[Project Complete] Infosymmetry template contest - $450!

[jeremyconner]

(Admin code added by Palmer - 01941810R)

Ok folks...I need your help! I have started an S-Corp and need a website that looks great! While we have many technical skills, we don't have any web designers on board and need you to make us look good!

The prize for this contest is $450 dollars. I think that's a pretty good prize based on what I've seen (if it's not, let me know), and that's because I really need a great site and want to attract as many people as I can to this contest!

The deadline for this contest for now will be August 21st. I am doing this to give everyone a chance, especially since I know you guys are really busy working on other projects. BUT - if you think you'll participate could you let me know? That way I'm not waiting for entries that might never get here and have a pretty good idea of what to look for. I know sometimes with a longer deadline people wait, which is cool, as long as I know so I don't shut it down too early.

Ok, now to the details...here is some info to start, and please let me know if you need more. I will gladly provide what you need and will also try to give feedback at least 4 or 5 times a day.

Company name: Infosymmetry (see logo at bottom)

Address: www.infosymmetry.com

Scope of the project: New site!

Audience: Businesses of all sizes!

About our company:

Infosymmetry is a technology consulting firm that specializes in helping companies make the most of their data. We provide consulting help with networking, programming (both web and windows), data management and reporting (database management, reporting applications, digital dashboard stuff). We deal with almost every area of technology (web development, windows development in ASP, VB, VB.NET, ASP.NET, Javascript, XML - AND - networking with Windows platform and Linux platform, Citrix, Exchange, SQL Server, SMS, Biztalk Server, Sharepoint Portal Server, etc.) and have a wide range of knowledge and expertise.


The kind of site we want:

As our logo will demonstrate, I like a crisp, clean and professional look. I like less rather than more in many cases (a minimalist look, perhaps), although I am open to whatever you guys and gals think looks cool. I need something that works in multiple resolutions and the latest browsers, and would like the colors to play off of my logo (they don’t have to be the same, but I don’t want them to clash with the logo).


Some sites that I really like:

http://www.sparkplug.com/
http://www.unleashedmedia.com/
http://www.echomedium.com/
http://www.dumondcreations.com/
http://www.fusionone.com/


Site sections that I'll need:

Home - blurb about the company and a LATEST NEWS section or something like that

Services - will list what services we offer to our clients

Projects - a page to list past work that we’ve done, much like a portfolio section would be

Company info (what to call this section?) - a page to tell about our company, the way we work, our industry certifications and stuff

Contact - place they can do some contact stuff, web forms and email and such

Client login - something to let them login to a separate subsite that I will design myself, just a username and password


Colors:

Obviously, I would like the colors to go well with my logo, which has a few colors in it. They don't have to be the exact colors, though.


IMPORTANT NOTES:

THE MOST IMPORTANT thing about this site is that I need to be able to edit and manage the content with an HTML editor! I do not want to have to mess around with Photoshop just to change the text of the site.

I would like to have the Photoshop file so that I can add/edit graphical content in the future, of course, but I will need the html templates so that I can make updates without Photoshop. Basically, I need the site built in Photoshop (or something comparable, something that I could edit myself later or pay someone to edit later with a graphics app) and I also need some pages converted to HTML.

Let me know if you need any other info...I look forward to seeing some really great designs!

Here is my logo:

http://www.infosymmetry.com/images/logo.gif

I'll attach a .PSD file that I BELIEVE is my logo (sorry guys...I don't have Photoshop here and I can't remember if this is the right file or not...please check with the logo above to make sure both images are the same...I promise I'm not this dense in real life!)

Thanks!

Jeremy Conner

[V + E + R + T]

I'll attach a .PSD file that I BELIEVE is my logo (sorry guys...I don't have Photoshop here and I can't remember if this is the right file or not...please check with the logo above to make sure both images are the same...I promise I'm not this dense in real life!)

Yes, it is indeed the .PSD file of the logo. ;)

I just want to confirm that you are just looking for a single template, correct? Or do you want an additional subpage as well?

[jeremyconner]

VERT:

I was thinking a start page plus one other page for the various sections to use. The primary difference, however, would only be that the front page would have some sort of NEWS section (or something where I can give an idea of recent developments) and the other pages wouldn't have it.

The main thing is, I don't have a lot of verbage for the front page, so I figure I'll eat up some space with news items and such. But if you can make the site work with one page, that's fine with me...otherwise it will probably need two pages (home page w/news and then all other pages using second page template)

If this doesn't quite answer your question, please let me know!

THANKS FOR CONFIRMING THE LOGO!

Jeremy

[geofharries]

Jeremy,

Do you need 6 pages converted to HTML or just 2 (homepage + sub-page)?

Also, HTML/CSS or XHTML/CSS? I assume the latter since you are a technology company, so most of your visitors are using at least IE 5.5/6 or even standards-compliant browsers like Netscape 7, Mozilla, Firefox, etc.

geof

[jeremyconner]

I just need the 2 pages, not all 6. One main plus one subpage.

On the xhtml issue, I'm kind of torn on it. On the one hand, I want to have a cutting edge site and use the latest technology.

On the other hand, if my clients were already up to speed technologically, they wouldn't need me. I'd hate for a company to be looking at my site (in hopes of having me bring them up to speed in the technology world) and not be able to see it.

Exactly what would I be losing if I went with xhtml? Who might I leave out and how would it affect editing the site? (is it just a matter of having well-formed docs? I'm out of the loop on xhtml...) Guess I need some advice from you guys and gals on this one!

Jeremy

[Pawel]

Looks like a very good contest to be in.. so I'm in as well :)

[geofharries]

Jeremy,

You've asked some great questions. If your clients are using IE 5, 5.5 or 6 on Windows they will have no issues viewing the site. IE 5 Mac is good to go too. Same with people on Netscape 6 or 7, plus the browsers I mentioned before, including Safari and Opera. The only folks who would not be able to see the site would be people with Netscape 4+. They would get the raw, unstyled content.

In my experience, about 98-99% of people use the first list of browsers, while 1-2% still use the prehistoric Netscape 4+. They're very used to seeing sites not render properly in their browser of choice; I really have no idea why they don't upgrade when the newer version of Netscape has so many good import tools! Anyways...

You don't lose with xhtml, you gain :)

Read about the business value of web standards (http://www.adaptivepath.com/publications/essays/archives/000266.php), web standards ROI (http://www.7nights.com/asterisk/archives/web_standards_roi.php), the way forward with web standards (http://www.maccaws.org/kit/way-forward/) and why ESPN re-built its site with XHTML (http://devedge.netscape.com/viewsource/2003/espn-interview/01/).

Code is much more re-usable with XHTML, which as a programmer, I am sure you know the advantages to. Everything is very modular so it's easy to update. Content is in the pages or database, style is in the CSS stylesheet. You also benefit from way less code bloat. Pages load faster and don't eat up as much bandwidth if you get a lot of traffic. Search engines see search relevant text instead of meaningless table tags.

Here's the rub: Not all the designers at DesignOutpost know XHTML/CSS, as it is a newer technology (several years at least) only a handful of us have picked up and ran with. Others know a little bit and are willing to build a site though it takes more time because of the initial learning curve. Finally, there is the majority who just know HTML/CSS and know it well and won't build a site in XHTML.

So the short answer is you'll likely get more entries to your contest if you open it up to HTML/CSS. You lose all of the benefits of above, but you gain more entrants. The decision is of course yours!

geof

[Lori]

Jeremy,

Geof has already given you all the advantages of going with an XHTML/CSS design, and I stand right by him, and agree. If possible, I always recommend to clients to go with a standards compliant site. However, many of them, choose this option and then find they are unable to update it due to lack of knowledge in CSS positioning...

Is this something that applies to you? Do you have someone at your disposal to integrate your content in the afformentioned format? If so, then I would definately say go for the XHTML/CSS...

Though most of the designers here do not use this technology, they can give you the HTML templates, and then any person that knows this programming method can use the PSD to just code it in CSS from scratch. I have found there are no hinderances in CSS design - anything that can be done in HTML and tables, can be done in CSS... you just have to work harder to get the positioning down :yes:

With that, I code to standards, and will give you a design...

[jeremyconner]

Geof and Lori:

Lori snuck a post in while I was rambling on and on in this original reply to Geof, so let me add a bit here.

Thanks for the great info! My personal take is that browsers are free and if you're still using Netscape 4 you need to upgrade...I have no problems leaving those folks out.

What if I just left it up to you guys to code the site in whatever way you wanted? What do you think of that idea...bad or good? It sounds like I should make it XHTML, but I don't want to leave out a bunch of designers because the codebase won't do me much good if I don't get a good design, ya know? Please let me know what you think...I'm leaning towards allowing both.

While we're talking about stuff I don't really know much about...

This gives me a good opportunity to let you guys know that I'm looking for a good source of templates and designers like this for future projects that I have lined up. I can't afford to hire a full-time web designer, and yet I have a definite need for web design (I'm a programmer/DBA type, not a graphics/layout guy!). So if this goes well, I plan on sending more work your way. In fact, I have two sites right now that I'll probably need templates designed for within a month or two. Hopefully we can get to know each other and do some really cool work in the future.

Jeremy

[Lori]

Originally posted by jeremyconner
I'm looking for a good source of templates and designers like this for future projects that I have lined up.

... u just found the best of the best here at DO - we are happy to have you :rolleyes:

[jeremyconner]

Lori:

Please check my previous post as I changed it based on your earlier response.

Also, forgot to mention that I work with CSS all the time, but not for positioning...I primarily use them to give myself a single location for style elements. I've never worked with it in any other aspect, although I could do it no problem. I have also worked with XML/XSL as well. Basically, I feel pretty confident I could edit the site to my liking in whatever format it was built.

Really, my only concern is not getting as many submissions - I hate to limit this and miss out on something great. That's the only thing that troubles me about it...what do you think?

Jeremy

[Lori]

Originally posted by jeremyconner
what do you think?

Jeremy,

I think that you have cleared the path for everyone with saying that you are open to what the designers can do as far as the programming...

I am certian you are you going to get lots of great entries :)

[jeremyconner]

Cool...XHTML will just give some designers a leg up, in that if it comes down to a few great designs that are all pretty much equal, then I'll go with those in XHTML over those in HTML.

So definitely use it if you know it!

Jeremy

[Luc]

XHTML is chinese to me! I'll just have to fight with my design skills :flex: :box: this is Design Outpost not Programming Outpost, anyways. :rolleyes:

I reckon this is the logo made by Raja, can you post the 3d version?

[jeremyconner]

Ultimately, the best looking template will win, regardless of how it's written. I've seen some of your designs Luc...you'll do fine I'm sure.

I did post the .psd of the logo earlier...is the 3d thing a joke? If it's not I have no idea what you're talking about.

[Luc]

Sorry this is what I was talking about http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=59587 It isn't really 3d at all :confused: And I just noticed it's different. :D

[geofharries]

XHTML is chinese to me! I'll just have to fight with my design skills this is Design Outpost not Programming Outpost, anyways.

You learned HTML & CSS didn't you? That's programming. XHTML/CSS is just the next step in the evolution of building websites...

geof

[jeremyconner]

ALL DESIGNERS:

I didn't specify this earlier (sorry about that!), but I would like rollover effects or some sort of effect on the navigational section of the page. Exactly what they are and how they are accomplished is up to you. This may be something that everyone is automatically putting in their designs these days, but I just wanted to make sure you knew that was something I'm looking for.

Thanks!

Jeremy

[DesignGeneral]

Hi Jeremy,

Count me in :cool:

[jeremyconner]

Sweet...looks like several folks are interested in this competition. I'm excited to see what you ladies and gentleman are going to do!

Thanks for giving me a heads up!

Jeremy

[Pawel]

hey jeremy, do you have any text phrases that we coule use ?

[jeremyconner]

Deplex:

Good question!

I can think of two things...one is the slogan on our logo, which is "capture.manage."

The other is, "What is your information trying to tell you?" It's basically a cheesy way to say that, while many companies HAVE a ton of information, not many of them are able to use it. That's where we come in, with all types of technological solutions to the problem of figuring out what all the information you have really means to you.

I am up for suggestions if anyone else comes up with anything creative. For now this is all I have.

Thanks!

Jeremy

[Pawel]

Great, thank you for a fast reply :)

[jeremyconner]

Quick replies keep my contest at the top! :D

[BrianDove]

I'm obviously in...:eek:

[BrianDove]

and here's my first shot :blush:

Feedback will be welcomed :D
Brian#1 Info Symmetric template (http://www.brianstudio.com/Clients/infosymmetric/template.htm)

[jeremyconner]

KoolBrian:

WRONG LOGO!

I'll post some comments here in just a minute, but the primary thing is that you have the wrong logo. I posted a link in the original post that contains the psd file.

There was one post in here that linked out to a version that I ended up not choosing. Obviously this could cause some problems in the contest! I definitely don't want folks making a bunch of designs using the wrong logo!

Here it is again:

http://www.infosymmetry.com/images/logo.gif

Jeremy

[BrianDove]

:oops:
sorry
Brian:weep:

[jeremyconner]

Koolbrian:

First, thank you for stepping up to the plate and going first! Good job breaking the ice!

