Time2test needs a template ... $165

[time2test]

Hello All (Admin code added by Palmer - S683445A)

Due to the success of time2test logo contest I have decided to run a template contest...

Up for grabs is $165 template contenst for a small software testing consultancy.

Profile :
Time2test Ltd is a provider of Software Testing Solutions to a diverse set on industries such as Banks/Media/Software Companies/Telecoms. Time2test Ltd bridges the gap between Development and Business. Specialists in technical based testing solutions.

Qualities:
Adds value to the Software Development Life Cycle.
Will go the extra mile to deliver professionally tested systems and minimise the risk to companies.
Deliverable and results focused
Work effectively with existing procedures

Location :
Based in London but providing services through the United Kingdom.

Template qualities
Consultative, bold, efficient, experienced and professional, quality, clean, simple. Does not have to contain lots of images but enough to give that consultanting image

Overall design:
open to suggesetions but would like it to make use of the white space...
Simple professional, contemporary, theme to complement a young, bright company with fresh ideas and vision. Colours to complement my new simple but effective logo B) .

Main Sections of web site: Home, Company, Services and solutions, Sectors,People, Careers, Contact

Companies to research for software testing ideas :
http://www.imagoqa.com
http://www.tescom.co.uk
http://www.simgroup.com
http://www.etesting.eu.com



I would like all submissions to be in by no later than Wednesday 14th may 2003.

Good luck

Time2test :tup: :cool2:

[motiveX]

Can you post the logo in here?

Thanks.
I will have something by weeks end most likely.

[motiveX]

Lets get this mofo movin!!!

Here is my entry:

http://www.placidminds.com/time2test/layout.html

[time2test]

Cheers for the first entry.

I will add comments in the next few hours

Time2test

[time2test]

xteriormotive - Like the design. It looks very smart. Like the fact that you have used the logo colours and white space. Not completely satisfied by the top section, especially the top right swooping menu... The city graphic in the middle is good.

I am not exactly sure what I want so am open to your excellent ideas to guide me. Your first design is the type of thing that I am looking for...

[motiveX]

Originally posted by time2test@May 1 2003, 04:01 PM
xteriormotive - Like the design. It looks very smart. Like the fact that you have used the logo colours and white space. Not completely satisfied by the top section, especially the top right swooping menu... The city graphic in the middle is good.

I am not exactly sure what I want so am open to your excellent ideas to guide me. Your first design is the type of thing that I am looking for...
The whole point behind both of the 'swirly' parts of the website is to feed off of the logo design for the company.

I personally feel they both feed off of each other quite well and add to the making the site as balanced as it can get within the content.

Is it the 'swirl' at the top right that you dislike, or the main parts of the navigation playing a role in this portion of the layout?

Please advise.

Thanks,
Sean

[time2test]

I agree that your design feeds off the logo swirl. My dislike is somwhere in that area and I can not put my finger on it! If you can think of other balanced top sections then I would love to see them and if I will try to get some more produtive feedback on that section... :blink:

Other thougts:
1. use the "swirl" in the logo instead of the solid circle?
2. Noticed that the website blue colour used is different from the logo blue colour?
3. Is the layout based on 1024*768 or 800*600?
4. Little more orange in the left hand side of the layout?
5. Is layout 2 the bottom section of layout 1?


cheers time2test
:cool2:

[motiveX]

Originally posted by time2test@May 1 2003, 04:40 PM
I agree that your design feeds off the logo swirl. My dislike is somwhere in that area and I can not put my finger on it! If you can think of other balanced top sections then I would love to see them and if I will try to get some more produtive feedback on that section... :blink:

Other thoughts:
1. use the "swirl" in the logo instead of the solid circle?
2. Noticed that the website blue colour used is different from the logo blue colour?
3. Is the layout based on 1024*768 or 800*600?
4. Little more orange in the left hand side of the layout?
5. Is layout 2 the bottom section of layout 1?


cheers time2test
:cool2:
I will work on the top portion of the site tonight or this weekend and post any changes in addition to those found below:


1. Good suggestion.
2. The difference in blue's is to make the design easier on the eye. The blue in the logo is not as 'eye-soothing' as the darker less abrasive shade throughout the color scheme of the layout...they go well together, but one is much better in the majority, opposed to minority.
3. Layout is based on 800X600
4. I will mess with some orange on the left side. Sure!
5. The second comp is simply the bottom portion of the top comp...its easier to present that way, and it loads faster. LOL!

