[Project Complete]$450 for "Upscale & Minimal" eBay Auction Template (PSD Only) Deadl

[decalofashion]

(Admin code added by Palmer - 4C257404GB865882C)

We are an eBay Platinum Power Seller seeking a new eBay Auction Listing Template. We need a strong UPSCALE look & feel that is memorable and brandable. We are very impressed with designs that we’ve seen here and are thrilled to see what you guys and gals can put together for us.

Company Details

1a) Name of Company - DeCalo Fashion

1b) Company Tag Line or slogan: [We don’t have one or the skills to come up with one. Surprise us!]

1c) Do you have a company logo? Yes, Jason created a lovely one for us in our logo project (see attached).

1d) Do you have a corporate visual identity? We would like an corporate visual identity that is professional, clean and that is upscale, elegant, classy, and luxurious.

1e) What is the nature of your business?: Briefly describe your products or services: We sell upscale designer menswear (suits, dress shirts, slacks, and neckties) at 40-80% below retail (we don’t however want a cheap look). Brands we sell include, Zegna, Hugo Boss, Canali, Armani, Brioni, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and others…

1f) Who is your target market? Who are you hoping to reach with your site? Men ages 20-60 seeking business or formal attire.

Website Details

1b) Do you have an existing website? If so, what is the URL?

Our existing eBay auction template looks like this:

http://tinyurl.com/945bl (template starts under buySAFE logo)

2b) IMPORTANT: Please list at least 3 URLs (web addresses) of high quality sites that you like the look of (these do not have to be sites who’s business is similar to yours. It aids us in determining what your design style is.) Please consider layout, colors, navigation, graphics, and typography.

We like this seller’s template on eBay ALOT:

http://tinyurl.com/97qnh

We also like the look & feel of these websites:

http://www.zegna.com
http://www.canali.it
http://www.forzieri.com
http://www.sephora.com


3b) What colors or color schemes would you like? We would like black, gray, white and the red used in our logo. We are open to other colors as well...

4b) List the Navigation links for your Site:

On the top of the template, we need links to following sections lower down on the page:

• About Us
• Checkout
• Payment
• Shipping
• Contact Us
• Return Policy

Additional design elements for our template:

Please refer to the link below for an example of ALL the design elements outlined below:

http://photos.decalofashion.com/images/ad.gif

• Our Toll-Free Number
• eBay Store Search Box w/Go Button
• Category List (Accessories, Dress Shirts, Pants, Sport Coats, Suits, Ties)
• Search Suit by Size (38,40,42,44,46,48,50,52)
Search Shirt by Size (15,15.5, 15.75, 16, 16.5, 17, 17.7, 18, 18.5, 19), Search Pants by Size (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44) graphical interface. We like how grapevinehill did theirs.
• An area for a promotion banner (changes monthly, holidays, etc.)
• A description area for the product
• An area for a full product shot (400 pixels wide)
• An icon for “Additional Images” next to (below) full product shot
• A “View Size Chart” icon
• An area for additional images (600 pixels wide) with thumbnails of various other product shots to the right
• We need a policies section with the following sections (About Us, Checkout, Payment, Shipping, Contact Us, Return Policy)
• We need simple shipping table in the shipping policy section that has the following information but with our new look & feel. The table needs to be big, clear, easy to understand:

Destination First Item Each Additional Item
USA $5.00 FREE
Canada $7.00 FREE
International $14.00 FREE

FREE U.S. Shipping on Orders over $50.00


The following credentials have to be incorporated into the design using logos/icons:
• Bonded Seller (buySAFE logo)
• Platinum Power Seller
• Square Trade Professional Seller

The following important messages MUST be effectively displayed (preferably using icons/graphics) that will be linked to the appropriate area of the policies section for more details:
• 90-Day Return Policy
• FREE U.S. Shipping (Over $50)
• Always Flat Rate Shipping
• Satisfaction Guarantee

5b) What type of look are you trying to achieve? (e.g. clean, high-tech, conservative, warm, flashy, etc.) Clean, professional, well-organized, trustworthy, upscale, elegant, classy, sharp, minimal

6b) Please provide the addresses of competitors' sites, if possible:

BlueberryBoutique: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8205129665
eClass229: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3985094840
Shop Kanvas: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3984749417
ecarrefour: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5413517120

We don’t want to look like our competition!

7b) Do you have any images for use in the design of your site? If not, do you have images, can you offer suggestions of what you type of imagery you feel would be most suitable for your website: Aside from our logo we don't have any images. We like the images shown on www.zegna.com and www.canali.it. We want to incorporate the type of products that we sell in the imagery (high-end suits, designer neckties, Italian dress shirts, etc.)

