by March 18th. From the entries received we will try to choose a winner by March 24th.

Website Name: Mesothelioma Financial Aid - National Claims Center

URL: probably www.mesothelioma-financial-aid.net

Description of Website: Mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. This website is to serve as a national claims center where those who suffer from Asbestos-related cancer can get some basic information about financial aid that they can claim. The goal of the website is to have people who have Mesothelioma (asbestos cancer) fill out a form so that an expert can contact them and talk to them about their specific situation and what types of financial claims they may have.

Type of impression the site makes: The site should look like an official claims center. It must be professional but not boring. It should reflect that we care about people while conveying the serious nature of the subject at hand.

Audience: Those seeking information on Asbestos-Related Cancer – specifically sufferers and their family and friends.

Colors: I will leave this up to the designers. I think we don’t want something with too much brown – might be too heavy, but it probably should not be extremely colorful either.

Design Guidelines:

- Please optimize for 800X600 screens
- You can use JavaScript, but not Java or Flash.
- Should not include browser-specific code

We want the first page to contain 2-3 paragraphs of text and at the bottom of the page a form that can be submitted with First Name, Last Name, Email, Phone Number and Comment.

We want a menu on the left side of the page with at least 5 items: Financial Aid, Why Act Now, Mesothelioma Treatment Options, Cancer Links, TBD

Possible: There can be a box somewhere with latest news or related information – so we can highlight some timely information. This box might also have some graphic associated with it.

Possible: A slogan under the title of the main page...

We want any other elements that will make the page look official and serious (contact us, privacy policy, copyright, today’s date, etc.)

Reference Sites:
http://www.mesoclaim.com/ this site looks like it has a similar aim. I don’t like their design much.

regards,
sam.

[samm27]

Hi,

I am hoping to get things going soon with this, if anyone is interested in entering please post that you will be doing so!

Thanks,
sam.

[Zoe]

Hi Sam,

It may be helpful to the designers if you could posssibly list a few sites where you do like the design. That way we will get an idea of what styles you like and what direction to start with. :)

[samm27]

Thanks, that's a good idea!

Some sites whose design I like:

http://beneventobiscotti.com/
http://mgfx.com/amikula/

I like sites with soft colors, appealing artistically/graphically, people-oriented, not too much clutter, some extra space, obvious navigation...

Hope that helps!

sam.

[Luc]

I just finished some other contest and I plan to work on this next.

[jonmulk]

I hope to enter this one too

[Zoe]

Here is an idea for you to look over.

I have gone for clean, fast laoding site. The only image would be the photo. My idea would be to have a few different photos that would change on reload.

I have provided two colour ideas below. Please let me know if you would like to continue with this idea and I will create the inside page.

1.
<img src='http://www.demexdesign.com/DO/mfa_splash.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

2.
<img src='http://www.demexdesign.com/DO/mfa_splash2.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[Luc]

I'm trying to find a photo for this. Will this (http://istockphoto.com/file_closeup.php?id=103680) work?

[samm27]

Demex,

I like your entry! Very clean. I think the blue one works better. Is there something you can do to make it look like it's more official. People may respond better if they feel like its official.

Luc,

I like that picture. I do think we need to have a picture of a person's face as well.
The hands are very human, but I think eyes would also work well.

Looking forward to more entries!

regards,
sam.

[Zoe]

Do you have any cancer association logos or other companies that you are associated with? These types of additions always make a site look official.

Otherwise... I will think further. :)

[samm27]

Hi Demex,

Unfortunately we are not associated any of those organizations which means that looking official is a little trickier...

Maybe a US symbol (US flag?) since this service is for US citizens only.

regards,
sam.

[dziner]

Hi, I plan to enter in the next day or so.

Shelly

[Anne]

Here is an entry from me.

[Anne]

and with a lighter background

[dziner]

Here is my entry too.


Shelly


<img src='http://www.yencreative.com/asbestos.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[samm27]

Hi,

The entries so far look really good.

Anne - I like the layout, but the picture is not quite right.
Shelley - We need a form on the page too.