[motiveX]

**Updated with a slight touch of orange to the left, adjusted the top left portion of the site slightly as well as the 'swirl' replacing the solid circle in the navigation (I don't like the way this looks, but figured I would leave it to show you how it would look)

Note: The captures found on the page below are LARGE to show you an IN YOUR FACE version of how the site would actually look, in comparison to smaller captures....therefore they are large files as well, so please be patient.

http://www.placidminds.com/time2test/layout.html

I am thinking that maybe some additional pictures could go in the white 'space' which splits the page from navigation to graphic/content? Any suggestions from you as to what you might want to see there graphically?

I am not sure how this would look, it might overcrowd the site but I look forward to any comments/suggestions.

[time2test]

Originally posted by xteriormotive@May 2 2003, 01:57 AM
I am not sure how this would look, it might overcrowd the site but I look forward to any comments/suggestions.

Some "watermarked" ( not sure if this is the correct terminology ?:wacko: ) type of graphics may look good?

Other comments:
1. Little concerned that the logo and the top level navaigation elements are quite far apart?
2. When you click on a top level navigation link then how much text will actually be presented on the screen without having to scroll? on say 1024x768 res?
3. My logo is not finalised, would you recommend that I ask ondarox to change it to a deeper blue that you have used?
4. Idea: maybe the top section and the photo need to be integrated and the logo needs to be rearranged to another location?

time2test

[motiveX]

Originally posted by time2test@May 3 2003, 03:39 AM
Originally posted by xteriormotive@May 2 2003, 01:57 AM
I am not sure how this would look, it might overcrowd the site but I look forward to any comments/suggestions.

Some "watermarked" ( not sure if this is the correct terminology ?:wacko: ) type of graphics may look good?

Other comments:
1. Little concerned that the logo and the top level navaigation elements are quite far apart?
2. When you click on a top level navigation link then how much text will actually be presented on the screen without having to scroll? on say 1024x768 res?
3. My logo is not finalised, would you recommend that I ask ondarox to change it to a deeper blue that you have used?
4. Idea: maybe the top section and the photo need to be integrated and the logo needs to be rearranged to another location?

time2test
--You could have him deepend the blue a bit, but I think if it matches the site colors it would be too overpowering and take away from both aspects of the logo design and the site concept.

--I will try and rework putting the logo someplace else on the site and see what happens.

--If you click the top level links, it will jump you to the part of the page you need to be viewing...so no scrolling will have to take place...but on 10X7 it wouldn't be that much of a big deal either way.

I will work on changes tomorrow and Monday.

[LalitB]

Hello,
Here's my entry - http://www.eyeseedesigns.com/time2test/

Thanks,
Lalit

[time2test]

Hello Prelude - cheers for the entry

here are my comments:
1. Would like you to use my original logo ( blue and orange).
2. The graphic of the girl with the headset on gives the impression that my consultancy is a call centre .
3. Feel that the links at the top of the page are too large.
4. Generally would like to see you use my logo colours and aspect.
5. Like the overall freshness! .

time2test

[motiveX]

I am glad you posted, I forgot about this contest among the chaos I am dealing with right now. LOL.

I have tried playing around with the logo position, navigation adjustments and I personally think it ruins the whole setup.

I will post what the changes look like later tomorrow when I get back from a day of being grilled.

:help:

[time2test]

Look forward to the adjustments!

:drink: ( Is there a budweiser bottle equivalent?????)

time2test

[lang]

I took a swing at this, and hopefully won't end up like Jose Canseco.