Deadlines and Deliverables

1c) What is the deadline for the design of your project? We are under a tight deadline and want to choose a designer quickly. We need this by August 18th!
2c) What is required breakdown of the files you require our designers to supply you with on finalization of your project? PSD Layered Template Only

We will do our best to effectively communicate with you. Please feel free to post any questions that you might have.

Eran @ DeCalo Fashion

[KiT10]

Hi, just wanted you to know I'm working on entry. Should be ready by Monday morning :).

Thanks,
Cristina

[Aliska]

Hello
I will also join to your contest in 1-2 days with my idea. I'm working already.

[Fabian]

Thank you for the invite,i'll see what i can come up with:)

[Palmer]

Apologies, this is on hold while a logo project is completed. Those of you who have started designs hold on to them to submit within a few days.

[Lori]

The logo project has been completed :) This project is back open...

I am sure Eran will come right behind me and post the logo files so we can get back to business here :)

[decalofashion]

Hi Designers,

We're back on! Thanks for your patience while we had to put things on hold and get our logo created. After seeing the fabulous and creative logos that were entered for our logo project, I am now as confident as ever that the template project will be an equal success.

By the way, I modified my original post and attached our logo in EPS format. There are two variations of the logo... Feel free to use which ever one fits your design.

As always, if you have any questions, please don't by shy and ask...

Thanks as always,

Eran @ DeCalo Fashion

[decalofashion]

I know everyone must be swamped but is anyone working on something or planning to submit a design???

[IDarwish]

Is the deadline still on the 18th? Im in :)

[Aliska]

Hello
I'm working on design, will submit in 1-2 days

[Aliska]

Hello Eran
I have 2 ideas for now, that's only header part scetch i want to show you. Do you like any of the ideas?

[decalofashion]

We're so excited to finally get some interest in our project. For a little while there we thought you guys/gals didn't like us.

Idarwish - We cannot wait to see your submission. Our deadline is somewhat flexible. We certainly need to see some designs before we can end the project.

Aliska - Your headers look great but neither one incoporates our logo. See attached file on our first post. We like the colors scheme on the second header better.

[1on1]

Hello Eran,

Here is my entry, please let me know your thoughts.
(*Image Removed)

[decalofashion]

1on1 - Martin, thank you for kicking off this project with a clean and professional looking design. We would love to see a few more entries before we give further feedback. Keep'em coming folks!

[Huhhso]

Hi here is my entry to your contest. Feedback welcome.
Thanks!

[decalofashion]

We are so excited to see some designs submitted and cannot wait to see more. In summary, both templates submitted are very clean and professional looking. For the most part, the functional layout of things is pretty good. In future designs, please incoporate the area for additional images (600 pixels wide) with thumbnails of various other product shots to the right as well as the policies section with the following section headers (About Us, Checkout, Payment, Shipping, Contact Us, Return Policy). See this link for example of what i am talking about: http://photos.decalofashion.com/images/ad.gif

1on1 - We don't like the red you used. We'd prefer a deeper/richer looking red or another color all together. We don't really like the gradient effect in the header. The header is a bit too plain (not very functional). We would love to see a header the incorporates a product shot similar to the one "hussho" used in his summer sale banner (no faces just objects). We like the Search by Size "box" look. We would like to see the "About Us", "Checkout", "Paymenet", etc. links as buttons or boxes.

hussho - We are not digging the colors you used. They don't seem to fit what we do. We need more upscale/elegant colors. The watermark you used in the header is nice but the header is a bit too plain. We're missing the phone number and the size char link. Also, we don't really need a zoom button below the image and the "Additional Images" icon gets lost... It needs to be much more visible. Please add a "size chart" icon as well. We don't like the search by size separated by pipes "|". We prefer the "boxed icon" look used in 1on1's design.

Thanks for both concepts... We can't wait to see more from both of you as well as other designers...

Eran @ DeCalo Fashion

[SKR]

Hi Eran,

I have started on a design and should have it finished tomorrow :D

Regards,

Sarah

[decalofashion]

Great Sarah, cannot wait to see it!

[heathersmith]

I'm working on something as well.

Heather :)

[decalofashion]

Thanks for the heads up heather... Looking forward to seeing your submission as well...

[heathersmith]

Hello Eran,

Here's what I have so far.
Let me know what you think.

Heather

[Anne]

Here's my entry.

Anne

[decalofashion]

Design Team,

We've got a few great designs so far but most of them are missing some of the basic requirements/elements that we need. Below is a summary of the basic design elements that we'd like to see in your designs followed by an image showing what we actually mean.

(1) Links to policy section (About Us, Checkout, Payment, Shipping, Contact Us, Return Policy

(2) Why Shop DeCalo?

