[Project Complete] The Shave Box - $600

[jamest]

(Admin code added by Palmer - DX611372G)

Hi guys,

This template has a deadline of 27th March and is offering $600. We’re looking for an awesome template encapsulating the qualities/features of our company ‘The Shave Box’: we’re a young, dynamic, efficient, internet only supplier of quality men’s shave and skin care products at low prices.

Attached is the logo for ‘The Shave Box’, please incorporate this logo into your designs, you may change the colors of the logo to suit your design.

The site needs to have a typical shop feel to it with the emphasis on the products and not the template surrounding them, so keep it simple and clean yet professional.

Preferred Fonts: Verdana or Tahoma.

The competition is based on the design of our homepage, with the winner producing a further 4 pages: Product Detail Page, Basket Page, Category Listing Page, User Account Page.

ONLY DESIGNS FOR THE HOMEPAGE SHOULD BE ENTERED – THE WINNER WILL THEN PRODUCE THE REMAINING PAGES

The main template needs to include the following data/info, these need to appear on every page:

Product Links

(The following ‘Browse By’ sections can be listed or put in to a selection box, whatever looks right)

Browse By Category
Moisturisers
Toners
Cleaners
Scrubs
Masks

Pre-Shave
Shave Cream/Gel/Foam
Post-shave
Aftershave
Razor Burn & Ingrowing Hairs
Razors & Razor Blades

Hair Styling
Hair Shampoo & Conditioner

Accessories

Browse By Skin Type
Oily
Normal
Dry
Sensitive
Combination

Browse By Brand
Brand Name 1
Brand Name 2
Brand Name 3
Brand Name 4
Brand Name 5
Brand Name 6
Brand Name 7

Product Reviews (links to list of all past product reviews)
Search Box (just a text box with a ‘Go’ button or similar)

Account Links/Data
Log In
Log Out
Register
Account Details
Basket (this needs to show the number of items in the basket, the total value, and a a link to ‘checkout’)

Miscellaneous Links
Gift Vouchers

(the sections below do not need to be as emphasized as the sections above)

Company Links
About Us
Contact
Postage & Packaing
Terms & Conditions
Disclaimer
Returns

Company Data
VAT Registration No. 1234567890
Company No. 1234567890

Other Data
Credit/Debit Card Logos (see link to my site below)

------------------------

Homepage

Further to the template above, the homepage needs to contain the following sections:

“Welcome Text”
Gentleman!
Welcome to The Shave Box, the UK's internet-only shave and skin care retailer providing a variety of the finest shave and skin care products at the lowest prices.

“New Products”
I’d like to have a section showing new products, this may be just one product, two or three products or a whole product range. To cater for all these scenarios all I require is to have a title, image, description and link for further information.

“Offers”
I’d like to show 2 - 4 products that are on offer. For each product there will be an image, a name (e.g. Gilette Razor Blades), a product code (e.g. GRZ), a very short description (e.g. The finest razor blades available to man), the original price, the offer price and an add to basket link/image. These products need to of course be distinguished from the new products in some way.

“Review”
A small section with an image of the product being reviewed and then a brief quotation taken from the review itself along with the name of the person reviewing the product. Text should be no longer than this paragraph.

How you lay these sections out is totally down to you, I’m open to all suggestions.

You can view some test data for a few products here: http://www.james-thomson.net/shavebox/


Sites retailing similar products:

www.mankind.co.uk
www.menessentials.com

Templates I like:

http://www.templatehelp.com/aff/preview.php?i=7636
http://www.templatehelp.com/aff/preview.php?i=7596
http://www.templatehelp.com/aff/preview.php?i=7373
http://www.templatehelp.com/aff/preview.php?i=6991
http://www.templatehelp.com/aff/preview.php?i=6363
http://www.templatehelp.com/aff/preview.php?i=7067
http://www.templatehelp.com/aff/preview.php?i=6186

especially love the colors:

http://www.templatehelp.com/aff/preview.php?i=7068

Thanks in advance for all your entries, look forward to seeing them. Any questions, please ask. :)

Best of luck,

James.