I played more off the orange since it comes off as vibrant and exciting. I also tried to make use of white space as you requested, and left plenty of room for content. The main orange graphic could be improved with photographs, but I tend to like it a bit more abstract. Here's hoping my last 4 pots of coffee were worth the jitters.

http://www.mynics.net/t2t/time2test_v1.jpg

[time2test]

Cheers for the entry Lang. I will gather my thoughts in the next couple of hours and get back to you.

time2test B)

[time2test]

Lang -

Have you recovered from the jitters?

here are my comments:

Like the yellow orange mix
Dislike the photos
Not to keen on the mouse graphic
Too many different colours on the screen which make it messy to view
Would like to see consistent set of colours for links and graphics e.t.c
Would like to see the layout feed of the swirl more
Like the usage of shading.

time2test B)

[motiveX]

Here are some of the adjustments. I am not sure how much I like them, but here they are no matter!

:tup:

www.checkmeout.com (http://www.placidminds.com/time2test/changes.html)

**large file.

***This design is set for 800 X 600

:blink:

[time2test]

xteriormotive

The logo does not blend in well in the top left...
I think that the top section needs maybe some "flashes" of orange and possibly some of the faint blue/grey colour used at the bottom of the page?

time2test

[motiveX]

Originally posted by time2test@May 13 2003, 08:55 AM
xteriormotive

The logo does not blend in well in the top left...
I think that the top section needs maybe some "flashes" of orange and possibly some of the faint blue/grey colour used at the bottom of the page?

time2test
I agree, but I wanted to actually show you that it fits best where it originally was.


:tup:

[time2test]

Originally posted by xteriormotive@May 13 2003, 04:00 PM
Originally posted by time2test@May 13 2003, 08:55 AM
xteriormotive

The logo does not blend in well in the top left...
I think that the top section needs maybe some "flashes" of orange and possibly some of the faint blue/grey colour used at the bottom of the page?

time2test
I agree, but I wanted to actually show you that it fits best where it originally was.


:tup:
Cheers for that - :cool2:

[motiveX]

Last set of changes for me...don't have the time to mess with the design anymore unless I know I have actually made a valid investment.

:winkiss:

www.ilikedirt.com (http://www.placidminds.com/time2test/changes2.html)

[time2test]

xteriormotive -

Out of the 3 different designs yours is by far the best one so far... :flowers: You have this one more or less in the bag and you rightly say
...don't have the time to mess with the design anymore unless I know I have actually made a valid investment. To keep in fairness of the contest, I will be announcing the winner tomorrow :cool2:

Things that need attention:
1. There is too much of a gap between the top and the middle section. It needs to blend in better. You have to look half way down the screen before you see the logo on a 1024 screen
2. Not so keen on the "etch-a-sketch" style new navigation bar
3. Ondarox has just sent me the logo files which I can send to you via email

[cre8or]

Way t' go Xteriormotive!
I just thought I'd post my 2¢
(I need the practice at template building...)

My Effort... (http://www.kimberart.com/templates/time2test.htm)

[motiveX]

Originally posted by time2test@May 13 2003, 02:34 PM
xteriormotive -

Out of the 3 different designs yours is by far the best one so far... :flowers: You have this one more or less in the bag and you rightly say
...don't have the time to mess with the design anymore unless I know I have actually made a valid investment. To keep in fairness of the contest, I will be announcing the winner tomorrow :cool2:

Things that need attention:
1. There is too much of a gap between the top and the middle section. It needs to blend in better. You have to look half way down the screen before you see the logo on a 1024 screen
2. Not so keen on the "etch-a-sketch" style new navigation bar
3. Ondarox has just sent me the logo files which I can send to you via email
Yes...but it IS above the fold and flows with the site.

There really isn't a better place for the logo to go within that design...I will work on shrinking the top of the site, but I have a feeling you are not going to like the way that looks (cause I don't) and we seem to agree most times.

:tup:

[time2test]

Yes...but it IS above the fold and flows with the site.

not sure what you mean by this?

on a 800x600 screen size you only see (http://www.placidminds.com/time2test/changes2.html) about 3 lines of text and you are forced to scroll down to see more...