(3) Search our Store field & Store Categories

(4) Item Title

(5) First Product Shot (MUST be 400 PIXELS WIDE)

(6) Main Item Description

(7) Search by Size section

(8) Icon/Link to additional images

(9) Power Seller, BuySAFE, Square Trade icons. Return Policy

(10) Icon/Link to size chart

(11) Additional Features... IMPORTANT - This section may or may NOT be used depending on the product we are selling (example for suit yes, for a tie no)

(12) Additional Images - Main image MUST be 600 pixels wide.

(13) Store Policies Section - Our terms and conditions

http://photos.decalofashion.com/images/ad_breakdown.gif

I will be back shortly to post some feedback/comments on the new designs that were submitted.

Thanks and keep those great ideas coming.

Eran @ DeCalo Fashion

[SKR]

Hi Eran,

Here is my submission - I haven't finished creating icons yet but this should give you a good idea of what I had in mind.

Look forward to your feedback :)

Regards,

Sarah

http://www.mydezines.com/projects/decalo/Decalo.jpg

[decalofashion]

Heather (heathersmith)– Your design is striking but is missing many of our required design elements. Something about the left column overlapping the header/banner isn’t working for us. We don’t particularly like the 2-column layout and prefer the 3-column layout that Sarah (SKR) used in her design. We’re don’t particularly like the red color you used (it’s too “hot pinkish” for us). We’d love to see more from you.

Anne – Thanks for the submission. Once again, many of the design elements we require are missing. See message #23 (or Sarah’s design) for a breakdown of features. We don’t particularly like the header (we don’t like faces) and the color scheme you chose is just not for us. Having seen your other work, I am convinced that you can come up with something else that will absolutely blow us away.

SKR – Sarah, you have just set the bar!!! Your design is stunning and you are the first to capture ALL of our design elements so congratulations… Few comments…

1) Something about the white boxed icons used in the header isn't working. It "sticks" out which is good but it doesn't look great. Can you come up with something else for that?
2) There should only be one image above the item description and it should be 400 pixels wide.
3) We’d love to see you make cool icons out of the “Size Chart” & “Additional Images” text links.
4) We like the category list as it is but are curious how it would look if they were similar to the “shop by size” boxes (i.e. more like buttons rather than text links).
5) We would like to see the “Additional Features” and the “Additional Images” gray button tabs extend ALL the way to the right of the page. Perhaps you can throw a watermark of our symbol all the way to the right.
6) Can you change the look of the gray “FREE SHIPPING” box below the Sale Banner on the left column? It flows too closely with the sale banner.
7) Perhaps we should make the buySAFE, Square Trade, PowerSeller icons a tad bigger. We can probably get rid of the “30-Day Money Return” icon from that group of icons.

[decalofashion]

Design Team,

I know everyone is super busy but we’d like to pick a winning design in the next day or two. If you’re working on something, please let us know (our deadline is slightly flexible). We want to see as many concepts/ideas as possible before making our selection. As it stands now, Sarah’s design is the front runner but that's not to say that your next design won't win us over.

Thanks for all your hard work and talents...

Eran @ DeCalo Fashion

[SKR]

Hi Eran,

Thank you for the positive feedback. I will make the changes for you :)

Regards,

Sarah

[Fabian]

Hi Eran

I'll have mine for you to view in a day or two:)

Thanks
Fabian

[decalofashion]

Sarah, we're looking forward to seeing your revisions...

Fabiam, welcome aboard... Show us what you got!

[SKR]

Hi Eran,

Here is the revision :)

Regards,

Sarah

http://www.mydezines.com/projects/decalo/Decalo2.jpg

[Fabian]

Show us what you got!

:brows:


http://users.bigpond.net.au/fabe/decalo.jpg

[decalofashion]

We'll be looking to select a winner by Sunday! We would love to see new concepts and ideas so please feel free to join us....

Sarah - Your design continues to impress us! Thanks for the revision... You absolutely worked magic with those new icons:) I have a few comments to make:

(1) I'm not loving the new header. I don't particulary like the "bold/solid" square bullets and the thin line outlining that whole section. I prefer the flow of the header in your first design but would still like to see a different kind of bullet used. Perhaps a thin rule or an outline type icon/bullet (no fill). Having seen your other icons, I am convinced you can come up with something perfect for it. In this case, simple is probably better!

(2) While I absolutely love our "mark", I'm afraid we might be over-using it in the design. I would absolutely love it if you can come up with simple icons (outline drawings), very similar to the white icons in the "size chart" & "additional images" button (I LOVE THOSE), for the following red headers: "Shop DeCalo", "SUITS", "SHIRTS", & "PANTS" (maybe a suit icon, pants icon, shirt icon, and a shopping bag icon).

