[Project Complete] Web Design Firm - $450

[dba123]

(Admin code added by Michael - LN839681A)
STILL A YOUNG PROJECT - LOOKING FOR MORE PARTICIPATION!!


Company name: WebFound
Requirements / logos: see attachments below

Deadline: Indefinite until I receive templates from 3 different designers.
Prize: $450

I need at least 3 designers to participate in order for me to award here.[/SIZE]


Bonus: Also, I am currently programming a huge / highly visible ASP.NET (innovative) public internet site run by me. I will include a free add for all who participate and provide me templates for WebFound once I roll it out this year / early next.

[Lori]

I will design something for you.
Please give me a day or so to have it ready.

Thank you,

[dba123]

great, I can't wait to see it!

[dziner]

I plan on entering :) by Saturday at the latest. Also, I couldn't get the link to your logo to work?

Shelly

[dba123]

Great! good to have you

[dziner]

Quick question, what font is your logo done in?
Shelly

[dba123]

It is a custom font from a CD but you don't have to use it and actually I don't recommend it so that the site doesn't look too "cheesy". I'd like you to use Verdana, Arial, or some other very smooth professional font for the content. But, if you do really need it for some other purpose...I'll dig it up. Please verify if you can get by with it or not. By all means if it is going to stop you from creating my template, I'll dig it up tonight.

As for the logos in psd, this is as best as I created:

Logo 1 (psd) - http://www.photopizzaz.biz/webfound_logo.psd
Logo 1 (colored) (psd) - http://www.photopizzaz.biz/webfound2_colored.psd

Feel free to spice the logos up or change it as needed in correlation to the template you're creating for me.

Quick question, what font is your logo done in?
Shelly

[dba123]

Contestants...please send me an email of each revision. I'd like this to be private due to competative reasons.

Thank you. I can't wait to see your work. Also, anyone else interested? I need to have at least 3 designers. This is some good money !

[Lori]

Hi DBA,

The designer are not allowed to email clients during the design process. If you would like privacy for your projects, please check into our Private Client options: http://www.designoutpost.com/content/view/34/55/

Thanks,

[Lori]

Following that, I have to unfortunately say, I may not be able to make the deadline due to prior commitments.

If I do manage to find the time, I will gladly design for you...

[dba123]

Lori, I'd be happy to extend the time. In fact, since I have heard that there was a lot of new requests all at once and designoutpost simply didn't have enough free designers (resources as of late). So I am going to extend the time to July 10 and allow you to still have time to get to mine.

Is this ok? It's up to you but I think I'll still be extending the time here so that I can get at least designers.

OK, Let's not go private....PRIVATE IS CANCELED, Post your work here when you're done to all who read my previous post.

[Lori]

:) I shall do my very best to design for you (I am under some tight deadlines with some large clients) I am certian that you will have some designs once some of the curremt project that were listed prior to yours close.

[dba123]

Completely OK, I understand how busy it is. Also, for everyone else, once you're free, come to me!!!! :D

:) I shall do my very best to design for you (I am under some tight deadlines with some large clients) I am certian that you will have some designs once some of the curremt project that were listed prior to yours close.

[dziner]

I will jump in first. Let me know of any revisions you would like to see to either version.
Thanks!
Shelly

http://www.yencreative.com/webfound/web1.jpg


http://www.yencreative.com/webfound/web2.jpg

[dba123]

great start!

Feedback:

You have done a great job on creating an intial template that's not too boring but not too busy. I like it.

1) Take out the mouse. If possible, can you refrain from any sort of generic picture of computer stuff. I guess it is a bit too "vanilla", you know...the standard put a technology hardware pic on the site type of thing that most people do.

While I do like how it looks, I'd like to think just a bit more out of the box on that portion....such as remember the website in my requirements (in the list of ones I liked) where they had like a fish tank at the top? I am thinking something out of the ordinary...not just the plain usual hardware pic. Maybe not a pic at all. And of course not a fish tank but something out of the ordinary...pic or no pic on the right-side.

2) Choice of color is great. However, I have been thinking and may want to see green and blue and change my logo appropriately. Or better yet maybe even something more interesting - off color, maybe you can provide some ideas?

3) I really like how you did the top background to make it look like a page or imperfect square...nice touch.

4) The 2 buckets for Web Design vs. Applications is great. It allows my customers to focus in that area. If you feel the need to spice it up a bit more...go ahead but it looks pretty good. Also, I noticed that you kept focus on those 2 areas in the nav bar as well by making the rest yellow to sort of demote those areas as compared to the 2 most important areas...great job!

5) Still debating about the left-nav vs. right-nav. At first I thought the left nav was better....but when I looked at it again, it was a bit harder to read. I'm still not sure which way to go. It's up to you but you can try a third option to maybe make the nav not so standard? Left nav wasn't standard but just harder to read. It's a toss up.

6) I like the little custom icons you've created next to each category, especially how you encporporated actual syntax in the database apps icon <% ! Any chance you could create some more...outside this template (just a few on the side that I could add later on) that I could use in the future for any of my sub pages?

Thanks

[dziner]

Thank you for the response and I will start on your revisions this afternoon. To answer your icon question, all you have to do is let me know what you want the icons to represent or specifically what image you want on them and what color you want them to be.

Shelly

[dba123]

Excellent!

[dziner]

Below are some different ideas playing on the 'found' in webfound. Let me know if you would like to see anything revisions.
Thanks!
Shelly
http://www.yencreative.com/webfound/web1b.jpg

http://www.yencreative.com/webfound/web1c.jpg

http://www.yencreative.com/webfound/web3.jpg

[dba123]

Wow, cool. Let me gaze at these for a bit.

[dba123]

Ok

1) The pictures look great, but again, too vanilla / common. A lot of people use world globes, Street signs, etc. My favorite out the 3 (just for informational purposes) was the last one if I were to choose. I don't think the torn lettering font works for this type of website. I hate to be over critical but of course I want to feel confident in the final product.

2) Let me attempt to give some general themes of what I may like for the top right image...even though I really came here for you to come up with several since I have no clue until I find one that works. Can you try the following themes on that side (however you want to present these is up to you) :

Themes:
<ul>
<li>solutions / web design for the small to large businesses</li>
<li>Affordable / Cost-effecitve solutions</li>
<li>Logical Thinking</li>
<li>out-of-the-box (but don't say those words or show a box)</li>
<li>Efficient / effective / User Friendly solutions</li>
</ul>

hopefully those trigger some image ideas (but if possible, don't put the routine logical images in for these themes if this makes any sense whatsoever).

3) Take off the mouse on my logo so only text shows. Do this for the first images where you have the red mouse...I don't need 2 mice. Leave the mouse off my logo for any revisions

4) Some icons I'd like to see (just in its own file so I can cut and paste and encorporate later into my site):


database
internet
intranet
extranet
testimonial post icon (will use this next to the post to separate out posts on the testimnonial page)
frustrated icon (as in the customer is frustrated and needs a solution)
Change Management
CRM
Expense Solutions (travel expense apps, etc. icon should encompass accounting)
Help Desk Solutions
Dashboard Solutios

These icons should have a complimenting mouseover image..I'm thinking the images inside could turn an offwhite or something? If this is something I can just fill later on on my own in photoshop, just let me know, otherwise if not, can you provide that additional mouseover for each icon?

5) I'd like to see some buckets for "website packages". I want to be able to code html in the buckets for whatever the packages contain with a more link just like you did with one of the buckets above. These buckets are just some files that I could add to some of my sub-pages, so you don't need to add them to the main page here. One idea may be take one of the buckets (red or blue) and hallow out the middle (keep the border color and the middle would be white where I could code black text. The bucket would have a generic "Package name" header where I could change that as I wish with my own code later on.

6) Concentrating on the 'Found' in my company name 'WebFound' was an excellent idea and one I probably was going to ask you to do anyway. But looking at that, I don't think it has anything to do with the focus on my products. I don't really care that 'found' isn't encorported in the site anyware, some names just sound neat. I am of the theory that if the name is catchy, it doesn't necessarily have to be 100% what your business is about. Take Amazon, Ebay, etc. for example, their name has nothing to do with their product but the name itself is catchy or appealing.

I'm thinking outside the box here. The images should bring an idea about the products I offer to the customer but a general thought of "web solutions", "creativity", and "thinking outside the box".



----------this is just some rambling on, just my thoughts that may help or may not...take it as you wish --------------

So when a customer comes to my site, I want them to feel the following about WebFound

a) Not just a solutions company, but one who brings solutions that make common sense and return ROI quickly

b) Websites that are cost effective for the large business / or affordable for the small business

c) The idea that good Intranet or Enterprise applications don't have to be 300k+ 3rd party solutions, and that WebFound can code better solutions that are more maneagable and work much better for your end users

d) Excellent Intranet solutions for employees, and all departments

e) Quick turnaround and integration of the web applicatiosn we code for you

f) Quick turnaround for small websites and great price.

g) Custom shopping cart integration that is customer focused with a user-friendly / appealing interface

this mumble may not help you at all, I'm just spitting out thoughts in my head. Feel free to encorporate any of them to help make my template better

[dba123]

Also, can I urge you to reread my entire requirements document once again. I state in there no routine technology images and also, it seems as though you missed the required nav bar items such as Home, etc. I would like the nav items worded exactly the same.

check out the requirements PDF again at the top to help guide you more.

Also, sometimes my tone may come accross as rude...please know I am just a thorough person and prefer to get the the point. If I come accross that way, please, by all means tell me...I won't be offended.

[dziner]

You are not being rude.. you have to be able to state what you want to see. As far as changes I will see what I can come up with. It might help me as well as any other designers entering if you could browse through a site like istockphoto.com to maybe pinpoint at least a general idea of something you would like to see as far as pictures go? That is just a suggestion, it can be hard, at least it is for me, to find a graphic to use with the parameters of only what you don't want and nothing to narrow down what you do. Again, I will see what I can come up with and I am sure other designs will start pouring in as well.
Thanks!
Shelly

[dba123]

Great, I will check out istockphoto.com. Thanks for being patient.

[dba123]

Can I get at least 2 more designers?? Anyone out there feel free to participate.

[dba123]

-

[Lori]

Hi,

I am sorry about the slow going in your project. If my status has any resemblance to the others on the design team, we are all just really very busy trying to give everyone some attention :)

I will do what I can to get something for you... I just can't make any promises right this second.

[dba123]

no problem, I'm just letting everyone know it's still open and my mind is open to other styles.

[Lori]

You were very bold above, so I just wanted to make sure that you knew that I, and I am sure others are trying to get here :)

.... also, as Shelly has requested, can you please go over to istock, or similar, and see if you can find her some images that you feel would work in a design for you :)

Thanks!

[dba123]

Yes, haven't had a chance to go over stock. I'll do so tonight. The bold is to draw attention to anyone looking at the thread.

[dba123]

Is istockphoto.com primarily what I should be looking at as suggested by Shelly or are there others I can look at? One thing I worry about is, if I use a certain photo for my website, I don't want that photo to be available to anyone. I guess if that's the case I'd have to pay exclusive rights which could cost hundreds so I guess I don't have a choice. Also, I don't necessarily need a photo in my page....there could be other ways to look at the design.

Anyhow, I'll take a look now.

[Lori]

Got you on bold ;)

Yes on iStock and why don't you try:

dreamstime.com
sxc.hu

If you need more let me know!

[dba123]

Well, here's the thing. I have a hard time using images like this where others are able to download and use for their products. I want my site to be completely original. I may have to end up creating my own upper right image...and again, i don't necessarily need an image up there like a photo of an object. I might just want abstract or some fill. It bothers me that I have to use images that are open source to all and not just unique to my site.

any reponse to my concern?

[dba123]

*

[dba123]

Well, given that these images are open to the public, I may have to put in my own stuff on the upper right hand side Shelly.

Can we continue on? I'm not sure if there are any different looks you can give me taken my concern for using stock photos that are freeware to all. Do you have any completely different looks you can give me? It's ok to use images, just know that I may or may not take the m ain image out...but it does help me to conceptualize things so please do use whatever images you feel appropriate. I may end up saying "oh well" and use it afterall.

[dba123]

*

[dba123]

Shelly, can I get 2 things

1) a completely different template altogether
2) Using the existing template, can you add a database store / web page theme at the top right? So for Web applications, some database symbols or programming symbols along with some symbols that represent web design together?

[dziner]

I will make the changes to the existing template (which one?) and see what else I can come up with. Are you stuck w/ the blue, red and goldish colors? Or do you want to try something else?
Shelly

[dba123]

I like the colors a lot... but would like to maybe see a couple of other color schemas just for the heck of it

Please make the changes to the template with the red mouse.

Thanks for your patience!

I will make the changes to the existing template (which one?) and see what else I can come up with. Are you stuck w/ the blue, red and goldish colors? Or do you want to try something else?
Shelly

[dziner]

Below is another concept. I didn't go back and change the wording of the links or make anymore icons. It is just a rough draft and open to possibilities, I have already spent a little bit too much time on this one =). I will also make the changes to the red mouse layout.
Shelly
http://www.yencreative.com/webfound/web4.jpg

[dba123]

sweet! let me get back to you.

[dba123]

*

[dziner]

2) Using the existing template, can you add a database store / web page theme at the top right? So for Web applications, some database symbols or programming symbols along with some symbols that represent web design together?

Ok, I read it again, and I really don't understand what you want to see. Also, when you explain, could you include examples of what you would consider symbols for web design.
:D
Thanks!

[dba123]

I'll provide some pics ideas to define "database" and "web design" to allow you to create some more "bullets" similar to the ones you have created. I like the ones you have created but also want more for future use on my sub pages. Thanks

[dziner]

Thank you for your reply. So you mean that you don't need me to do them now, but in the future if you were to decide to use one of my entries right?
Shelly

[dba123]

yes...

[dba123]

*

[dziner]

Is there anything you wanted to see revisions wise on my last entry?

[dba123]

Not yet, waiting on more participation from other desiginers before I am ready to move on. Thanks for the ping.

[will]

Hi, I will design something cool for this project during the week.

Just a question about the logo: Can we try other fonts or just change the colours ? Thanx

[dba123]

Will, that's great! Feel free to do whatever you want with the logo, you can change it to whatever. I can't wait to see your entry.

[will]

Ok, here is my entry. I made this one completely from zero so originality won't be a problem. I based the image on an interface so we avoid the common sites. There are lots of things to program but I didn't had much time so this is at least how the design will look. The Header and Footer will be in flash. The footer with some fx similar to the top, with the energy flowing through the cables and the screen fluctuating. The body of the site is completely html. It won't weight much at all. Right now the top is 38 kb with all the fx, a line of 1 pixel height defines the body, and the bottom will be in flash so it will be lighter than right now that is an image. The content won't be a huge image of course but I will prepare that with more time. I recreated the logo to fit the concept.

Music can be included but I do not recomend this since each page will reload the top. Sound FX will certainly be in the package.

Ok, with no further adue:

[dba123]

Will, thanks for the effort on the first try. This is definitely a different style however not what I'm looking for. I have to say you are very talented, especially in graphic design and flash....and it is a totally different look from all the rest..totally original indeed. However, I'm not into what I would call sci-fi or machine look. My website needs to look very creative which yours is indeed but at the same time must have some corporate look to it still or .com look and feel.

I have taken a gander at all of your portfolio. They all seem to encorporate a lot of what I view as "decorative" borders. I am looking for more around the example styles found in my requirements document...but of course different from them in graphics.