I used http://www.anybrowser.com/ScreenSizeTest.html to check 800x600

[Palmer]

That's what I'm getting too Sean. Here's my screen shot...
http://www.yourwebbuddy.com/misc/time2test.jpg

[motiveX]

Originally posted by Palmer@May 14 2003, 06:06 AM
That's what I'm getting too Sean. Here's my screen shot...
http://www.yourwebbuddy.com/misc/time2test.jpg
1. There is too much of a gap between the top and the middle section. It needs to blend in better. You have to look half way down the screen before you see the logo on a 1024 screen

I was speaking directly from the resolution you mentioned in your post...not 800 X 600.

;)

...and here:

When you click on a top level navigation link then how much text will actually be presented on the screen without having to scroll? on say 1024x768 res?

Since you have only mentioned this resolution within the contest, I made the assumption that this was the only resolution you were concerned about.

As I said, I can shrink the header...but it really crams the site and I personally do not like the way it looks.

:)

[motiveX]

Removed most of the top part.

NOW it IS above the fold in 8X6 as well as 10X7

:tup:

http://www.placidminds.com/time2test/changes2.html

[time2test]

I understand where you are coming from although you did mention:
3. Layout is based on 800X600

I am confused! :sideways:

[Palmer]

Woohoo! Success! :D

[motiveX]

Originally posted by time2test@May 14 2003, 09:38 AM
I understand where you are coming from although you did mention:
3. Layout is based on 800X600

I am confused! :sideways:
Yes, horizontally.

There are very FEW sites that actual have content that is not available without scrolling vertically these days.

It is near impossible to create a very pretty site without taking up the real estate above the fold. Even some of the big media companies require you to scroll on 8X6 vertically to reach their content. As long as a site fits within the horizontal constraints of 8X6 personally I am happy, because I know that the majority of people are at your site for a reason, and will scroll to find out what they need to (not endlessly). Curiosity is a *****, and its fun taking advantage of it.

:tup:

I for one don't really like it when content is crammed vertically like this, but if it is your demographic , then as my friend from work says, "IT MUST BE DONE!!!"

:flowers: :woot:

[time2test]

Yes, horizontally.

There are very FEW sites that actual have content that is not available without scrolling vertically these days.

It is near impossible to create a very pretty site without taking up the real estate above the fold. Even some of the big media companies require you to scroll on 8X6 vertically to reach their content. As long as a site fits within the horizontal constraints of 8X6 personally I am happy, because I know that the majority of people are at your site for a reason, and will scroll to find out what they need to (not endlessly). Curiosity is a *****, and its fun taking advantage of it.

I see where you are coming from but I look at this site as being a promotional site aimed at prospective clients. As the conent will essentially be static then they will click on navigational links and scan the text. If they have to scroll down for every link clicked then I look at that as being annoying... :rolleyes: I guess its down to personal usbability?

time2test :cool2:

[motiveX]

Originally posted by time2test@May 14 2003, 10:05 AM
Yes, horizontally.

There are very FEW sites that actual have content that is not available without scrolling vertically these days.

It is near impossible to create a very pretty site without taking up the real estate above the fold. Even some of the big media companies require you to scroll on 8X6 vertically to reach their content. As long as a site fits within the horizontal constraints of 8X6 personally I am happy, because I know that the majority of people are at your site for a reason, and will scroll to find out what they need to (not endlessly). Curiosity is a *****, and its fun taking advantage of it.

I see where you are coming from but I look at this site as being a promotional site aimed at prospective clients. As the conent will essentially be static then they will click on navigational links and scan the text. If they have to scroll down for every link clicked then I look at that as being annoying... :rolleyes: I guess its down to personal usbability?

time2test :cool2:
Well, that is why you use anchor points. They click a link and it jumps them to the content, no scrolling required.

:D

[time2test]

Its decision time... the winner is xteriormotive:clap:

Your design is by far the most professional and well designed. Your design cleverly works with the new logo. Will need a couple of enhancements before you start to finalize.

time2test
:cool2:

[Palmer]

Congrats Sean :tup:

Thanks Time2Test, excellent choice.

[lang]

Congratulations xteriormotive!

Your design was awesome!

[time2test]

By the way, forgot to say thanks to Cre8tor for entering the contest. :tup:

time2test
:cool2: