manetwork Template Design - $150

[pengrus]

Dear All, (Admin code added by Palmer - P507441Y)

Here is our entry for a template design.

Contest: Master of Accountancy Network ( http://www.manetwork.org ), a site for accounting professionals with a focus on master students. The goal is to provide the Master of Accountancy students and alumni a place to network with each other and exchange information for their career development. The site is live, but needs to be completely redone.

Prize: USD$150

Deadline: Wednesday May 14th, 6pm Central Standard Time.

Output: Require HTML version of template, plus unflattened graphics with fonts used so that they can be easily modified later.

Desired Style: The site needs to be professional as it is for the future CPA(Certified Public Accountant). But since it is a entry page for Master of Accountancy Network community forum, it also needs to be inviting, relaxed and nice looking, not crowed or heavy commercialized.

Since the forum is the main driving engine, please also prepare integrating the header or basic style for the forum.

Here is a site that we liked: http://www.scottswork.co.uk/welcome.shtml . But by all means, please do not limit the design to this. This is just to show we want some professional, simple and effective site.

Site Logo: Simple image - could be variation of the text MANETWORK with some highlight color.

Site Tagline: Networking opportunity for career development. (may change later, so please supply editable font used).

Site Color: Blue as main color, with red, and yello as needed. An example is the Business School that this organization belongs to:
http://www.bauer.uh.edu/

But this is only for color reference, and please do not use their layout or design.

Navigation: The currrent links we have are at: http://www.manetwork.org/ . We are open on navigation style. Please also add a JUMP to Forum box with drop down menu, to all the forums' name like CPA Exams, Job Opportunities, etc.

Target Audience:
Students/alumni in accounting/finance graduate program.
Employers like Big Four Accounting Firm: http://www.ey.com/ ; http://www.deloitte.com/ ; http://www.kpmg.com/ ; http://www.pwcglobal.com/ . So there should be some place to display their small banner ad.
Faculty in business school

Graphics: Feel free to add some graphics as needed, in relation to technical expertise, people, integrity, accounting, networking, study, etc.

If you could and if it looked good, maybe try one of the suanpan image: http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&lr=&...UTF-8&q=suanpan (http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=suanpan) . Suanpan is the ealiest calculator invention.

Upon completion I would take full ownership/rights of the winning graphic/site template and it or parts of it would not be reproduced for another site template. I reserve the right to use, re-sell and modify the template at my discretion indefinately.

Thank you for your help on the project and look forward to working with you.

[motiveX]

I will have something...

:zorro: :yes:

[motiveX]

I am shot for the day....this will be my 5th design of the afternoon/evening...so ummmmm, ya.

:help: :bash: :yawn:

....must leave....computer......alonnnnne.

:sick:

[pengrus]

xteriormotive,

Thanks for your quick reply and the effort. It is a great start! I like your logo idea and font, color in general. I am not sure I like that big picture. What is the idea of this picture? Do we need to update it often or leave one for each page? Also, on the right hand side, there is a portion blank, what is that for?

As of the linkage of different blocks, I would like to see more stylish design rather than the straight forward format. I know this is a quick presentation, and I am sure you will have more coming out when you get time. :rolleyes:

No hurry, we have plenty of time. Thanks a lot for your hard work and look forward to more of your work.

[motiveX]

Originally posted by pengrus@Apr 30 2003, 09:49 PM
xteriormotive,

Thanks for your quick reply and the effort.  It is a great start!  I like your logo idea and font, color in general.  I am not sure I like that big picture.  What is the idea of this picture?  Do we need to update it often or leave one for each page?  Also, on the right hand side, there is a portion blank, what is that for?

As of the linkage of different blocks, I would like to see more stylish design rather than the straight forward format.  I know this is a quick presentation, and I am sure you will have more coming out when you get time.  :rolleyes:

No hurry, we have plenty of time.  Thanks a lot for your hard work and look forward to more of your work.
I am confused.