[Aliska]

Hello. I start working. Happy contest for all designers :)

[jamest]

Hi Aliska and thank you :) Remember if you have any questions just ask.

James.

[Aliska]

Ok;)

[Aliska]

Hello.
My first version is ready, and I continue working on another.
Waiting for your feedback :).

[jamest]

Hi Aliska,

There are lots of small things which would need changing, but for now I'll just comment on the overall template look and feel.

The first thing that hit me when I first saw the image was the size of the buttons and text. I'd prefer to keep the template small and clean leaving more room for product information and general content.

I think the template needs to have a slightly more corporate feel to it, maybe this could be achieved by reducing the rounding on boxes for a start....I'm sure you've got better ideas though.

Thanks,

James.

[Aliska]

Hello!

I am working on another design as well and will finish and upload later today.

Thanks,
Aliska

[jamest]

Thanks :)

[Aliska]

Hello. I'm still working on the version, just wanted to show you and receive feedback - am i moving in the right direction? :)

[jamest]

Hi Aliska,

Get rid of the porn star for a start :D

It's moving a little more in the right direction but to be honest, it's kind of not what I'm looking for, it needs to be more "clean cut" and streamlined if that makes sense.

Have another look through the "Templates I Like", they should give you some ideas.

Thanks,

James.

[jamest]

Anyone else thinking of entering?

James.

[dualbase]

Hello James,
we want to enter, but we have few questions before.

1/ Does the template need to be coded ?
2/ Does the color scheme ( http://www.templatehelp.com/aff/preview.php?i=7068 ) is really necessary, cause we think that about 90% of shaving products are colored blue/white/grey/black, fresh colors, the colors of this template are a bit hot for the bathroom :) Maybe you want to change from the "competition" colors...;)
3/ Will you provide some non-product stock photos?

Thanks,
Laurent&Julien

[jamest]

1/ Does the template need to be coded ?

Nope.

2/ Does the color scheme ( http://www.templatehelp.com/aff/preview.php?i=7068 ) is really necessary, cause we think that about 90% of shaving products are colored blue/white/grey/black, fresh colors, the colors of this template are a bit hot for the bathroom :) Maybe you want to change from the "competition" colors...;)

I'm open to all ideas so don't feel restricted to the colors of that template.

3/ Will you provide some non-product stock photos?

What sort of thing are you looking for? Do you know of the best sites which provide these type of photos? I'm happy to buy photos if it's gonna help you guys.

Thanks,

James.

[dualbase]

thanks for answers James,
we'll work on something for you ASAP.
For photos we're mainly using http://www.istockphoto.com/

Have a nice day,
Laurent&Julien

[jamest]

Look forward to seeing it :)

As far as the stock photos go, I don't know if you can download them yourselves or if you need me to buy them first? If you have some in mind then I'm happy to purchase them if it'll help the template, just let me know if this is the case.

Thanks,

James.

[dualbase]

thanks for the offer, that's nice ;)
we'll keep you informed.
If we really need something we'll ask

Laurent&Julien

[will]

I'll post an idea during the week. :D

[jamest]

dualbase/will - ok, thanks guys :)

[Luc]

Hi James. We mainly use istockphoto.com but there are more appropriate photos here fotosearch.com although a bit pricey. Are you willing to purchase?

[Fabian]

Hi James,i'll have something to view soon :)

[jamest]

Luc - what sort of cost are we looking at? Can you buy per image or do you need to buy a whole disc?

Fabian - ok thanks a lot :)

James.

[Luc]

Luc - what sort of cost are we looking at? Can you buy per image or do you need to buy a whole disc?

$0-100+ per image

[Luc]

ONLY DESIGNS FOR THE HOMEPAGE SHOULD BE ENTERED – THE WINNER WILL THEN PRODUCE THE REMAINING PAGES

I just need to clarify,are these pages included in your prize?

[Aliska]

Hello.
Just wanted to let you know that I'm working ob fully new version and will upload it today-tomorrow.

[jamest]

Luc - Yes, the $600 is for all pages. Only the homepage should be created until I choose the winner, then the winner will create the remaining pages. These other pages will also use the winner's template and so they require much much less work - I'd do them myself but I think it's better to leave it to the real artists - if you want to see a spec for these additional pages I can post it if you like.