Please take a look at the type of styles I like in my pdf requirements document. Also, I am by no means saying to create a website anywhere close to Shelly's but she has the more serious look and feel I am striving for but at the same time is creative...but without the sci-fi feel.

If I were to pick a site out of your portfolio that closest resembles the more "corporate, .com" feel I am strving for, it would be the Cheescake Royal bakery site you did but even more corporate feel.

Please let me know if this makes sense. Your sites appeal more to the sci-fi / fantasy / old fashioned type of presentation (at least that is the only way I can explain it). I am looking for a more .com look and feel.

Let me know if you need more clarification, I don’t want to lead you astray if you decide to do your second mock-up but right now, it is a very cool 1st but totally not the type of feel I’m looking for.

[will]

Hi, thanx for the compliments. That was just an idea, the problem with creating is sometimes that ideas go their own way :D but I will prepare another concept later, less interface and more website.

Take care and thanx for the patience,

[Aliska]

Hello,

I will join within next few days if it's still not too late ;)

Thanks,
Aliska.

[dba123]

definitely not too late, I look forward to your entry Aliska

[Anne]

Here's one from me.

Anne

[dba123]

Awesome Anne, I'll get back to you tomorrow on your entry.

[dba123]

Anne, can you change the following:

1) Make the topnav height less
2) Try another style for the top nav altogether
3) Put some icons next to each top nav item (symbol) like Shelly did, but in your own style and technique of course and feel free to use the symbols you think will best represent each topic
4) Take out the flower and create 2 new versions of the lower corner pic with
a) another picture (not a person or computer hardware)
b) Another content bucket instead of a picture
5) Make the headers of the exiting 3 buckets more visual, maybe add some color or a line to separate each header with it's body text

thanks, we're getting there.

[dba123]

*

[Aliska]

Hello,

And here's my entry at last ;)

Waiting for your comments... As you know, any detail could be changed...

Thanks,
Aliska.

[dba123]

sweet! what a different look this is...Thanks Aliska. so far it's between you and Shelly but this is pretty fricking creative.

[dba123]

Aliska, can I see other color schemes? I don't like green with orange.

can I see a template with

1) Black and Green as primary 2 colors
2) Another template which shows Green and Blue (both darker and different then just regular standard green and blue) as primary
3) and another with primary colors of your choice but not just a standard color...give me something very different (dark colors in this case) special but sleek and business-like.

[dba123]

Aliska,

Get rid of the "Grow with Us" text for now.
Thanks

[dba123]

Aliska,

Hold off on my last 2 posts. I'm going to award the designer soon so I don't want anyone to have to do more work than necessary. I can decide with the current entries then finish up later with the winner.

[Aliska]

Thanks :)

Ok, I'll be waiting for your decision. But if you really need to see a version with changes stated above, I have no problem doing them before any winner chosen. Please let me know...

Thanks,
Aliska.

[dba123]

I'd like to stop here. I apreciate everyone's contribution and this was a hard pick. I liked all of the templates here and quite frankly could have used one from all 3 of your designers and felt quite satisfied with them.

I am picking Shelly's as the winner here. Hers looks a more out of the ordinary with the good images but still had the business-like feel. Also, it was the most simple interface for customers to use and I feel they would be able to find my products quickly, in the first 30 seconds of viewing the web page.

Aliska's was also great, but I asked my family and they thought it was pretty busy. Personally I don't think so but I had to ask regular end users. I think this one was the most creative and probably one I'd go with if my end users (family as a test) thought it was easy to read but in this case, they feeel it is a bit cluttered. Sometimes I think end users are lazy though...it's the same as reading a newspaper...you'd think a web page is much easier to read...but end users are lazy sometimes so I have to count this out...I really liked it personally though.

Anne, I liked yours also a lot but for now, I'll stay with Shelly's.

Thanks Shelly and to all who participated. I will ensure everyone who participated gets some advertising on my new website. I'll ping you when that is completed (this is that other website I mentioned in my initial thread post) sometime hopefully late next year.