The site needs to be professional and conservative as it is for the future CPA(Certified Public Accountant). But since it is a entry page for Master of Accountancy Network community forum, it also needs to be inviting, relaxed and nice looking, not crowed or heavy commercialized.

Conservative is NOT my style (as my portfolio will show you) by any means, so if you want something 'differen't just ring the bell, and I will most certainly go that route.

My initial design was based upon the 'professional and conservative' remarks found in your description.

Please advise.

Thanks,
Sean

[pengrus]

My initial design was based upon the 'professional and conservative' remarks found in your description.

I got rid of "conservative". Sorry about that.

[Jeremy W.]

Dunno, spent 2 hours on this (longer than any other template in recent memory *L*)... Hopefully it works for you, but now that it's done I don't think it fits...

Agh, well, let me know :)

J

[LalitB]

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

Thanks,
Lalit

[pengrus]

Originally posted by Jeremy W.@May 2 2003, 02:04 PM
Dunno, spent 2 hours on this (longer than any other template in recent memory *L*)... Hopefully it works for you, but now that it's done I don't think it fits...

Agh, well, let me know :)

J
Hi J, thanks for a great work. That looks very simple and effective. But i am not sure that I like the two pictures you used - the guy and the sky. Could you please change those two pictures? I am looking for more abstract and artistic pictures instead of realistic ones.

Thanks a lot!

[pengrus]

Originally posted by prelude785@May 4 2003, 12:57 AM
Hello,
Here's my entry - http://www.eyeseedesigns.com/manetwork/

Thanks,
Lalit
Lalit,

Thanks for the template. The layout is very good. It is missing a Member's login section as in my first post. Also, I am not sure that I like the $ sign and the people's pictures there. Could you please change those pictures? I prefer artistic pictures rather than realistic ones. If you do use people's picture, please give me some good looking and younger ones. :D

About the blue color, I feel it is too light. Maybe try some dark blue as in the example that I gave you.

Thanks again for your good work!!

[Jeremy W.]

Hey Pengrus,

I'll make those changes Monday. Was there anything besides the images that you wanted changed?

[LalitB]

Originally posted by pengrus@May 4 2003, 07:45 AM
Originally posted by prelude785@May 4 2003, 12:57 AM
Hello,
     Here's my entry - http://www.eyeseedesigns.com/manetwork/

Thanks,
Lalit
Lalit,

Thanks for the template. The layout is very good. It is missing a Member's login section as in my first post. Also, I am not sure that I like the $ sign and the people's pictures there. Could you please change those pictures? I prefer artistic pictures rather than realistic ones. If you do use people's picture, please give me some good looking and younger ones. :D

About the blue color, I feel it is too light. Maybe try some dark blue as in the example that I gave you.

Thanks again for your good work!!
Hello,
I've made alot of changes to the design. Have a look - http://www.eyeseedesigns.com/manetwork/

Thanks,
Lalit

[motiveX]

Crazy Cougar (http://www.placidminds.com/manetwork/crazy-cougar.html)

This started out as me joking around, but I like the way this turned out...even if it doesn't fit what you want. LOL.

This cougar looks like he/she has had a rough week....

:blink:

Pooor kittie.

[pengrus]

Originally posted by xteriormotive@May 5 2003, 01:29 AM
Crazy Cougar (http://www.placidminds.com/manetwork/crazy-cougar.html)

This started out as me joking around, but I like the way this turned out...even if it doesn't fit what you want. LOL.

This cougar looks like he/she has had a rough week....

:blink:

Pooor kittie.
It sure did turn out great!! Thanks for the excellent work. It looks very good and apparently, you've spent a lot of time on it. I appreciate it. Just a couple of questions before you revise anything.

What is the dark background on the top section?
What is the background picture on the login section? It looks like a suanpan, but a little off. Is it possible to integrate a suanpan as the dark background in the login section? I've included the images of it from google in the first post as a reference, don't know if any of them looks good for our purpose. I'd like to listen to your opinion.