A comment back from our Asbestos Cancer expert:

People who get mesothelioma are generally 55 year old, male, working class middle Americans. Can we try pictures of middleclass Americans involved in
an industrial setting or husband/wife 55 plus years. Slighly less glamour shot and
more pictures of real people.

Thanks,
sam.

[Zoe]

Hi Sam,

Updated the image. I tried the US flag idea but it started to clutter the page. I will think further. :)

<img src='http://www.demexdesign.com/DO/mfa_splash2.2.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[Anne]

Here is an update from me as well

[Zoe]

I just wanted to share something that happened today.

I was at the gym and met a man who had been working with asbestos over 30 years ago. As it turns out 2 years ago his wife was diagnosed with Mesothelioma and was given 11 months to live. They believe she would have breathed in the particals from washing her husbands clothes.

She was at the gym also exercising and on a healthy diet, fighting the cancer and doing quite well. I couldn't believe I had met someone with this type of cancer just after this competition was posted. He told me that only 2 people in the world have survived and they are determined to beat it as well.

Fingers crossed for them. :)

[dziner]

Shelley - We need a form on the page too.

I knew that :rolleyes:

Here is the page with a form and a change in age for the pic.
Shelly

<img src='http://www.yencreative.com/asbestos2.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[DesignGeneral]

I'll be back later with my entry :)

[samm27]

Hi,

We will be reviewing the current entries and giving feedback later this evening.

Anyone who still wants to enter this contest should do so by Wednesday (tomorrow) at the latest so that we have time to review your entry before we zero in on the design we like best.

regards,
sam

[samm27]

Hi,

This is the feedback I have gathered.

Demex: your image works for us.

Anne: Your image is ok, but could use improvement

Dziner: The picture is not really right yet

Any or all of you who can add elements that will make the site look more official will be appreciated too.

regards,
Sam

[Anne]

Can you give me an example of an official site.

[samm27]

Hi Anne,

I think what makes a site look official is some sort of logo or symbol. The challenge here is that I dont have a specific one to give you. If you can find a seal or symbol in your image collections maybe a medical symbol, a justice symbol, or a US symbol - I think that would give the official feeling I was looking for.

I could be wrong - it may just look cheesy - I respect the opinions of the designers and I am happy to hear your opinions.

Here are some sites that I think look official:
http://www.who.int/en/
http://www.redcross.org/
http://www.mobar.org/directory/

regards,
sam.

[Zoe]

Hi Sam,

Here is an update. :)

<img src='http://www.demexdesign.com/DO/mfa_splash3.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[Anne]

Here are some changes.

I decided to move the menu to the top to avoid to mutch empty space in the header. I am realy having difficulties finding any good photos but I hope this one is ok.

- Anne

[Luc]

I want to ask you first if these photos will work in topic before I make the design.\

Image 1 (http://istockphoto.com/file_closeup.php?id=170381)
Image 2 (http://istockphoto.com/file_closeup.php?id=142939)

Thanks.

[samm27]

Hi Luc,

Neither of them are quite right.
We really want a man since the disease is more prevalent in men.
I think the patient picture is too powerful.

sam.

[Luc]

If you don't mind can you search for a photo at istockphoto.com which I or we can use for this? I'm kind of busy at the moment.

[DesignGeneral]

here is my entry

[samm27]

Hi

Savant: Thanks for your entry it is clean but it does not have enough color for my taste.

In an effort to wind up this contest on schedule I would like to thank everyone for their participation thus far. Great Job all of you!

We have decided to go with either Demex or Anne.


Demex we liked your latest one with the US flag/map.
- Can we try using titles that are not all caps and see how that works.
- Also, anyway to show florida on the map - some of it has been eaten..
- We like the picture, but we also like the idea of having multiple pictures so that each tiem a different one shows up. Can you give us one more picture example.

Anne: Your scales are nice. SOmeth9ing about the titles is not quite right yet. Maybe too small or too low on the screen - see if you have a way to improve that, please. Also if you have an alternate picture taht you would use for the main graphic that would be good (the one you have is good, I jsy\ust want to have a sense for an additional picture, as described re: Demex).