[Lori]

Do you need any revisions from Shelly DBA, or are you all set :)

Thanks,

[Anne]

Congratulation Shelly :D

[dziner]

Thank you dba. Let me know what other icons you wanted to have and any revisions.

Thank you Anne :)

Shelly

[Aliska]

Dave,

Thank you very much for compliments about my design. Hope to work with you on your future projects ;)

Congratulations, Shelly! That was a great 'battle' :D

Aliska.

[dba123]

Yes, I'll need revisions. I discussed with Shelly via private messages so far the need for her templates as well as some color changes and other very minor changes and icon additions.

What is the process from this point on? I know there is a forum for final revisions after you have chosen the winner right?

Thanks Lori for the checks.

[Lori]

Right :)

I will move it over there now.

[dba123]

Ok, to wrap up. This is for the template with the plant growing in the glass which is the one I'm gonna use for now at least.

1a) I don't like the color scheme overall. I don't like the orange at all I guess is the primary concern. Can you try maybe black, blue, red, green. Also try these unique colors together:

a) #3D6E98, #000000, and #3D9845
b) #ECE9D0, #000000, and #3D6E98

1) Can you create more buckets with different colors. Buckets meaning like the ones you have "Web Site Design", "Database Design", etc. I just need some more empty buckets and colors so I can use them on my sub pages.

2) Oh, you know, I completely forgot something critical. I need you to create a subpage. I don't even have that. I'm thinking on the subpages, you'd have the nav be at the top. Not sure about the rest of the format but I won't be too hard on you. Can you create a sub page for me that I can use ?

3) As for the icons, please create the same ones, but in many different colors: Black (with grey images), Yellow, Tan (off-white)

I also need a mouseover effect image for all of them.

and for the new icons I'd like to see:

Purpose color Image to Use
----------------------------------
order button yellow not sure (no cart though can you think of it?)
order button black ""
order button blue ""

That's it. I assume that I can take any one of you existing buttons and add my own image and change the color? Can I change up the gradient in Photoshop? Basically, is it fully flexible and have layers that I can control entirely?

Can you also create some small bullets...unique bullets I could use in my text body in some of my pages. Something flat, simple, and very small

Can you create some "special" boxes, something that gets their attention in case I have specials ?

I think that's it. You mention you'd give me all the files for the other template tries. Thanks a lot! And let me know if you have any questions. I'd like the opportunity to review these changes one more time with you and then close if satisfied if this works for you.

Dave

[dba123]

testing my signature

[dba123]

aa

[dziner]

Below are the color variations you asked for and I will wait to see what you decide before I generate the additional buckets and icons based on your decision so that I am not creating more than necessary. As far as your sub page design. Since it was not in the original pdf project description and you are already getting all four of the templates that I submitted plus all the additional icons etc.. I feel like I will have put too much time and work as it is. I hope you understand this as a web designer too.

Let me know on the color schemes.
Shelly

http://www.yencreative.com/webfound/web6b.jpg

http://www.yencreative.com/webfound/web6c.jpg

http://www.yencreative.com/webfound/web6d.jpg

[dba123]

Shelly, excellent!!!!!! I agree, that's all you need to do. I'll create my own sub page.

Can you just create the small icons and then we'll be done?

[dba123]

I like all 3. So I'll take all the templates you've created so far...great job!

[dba123]

Shelly, can I get all the files other than the extra icons tonight?

[dziner]

I have been trying to upload the zip files to my server and I am having problems. I will let you know as soon as I succeed.
Sorry for delay.
Shelly

[dba123]

thanks. If you want, you can send them to my hotmail account at [EDIT: email removed]

I can take up to 1 gig of files or something with Hotmail now.

[dba123]

Shelly, here are some options

1) You and I both log onto MSN Messenger, and you can just drag in and transfer the files to me in a chat....probably the easiest rather than just ftp.
2) Send them to a combination of [EDIT: email removed] and/or [EDIT: email removed] depending on how much gigs you need

I'd like to get them ASAP.

[dba123]

All Files Receive From Shelly, Please Archive.