What is the picture in the Our Mission link?

Thanks again! :tup:

[motiveX]

Originally posted by pengrus@May 5 2003, 07:00 AM
Originally posted by xteriormotive@May 5 2003, 01:29 AM
Crazy Cougar (http://www.placidminds.com/manetwork/crazy-cougar.html)

This started out as me joking around, but I like the way this turned out...even if it doesn't fit what you want. LOL.

This cougar looks like he/she has had a rough week....

:blink:

Pooor kittie.
It sure did turn out great!! Thanks for the excellent work. It looks very good and apparently, you've spent a lot of time on it. I appreciate it. Just a couple of questions before you revise anything.

What is the dark background on the top section?
What is the background picture on the login section? It looks like a suanpan, but a little off. Is it possible to integrate a suanpan as the dark background in the login section? I've included the images of it from google in the first post as a reference, don't know if any of them looks good for our purpose. I'd like to listen to your opinion.

What is the picture in the Our Mission link?

Thanks again! :tup:
:help:

I am delirious, but the top picture is a phone cord of a phone in a board room...but if you think it looks like what you said...thats even cooler.

:tup:

The picture in the mission statement is of a safe to a vault...I thought it was kind of along the lines of 'your mission will self destruct in 30 seconds'

:unsure: :help: :lol: (I told you I was delirious)

I need to go back to sleep or something, but feedback is welcome.

:tup: :flex:

Side Note: I tried the suanpan images, and wasn't feeling how it would look within a design; at least as a main graphic.

[pengrus]

Originally posted by prelude785@May 4 2003, 12:29 PM
Originally posted by prelude785@May 4 2003, 12:57 AM
Hello,

    I've made alot of changes to the design. Have a look - http://www.eyeseedesigns.com/manetwork/

Thanks,
Lalit
Thanks, Lalit! The darker blue looks better in my opinion and I like the background picture on the right. I would like to see a change to the top menu bar color which now is close to pink, also a change to the red bar between "Login" and "Networking opportunity for career development" - I did not like this bar's style and color.

Thank you!

[pengrus]

Originally posted by Jeremy W.@May 4 2003, 08:28 AM
Hey Pengrus,

I'll make those changes Monday. Was there anything besides the images that you wanted changed?
Jeremy,

Right, please change the images, and add the "Networking Opportunity for Career Development" where you see fit.

Please Add a copyright statement on the bottom.

Thanks!

[pengrus]

Originally posted by xteriormotive@May 5 2003, 09:33 AM

:help:

I am delirious, but the top picture is a phone cord of a phone in a board room...but if you think it looks like what you said...thats even cooler.

Side Note: I tried the suanpan images, and wasn't feeling how it would look within a design; at least as a main graphic.
Sean:

What is the background image that is above "HOME INTRODUCTION FORUMS NEWS"?

Could you please try have the suanpan image in the background section of login? It doesn't have to be the whole suanpan, it could be the part of it.

Please also add CONTACT in the top menu.

Why is the yellow dot position in "OURMISSION." different from "THE.OPPORTUNITY"? Shouldn't they be the same position?

On the fonts behind the hands, there is an underscore after "opportunity_"? The word "WE" looks like cut off a little bit on w, is that on purpose?

I like the meaning of the Mission picture, but what is the picture for "THE.OPPORTUNITY"?

Thanks a lot!

[motiveX]

Originally posted by pengrus@May 7 2003, 07:41 AM
Originally posted by xteriormotive@May 5 2003, 09:33 AM

:help:

I am delirious, but the top picture is a phone cord of a phone in a board room...but if you think it looks like what you said...thats even cooler.

Side Note: I tried the suanpan images, and wasn't feeling how it would look within a design; at least as a main graphic.
Sean:

What is the background image that is above "HOME INTRODUCTION FORUMS NEWS"?