Thanks,
sam.

[DesignGeneral]

I can color it if that's the only pb. I can have it in 1h.

Just let me know.

Thanks

[Zoe]

Hi Sam,

I went a little bit further and created the HTML, CSS to show you the images. :)

There are eight different images that I have found. If you keep clicking refresh you should eventually see them. :)

All the text that is on the site is "text" (Great for Search Engines). The site has very few images. The page loads in approx 4 seconds on 56k modem - half the maximum time people suggest.

Hope you like it. :)

Click Here to view Mesothelioma Website (http://www.demexdesign.com/DO/Mesothelioma/)

[samm27]

Hi Zoe,

Looks good! Can we try using titles that are not all caps and see how that works.

thanks,
sam.

[Zoe]

sorry - you wanted No CAPS at all...

All changed. :)

[samm27]

Hi,

I was waiting to see if Anne had an update for us.

Both Anne's and Demex's designs fit what we are looking for.

I will check in later and decide between Demex and Anne.

regards,
sam.

[Anne]

I am sorry I didn't see your last comment. I can make the requested changes this afternoon.

- Anne

[Anne]

Her are some changes. Don't know what you think about what I've done with the header, but I hope you like it. For the photos, I am having a big problem finding the right one for you.

[samm27]

Great Entries Everyone!

We have decided to go with Demex! :D

Thank you all for participating!

regards,
sam.

[Zoe]

Great!

Thanks Sam. Great site to work on. :)

Ok so I will need some information from you about how you would like the inside pages to look.

This thread will get moved to the revisions forum shortly, for us to work on any changes. :)

[Anne]

Congratulation Zow, I thought you would win ;) :tup:

[Zoe]

Thanks Anne - I actually thought you were going to win. :)

[samm27]

Hi Demex,

Regarding the template for the inside page...

1) It needs to have a menu to allow user to get to home or any of the other pages.
2) Should have a graphic element so the page is not boring - this can be one or two elements that I will repeat on each page.
3) The bulk of the page will be informative text - Please have the template include A BIG title a little title and normal paragraphs + larger or italicized text for pertinent quotes (the kind that appear between the parapraphs for example).
4) All other page elements should be consistent with the first page (or as you see appropriate).

thanks!
sam.

[Zoe]

Hi Sam,

I will have the design ready to show by tomorrow. :)

[samm27]

good, thanks!

[samm27]

Demex: I'm ready as soon as you are!

regards,
sam.

[Zoe]

working on it now. :)

[Zoe]

Hi Sam,

Please click Here (http://www.demexdesign.com/DO/Mesothelioma/mesothelioma_financial_aid.htm) to view the inside page.

I will create a new CSS file implementing the text formatting you requested though I just wanted to check that the inside layout is what you would like. The body copy can be 1 column, 2 columns or 3 columns. I can supply you with all three options if you like.

Thanks

Zoe

[samm27]

Looks Good!
Two column version is fine for our needs.

Thanks,
sam.

[Zoe]

I am sorry Sam,

I do not know why I have not been receiving emails for this thread. Sometimes I get them and often I don't.

I have the files ready to go.

Where should I send them? Or email me at sales at demexdesign dot com

[samm27]

Hi Demex,

I am not sure if you have already sent the template to me.
Either way please resend as I cannot locate them.

samm AT interlocal dot COM

thanks,
sam.

[Zoe]

Hi Sam,

I have sent the files again.

Can you please let me know if you do not receive them.

Zoe

[samm27]

Hi Demex,

Thanks for the excellent job!

This contest is complete and we are happy with the results!

regards,
Sam Michelson

[Zoe]

Hi Sam,

That's great! Is the site live?

[samm27]

Yes it is, see:

http://www.mesothelioma-financial-aid.org

Unfortunately we ended up using only a small portion of the images you provided. Gotta keep the boss happy, you know...

regards,
sam.