What I liked about your template:

You made good use of whitespace and the site has a clean look to it. You also gave me a news section and rollovers. I liked the graphics/pictures that you used in the two picture sections (one with the client login, and another with the business slogan below it).

What I didn't like about it:

Obviously, it has the wrong logo, and I think this might have affected your color choices a bit. I don't really like the buttons you picked for the navigational system. I didn't care for the reflections of the logo in various places (although this might be a good idea, but perhaps done in a different way). I liked the idea to put a pattern to the left and bottom of the page, but I don't like that it's just on the left and bottom...it feels unbalanced (or something) to me. It's a good idea though, as a site that has a lot of whitespace needs some sort of boundary. Also, maybe a different font on the buttons.

This is a good start but it's still not quite what I'm looking for.

Jeremy

[Pawel]

Hello Jerremy, here's my try at it.

[jeremyconner]

Deplex:

I'll comment in detail on this in about an hour (as soon as I put my daughter down for bed), but right up front I'll tell you that this looks good!

I'll have some good feedback for you within the next hour and a half I promise! Just wanted to give you a heads up as to when to expect some details (I want to give quick feedback here whenever possible)

Jeremy

[Pawel]

Hey Jeremy,
No problem, take care of the important things first

[jeremyconner]

Deplex:

Ok, here is some feedback on your design!

What I liked:


It has a great, clean look to it and makes good use of the colors in my logo. The fonts are great (simple and professional looking, nothing too "bubbly" looking, no Cooper Black or anything like that). The layout is great.

I love the use of the dots from my logo (the abstract I and S) as bullets in the page. Very cool!

Nice, clean and effective navigational toolbar at the top, plus additional HOME and CONTACT buttons at the top where they are always easily accessible.

The WHAT DO WE OFFER section is great and the graphics are really good and very appropriate.

Good placement of the LATEST NEWS area!

Like the WHY INFOSYMMETRY section...good idea for the front page!


What I'm not sold on yet:


The logo at the very top seems small and feels like it was squeezed in...I think this is going to be a problem for many folks since the logo is not very symmetrical and stands kind of tall with the dots at the top. It's not so much the location of the logo, but just the way it feels up there with the rest of the stuff...and if it wouldn't mess up the look, I might like to see it a bit larger too.

I'd like to see the SERVICES AT GLANCE section on the left replaced with a client login section of some sort, and not have the CLIENT LOGIN as a menu option. We could leave the client login area on each page. We can lose the SERVICES AT GLANCE section all together.

The border section with the enlarged dots and the blue background has me torn at the moment...I like it a lot (great idea with the dots!), but I'm not sure yet if I want it in there or not. I'm trying to decide if it's needed to break the page up a bit, or if taking it out would give it a more simple and classy look. What are your thoughts on this?

The top part (with the logo and the slogan and the blue curve) just doesn't feel right to me. I think a lot of it has to do with the logo issue I mentioned, because I do like the slogan and the binary numbers in orange, but overall that small part of the page is my least favorite. Not sure what to tell you to do with it though...again, the logo feels trapped in that space up there.


For the most part, I really like this layout and design and you introduced some great ideas. This definitely has potential...if you have other ideas, of course I'd love to see them, but if you want we can put these revisions in place and see where we are.

If this is an indication of the type of submissions I'm going to receive, this contest will be well worth the money and quite a tough decision.

Nice work! I likes!

Jeremy

[Pawel]

Hey Jeremy,
Thank you for your detailed feedback. I'll work on the changes and submit an updated entry tomorrow.

[jeremyconner]

TO ALL DESIGNERS:

Here are a few more sites that I like:

http://www.carbonhouse.com/
http://www.liquidmedium.com/
http://www.marc-klein.com/site/index.html

One thing to keep in mind is that I don't have a whole lot of content (and really don't want to make a lot either...because I don't have time to keep it updated!). I have a couple of sections, but the text in them won't be too plentiful (at least not at first), so you could also try some smaller page designs to possibly accomodate for this. Some of the sites I've listed here and earlier seem to accomodate for less content. This is just a thought though...don't let it keep you from trying whatever you think looks cool...I trust you guys as the experts!

Jeremy

[Pawel]

Hello Jeremy,
Is this one any better ?

[jeremyconner]

Deplex:

I do like it better without the blue gradient bar with the dots in it...that looks better to me!

As far as the logo...it's better, but I still don't feel good about it being up there in that box. It's not that it's bad or anything, but I just don't like it being in there. I have no idea what to tell you in terms of what to do with it...maybe you could try something white up there (like white where the blue is, but I'm not sure that this would look good) or something. Sorry! I just don't know what to tell you to do with it...all I know is that I'm not crazy about it.

The rest of the design is good, though. I'm hoping you can go nuts creatively and figure something out with the top. I do like the small blue

Are you going to also move the client login to the "services at glance" section? That was one other change I'd like to see. The left side looks better without the extra section that you removed...that change also looks better to me!

Thanks for making these revisions! It's getting closer...the main challenge will be the logo.

One thought I just had...maybe we could try is having a smaller boxed in "splash page" with some basic text on it and a link or two, and then on the "sub pages" we could go with just the text of the logo and not the dots...maybe this would make it easier to design around. To do this I'd want the logo to be very prominent on the splash page, so that on subsequent pages people would realize that the dots they see (used as bullet points) came from the logo...even though the logo on subsequent pages would only have the text of my logo and not the dots. Does this make sense? Just a thought...you do whatever you think looks cool.

Again, thanks for the revisions! I really appreciate it!

Jeremy

[Pawel]

Hey Jeremy,
Thank you for yet another good feedback :)
Update another comin up tomorrow.

[Pawel]

Also how about something like a globe for the header and the binary strings placed around it ?

[jeremyconner]

Deplex:

I'd rather not use a globe since it's used by so many others...but I'm not opposed to the idea of having something different at the top. Something that represents technology, and more specifically, data. Data is the key component of this company...because what we do is make sense out of people's data and make it useful to them. We help them capture and manage it.

The important thing, though, is that if I'm not going to use the full logo on the page (full meaning text and dots) then I'll have to have a splash page that features the full logo. I'd want to see this page, of course, before I could sign off on a sub page design that didn't feature the full logo. If you know the font that's used in my logo (I can't remember what it is) you can even do a different color of text and not use the logo as it is. Basically, you can use the same text and words but make it a different color so that you could use a background color other than white for where the logo will be. I'm not opposed to that at all if it looked good, but again the splash page with the normal logo is a must for this idea. I won't consider it without this. Also, the text part of the logo would need to look exactly like my original does.

Thanks!

Jeremy

[Anne]

Here is an entry from me.

I made it real simple as I got the impression that's the style you like, so i hope you like this one too :)

Anne

[jeremyconner]

Anne:

Thanks for the design! I'll be posting comments on this design in no less than 30 minutes! I need a minute to take it in!

Jeremy

[jeremyconner]

Anne:

Ok, now for some comments on your design:

What I liked:

My logo has never looked so good! I love the slight gradient you put behind it, as it makes it a bit more lively (or something...heck I don't know, but it looks good!)

I definitely like the minimalist look and feel that it has...it feels very clean, very uncluttered, and would work well with the amount of content that I have for each page (which isn't much!).

I love the colors on the menu bar and I like the font you used there.

I like the way that the logo and user login areas have a "beveled" feel to them (is that the right term?)


What I'm not sold on yet:

With the two sections above the toolbar, and the fact that they don't extend the length of the other sections, and the fact that they don't line up with the bottom two sections, it feels off balance to me.

I like the colors in the navigational toolbar, but it feels flat compared to everything else. It also is squared off while everything else has a rounded edge to it. The other areas of the site (especially the top areas) feel a bit raised and have some depth to them...I think I'd like for everything to either be flat or be somewhat raised (I think...any advice here is more than welcome).

The bottom section is a bit too minimalist for me...I'd like to jazz up the content areas a bit.

CONCLUSION:

Overall, I LOVE the way you're thinking about the site. One thing I'm trying to avoid is an extremely "cookie-cutter" feel to it, and I'm also trying to avoid a very cluttered site. Your on the right track to help me avoid both of these things.

Some random thoughts:

Your design reminds me of this site, which i absolutely love:

www.sparkplug.com

Now I don't want you to copy it or anything, but what if we moved my navigational stuff to the left in a similar fashion? The news area could be replaced with some rounded buttons or something (whatever you thought would be cool) and then the content could be to the right of the buttons with the logo at the top. This doesn't leave a ton of space for content, but I don't have much anyways. We could then just add a news button and not have a news section on the front page.

This is just a thought...you can completely ignore this if you think the idea sucks (and you can tell me it sucks if you want...I'd love to hear what you think). Either way, we can go with some of the comments I had above and see where it takes us.

Sorry I can't provide more feedback...this design is appealing to me, and bugs me a bit at the same time. I am REALLY torn on this one and will continue to look at it and think on it. Please let me know what specific feedback will help you and I'll get it to you ASAP.

Jeremy

[Nemeliza]

I think ill have a go at this.

[jeremyconner]

AWESOME! Come on in!

Jeremy

[Anne]

Thank you for great feedback, I'll work on the revision tomorrow.

Anne

[BrianDove]

Hi again,
Is this one better ? feedback welcomed ;)
Brian
http://www.brianstudio.com/Clients/infosymmetric/template2.jpg

[jeremyconner]

Brian:

I definitely like this better than your first post...you're moving in the right direction with this one!

What I like:

I like the navigational buttons down the side and the client login box just below that. These look REALLY good to me. The font you are using is great.

I like the offset of the box with the primary content in it...that looks cool having it sort of floating over the other stuff and I like how it crosses over the top of the colored bars at the top. (although later I will suggest maybe not doing this in light of something I think might be even better looking)

I really like the arrows you used for bullet points in the content area. Very discreet and sleek looking.

I like the font you chose for the buttons.


What I'm not sold on yet:

I still don't like the blue partial border around the page...I'm not sure what to tell you to do with it, but it just doesn't look quite right to me.

I don't really like the top portion of the page (with the logo, the picture and the two colored bars).

While I love the style of the buttons and the font, I'd like to see more of the surface of the button taken up (or make the buttons smaller, although I really like the length of them right now).

While I like the buttons and the content box, I don't like the fact that the buttons have space on each side (that has the sort of textured boxes background in it). I definitely like that type of background, but here the buttons feel like they should be just on white. Maybe with this particular page, you should lose the background all together and just have the buttons and client login on the left and content on the right (maybe with some sort of discreet page divider, or maybe none at all...I think either could be cool).


Like I said, this is going in the right direction. Maybe you could try going with the content and the navigational system on nothing but a white background, and then do something completely different at the top. You could change the headers in the content section to be the same font as the buttons are. I think this might be cool, although you'd have to do something different with the top...but the page would really be white (which I think might be interesting!).

Thanks for the revisions! You're getting MUCH closer with this one!

Jeremy

[Anne]

Hi.

Here is a new one from me

Anne

[jeremyconner]

Anne:

This is getting interesting...

First of all, I absolutely love the buttons. I think they look great. That is exactly what I was talking about in my comments.

The four boxes just don't appeal to me like I hoped they would. I think there are too many of them. What if you added the logo and the client login to the box with the buttons in it, left it right where it is, and then made the content box either a) large enough to match the left side, or b) figured out a way to get rid of this box altogether? What I'm thinking might look cool is if you had the content where it is but just sitting on the page (with a nice looking header to spice it up a bit) and then to the left of the content would be this sort of floating box that would kind of be like a control panel or remote control looking thing (basically it would look very similar to what you have already but just with the stuff added to it) and it would always remain justified with the top of the content box.

Another variation on this could be to make the changes to the button box and then just have two boxes...one with the buttons, logo and client login, and another with the content.

Yet another might be to take everything out of boxes and put it flat on the page.

Have I messed you up enough yet? Sorry! This look is turning out to be a bit too disjointed for me with the logo and the client login having their own boxes. I think the main thing is that the boxes are too tall (but they have to be because of the logo!) But this definitely has potential and I still really like the style your going for.

Thanks for the revisions!

Jeremy

[BrianDove]

Here is the updated version...
Brian

[jeremyconner]

Brian:

Let's make a few more changes on this and see what we get:

1. Can you remove all the boxes and lines except for the one that's around the main content section? I'd like to see it without the lines below the logo and the header graphic and just have something surrounding the page content and ending up like you have it meeting the lower menu options.

2. Can you change the color of the top and bottom pattern to something more colorful (something that goes with my logo, of course)? I'd like to give the page a little more color. I do like how you've done that, though, so don't change the layout and style...just the color.

3. Can you color the client login box (but don't change the style of it) to something else? This will add color and make it stand out a bit more.

4. For now, let's remove the header graphic all together. I just want to clear the pallate a bit.

Thanks for your work on this!

Jeremy

[BrianDove]

here it is...
1. The grey is the only color, that forms part of the colors included in the logo, which goes on well on the top and the bottom gradient...
2. I put red as background in the bottom navbar, tell me if you want me to put it back to white/grey like before ?

Regards
Brian Dove :)

[BrianDove]

Sorry forgot to attach...
:blush:

[jeremyconner]

Brian:

I like the color changes...the red looks good on the bottom bar and that and the yellow client login add some much needed color.

I understand what you're saying about the top/bottom borders.

Let me think on this one a bit and see what direction I can give you. It's better but not quite there...still something missing. I hate to be so nondescript but I don't know quite what to tell you at this point. I'll post something later after looking at this a bit.

Thanks!

Jeremy

[Pawel]

Looking great guys / gals !
Jeremy,
I'm workin on revisions / changes atm. By splash page do you mean the main page or a page that's displayed before you enter the site ?

[jeremyconner]

Deplex:

Splash page being the first page to come up that doesn't have much content outside of a welcome and news maybe. All other pages would be content pages.

Man, I'm glad you posted this, because I was looking at your designs some more and had a suggestion for you if you're interested. (not to throw you off anything you were doing at the moment...don't let me interrupt you if you had other ideas or whatever)

On the last page that you posted, can you change the blue behind the binary numbers back to an orange, like the one you did in your first page?

Then, can you just either fade that orange into white and have the rest of the top part white with the logo in it (without the box that it's in) or stop the orange with some sort of pattern (does this make sense?) and go to white with the logo? Basically make the white around the logo extend to the height of the other part (and not have the logo in a smaller white area). Definitely leave the top small blue part with the menu options though. What you would end up with is the small top menu bar, then a bar that's split (something like 60%/40% or whatever it will end up being) with white on the left and my logo, and then orange on the right with the image that's there now.

This design is really looking good to me. If we can get the top part fixed, I think this design (perhaps with a few more small tweaks) will definitely be in the final running. If you have other ideas PLEASE submit them too, but this one is good.

Thanks!

Jeremy

[Anne]

Here is another idea.

Asso working on one more

Anne

[Anne]

On a white background and the login box under the links. I think this one is missing something on top.

[jeremyconner]

Anne:

Thanks for the revisions!

First of all, I think you're right about the bottom graphic...the top is bare. I do like the one with the gradient, but something just isn't quite right now...probably due to you listening to my ideas!

I like the buttons a lot, but I need to think about this design some more. I may be leading you way off track...I feel like I might have messed you up with some of my dumb suggestions! It's starting to look more like an application than a web page - again, due to you following my comments.

I promise to get you some feedback within a few hours. I need to spin my wheels a bit more. Sorry!

Jeremy

[Lori]

Jeremy,

I am working on my entry still (busy week), but just wanted to check in and make sure you knew I was still here :)

[jeremyconner]

No problem Lori! Thank you VERY MUCH for letting me know! I'm betting that a bunch of designers are pretty busy and thus the long deadline for this competition. I know by contest end I'll have something awesome, so no worries on when you get in (obviously that gives less time for commend and revision, but as bad as my comments are messing up other people and their great designs, you might be better to skip what I say and do what you like!)

[Nemeliza]

With a drop shadow:
http://www.explosivefx.com/work/infosymmetric/index.htm

Without a drop shadow:
http://www.explosivefx.com/work/infosymmetric/index1.htm

Appz.

[jeremyconner]

Nemeliza:

I can see right away that you read the comments I've been giving others and I appreciate that! Part of the reason I do that is to help everyone figure out what I like. Thank you!

There are lots of things I like about this design: it has a clean feeling to it, it's different from most of what I've seen on the net these days, and is definitely minimalist.

I like the button layout on this, and the faded skyline graphic.

Overall, though, I think this one is a bit too clean (if that makes sense). I'm not crazy about the buttons that you used, and I would like to see a different font (something a bit more bold and "fat"). I'd rather see the client login section below the buttons and have the news in the content section too.

I'm really sorry, but this design just doesn't appeal to me as much as some of the others. I hope you'll try again...I looked at your homepage and some of the sites in your portfolio and they looked really good, so I know you're able to knock it out of the park. I think some of my comments to others are throwing everyone off (I plan to address that in my next post).

Thanks again for your work!

Jeremy

[jeremyconner]

TO ALL DESIGNERS:

I hope I haven't thrown you guys off the trail too much with some of my suggestions. When all else fails, please do what you do best and don't listen to me as much! My ideas aren't always that great anyways!

For example: I was talking to a few of you about putting menu buttons on the side instead of across the top. I like them either way. What I don't want you to think is that I don't want them on the top - I was just trying to throw some ideas out there. You put them wherever you think they look best. I've seen your work in other forums and I've seen enough to know that you all do great things. I'm not at all worried that I won't get something great...so PLEASE don't let me get you off into the weeds. I don't want everyone to think that they HAVE to do a minimalist site or they have to do something that's mostly white or whatever. If you want to do that cool, but if you have another idea then go with it! You are the experts - that's why I came here - so don't let me poop on your creative juices! Heck, there's even a side of me that likes stuff that's ultra hip! So do whatever!

IF YOU HAVE A COOL IDEA, LET ME SEE IT! Do it and not the stupid thing I told you to do!

Already I have some great designs in here and I am VERY HAPPY THUS FAR! I think things are going great and am confident I'll leave here with something that kicks major butt! Thanks for all your work!

Jeremy

[Lori]

Hi Jeremy,

Here is my idea:

http://www.zenfulcreations.com/clients/do/info/index1.htm

Let me know your thoughts on my direction, and any changes you would like to see :)

[jeremyconner]

Lori:

First, the bad news:

I just don't like the splash page very much. If I were going to have a splash page I think I'd like something smaller and more "techy" looking.

Now, the good news:

YOU DON'T NEED THE SPLASH PAGE! I really like your page design!

What I like:

I like the background that you chose for the non content area...that sqared pattern or whatever it is looks really good, and I like how it fades and then you have the slightly raised feeling on the content section.

I like the graphic with the client login area in it. It looks really good and is just the right size. I could see having a cool flash thingy in there at a point in the future. I like the look of the client login.

All of your fonts are great!

I like the layout of the page and the locations of the news items and the content. Inside the content area I love the partitions (the dotted lines) that you used to separate stuff.

Great colors throughout!

Overall just a REALLY GREAT DESIGN!


What I don't like:

I'd like to see either a) nothing, or b) something different for the borders on the left and right of the content area. I like the dotted lines that separate the content from the news, and the one that is at the bottom (just above the copyright statement) but not the ones on the sides or around the navigational buttons. Can we try either just removing these or maybe using something else?

I like the logo placement, but would like a bit more space between the bottom of the logo and the top of the blue graphic.

I don't like the menu setup - can we try removing the dotted lines from above and below it and either try just plain text or maybe some shapes or bullets or something? I think the plain text might be too plain by itself, but the dotted lines don't work for me.

Can you remove the upside down dots and the "balanced.proportions." from the page?


CONCLUSION:

This design WILL be in the final running - I can tell you that right now. Once we make a few of these adjustments this one will be good to go. The main issue I have with this design is the menu. If we can figure out something cool with it, you will definitely have a contender with this one! I would forget the splash page and just focus on this. Great, great job!

Of course, if you have other ideas then I'd love to see them...it won't hurt to have several entries in the final running. But this one will figure into the final decision.

Let me know if you need more feedback.

Jeremy

[Lori]

Hi Jeremy,

Revisions and options :)

Here are three different "navs". Please too note that the bottom border is different on each - just so you can have choices:

LINES: http://www.zenfulcreations.com/clients/do/info/index1r1.htm

DOTS: http://www.zenfulcreations.com/clients/do/info/index1r1a.htm

ARROWS:http://www.zenfulcreations.com/clients/do/info/index1r1b.htm

I personally like the nav with the lines, and the open bottom (r1a).

Let me know your thoughts, and anymore changes you would like to see :)

[jeremyconner]

Lori:

Man, quick work! I think I agree with you that the second page (r1a with the open bottom and the dot menu) is the best, although I like the dotted line bottom in the last one (r1b).

Could we try three small things?

1. Move the menu to the top left of the page and get rid of the gradient at the top of it?

2. Open the top up like the bottom is opened up, and have the dotted line across the top like you have it at the bottom of r1b? I like the bottom of r1b the best, but I'd like to see the top and bottom be the same. They could either both be open with the dotted line (nothing would be above the one at the top) or the sides of the page could go all the way down the screen and we wouldn't put a line at the top and would just go with the line at the bottom. Hope this makes sense!

3. Is there a way to make the background a bit darker backgroung being the dot pattern, not the content area which is fine like it is)? I love the concept and would like to be able to see that it's there just a bit more. I'm not talking much here though...just a little more to make it stand out.

Thanks! This is looking REALLY good and I'm excited about it. You are most certainly in the final running.

Jeremy

[Lori]

Jeremy,

Revisions: Added dotted line back to top, and darkened bg a pinch...

MENU TO TOP: http://www.zenfulcreations.com/clients/do/info/index1r2a.htm

MENU UNDER PIC: http://www.zenfulcreations.com/clients/do/info/index1r2.htm

[jeremyconner]

Lori:

First, the background looks better! Thank you!

On the menu...I told you wrong on the location of the dotted line. What I was thinking was that you would do the menu at the top like you did in your first image, and then above that (and also above the logo) would be a dotted line. Then the very top of the page would look just like the very bottom.

Can you either do that, or just remove the dotted line from the top section? I don't know how it would look to have the top open like the bottom, so if it sucks we can just get rid of the dotted line at the top and go without. It might be a little bare up there, but we can address that later if you want.

Also, could you add a little space between each of the menu options? And what would the rollover effects look like on these?

This is looking great!

Jeremy

[Lori]

Jeremy,

Revisions: I made the nav text a little smaller (1pt) and added a little space. Added an on hover idea in the image, but when coded you can do anything in CSS that you want with the hover effect -- you are really limitless.

R2b: (dots above nav) http://www.zenfulcreations.com/clients/do/info/index1r2b.htm

R2c: (dots below nav) http://www.zenfulcreations.com/clients/do/info/index1r2c.htm

R2d: (dots over logo; I do not like it this way; as well if the dots go over the top of your logo, you get that "whitespace" to the left that has been previously addressed) http://www.zenfulcreations.com/clients/do/info/index1r2d.htm

R2e: (no dots) http://www.zenfulcreations.com/clients/do/info/index1r2e.htm

Let me know :)

[jeremyconner]

Lori:

The spacing looks great! I wasn't aware that the text up there was a stylesheet (thought it was a graphic)...as you said, that makes it easy for me to do whatever with those. Good work!

On the placement of the meun, I'm not sure what to do. I agree that it sucks with the dots between the logo dots or above the logo. I think I like the one with no dots best, but it feels just a bit off. If there were some slight way to set it apart a bit or something, or to somehow deal with the whitespace. I don't wan to do anything to mess up the design though.

BUT...

The menu thing is a very small item. Overall I'm very happy with this design. I think we can leave this one as is for now, and when I narrow the competition down to 2 or 3 entries we can see about this. I hate to keep working you on this over something so small. If the competition is close and the placement of the menu becomes an issue, I'll let you know and we can work on it some more. Not that I mind working on it, but I hate to keep having you mess with it over and over at this point. You can if you want to, but you are in the finals already, so you can wait till then or mess with it more, whatever you choose.

Great job!

Jeremy

[Nemeliza]

http://www.explosivefx.com/work/infosymmetric/index2.htm

Tried again......any good?

[jeremyconner]

Nemeliza:

This is definitely better! It has more of the "attitude" that I'm looking for. Plus - seeing this gave me an idea that might be cool (but keep the original design too in case my idea ends up sucking!)

I really like the right side of this site...and the idea of having my logo at the bottom like a watermark is cool too.

What if we got rid of the entire left hand column? We could add a button at the top for company news or whatever and then it would have it's own page instead of being to the left, and the client login would do the same.

Then, we could widen the content area, add the news button, and the only place that the logo would be is at the bottom like you have it.

I attached a jpeg that shows what I mean...I basically just did a cut and paste off your original image. The page would basically be like this image, only wider and would have the logo and copyright stuff centered below it:

It's a simple layout but I think it might be cool. If you want to, can we try this and see?

Jeremy

[jeremyconner]

FORGOT TO ATTACH!!!

[Pawel]

Hello Jeremy,
How's this ? I'll also try your suggestion later.
I'll keep ya updated

[jeremyconner]

Deplex:

Yeah, that looks better with the orange at the top and with the client login box under the news. I like this design and at the moment I can't think of any revisions. Would you check back every so often just in case I think of any? If I come up with something I'll post it here. Later on I'll narrow the choices down and then get back to revisions.

Also, I wouldn't worry about my suggestion...after seeing this, I don't think my idea would look very good. Probably one of your earlier ideas, or this one, will work in terms of the top section. Of course, you can do whatever you like...if you want to experiment with other layouts and ideas then by all means go for it! Just be sure to save this one!

The placement of my logo is turning out to be the difficult aspect of this contest...everyone seems to be struggling a bit with it. It's a weird shape.

Good work!

Jeremy

[Pawel]

Alright, I'll submit one with a side navigation

[Nemeliza]

More revisions:

http://www.explosivefx.com/work/infosymmetric/3/index.htm
http://www.explosivefx.com/work/infosymmetric/3/index1.htm
http://www.explosivefx.com/work/infosymmetric/3/index2.htm
http://www.explosivefx.com/work/infosymmetric/3/index3.htm

[jeremyconner]

Nemeliza:

HEY! That first mock-up (index.htm) looks a WHOLE lot better! Now we're getting somewhere! Good work! I like this design!

Can we try this:

Move the slogan "What is your information trying to tell you?" onto the graphic and out of the red area. It could be on the right side of the graphic or something like that...and you could split the phrase up so that it wasn't so long. It could have a light or white color with a slight shadow or something to make it stand out from the graphic without hiding the graphic too much.

Then shrink the red area down so that it's maybe 10 pixels or something smaller and it would really only serve to split up the sections...there wouldn't be anything in it. 10 might be too small, but you get the idea...I like the red, but I'd like to see it without the text in it just to get an idea.

Be sure to save your work though...in case my idea stinks!

Great job! I like this!

Thanks!

Jeremy

[Nemeliza]

http://www.explosivefx.com/work/infosymmetric/4/index.htm

Hows this?

[Anne]

Here's something new from me.

Anne

[jeremyconner]

Nemeliza:

That looks good! I'd like to see two things if you could:

1. What would the mouseovers look like on the menu?

2. Could you try a font that has more "weight" to it? Something bolder and a little thicker...and then take the ellipses out of it and just have "What is your information" on one line, and then "trying to tell you?" on the other.

I really like this design and I think you have a contender here. There are a few other small tweaks that I might want to see, but we can save those until I narrow the field if you want.

Thanks!

Jeremy

[jeremyconner]

Anne:

This looks better but it still feels too much like an application and not a webpage. My apologies for getting you so far off track with my dumb suggestions!

I'd like to see what this design would look like on a non-gradient background that was much lighter. We could lose the shadow around the content area and lay it flat on the page with some sort of border around it.

If you get frustrated with this design feel free to get back to something more traditional...I feel like I got you sidetracked on this. I am so sorry about that!

Jeremy

[Anne]

Is this better?

[Anne]

Here is something I worked on yesterday

[Ian]

heres my entry, I'm trying to get a minimalistic look while also giving the audience all the information they need.

The final entry will have no scrollerbars as the size will be small enough in the browser. The entry does fit inside your bowser depending on if you have no status toolbar at 800x600 for me anyway.

On the issue of the menu, when you hover over a item the down arrow will switch over to the item you are hovering over. Also the page description will switch depending on what menu item you are on. I hope I've explained it so you understand.

Take a look (http://www.ianjamescox.com/clients/infosymmentry/) and let me know what you think, I actually Like this design alot and if It does'nt win I'm sure I'll find a good home for it.:D

[jeremyconner]

Anne:

Now that last post is getting back to where I want to be!

I was looking at some of your past designs in the template archives, and I think the designs you did for GlobalMedical (on the first page of the contest...those were great...the final wasn't as good in my opinion - I think the guy messed up a great design) and Orange Gecko are the style that I'm looking for. Could you put that sort of style on this design? I think the layout on that one would work with my logo too.

Just some thoughts...

Jeremy

[Anne]

Sure Jeremy.

I am going to Sweden for the weekend but I'll start on a new design when I get back.

Anne

[jeremyconner]

Wow...that would be cool! Hope you have a great trip!

Jeremy

[Nemeliza]

Originally posted by jeremyconner
take the ellipses out of it and just have "What is your information" on one line, and then "trying to tell you?" on the other. EH? :confused: ...
Like this?....

Bold: http://www.explosivefx.com/work/infosymmetric/4/4bold.htm
Bolder: http://www.explosivefx.com/work/infosymmetric/4/4bolder.htm

Appz.

[jeremyconner]

Nemeliza:

I like the mouseovers!

Yep! That's what I meant! I'd like to see the font a little larger (but I definitely like that font) and maybe instead of it being centered you could put the bottom line of text off to the right some (kind of halfway below the top line and halfway not).

This is a small thing though...I like this design and it will be in the final running. Once I narrow the entries down we can worry about the text, because I'm confident we can get that ironed out. There are a few very small other items that I'd like to tweak, but we can do those later too.

Great work...thank you!

Jeremy

[Nemeliza]

What font do you want to see larger? the heading text or the content text??

Also is the bold(ness) enough or are you still looking for fatter text?

EDIT..And bottom like of text? are you referring to "what is your ..... to tell you" ??

Appz.

[Ian]

Any comments for me?:blush:

[jeremyconner]

Ian:

Man, I am so sorry! I didn't see your entry...there was so much going on in that last page that I just missed it. My apologies!

I'm looking at it now and will provide feedback within the hour, I PROMISE!

Again, sorry!

Nemeliza:

The larger font I was looking for was on the slogan "What is your information trying to tell you?", and I think making the font a bit larger may take care of needing it fatter/bolder.

By bottom line of text, I meant the "trying to tell you" portion of the slogan.

[jeremyconner]

Ian:

This design is a bit too compact for me!

I do like the menu and the text below, but the design feels cramped to me and I think the client would feel a bit constricted. I think it's too small and too minimalist!

I looked at your blog and portfolio and I like the look of some of the sites in there (particularly the blogs that you did). Maybe you could do something like that? Those sites have a good feel to them and they fill up the page (even though the content doesn't). I like a lot of the menus that you created and the layouts as well!

Jeremy

[Nemeliza]

Moved the text abit, made it larger and fattened it up some:

http://www.explosivefx.com/work/infosymmetric/4/index2.htm

[jeremyconner]

Nemeliza:

That's perfect! That was exactly what I was looking for with the text. Thank you!

Hey...question for you...is the skyline graphic that you have there blue by itself, or did you somehow color it? Could the tint of that graphic possibly be changed if we wanted to? Just a question...don't worry about it just yet, but I was wondering if that were even an option.

Thanks!

Jeremy

[Nemeliza]

It was blue to begin with but the blue tint can be changed to any color you of your liking. Possibly a different color for each page if you really want.

[jeremyconner]

Cool! I'm thinking I'd like to change it a bit, but we can save that for revisions should I choose your design.

Thanks!

[Artemii]

Hello, Jeremyconner!
I'd like very much to enter the contest. Is it still opened?
Thank you.
All the best!
Artemii.

[jeremyconner]

Artemii:

ABSOLUTELY!

This contest has a deadline of August 21, so you have plenty of time to enter!

Probably next weekend I'll start narrowing down the designs and just working with those entries, but that's a whole week from now, so go for it!

I look forward to seeing what you can do!

Thanks!

Jeremy

[Artemii]

Great, Jeremy!
Thanks! :)
I already started!
Till soon!
Artemii.

[BrianDove]

wow :eek: with all these entries... I wouldn't like to be the one who will need to choose ! good job guys.
Take Care
Brian

[Lilja]

Here is my entry.

Looking forward to your feedback.

[jeremyconner]

Lilja:

This looks really good...I definitely like this design!

What I liked:

The navigation is great...it's subtle and positioned really well on the page.

The layout of the page is AWESOME! I really like the way you have things sort of separated from each other. You have separation, but it still feels like the whole page is together. I like where the news section is, the client login, and pretty much everything else is laid out really well.

The bottom section of the page with the various product logos and the contact information is GREAT.

I like the use of the dots from the logo in various places.


What I don't like:

I don't like the small picture in the content section (the circle with the company slogan). I definitely like the idea of having something in there, but the curve of the text just doesn't match the feel of the rest of the page to me. It just doesn't look right. It does need something in there though...I'm just not sure what.

The blue color of the image at the top, behind both my logo and the client login...would it be possible to see a different shade of color there, maybe an orange from my logo or something? I don't know what color would work, but I'd like to try it with something a little different...although I realize that part of the problem is not being able to use something too dark due to my logo needing to be prominent. What do you think? I'd like to maybe go with a color that will perk up the page a bit.


OVERALL:

This is definitely one of my favorites so far. GREAT, GREAT JOB!

I have two questions about this design:

First, what would this look like in a browser? Would the blue frames run the length of the page? Is it a fixed width? Could I see what that would look like?

Second, what would the sub pages look like? Say the user clicks on "Services" or whatever...what would that page look like? This is an AWESOME layout for the front page, and I'd like to see what you're thinking for the sub pages.

Thanks for the great work!

Jeremy

[Lilja]

I'm glad you like it. Going to work on the revision now.
I can see why you didn't like the small pic in the content, I don't like it either. Think it was to late and my eyes went :wacko:

~Lilja~

[Anne]

Hi!

I am back with a new design (http://www.newfacedesign.net/do/info_v8.html) :)

Anne

[jeremyconner]

Anne:

HEY! This looks great! I really like this. Man, you folks are really turning it up.

What I like about this:

This has a nice, clean, professional feel to it.

The layout is great...I like the location of the menu bar, the news, the client login.

The navigation looks good!

My logo stands out very clearly and prominently...there is no mistaking the owner of this web page.

I like the dotted line dividers in the content area.


What I like, but want to try something a bit different with:

I like the way my logo stands out, but I'd love to see 1) a different image, something techy or something "urban" in there instead of that image, and 2) a different color in that area. Something not too dark, but just enough to give it a bit more color. If I had one small complaint about the page, it would be that it needs just a bit more color.

Could you add something to the client login area that says "client login" or something? I know there's not much room up there, but I'd really like to have something that lets them know what it is. Maybe it could just say "clients" at the top, or maybe vertically down one side or something...just something that makes it a bit more "idiot-proof" for the clients.


OVERALL:

I really like this design a whole lot and you have gotten yourself right back into the mix with this one.

I'd like to see what the "sub pages" would look like with this design and the mouseover as well.

Also, a few people have done this, but I don't know if this would be considered copying or not (don't get yourself into trouble!)...but maybe instead of the contact info in the lower left hand corner you could put some industry logos or something else...something to break the page up a bit.

I'm glad you put this together...you have a contender!

Jeremy

[Artemii]

Hello, Jeremy!
Here's my sample, like I promised! :)

http://prteh.com/Artemii/Infosymmetry/index.htm

I know, that it's not so minimalistic as you wanted, but you said you're opened to whatever we think

looks cool.. :)
You can try the rollover effect of the buttons, but all the rest is just a picture yet.
What do you say?
If you wish, I'll be glad to make this header flash animated, like, for example, in this work of mine:

http://www.prteh.com/pics/html/Host2/index.htm

Anyway, please, tell me what you think!
Thank you in advance.
All the best!
Artemii.

[DesignGeneral]

Nice party here :yes:

I can't miss this :cool:

I'm coming :flex: :box:

[jeremyconner]

Artemii:

I sure am glad you didn't listen to what I said...this design is cool!

What I like about it:

COOL mouseovers! Very slick!

I love the raised bars with the dots on them at the top and on the menu bar and at the bottom. I love that look and have seen it on some other really cool sites.

I love the client login "thing" that sort of drops down and has the arrow and all that - it flat out ROCKS.

The layout is good and I like the clean look that the site has (except for one thing which I'll get into below).


What I don't like at all:

THE BACKGROUND. This entire page is pretty dang cool, but the background image has to go. It's just too old school...reminds me of when I used to make pages years ago. No offense, but that just doesn't sit well with me at all.

What I like but would like to monkey around with:

I like the grid looking image behind my logo, but would

a) like to see maybe some more images in that area, perhaps have a few tech looking pictures (or even one) in there, and maybe have the grid thing overlay that (does this make sense?)

b) like to see the grid area be a different color than grey. Maybe if you made it orange or some other color, then it would match the toolbars...nothing too intense, because I obviously want to be able to see my logo, but with it being grey the yellow toolbars look too yellow (or gold...sorry if I say the wrong color!). Just need to break the page up a bit!

This looks really cool...one of my favorites so far. If we lose the background and work out some other small details you'll be good to go!

Should I choose this design, I'd love an animated header. Don't do work on that yet because I'd feel bad if I ended up not choosing your design.

Jeremy

[Lilja]

Here is my revision:

This one is set to 85% width (http://www.viastep.com/do/is/is.html) and the mouseover is working.

Fixed width (http://www.viastep.com/do/is/is2.htm)


I've changed the background color behind the login and made the blue color darker.

~Lilja~

[jeremyconner]

Lilja:

Nice revisions...I like the color changes and the mouseovers are really nice. Subtle and clean.

I definitely like the fixed width page better too...I'd rather have this design at a set width as I don't think it looks as good spread out too far.

I think this design is good to go for now...I plan on narrowing the field down later this week, and we can tweak this some more should your design make the cut (which I can pretty much tell you is a lock at this point). I'm allowing a week to mess with my favorite designs. So we can leave this for now and then if you'll just check back every now and again, at some point towards the end of this week I'll trim the choices down and start tweaking.

I would, however, be curious to see what the sub pages would look like with this design. This is really the only other thing I'd need to see on this one before putting it into "the final round". Do you think you could work up the interior page design (the template for all the other pages except for the front page)?

Thanks! This rules!

Jeremy

[jeremyconner]

TO ALL DESIGNERS:

Towards the end of this week (probably Friday or Saturday) I'm going to look at narrowing down the entries I've received so far and pulling out the one's I like best. I'll then spend my time working with these designers to tweak their designs and ultimately choose a winner. This means that you have until Friday this week to impress me enough to get your design to the final round.

Let me take a moment to say that I REALLY appreciate all the work and the great designs you guys have done.