Regarding the stock images, is it possible to use the images with the copyright text across them for the purpose of the contest, then when a winner is chosen I'll purchase the photos....I'll spend up to $300 on stock photos as a guide.

Aliska - thanks again :)

James.

[Luc]

Woah! Does this mean the winning design will also work on the backend? How many total pages?
Regarding the stock images, is it possible to use the images with the copyright text across them for the purpose of the contest

[jamest]

Luc - I only require the images for the pages, no coding is required. So to summarise, the winner will be chosen on the merits of the homepage template and will then design the remaining 4 pages (using the homepage's template) - so a total of 5 pages - but the 4 pages other than the homepage are very very simple, and use the template already designed for the homepage.

James.

[Aliska]

Hello.
My new design, 2 variations. Am I in the right way now? :)

[jamest]

Aliska - they're a lot lot better :D I really like them, especially the first one. I'll give a full critique in a few hours.

Thanks,

James.

[jamest]

Hi Aliska,

I prefer the first one so my comments relate to that one. I think the colors work very well and the font colors and sizes are just right. The different shades of background colors seem to be a great way of making a template look professional and clean without being boring, I think it's well balanced, doesn't look too boring or too corporate.

There are quite a few minor textual changes, the main changes I'd like to see for the moment is the image on the left, I'd like that to be something a little more relevant to shaving, and I'd like to see the shavebox logo without the left hand box section (only the text in other words) if possible.

If this isn't clear, let me know. :)

James.

[cosmic]

Here is my entry:

version 1

http://www.cosmicwebdesigns.com/design_outpost_contests/shavebox.gif

[cosmic]

version 2:



http://www.cosmicwebdesigns.com/design_outpost_contests/shavebox_2.gif

[jamest]

Hi Ken,

I think it needs a little more color, the amount of white background makes it look a little plain I think. If you look at Aliska's templates you'll see the colored panels which I think split the screen up nicely, might be worth considering......although obviously I'd rather not see two very similar designs.

Thanks,

James.

[Aliska]

Hello, James:)
Thanks for your soon feedback. I understood you.
Working on changes:)
Thanks,
Aliska

[jamest]

Thanks Aliska, look forward to seeing it.

James.

[dualbase]

Hello James,
here's our attempt:


http://dualbase.com/DO/db-theshavebox.jpg

Have a nice day,
Laurent&Julien

[Aliska]

Hello.
Made changes and uploading.

[Fabian]

Hi James,i know i forgot the credit card logos :blush:

[jamest]

dualbase - my favorite part is the top right shopping cart and links, the rest, i'm in two minds about, on one hand I think it looks a little cluttered, on the other hand the products do catch the eye which is the main intent of the page. Is the dark blue surround a part of the page design or just as a background to show the template?

Aliska - thanks for the changes, the image is a lot better and I think the logo looks cleaner and better without the box.

Fabian - no probs with the cards. The first thing I noticed was the 'featured product', I imagine because it takes up a large part of the page, I'd like the emphasis to be on the offer products rather than the latest products. I think the template suffers from showing too much white background and too many colors in the main template. I'm a 3 color max man myself :)

Thanks to you all.

James.

[dualbase]

hello James,
thanx for the feedback.
The dark blue background is only a background layer, off course changeable.

[dualbase]

done some changes,
just to keep the product focus, and "uncluttering" a bit ;)
http://www.dualbase.com/DO/db-theshavebox2.jpg

and

http://www.dualbase.com/DO/db-theshavebox2b.jpg

[cosmic]

Revisions:


http://www.cosmicwebdesigns.com/design_outpost_contests/shavebox4.gif

[Anne]

Here's my entry.

Looking forward to your feedback
Anne

[jamest]

dualbase - thanks for that, it definitely looks better.

cosmic - now that you've changed the background I thin kthe products are a lot more clearly defined, thanks.

anne- thanks for the entry, I like the colors and the pic at the top, I think the offers section is especially nice.

Thanks,

James.

[jamest]

Winner will be announced around 13:00 GMT, any late entries welcome.