Could you please try have the suanpan image in the background section of login? It doesn't have to be the whole suanpan, it could be the part of it.

Please also add CONTACT in the top menu.

Why is the yellow dot position in "OURMISSION." different from "THE.OPPORTUNITY"? Shouldn't they be the same position?

On the fonts behind the hands, there is an underscore after "opportunity_"? The word "WE" looks like cut off a little bit on w, is that on purpose?

I like the meaning of the Mission picture, but what is the picture for "THE.OPPORTUNITY"?

Thanks a lot!
I will try my best to get to these changes before the close of the contest, but I am very busy right now and might not be able to get to them right now.

If you decided to choose my design we could work out the issues design wise with the template.

Per the suanpan; it just looks bad in there...but like I said, if you would really want it we could work that out at a later date.

I will try to get to this if I can.

Thanks,
Sean

[LalitB]

Updated - http://www.eyeseedesigns.com/manetwork/

[lang]

Hi,

Here's my entry. I think I've covered everything you asked for, except there is a bit less blue than what I started with. In fact, I have no idea where all the blue went. At any rate, please let me know what you think. I ran out of coffee hours ago and have been running on fumes from the leftovers in my mug, so pardon my lack of creativity tonight. :)

Picture removed to save load time. Revision in following post

[pengrus]

Lang,

Well done! That is very creative design. Thanks for your work.

Here are some of my observations for your reference:

1. Could you please change the dollar picture (with Washington) in the latest news section under those figures to something like chart presentation or financial statements?

2. The Link fonts on the top right are different from the rest. Does it look good? Should we keep the same font?

3. The "Master of Accountancy Network" and "Networking opportunity for caree development" look good, but it seems a little crowded with the black line above them. Maybe make some adjustment here?

4. The picture concept used in "Exchange through our network" is perfect. But that picture itself does not look very high quality. Should we get another one? or should we apply some color filter on it?

Lang, I think overall it is a very good design. Please make changes according to my suggestion and/or where you see fit.

Thank you!

[lang]

And here you go! With all of your suggestions in mind, here is the revised version as well as a draft forum layout. Am I getting warmer? :)

Picture removed to save loading time. Please see my next post for revision.

<img src='http://www.mynics.net/manetwork/manetwork_forum_v1.jpg[/img]

[pengrus]

Lang:
Thanks for the revision! I guess we can now concentrate on the picture under the "Exchange Through Our Network". I in general do not like realistic picture this kind, and prefer something that is artistic or abstract. Is it possible that you could draw something to replace the picture that people sit together picture that is there now?

Anything else looks good.

Thank you!

[pengrus]

Last call for the template submission for MANETWORK. Please post your design by Wednesday, 14 May. Thank you!

[motiveX]

Ccccccccchanges....

:woot:

[lang]

Hello, hello, hello...

I replaced that picture with an abacus (since you suggested this in your first post). It seems to fit well with the subject-matter of your website. What do you think about this?

http://www.mynics.net/manetwork/manetwork_v3.jpg

[motiveX]

:whistle2:

:)

[pengrus]

:notworthy:

Congratulations, and the winner goes to xteriormotive (Sean). :tup: Thanks for the creative design! Our group like it a lot.

Thanks to everyone else who also made great entries and revision. I really wish I could keep several of them. ;) Your efforts are greatly appreciated. Please stay tuned for my next contests coming soon.

In appreciation!

[lang]

Hey, hey... congrats on another well-deserved win! :tup:

[Palmer]

Well done Sean. Nice work.

Thanks goes to the other Sean as well :)

[motiveX]

Originally posted by Palmer@May 15 2003, 08:31 PM
Well done Sean. Nice work.

Thanks goes to the other Sean as well :)
:blink: :help:

[Palmer]

The contest holders name is Sean too. What a coinkidink :)

[Mike]

Originally posted by Palmer@May 15 2003, 08:26 PM
The contest holders name is Sean too. What a coinkidink :)
or a conspiracy... <_<