I've been browsing the other contests and I know that some people have trouble being patient with you guys. They get all stressed and wonder where the designs are and why no one is interested in their contest and so on. When I see them stressing out, I ask myself why they're so stressed and I'm not. Suddenly, I'm reminded of why I'm not worried about it and why I love to come here and work with you guys - primarily because I know that you guys always come through! This is my third contest here and I can truly say I've NEVER been dissapointed in the outcome of my contests. You guys and gals always come through and you always deliver something incredible. I enjoy working with you guys and hope to send more work your way in the future!

Thanks for all you've done! This stuff is fun to me!

Jeremy

[Lori]

Jeremy,

You are super CH. You give awesome feedback, are on really on the ball (fast, fast, fast), and that makes it easy and fun to work with you.

So thanks right back at you ;)

... excited to get some revisions going!

[Anne]

Revision (http://www.newfacedesign.net/do/info_v8.html)

I am working on the sub page and will post it later.

Anne

[Anne]

Here is the sub page (http://www.newfacedesign.net/do/sub_v9.html)

[Artemii]

Hi, Jeremy!
Thanks a lot for such quick and detailed feedback.
You really are a great Contest Holder!
I'm working on the revisions now - will post my sample soon.
I'm excited to get into the final round :)
Till soon.
All the best!
Artemii.

[jeremyconner]

Anne:

Those changes look GREAT. I like the client login addition and also the network cable in the picture. The "Areas of Technology" section is good too!

I like the sub page layout as well. It's simple but effective.

The one thing I don't like too much (and it's REALLY SMALL) is the raised button on the sub page (where the blue button extends up). I definitely like the idea of a visual indicator as to where they are, but could we just change the color? Maybe if we made the button color match the color of the yellow/gold color...then it would sort of have a tabbed feel to it. Or we could just change the button color to something else. Great idea though.

Also, could we try a lighter background color on this one?

Overall, this design is looking great. There are some more small tweaks that I'd like to see, but if you want we can save those for the final round, which I feel certain you'll be in.

Thanks!

[Anne]

Here is the revision (http://www.newfacedesign.net/do/sub_v9.html) for the sub page.

Anne

[jeremyconner]

Anne:

The background color looks much better. I may want to tinker with that again (just a little bit) but we can save that for later.

The buttons look good...but I need to think about it some and spend some time looking at it. This is something we can mess with later as well.

This is looking great!

Jeremy

[Lilja]

Thanks for great feedback!
Here you can see the revision for the subpages (http://www.viastep.com/do/is/is1.html)

I made 3 subpages, one is without the right collumn.
You can take a look at these subpages: services, projects and about us.

~Lilja~

[jeremyconner]

Lilja:

Those look great...I definitely like the pages with the column. The about page that has no column just doesn't look quite right to me.

This design is great! I'll be getting with you further next week in the final round for some tweaks. GREAT JOB!

One thing I'd like to get rid of is the SEARCH option. I don't have a need for it...but the question is, what will we do with that space? Just something to think about for when we start revisions next week.

Thanks!

Jeremy

[Artemii]

Hello, Jeremy!
Here's my second sample. I made the revisions you asked for:

http://prteh.com/Artemii/Infosymmetry/index.htm

Remember that the header can be flash animated :)
What do you think?
All the best!
Artemii.

[jeremyconner]

Artemii:

I'll post some feedback on this in about an hour and a half (spending time with my daughter now and then have to put her to bed), so please check back then!

Sorry for the delay with this, but I'm babysitting tonight while my wife is out. I will tell you now that - the revisions look GREAT. Header is MUCH improved and background is AWESOME. I'll go into more detail in a short while I promise (I have a few small comments/questions)

More later!

Thanks!

Jeremy

[Artemii]

Jeremy! :)..
Please, don't excuse! Take your time and do everything what's required for your daughter.. That's much more important and I think all of us, designers, understand that and value your attitude.
You're one of the greatest CH, honestly! :)
A pleasure to work.
Thank you!
Till soon.
Artemii.

[jeremyconner]

Artemii:

Thanks for your patience!

First of all, the background is 150% better! I like the one you chose...good work!

I also like the revisions to the graphic behind the logo.

There are a couple of questions/revisions that I have:

1. What would the sub pages look like?

2. I'd like for my logo to be a bit larger if possible.

3. This can be an item for later if you want, or you can think on it now. I'd like to add a little something to the content area. I think it's a bit plain right now with just the text in there. I'm not sure what you could do...maybe monkey around with some colors or pictures or something...but this is one of the few complaints that I have with this design.

4. How wide is this page, and would it be possible to make it a) a little wider, assuming it's less than 800 pixels, and b) could it extend the entire height of the page? Right now it goes almost all the way down but not quite. I don't know how this would look, but I'd like to see if possible. This design is so compact that it's almost too compact...but just BARELY.

Great work! I like this one a lot and it's only getting better!

Thanks!

Jeremy

[DesignGeneral]

:)

[jeremyconner]

DesignGeneral:

Snuck one in on me while I was sleeping! This is one of the best yet!

What I like:

This is a great looking design that feels clean, well-organized and straightforward.

Great looking menu bar and the client login looks great too!

I love the alternating, slightly shaded areas on the company news section.

Great background!


What I like, but might want to tinker with:

The design could use just a bit more color to it. This one is almost too clean looking. But be sure to keep this version, because even without added color this one is very good. We might mess it up by adding color or pictures or whatever. I'd like to try to jazz it up a bit, but if it doesn't fit right we'll go back to this one. It's really good.

I'd like to see a different image at the top to go behind the logo. Something more "techy" (is that even a word?) :)


OVERALL:

Man, you came in swinging. This is a really, really great design and it appeals to me a lot! It just needs to be spiced up just a little bit, but without taking away from the very clean, very incredible layout and feel.

I'd like to see what the sub page would look like. Once I see that (and provided it doesn't suck! :)) you can consider this design in the final round.

I'm getting so many great designs that I'm going to have almost too many folks in the finals. I may have to have another narrowing sometime in the middle of next week.

EXCELLENT WORK!

Jeremy

[Artemii]

Hi, Jeremy!
Thanks a lot for the feedback. Concerning your questions/revisions.

1.
I don't think that the sub-pages have to differ a lot from the main one. I mean that the header is common for all pages and the header is the main part of this design. But they may differ by the absence of members' login panel, if you wish.

2.
I'll work on the size of the logo, but I don't think it's possible to enlarge it too much.. The design will loose it's harmony.. But of course, I'll try :)

3.
About the content area. In my opinion the site wouldn't be so presentable if there are some pictures or something else in the content area. It has to be very readable, I think.. That's why the main graphical part of the design is concentrated in the header.

4.
The page is 600 px wide (the rest is the background), because there still are many people who have 800x600 resolution and the design is planned to have the background you liked so much :)
About it's heights. Be sure that it'll always be from the top to the bottom when sliced, no matter what's the user's resolution is.

I'll post the revised sample soon.
Thank you again.
All the best!
Artemii.

[DesignGeneral]

Hi Jeremy,

Thanks for the feedback :yes:

I'll be back :cool:

[jeremyconner]

Artemii:

Thanks for the informative response...and I see what you're saying on much of it. Let me respond to your responses! :)

On the sub pages, I understand what you're saying. I'm thinking that the design would be one column instead of two. The login could stay for every page though...it looks cool and I'd like to leave it. Could I see the design with one column though?

On the logo, maybe you could just make it stand out a bit more, instead of making it larger. Just a thought.

I agree with you on the content area...maybe we could add some subtle colors or something to spice it up just a bit. But definitely don't ruin it with a bunch of clutter...you're right about that.

When you say "sliced", I don't know what you mean! Are you saying that the design will go from the top of the page to the bottom when you render it as HTML? If so, that's good...that's what I'd like for it to do.

Thanks for the info...I love it when you guys share your thoughts on this stuff, because I don't always know what should be done and you do this for a living. Overall, I want the design to be what I want it to be, but if something that I want to do is a designer's "no-no" then tell me and we'll probably not do it.

Jeremy

[Luc]

Long thread already! Just letting you know that I have just started my entry. Sorry it's because I've been busy.

[DesignGeneral]

Hi Jeremy,

Just adding pictures into the content will solve the colors issue and will create a nice contrast on the site. This way you can focus easy on the site.

I added 2 pictures to see what I'm talking about.

The images will be changed with your images or with other images related to your business. ;)

Is the top image "techy" enough?(I think it match well with your company name and slogan :yes: and related to your business too)

:)

I still can play with colors if you want :D

[jeremyconner]

Luc:

No problem! You've still got a few days to get a design in to the "final round", which I'll start sometime Saturday, and after that I won't accept any more entries.

I have to cut it off sometime, and I am SERIOUSLY getting too many good entries. I figured I'd be able to narrow it down to 2 or 3, but right now there are at least 6 designs that I really like. So I need to cut off new entries on Saturday morning to make it easier for myself.

[jeremyconner]

DesignGeneral:

Thanks for the revisions!

However, I think I liked the design better the first time!

The pictures, to me, just clutter up the clean feel of that content area. I wondered if this would happen, and it did. I just like it too much the other way. Maybe we can try some playing around with the colors on the company news section. Also, maybe on the sub pages we can come up with a "header" or something to go at the top of the content section that will be a bit colorful or something. But the main section of that page looks better without the pictures, in my opinion. It just looks SO GOOD that I should have left it alone! My bad!

We can mess with the image at the top later...I really don't like that one too much because I'm afraid people might pigeonhole my company as being network administrators...when actually we deal more with programming. I understand what you were saying about it being a good image, and it is, but others might get the wrong conception.

Also, could we try (and I stress try because it might not work) making the client login area a different color...maybe a red or orange from my logo? Not sure what to do, but I'd like that to stand out a bit so that client see it clearly and customers realize that I offer that to my clients.

I'd also like to see what the sub pages would look like if you have the time.

I really like this design though...these are small things we can tweak.

Jeremy

[Luc]

I just have a question. Do u need the login form in the homepage or can i just put a link to the login page?

[Luc]

Anyway, here's my first attempt. I'm not sure what content to put in the homepage. If there's any you'd like to add, please let me know. I know I should've read the previous post, but it's really long and it just cause me headache :wacko: Let me know what you think.

[jeremyconner]

Luc:

Just saw your entry, but I am so slammed at the office today that I can't comment in detail for a few hours. It's 1:35pm right now where I'm at (Birmingham, AL), and I'll get you some comments before 9pm tonight I promise!

Sorry for the delay. My initial reaction is that I like it - has lots of color and a good layout. I should be happy to get another good design that I like, but all it means is that my decision is getting infinitely more difficult! Good work!

More details on this later!

Jeremy

[Luc]

No problem. Please also let me know if i'd make it to the final so that I can try again if not :D

[jeremyconner]

Luc:

I am really torn on this design...I like it, but there are a few things that really don't agree with me. I was wondering if we could change or remove these items and then let me take a look at it again. I think it has potential, and maybe just a few things are holding it back right now.

What I like:

The menu system is great...I like the location of it at the top and also the text based menu at the lower left...great placement.

I like the fact that this design is really colorful.

I like the latest news area, and the small blue bar that has "www.infosymmetry.com" in it and has the picture behind it bleeding through slightly.


What I'd like to see differently:

Could we get rid of the gold/yellow boxes at the top and the bottom?

Could we change the picture that you have? I'm not crazy about the picture.

Could we make either the top or the bottom red area navy blue (or whatever blue color is in my logo)?


OVERALL:

I like this design, but there are a few things about it right now that would keep it out of the final round. We can either work on this one, or you can do another one, or both. It's up to you. I'm not guaranteeing anything, but I think we might could make this one work.

I will say that this one feels just a bit cluttered to me...maybe that's what I'm not liking about it. I was looking at some of your other work on this site, and the site you did for libetech has a nice clean feel to it. I also like the work that your company did (I don't know if you did these sites yourself or if you have a team) for essexmove.com. Maybe you could work something up like that if you didn't want to try to work this one out.

This feedback is a bit lame...sorry about that! There's something just not quite right about this one, but I can't put my finger on it.

Jeremy

[Artemii]

Jeremy!

Thanks again for the quick reply! :)

I made the logo stand out a little more:

http://prteh.com/Artemii/Infosymmetry/index.htm

Also I made a one-column page, that can be used as a sub-page. Here it is:

http://prteh.com/Artemii/Infosymmetry/index2.htm

Yes, saing "sliced" I meant exactly what you said - rendering it as a HTML file. I guess that's how you wanted it to be, right?

Jeremy, I decided to make another design for you, so you could choose between two of my works. And again, I'ld like to remind you that any of these designs can be flash

animated. This design differs a lot by the style, colours and mode. It's not better or worse, it's just a new one :) I decided to show you another style.
Here it is - as the attachment.
By the way, there's a blank advertising section in this design. I though it will be good for some banners, partners' logos and so on.
Please, tell me what you think and if there's anything else you'd like me to change?

Thank you!
All the best!
Artemii.

[DesignGeneral]

Hi Jeremy :)

[jeremyconner]

Artemii:

I think I liked the logo better before you increased the highlighting. The one column page looks good. We can leave that design for now.

On the second design, I like it but I think it looks a little too much like an application. I'd rather have something that looks more like a traditional web page. I have to admit, though, that it's really cool looking...although ultimately not what I'm looking for here...but I love stuff that looks like this.

BUT...I love the graphical header that you used on the second design. Could you try that one on the first design that you have? The logo looks really good on that second one and the picture is cool too. It might not work, but I figured I'd suggest it and see what you thought.

Thanks for the work! Sorry about the second design!

Jeremy

[jeremyconner]

DesignGeneral:

This design is getting some great responses from people I'm showing it to. It consistently gets the nod from many I talk to.

I'd still like to see a different picture up at the top...but keep this one as it will work if we can't find something else. Sorry! This is one of the very small things that I'd like to improve on this design.

I like the change to the client login section, but what I had in mind was changing that entire "box" that the textboxes are in to a different color (say red or orange) to add a bit of color to the site. Could we try that? It might not look great, but I'd love to see how it would do.

I'd also like to see how a sub page would look.

This one rules...great job.

Thanks!

Jeremy

[Luc]

Thanks for the honest feedback. I will rework this one and submit another entry. I made all the layouts I have in my portfolio :yes:

[Luc]

Here goes. Although i'm working on a new one. Let me know your comment on this.,

[Luc]

Here's another one.

[DesignGeneral]

With some color on top :)

I tried to make a color flow, If I use red for the input boxes that will take away from the buttons.

Right now it have a nice flow of colors :cool:

[jeremyconner]

Luc:

That second new template you did...now that's what I'm talking about!

I really like that design, which unfortunately means more decision making problems for me.

What I like:

Menu bar looks great!

Colors are great!

Site has a really clean feeling to it, well organized and great layout!

The way you did the news column is AWESOME. I absolutely love it.

Great image behind the logo, and great colors and effects on it.

Basically, you took the good ideas from your initial design and put them in a much cleaner design that I really love!


What I like but might like to monkey with a bit:

The only teeny tiny thing I'd like to try to mess with a bit is the client login...I like where it's at, but it stretches a bit too far along the top. I'm not sure where it should go, or if we should even move it at all. The thing is, the design is so nice that I hate to mess with any of it. Let me think about this for a while. We can tinker with this next week.


OVERALL:

This design is awesome and one of my favorites. I was planning on narrowing down the competition to 3 or 4, but it looks like there will be 6 or 7, because I have to let this design move on to the finals. I like it that much.

Great work!

Jeremy

[jeremyconner]

DesignGeneral:

I understand what you're saying about the flow.

The blue in the picture is a bit too light though...I hate to keep having you mess with that picture, but could you do something a bit darker? (just a bit) In the end, it might be better the original way you had it, but I won't know what to think until I see it.

Thanks!

Jeremy

[DesignGeneral]

Hi Jeremy,

I'll leave town in like 1h and back on Sunday. I can't have any changes until then.

Have a great weekend :cool:

Cheers

[Artemii]

Jeremy!

I did what you asked for. The second design's header is now integrated in the first design.

I like the first variant more, but it's your contest :)
What do you think?

All the best!
Artemii.

[jeremyconner]

Artemii:

I think I like the picture from the first variation better, but I like the lighter color of this picture better. Maybe we could use the picture from the first one, but make it lighter. I think the lighter color of this second picture really makes the page "feel" better. But I think you're right about the first one being better.

Or maybe the satelite dish picture isn't right for this either...

I don't know...what do you think?

Jeremy

[jeremyconner]

TO ALL DESIGNERS:

On Saturday I'm going to stop all new submissions and just work with the designers who have submitted designs that I like enough to select. I wanted to let you know who has already done enough to be in this group, so that if you aren't in the group you'd know it and have another shot at it if you want one.

I had hoped to narrow this down to 3 or 4 people, but I just can't. I kind of feel bad for not being able to narrow it further, and thereby allow myself more time with each design, but truthfully there are a lot of great designs and I hate to give up on any of them right now because they all have potential. Of course, there are some I like more than others, but all 8 (yes, eight) of these designers have definitely caught my eye with their stuff and will be in the early final running starting on Saturday:

(listed alphabetically!)

Anne
Artemii
Deplex
DesignGeneral
Lilja
Lori
Luc
Nemeliza

This is almost everyone who has submitted anything...but you all had something that I could really see being my web page and I didn't want to turn any of you away at this point.

What I'm going to do is narrow this down to 2-3 designs on Wednesday next week (how I don't know...but I will), and then pick a winner on Saturday next week (the official contest deadline). On Saturday I'll start posting tweaks for each of the designers who have designs still in the running, and ultimately those designs, plus a few other things, will cause one of you to pull ahead of your peers and win!

I'm still accepting new entries until I post the final list on Saturday (probably in the morning), so if you haven't entered yet please do so. But you need to hustle if you want to make the cut, so step up and get it done!

For everyone who has participated, thank you so much for your hard work! I appreciate it and have enjoyed this contest very much!

Thanks!

Jeremy

[Luc]

Thanks for the feedback. Seems like all of us is moving forward to the finals. :D I'm glad you're pleased with the work provided by the team. Anyway, here's the revision.
How's this?

[jeremyconner]

Luc:

That does look better...I like the way that you stacked the words "client login" over the textboxes so that it lines up with the latest news section. That feels a lot better to me!

I know what you mean about having almost everyone move forward. That bothers me a bit too (although in a good way), but there are just too many good designs.

On Saturday, I'll have a long post with some tweaks for each design. Then, by Wednesday I'll narrow it down to 3 designs. Saturday next week will bring forth a winner.

Jeremy

[jeremyconner]

TO ALL DESIGNERS:

Tomorrow the competition closes and I start working with the 8 designers mentioned. By Tuesday, I will have narrowed it down to 2 designs (or 3 if it's real close) and next Saturday pick a winner.

Tomorrow, I will post comments on each design and the revision process will begin. As the revisions come in, I'll start dropping designs from the competition based on how they progress.

If you haven't designed anything yet, YOU STILL HAVE TIME...but not much of it. If you hurry you might sneak something in under the wire.

Good luck!

Jeremy

[jeremyconner]

To designers chosen to move forward:

Ok gang...here is the first round of tweaks and revisions that I'd like to see in each of your designs. I'll try to be specific and pick up where we initially left off with each of these designs, but if you have any questions PLEASE ask!

FIRST - if you haven't done a sub page design, I'd definitely like to see how that would look. Some of you already have, some haven't...so if you haven't, could you whip one up? Please show rollover effects on the image so I can scope those out too! I WON'T MENTION THIS IN THE INDIVIDUAL REMARKS, BUT PLEASE MOCK ONE UP! I need to see this or else I can't choose your design.

SECOND - Please tell me what type of code you would deliver the design in (HTML, CSS, XHTML) and what I could get the base design in (I'm assuming a Photoshop file...if different please specify).


Lori:

http://www.zenfulcreations.com/clients/do/info/index1r2e.htm

On this design, we're back to trying to do something with the navigation. I'm out of ideas but maybe you can come up with something. Also, when rendered to HTML, will this design go from the top of the page to the bottom?

Deplex:

Your page 3 design (the last one you did)

I'd like to see the light blue colors (on the very top and on the latest news header) changed to a different color, something that matches my logo...maybe a darker blue or something.

Nemeliza:

http://www.explosivefx.com/work/infosymmetric/4/index2.htm

A couple of things on this one. First, I'd like to try to add some different colors to the site...right now it's a bit too red. Maybe you could make the main bar that's red with orange around it the navy blue from my logo, and lose the slightly faded bar below it. Then could we try a different tint to the graphic, maybe an orange or something?

Lilja:

http://www.viastep.com/do/is/is1.html

Could we make the yellow client login orange (or a different color that's a bit darker?) and possibly change the text color if it's still too light? We also need to figure out what to do about the "search" option...I don't need that, so we need to remove it and figure out what to do with that space (if anything).

Anne:

Main page: http://www.newfacedesign.net/do/info_v8.html
Sub page: http://www.newfacedesign.net/do/sub_v9.html

Main page is fine for now. On the sub page, can we undo the changes I asked for (primarily, the lighter blue background which doesn't look as good as your original dark blue, and the yellow button mouseover which we can take back to just changing text color or something...the yellow doesn't sit well with me)


Artemii:

Your last design that you posted on page 6

We still need to figure out the image behind the logo. I like this last one in that it's a big brighter than previous versions, but don't like the satellite photo. Maybe a picture more computer/programming/data oriented.


Luc:

Your last design posted on page 6

Can we bump the "latest news" header to flush with the top of the blue bar above it? Can we also try a bit of a darker color for the very top (instead of white)...maybe an orange or red or something.

DesignGeneral:

Your last design posted on page 6

Can we try a different gradient for the items on the left (instead of the blue) or try using a solid color in there? I'd like to differentiate that area a bit more. Also, I'd still like to see a different picture at the top (besides the keyboard).


I'll be checking this often and will start dropping designs very soon. Good luck! I am extremely pleased with the work that all of you have done and hate that I have to only take one design. You have knocked this one out of the park and you all deserve major kudos! Talk about customer satisfaction...when your big problem is picking from 8 great designs, DO must be doing something right!

Thanks!

Jeremy

[Lilja]

Thanks for the feedback.
Here is my revision (http://www.viastep.com/do/is/rev1/is-rev1.html).

I've replaced the search box with the heading of the right content.

I can deliver in html and css, or plain css (table less).
The graphical template will be delivered as PSD.

~Lilja~

[splunking]

Jeremy,

I'm sorry I haven't been able to enter. I am working on an entry and hope to have it up by tonight.

Let me know if that is alright. I just got back from a family campout.

Thanks :D
- Cindy

[Lori]

Jeremy,

Whew - after much time spent fiddling with ideas, I came up with one I like, and want to put it past your eyes for thoughts :)

You can also see the different stuff I have tried here:
http://www.zenfulcreations.com/clients/do/info/projectindex.htm, and of course see it on the background too.

... let me know if anything in that link is jumping out you as something you would like to try.

REVISION:

[jeremyconner]

Splunking:

Your design will be the last new one I accept! Good luck!

Jeremy

[jeremyconner]

Lori:

I like this one! Could I see it without the dotted line right below the menu bar, and maybe make the menu bar grey like you did in some of the other posts? I don't know if this will look good or not, but I'd just be curious to see.

Either way I think you're on to something with the menu bar...this looks like it will solve that problem.

Thanks!

Jeremy

[jeremyconner]

THIS CONTEST IS NO LONGER ACCEPTING NEW ENTRIES!

Splunking's design will be the absolute last one I will look at. I realize the contest doesn't end till next weekend, but I want to be fair to the designers who have been working hard all along. We're at the revisions stage now and I'll be working with the chosen designers to get their designs finished up.

I'm accepting Splunking's design because I invited her to this competition, and I invited her late after seeing some work she did. (assuming your a "she", if not please accept my apologies!) This is the only time I'll do this though...I'm breaking my own rules, but just this once!

Saturday has come and gone and I will no longer accept new entries. Sorry!

Thanks to everyone!

Jeremy

[Lori]

Jeremy,

Easy changes :) I like the way this looks too.

And, did you see it on this new background I did. Not sure of your thoughts, but I really like it on this because of the "circles" - not only of your logo, but as is represented in the photo I chose. Kinda neato:

http://zenfulcreations.com/clients/do/info/index1r4.htm

( oh, and YES, will extend full page; and I can code in full XHTML/CSS or HTML - your choice )

REVISIONS:

[jeremyconner]

Lori:

Those changes look really good...I think we can put the menu bar issue to rest now!

I forgot to comment on the background...sorry! I need to get some other folks to check this out...I'm partial to the grey dotted one that you did (it looks MUCH better in grey than in white), but I like the circles too...I need to get a few others to check that out.

Great work!

Have I seen a sub page of this design? I can't remember...if not, can you whip one up for me so I can check that out? Sorry if you've already done one and I forgot about it...I can't look back and enter this post at the same time!

Jeremy

[Lori]

Jeremy,

Here are some ideas to get us rolling. The inside pages retain the same basic layout, but the header would change based on the page you are on.

http://zenfulcreations.com/clients/do/info/projectindex.htm

Let me know........

[jeremyconner]

Lori:

Those sub pages look awesome! I love the rollovers and the layout. Are you saying that there would be a different image and text for each section of the site? I wasn't sure what you meant. These pages are great!

There's just one more thing I think we need to work on with this design. I've been showing this design to some folks, and they all love it. The one suggestion I get is to make the logo stand out a bit more. Basically, I'm told that the blue area with the slogan and client login stands out really well and catches everyone's eye, and they barely notice the logo. they say it's kind of small and feels a bit (just a bit) like it was thrown in.

I don't know what we could do about this. I'm not saying this will keep you from winning either...but it's something that could put you over the top quick if we could do something here. Maybe make the blue area smaller and enlarge the logo, or maybe do something with the logo to incorporate in in the blue...these are just ideas off the top of my head. I'm not sure what to tell you...sorry!

What do you think? Any ideas?

Jeremy

[Lori]

Jeremy,

Yes, it would be a different image and header text for each section.

Hmm, well I had the logo larger before when the menu was inline with it. I can make it larger again, it just leaves more room up top.

You could do that mirrored effect that I showed you on another one of the mockups. Then it would possibly feel more connected to you...

Let me try a few things....

[Lori]

Jeremy,

I am going to go back to the front page for these logo revisions, then will apply what we decide to the inside pages.

Here is the logo larger:

[Lori]

I am going to keep on going with ideas, and instead of hogging the thread with a mass posts, I will put them off that page that you have seen before:

http://zenfulcreations.com/clients/do/info/projectindex.htm

[jeremyconner]

Lori:

The first one looks decent, but the logo appears streched out (too wide) and a bit distorted.

The second one just doesn't appeal to me.

Sorry!

Jeremy

[Anne]

Here (http://www.newfacedesign.net/do/sub_v9.html) are the changes to the sub page. I've made a new background to the navbar.

Anne

[jeremyconner]

Lori:

I like the last one that you did on that page, and generally like the idea of having the entire top be one image (or one section).

Could we try a different picture...something technology related?

My only two concerns are a) the picture is a little dark, and B) it's not technology related (or doesn't really have anything to say about my company or slogan or whatever).

Still loving this design, and I think if we found a good picture and as a result had the logo stand out just a bit more we'll be in business.

Thanks for all the different looks!

Jeremy

[jeremyconner]

Anne:

Those changes look good. I've gotten very good feedback on your design, and the only complaints that I had were about the background and the mouseover, which are fixed now.

Thank you!

Jeremy

[Artemii]

Hello, Jeremy!
Here are my revisions.
This is the first version with a much lighter header:

http://www.prteh.com/Artemii/Infosymmetry/index.htm

This is a sub-page:

http://www.prteh.com/Artemii/Infosymmetry/index2.htm

And this is the second version. As you asked I changed the picture in the second variant header and

placed it in the first design.

http://www.prteh.com/Artemii/Infosymmetry/index3.htm

Please, tell me what you think and whether I have to do anything else.
And I'd like to remind you that the header can be flash animated, if you wish.
Thank you!
All the best!
Artemii.

[jeremyconner]

Artemii:

Those changes look good...that's all I need for now on this one!

Thanks!

Jeremy

[jeremyconner]

Anne:

What format would you deliver the design in? (HTML, XHTML, CSS)

Thanks!

Jeremy

[Lilja]

Hi Jeremy,

Your feedback to the designers are great, but I wonder if you have seen my latest revision, because I didn't receive any feedback from you yet. Jsu want to be sure ;)

My latest revision (http://www.viastep.com/do/is/rev1/is-rev1.html)

Lilja

[Anne]

HTML and CSS

[Lori]

Jeremy,

Here are a few pics that I have readily available:

http://www.zenfulcreations.com/clients/do/info/pics/

...and you can also go to to http://istockphoto.com/ and see if you see one you like. If you do, I can grab it and put it in for you to see :)

I like these:

http://istockphoto.com/file_closeup.php?id=255686
http://istockphoto.com/file_closeup.php?id=142953

[jeremyconner]

Lilja:

I AM SO SORRY! There were a bunch of posts and I missed yours! I hate to have kept you waiting!

Those revisions look great...I can't think of anything else right now for your design.

Did you tell me what format you could deliver the site in? (HTML, XHTML, CSS) Sorry to ask again if you already did.

Thanks! Sorry for skipping you!

Jeremy

[jeremyconner]

Lori:

I like both of the pictures that you pointed out on the stock photo site, plus these:

http://istockphoto.com/file_closeup.php?id=122144
http://istockphoto.com/file_closeup.php?id=64981
http://istockphoto.com/file_closeup.php?id=83187 (this one is freaky cool!)

Jeremy

[Lilja]

Originally posted by jeremyconner
Lilja:

I AM SO SORRY! There were a bunch of posts and I missed yours! I hate to have kept you waiting!

I thought so, and it's ok :)


Did you tell me what format you could deliver the site in? (HTML, XHTML, CSS) Sorry to ask again if you already did.

Thanks! Sorry for skipping you!

Jeremy

I can deliver in HTML and CSS

Lilja

[Lori]

Jeremy,

I grabbed that pic that you said was "freaky cool" and played with it a little first - I did three different colors, and fade styles with it. I can pretty much do anything you want up there on color, fade and the like. Just let me know if are feeling the pic, and if a darker or lighter shade is in order.

Same page as before ;)

[jeremyconner]

Lori:

First of all, I think that picture will be great up there.

Can we try two things?

First, instead of having the rippled looking lines that are around the area where my logo is, can we make that a solid colored area...basically just make it the same color as everything else and not have that wavy effect in there. (I do love the grid pattern that you can slightly see on the photo, though)

Second, and this might not work so please keep your original, but what if we moved the client login to somewhere else on the page and then shrunk the top graphic down vertically somewhat? We could put the client login on the right hand side above the news, or make a button, or something. This might not be a good idea, but I wanted to see what you thought. The top is looking good, but I'm wondering if the client login is hindering you a bit in terms of the look. What do you think? Sorry to bring this up now!

Either way this design is really getting to where I want it to be. Great work!

Thanks!

Jeremy

[Lori]

Jeremy,

First, which of the three (since they are all a little different in shade) do you want me to better blend your logo into?

And, no prob to move the client login. It is not a hinderance per se, but lets have a look at it a different way since we have already changed the original header layout - it was planned to be as you see it within the original header design I presented - so who knows; It may look even better another way.

Would you prefer the login on the front page, or a button in the nav menu like I have done on the inner pages?

Let me know ;)

[jeremyconner]

Lori:

Sorry...forgot to tell you which one! Let's go with the third revision on your page (although I like the dark color of the second one on the picture, but it doesn't look as good under the logo). Maybe a combo?

On the client login, it can be either a button or located on the front page, whichever you think works better. The only thing I will say is that I like the width of the news column as you have it, so let's not squeeze that anymore (I know that on subsequent pages that column is a little more narrow, or at least I think it is). So if we add a button, it might be tough to locate it.

Or we could put it on the front page somewhere...whatever you think.

Thanks!

Jeremy

[Pawel]

Main page:

[Pawel]

Subpage:

[jeremyconner]

TO ALL DESIGNERS STILL IN THIS COMPETITION:

Tonight I'm going to start narrowing down the field. I've been getting some outside opinions and have a pretty good idea of what's going to happen, but I did post a revision list on Saturday and wanted to give you all a chance to work on them. I'm waiting to see the revisions to make my decision as to which designs will be cut. If you don't submit any revisions by tonight, I'll take your design "as is" and make my decision using it.

I guess the bottom line is that I need to see your revisions today (or if you can have them by tomorrow, you need to let me know today that you want a bit more time). Then tonight, I'll probably thin the group down to 3 or 4 designs. That means the competition will end for half of you tonight (unless I hear from you, in which case I'll give you another day).

TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHERE THINGS STAND - As of right now (and this could change based on the revisions I see so don't hold me to it) there are two designs that I'm pretty sure are NOT going to be eliminated. Based on great designs that have gotten unanimous approval from everyone I've shown them to, Lori and Anne are going to stick around for a while. That means that there are 2 spots left and 6 designs left.


MANY, MANY THANKS to all of you for your great work! All of these designs are great, and I have definitely gotten my money's worth out of this competition. I couldn't have asked for a better experience and I appreciate all the design ideas that you guys and gals brought to the table. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Jeremy

[jeremyconner]

Deplex:

That looks great! The sub pages looks really good and have a sweet layout to them.

How will you deliver the code? (HTML, XHTML, CSS)

Thanks!

Jeremy

[DesignGeneral]

HI Jeremy,

I was back in town yesterday night.

I'll proceed today with my revisions.

Thanks for your patience :)

[Pawel]

Hello Jeremy, standard xhtml with css

[jeremyconner]

DesignGeneral:

No problem...I knew you were tied up with the other contest and it's VERY NICE, POLITE AND PATIENT contest holder) (Yeah, right!) :D

Don't kill yourself doing it...if you need an extension I'll give you one (I'll still make my decision tonight, but will hold off on making the call on your design since you let me know)

Jeremy

[splunking]

Hello Jeremy,

Thank you so much for your patience! I appreciate your invitation, I just was crammed full of things going on this weekend.

Here is what I have come up with initially for infosymmetry.
I tried to keep the elements simple, and clean.

Infosymmetry Index Page (http://www.flashbrite.com/infosymmetry.htm)

Let me know what you like, or don't... and what you would like changed. I should be available all day today for revisions, and throughout the week.

Thanks again :D
- Cindy

[jeremyconner]

Cindy:

Hey! Thanks for participating!

I think this design is just a bit too clean and simple, if that makes any sense. One thing I liked about the design you did for another customer on DO was the way you used pictures (with grids overlayed on them and some boxes highlighted and stuff) and overall space. The page was actually filled up with stuff, almost too much stuff, but it looked great.

Of course, I know I said I liked a minimalist feel to it, but after seeing some designs I think I'm changing a bit on that. Sorry to have misled you!

Sorry! I feel bad! I like this design, but it's just a bit too dry for me. Of course, you're welcome to take another shot at it, but that's up to you. I know you're busy, but if you think you have another idea I'd love to see it.

Thanks!

Jeremy

[splunking]

Okay Jeremy,

You asked for it! lol, I'll take a little more liberty with the design. I had an idea originally, but immediately dumped it after reading through your project description again, feeling it wasn't for the minimalist ;)


I appreciate your prompt feedback. I'll have a few hours this afternoon to start from scratch.

Thanks!
- Cindy

[Lilja]

Hi Jeremy,

I experimented a litle bit more on the header to make it more colorfull and I made the logo bigger.


What do you think?

Lilja

[jeremyconner]

Lilja:

WOW...that changes the entire feel of the design in my opinion - for the better. That looks great! It really enhances the design!

I like the picture in there too...and the client login area looks better also! I think you nailed the logo on this design too...it stands out and looks great. This is the best handling of the logo yet.

Great job!

Jeremy

[Lori]

Direction time again Jeremy :)

Everything is still on that same page, this time under header revisions. Let me know what your thoughts are on the client login being moved down. I am still fiddling with the pic, just trying to give you lots of ways it can be done... let me know if you see something that works, and if you don't I will keep playing ;)

http://zenfulcreations.com/clients/do/info/projectindex.htm

[jeremyconner]

Lori:

YES!!!

Revision 3 is almost perfection! Let me tell you about these changes:

I love the placement of the technology logos at the bottom of the page and also making them black and white...OUTSTANDING! That looks incredible!

I love the location of the client login and the shading of the right portion of the page with the blue gradient...that really adds a subtle feeling of color and excitement to the page.

I love the dark photo and the way the text just jumps out at you there, and I love how the logo is standing out much more.

The only thing I don't like is the radial gradient behind the logo. Could we try just having a linear gradient from one side of the pic to the other? This might make it look bad, but I'd like to see something just a bit different there. I liked what you did on revision 4 (but not the moving of the menu up into the blue), but I liked the logo being on the other side and having the picture being a bit darker (as you did in revision 3). If we can figure out how to have the logo stand out while having the darker picture we'll be SO DONE WITH THIS!

If it will help (DON'T LET ME GET YOU OFF TRACK WITH THIS IDEA, BECAUSE YOU ARE ALL OVER IT RIGHT NOW), you can change the colors of the text in the logo...the problem here is that the header looks so good with that dark blue (it pulls the whole page together) but the text is so dark on "symmetry" that it seems to be a problem. Thus we end up having to have a light color behind the logo. I have no problem with having a "web" version of the logo, although I'd rather have the original colors. Just an idea...either way, you are REALLY CLOSE.

Jeremy

[Lori]

Just incase I have not told you today..............

........... you give the BEST feedback Jeremy! :tup: Always suggesting new ideas, and yet making us feel so appreciated for all the work we have done and time we have put in.

So, THANK YOU!

... okay, okay, LOL. Off to play..........

[jeremyconner]

Lori:

It's you guys who are awesome! I have really gotten some good stuff in here, which makes me happy for two reasons:

First, I'm going to have a site design that is incredible looking and worth far more than this contest prize. In fact, I feel bad for all the good designs that I'll have to turn away (although I think I will offer to buy the second place design...don't know yet, but I need a client site and these designs are so good I hate to waste them)

Second, and more important, I now have a great feeling about the quality of work that you guys can do. I've had logo work done here before, but never a template. My work will bring me in contact with people needing site designs all of the time, and now I know exactly where to go to get them. I have two sites that will need work in the near future plus the possibility of a mass-market idea (for which the contest prizes will be HUGE based on the clientel) and we can all make some money building them. It's a win-win for us all.

Good people plus good work equals a good team. You guys rock.

Jeremy

[Lori]

Jeremy,

I really don't want to change the colors in the logo, so we will just play with the pic until we get it right :)

A few linear headers:
http://zenfulcreations.com/clients/do/info/projectindex.htm

[DesignGeneral]

Hi Jeremy,

Thanks for your understanding, your patience and your thoughts :notworthy

Is pretty late here, so I'm unable to have my revisions done today. I will do my best to have them tomorrow.

You have some cool entries :tup: , I'll try to make your decision harder :flex: :box:

Cheers :D

[jeremyconner]

Lori:

Number 4 is just about perfect! I like the text like that and this is looking completely awesome.

I'd like to see two very small adjustments if you wouldn't mind (I promise to quit bugging you so much after this!):

Could we narrow the space between the bottom of the logo and the top of the text just a bit, and thereby make the top graphic just a bit smaller? Even if it means shrinking the logo down just a little bit, if we made this just a bit smaller I think it would look better.

Also, could we try removing the drop shadow (or lessening it significantly) from behind the logo? I'd like to see it without so much shadow if possible - BUT please keep this one as I like it a lot and it might not be as good without the shadow.

Thanks!

Jeremy

[jeremyconner]

DesignGeneral:

No problem...I'm just sorry that you have to deal with a difficult contest holder. (I might know someone in the mafia...want me to pm you with their phone number?) You guys are too talented to have to put up with stuff like that. $500 is a great prize, but really it's not quite enough for the work that you guys do...you're really underpaid considering the quality. To then ask you to write code on top of that is a bit EXTREME.

Take your time, get some sleep and I'll hold your spot for a day or two. That template you won with yesterday was really great...congrats!

Jeremy

[jeremyconner]

TO ALL DESIGNERS STILL IN THE RUNNING:

Ok folks...I really hate to do this, but I have to drop a few designs from contention. It's not fair to keep so many of you hanging out on this project when you could be winning other competitions.

I realize that some of you didn't turn in revisions yet, but I don't think I should prolong this...my sincere apologies if you were working on something and got cut off. I tried to give as many warnings as I could to avoid you guys losing time.

The following designs were great, but just not quite as good of a fit as some others, and as a result I have to let you guys go:

Artemii - cool site with a very modern feel and great mouseovers
Nemeliza - best watermark design I think I've ever seen
Deplex - Great design, clean layout, good color, very tough call

I AM SO SORRY! Your work is very much appreciated and I'm sorry I couldn't choose your designs. They were very good and this decision is tough.

Anne, Lilja, Lori are still in, and Splunking is in but behind due to a late entry (which is kind of my fault). DesignGeneral has been granted an extension due to having to deal with a "unique" CH. (and by unique, I mean...well...I better not say what I mean...Palmer might put the smack down on my account here)

Luc is still in until tomorrow...if I don't see revisions by then, I'll make the call.

Thanks!

Jeremy

[Pawel]

It's been a great time Jeremy :) I'd like to thank you for being such an
awesome contest holder, we need more like yourself !
Congratulations guys/ gals on making the cut, well deserved.
Till next time
Bye

[Lori]

Jeremy,

First, I thank you again that I am still in this race :) WHOO HOO!

Second, you are no bother whatsoever. As you may be able to tell by my "project page" for you, I am very into this design, win or loose, and I have had blast with it. Besides, you could be worse - *grin*

Third, here are three changes on the header - however I dislike the way "capture.manage" pixelates at that size:

Revision 1 (http://zenfulcreations.com/clients/do/info/index1r10.htm)
Revsion 2 (http://zenfulcreations.com/clients/do/info/index1r10a.htm)
Revsion 3 (http://zenfulcreations.com/clients/do/info/index1r10b.htm)

Let me know

:D

[Luc]

Woah wait! I can't believe I forgot about this! I'm working right now! I'll post in a few minutes!

[Luc]

Alright, here goes. Anymore revisions?

[jeremyconner]

Lori:

I agree with you on the third revision (about the logo), but I like both number one and number two...I think we've nailed it! I think that for this design it looks better without the shadow. I'm not sure which I like better (1 or 2) but both will work great.

Right now I can't think of anything else...could you put those two versions on the grey background and then leave them so I can get some outside feedback on it?

Also, in one screenshot you showed some menu items dropping down when you moused-over the menu items. Will the menu items be text based or will they all be images...how does that work? How would I change them (the sub items on the menus...I'm assuming the main menu items are graphics...or are they?)

Great work!

Jeremy

[jeremyconner]

Luc:

That looks much better...could I see what the sub pages would look like and the mouseovers too?

Also, how will you deliver this?

Thanks!

Jeremy

[Lori]

Originally posted by jeremyconner
Lori:
Will the menu items be text based or will they all be images...how does that work? How would I change them (the sub items on the menus...I'm assuming the main menu items are graphics...or are they?)


Jeremy,

Backgrounds have been changed.

Menu, that is totally up to you really. I can do them as graphics, and then you can make new ones as needed from the PSD. OR, I can make them text and full css.

[Luc]

Sure. Deliverables are PSD, HTML, CSS,

[Artemii]

Thanks for the contest, Jeremy!
Wish you to choose the best design!
Good luck!
Artemii.

[jeremyconner]

Anne:

I've been thinking about your design and wanted to see if we could try something.

Could we try taking this "out of the box"? What I mean is, could we try this design, but with it filling up the page vertically? Horizontally it's fine, but I'd like to see if we could make it fill the page vertically. It feels just a bit boxed in right now.

Also, if and when we try this, could we make the buttons a lighter color (say a grey or something)? They blend in too much with the background.

If these ideas are stupid, and you have a better idea to change the feel of it (or at least my impression of the feel of it) then by all means do your thing!

I have been getting good feedback on this design from everyone I show it too!

Thanks!

Jeremy

[Anne]

Hi Jeremy.

Thank you for the greate feedback :)

I will make a couple of different layouts, vertically and horizontally, for you beacuse I am not sure what will work best either. I'll make the revisions when I get back from work tomorrow. Got to get some sleep now :zzz:

Anne

[jeremyconner]

TO ALL OF YOU DESIGNER TYPES:

For those of you who also dabble in print media, I just started a business card/letterhead contest in the Miscellaneous area.

You guys/gals are great and I'd love to see you over there!

PLUS...you'd have distinct priviledge...the great honor...of working with ME again! Now you know you can't turn that down!

(insert snikering here!)

Jeremy

[DesignGeneral]

Jeremy,

I'll be able to have my revisions by tomorrow morning. I hate I have to say this again :blush:

[jeremyconner]

No problem whatsoever...I'll look for them later.

Jeremy

[jeremyconner]

TO ALL DESIGNERS STILL IN THIS CONTEST:

I hate to do this again, but I need to cut two more of you loose. I think its better if I let you go now so you can go kick butt in some other competitions.

Lilja:

I'm sorry to say that I'm going to drop your design from the competition. It is a wonderful design, and under any normal circumstances it would have won - easily. Your revisions were great, and you really did an awesome job. In the end, I just prefer a few other designs over yours...not by much, but just enough to count.

I thought about keeping your design in until the end, because I really do like it, but the way I'm feeling now about the contest I think I've narrowed it down mentally and it's not fair to keep someone as good as you waiting. Rest assured that the other designs (including the eventual winner) were only SLIGHTLY better than yours in terms of what appeals to me. This was a tough call...there are just so many great designs and they are all very close in terms of what I like.

Luc:

Your design is awesome...it has a very technical feel to it and the colors are great. Again, this is just a case where there are a few designs that are SLIGHTLY better...I could take your site and be completely happy with it! I was going to wait until you made some further revisions, but then I felt bad about the thought of having you put in more work only to have your design dropped. I hope you weren't in the middle of anything - if you were please accept my sincere apologies!

YOU TWO ARE AWESOME AND I APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS. This is one of those times when you wish everyone could win because you all deserve it. Unfortunately, this is where I have to be a jerk and pick...SORRY!

Thank you so much for participating! Please keep an eye out for me as I will have many contests in the future and definitely want you two to participate!

AT THIS POINT - We have Anne and Lori battling it out, and Splunking possibly bringing a design (if it's not here tomorrow I'll probably rule her out - not because I want to but just to be fair to everyone) and DesignGeneral bringing revisions (I feel he deserves a bit of time due to his ordeal with his previous CH and so I'm granting him a stay of execution! :P )

Jeremy

[Luc]

No problemos! I'm not in the middle of something. No need for apology.

Good luck!

[splunking]

Hi again Jeremy,

Okay, here is what I came up with. I tried to incorporate the elements that you liked in the cp design you were referring to.

Infosymmetry Index Page Revision (http://www.flashbrite.com/infosymmetry.htm)

I'm ready to revise all you want, if you like the initial concept.

Thanks :D
- Cindy

[DesignGeneral]

Hi Jeremy,

Different image in the header and changed blue from left to be a bit darker.

For the left side I thinked to change bacground to a solid color when you mouse over. Let me know if you like the idea.

[DesignGeneral]

:)

[DesignGeneral]

Solid colors :)

[jeremyconner]

Cindy:

This is more like what I was thinking! I love the colors and the photos and parts of this layout are awesome!

Could we make a few changes to it? I like the top section (menu bar and picture) and I like the bottom section (red area and white below it) but the middle section clutters it up a bit in my opinion. Could we maybe condense this down to just the top and bottom, and then find another place for the logo? If we need to we can do the client login as a button and take it out.

I think the main thing here is that the logo needs to be bigger and a little more prominent, and the middle section should just come out altogether (I like the mouse photo, but I think that section breaks up the flow of the page too much).

Just some thoughts...what do you think?

Jeremy

[jeremyconner]

DesignGeneral:

I like the more solid colors, although I didn't quite understand what you meant about the colors changing on mouseover - do you mean that when you mouseover a news item the square would change color? I like that idea.

Could I see what a sub page would look like on this design?

I still think this design needs more color...that's really my only complaint about this...otherwise I really like it! Any ideas on this?

Thanks!

Jeremy

[DesignGeneral]

Hi Jeremy,

Thanks for the feedback :cool:

do you mean that when you mouseover a news item the square would change color?

Yes ;)


Could I see what a sub page would look like on this design?

Sure :D


I still think this design needs more color...that's really my only complaint about this...otherwise I really like it! Any ideas on this?

I'll be back :)

[DesignGeneral]

:)

[jeremyconner]

DesignGeneral:

I like that better, but could we make it even darker? Maybe a red or blue from my logo, and make the text white?

Or, maybe we could figure out a way to make the top bar dark (but then what would we do with the logo?) I'd like to figure out how to make the logo bigger in this design anyway, so maybe this will give us a chance.

It's getting better, but I still feel like it needs more contrast.

Thanks!

Jeremy

[DesignGeneral]

:)

[jeremyconner]

DesignGeneral:

Yeah, that's looking better now!

I was looking at this design, and here's the deal. I love the bottom half of it (the news section and the content area). The top bar (with the logo and client login) just doesn't appeal to me much and while I like the menu bar, it sort of blends in to the rest of the site too much.

Maybe we could mess around with putting the menu options at the top of the page, coloring the buttons, and then move the top bar down below that. We could make the logo bigger and have a larger picture in there with it.

Just some thoughts...also, we'll definitely have to get a different picture...this one has an Apple computer in it - YUCK!!!

:P

Jeremy

[Anne]

Hi!

Here are some variations from me.

#1 - Original (http://www.newfacedesign.net/do/info_v8.html)
#2 - with a light blue navbar (http://www.newfacedesign.net/do/info_v10.html)
#3 - with white bg, light navbar (http://www.newfacedesign.net/do/info_v11.html)
#4 - with pattern background (http://www.newfacedesign.net/do/info_v13.html)
#5 - Horizontaly with light gray navbar (http://www.newfacedesign.net/do/info_v12.html)


Anne

[Anne]

One more :)

# 6 - horizontally 2 (http://www.newfacedesign.net/do/info_v15.html)

Anne

[jeremyconner]

Anne:

Number 4 looks really good! I love the background that you used for it!

Would this design stretch all the way down the screen when rendered?

There are two things I'd like to see changed just a bit, if you don't mind:

1. Could we make the content headers (such as "Welcome to Infosymmetry" or the "Latest News" item) a bit of a different font, and a bit bolder?

2. Could we do something to make the top portion a little darker? Maybe try a different button color (maybe not light blue, but grey or a darker blue but not as dark as it was...or whatever color you think) or maybe make the picture area a bit darker blue...or maybe make the area with the client login have an all red background? Just something to make the top of the page jump out a bit more.

This latest revision (number 4) is really looking great! That's just what it needed!

Thanks!

Jeremy

[DesignGeneral]

:cool:

[jeremyconner]

DesignGeneral:

WOW...that really makes the page look SO much better! Great job!

Could we make the logo a bit bigger up top? It looks a little small and a little fuzzy.

Also, could we make the yellow and orange areas on the left hand column a grey color? (or some other color if you have a good idea) The yellow and orange now look a bit out of place (don't shoot me!).

THIS IS REALLY LOOKING GOOD!

Jeremy

[Anne]

Here is the revision for # 4 (http://www.newfacedesign.net/do/info_v13.html)

- Chenged the font and made it bigger
- Made the header background a little darker
- Navbar darker
- I can make the page strech all the way if you want it to :)

Anne

[DesignGeneral]

:D

[Anne]

Played around with the login area :)

[jeremyconner]

DesignGeneral:

That looks good! Let me get some outside feedback on it and get back to you later this evening!

Jeremy

[jeremyconner]

Anne:

GREAT JOB! I LOVE IT!

That looks much better! I like the buttons and the header, and I like the color on the client login! Overall this design has really improved by leaps! This is going to be tough!

The only thing I'd like so see changed is to not have the yellow line run across the top and then go into the client login area. Could we either lose the yellow line and just have the red, or have the red "client login" box come all the way down, or maybe make the line a blue and don't have it enter the client login area?

Actually, could we try making the client login area dark blue? Sorry to keep going around in circles on you...but I just had that thought and came back to edit this post.

Other than that, I need to get some outside feedback on this and get back to you later on this. Great work...thanks for all your effort on this!

Jeremy

[Anne]

:)