Thanks,

James. :)

[pracus]

my entry is coming in about 2,5 hours :)

[pracus]

Finally I'm back :)

Preview:

http://republika.pl/airliners2004/shave1preview.png


Full view:

http://republika.pl/airliners2004/shave1.png

[jamest]

And the winner is Aliska! :D With the template shown in post #37 (thanks pracus).

Many thanks to all who entered.

Aliska - I'll send you the spec for the remaining pages very soon.

Admin - I don't know if you want this to remain in the 'Templates' folder until the other pages are completed or whether you'd prefer to move it to revisions.

Thanks,

James.

[pracus]

congratulations
but #39 is your post :D

[jamest]

Hi Aliska,

Here are the specifications for the remaining pages. These need to use the template you've already designed.

Product Detail Page

The following information needs to be displayed:

Category (crumbtrail)
Manufacturer
Product Code
Product Name
Product Image
Product Description
Product Ingredients
Price
Size/Weight/Volume (e.g. 150ml)
Dimensions (e.g. 5cm x 10cm x 4cm)
Quantity box with ‘Add To Basket’ Link
Stock Indicator (‘In Stock’ or ‘Out of Stock’)

Customers can also pass comment on the products, giving a short sentence of text and a 1 to 6 rating (stars/razors/boxes…whatever). Only the latest 5 comments should be shown.


Basket Page

This page needs to show full details of all the products in the user’s basket, in a tabular format. For each product the following information needs to be displayed:

Product Code, Product Name, Quantity, Cost

The user needs to be able to edit the quantity and then ‘Update’ the basket. The product name also needs to link to the product details page. (all very Amazon style)

At the end of this table of products needs to be a ‘VAT’ value, then after that a ‘Postage’ value, then finally the ‘Total’ value.

There needs to be a button to ‘Checkout’.


Category Listing

The category listing section needs to show a list of 10 products, the details which need to be shown are the same as for the “offers” section on the homepage:

Title, Code, Short Description, Image/Photo, Price, Offer Price

Most products will not be on offer and therefore will only need one price, some products may be on offer so there will need to be a way of distinguishing them, maybe just a star icon or something similar.

Each product will need an “Add to basket” link.


I no longer require the design of the User Profile page.

If you have any questions, just ask. I look forward to seeing what you come up with. :)

Thanks,

James.

[Aliska]

Hello :)
Thanks for choosing my design! Thanks all guys, it was a good competition.
I start working on the changes, will post them in 1-2 days.

[Michael]

Admin - I don't know if you want this to remain in the 'Templates' folder until the other pages are completed or whether you'd prefer to move it to revisions.

James, I shall move it to the revisions forum :)

[jamest]

Aliska - thanks very much, contact me if you have any questions.

Thanks,

James.

[Aliska]

Hello
I've done with "product details" page. What do you think?

[jamest]

Hi Aliska,

That looks good. Just two small things. The text "Nivea Oil Control Face Wash" should be normal text, not an image as this will be dynamic text. Also, there needs to be a crumbtrail, e.g. Shave Box -> Face Wash -> Nivea so that the user can link back to the facewash category or nivea category.

Everything else is fine. :)

Thanks,

James.

[Aliska]

Hello :)
thanks for the quick answer. I will make the changes today and will continue with another pages

[Aliska]

Hello
Changes at product detail page

[Aliska]

And 2 variations of Category Listing page

[Aliska]

And Basket Page.
Your comments?

[jamest]

Hi Aliska,

They all look fine now, thanks :) I'm sure I'll make a few changes when I put it in to HTML but the basic concepts are there and I'm happy with them. I think I prefer the second of the two category designs but I can change that easily if I need to.

Please let me know how to get the files and then the jobs finished :)

Thanks,

James.

[Aliska]

Hello :).
I've sent source files to you by email.

[Aliska]

Hello :).
I've sent source files to you by email.

[jamest]

Hi Aliska,

I've received the files but won't get a chance to look at them until around 19:00 GMT, after I've checked the files I'll post here and confirm that I'm happy.

Thanks,

James. :)

[jamest]

Ok, files received. Everything looks good Aliska :)

Many Thanks :)

James.