(3) Can you change the categories to the following:

Belts & Accessories
Casual Shirts
Dress Shirts
Handbags & Wallets
Outerwear & Coats
Pants
Sport Coats & Blazers
Swimwear
Suits
Ties

(4) Can you add an icon/button next to "size chart" icon that reads "Add to Favorites"

(5) Can you add an "Ask Seller a Question" Text link similar to and right below or above the "Additional Features" link in the "General Feature" section.

(6) Somewhere in the "Additional Images" section we need the following instructional message: "Please click the thumbnails to the right to view larger image"

(7) We love mouse rollovers and want to implement them in your design! Can you add a rollover effect to each of our categories, sizes boxes (in search by size section), and header links (about us, etc.). Perhaps we can make the rollover the opposite colors (the inverse)?

(8) "How much is shipping?" is the number one question we get asked and we would love to put an end to it! Can you make the shipping table bigger/bolder so that it stands out more (see grapevinehill template in my first post for an example of a big, bold shipping table).

(9) I need another store policy section below the "Return Policy" section titled "buySAFE Bonded Seller"

(10) Please remove the 30-Day Money Return icon between the Square trade and buySAFE icons.

Sarah, I cannot wait to see these revisions. As things stand now, you are the clear winner!

- Eran

[decalofashion]

<Fabian> - Thanks for your design. It's nice to see someone else participating. Unfortunately, the overall "look & feel" is a bit too dark and gloomy for us. Perhaps you have something else up your sleeve.

[1on1]

Hi Eran,

Here is a revised entry from me. (*Image Removed)

[heathersmith]

Here's something I have been working on. Let me know if it's in the direction you want to go.

Thanks!

Heather

[decalofashion]

Heather - I don't see anything. Did you forget to attach something?

[heathersmith]

*edit*

[decalofashion]

Heather - Now I see it twice:) Very nice and powerful... It has definitely got potential. I am not sure I love the logo repeating twice (on the right and left). I think I would prefer to see the symbol used on the left logo and something else in place of the logo/symbol on the right (or perhaps just push the suit all the way to the right)... Run with it Heather... Run...

1on1 - Thanks for the revision. It's better but it's still missing the upscale look that we're shooting for. Not crazy about the choice of image in the header.

[SKR]

Thanks Eran - I'll work on the changes for you :)

Regards,

Sarah

[SKR]

H Eran,

Here are the changes. I tried both your suggestions for the header and I think what works best is just the simple dividing line :)

Thanks

Sarah

http://www.mydezines.com/projects/decalo/Decalo3.jpg

[decalofashion]

Sarah,

Clearly you have taken a lot of time to work on this design. We truly appreciate your dedication, attention to detail, and quick turnaround. Unless a new design comes in the next 24-hours that absolutely sweeps us off our feet, you are the clear winner in our eyes. Below are our comments on the last design:

1) You nailed the header down! We love it. Nice, simple and clean! No changes there.

2) We do not love the new icons (shopping bag, pants, suits, and shirt). We were hoping for more upscale looking icons. I think it is best if we revert back to the DeCalo “mark” as you had in your previous designs. Do you agree?

3) The mouse rollovers are great.

4) Can you break the shipping table into three columns? Column 1 = Destination, Column 2 = Price First Item, Column 3 = Price Each Additional Item.

5) Can you please add the following image to the buySAFE, SquareTrade, Power Seller group of icons?

http://www.gopesa.org/images/pesalogo_88x33.gif

6) Could you possibly come up with a few different variations for the promotional banner (summer sale)? We like the image that’s there now but would love to see other related type of product photos (no faces please) as options for future use.

7) Please change the spelling of “Add to Favourites” to “Add to Favorites”.

8) Please either remove the arrow icon to the left of “Search by Size” OR add the arrow icon the left of “Search DeCalo”. I think they should both either have an arrow or not have an arrow. The choice is yours:)

9) In the additional images section, please move the first thumbnail down so that it does not overlap the gray bar running across. This will ease the coding of the template.

10) It was brought to our attention (by a well respected source) that the “FREE US SHIPPING” red banner on the top right may present a coding issue since it extends past the gray part all the way out to the outside border. It wouldn’t be impossible to code but just not very clean. I certainly don’t claim to be a coder or even to understand the extent of the problem but thought I’d pass the concern along to you. What’s your take on that? Should we shorten it up a bit? I do love the way it looks now.

11) Do you foresee your design presenting any issues if we decide to use text-based css-controlled navigation for the categories, sizes, and top navigation bar? We also plan on accomplishing the rollover effect in all three of these areas with CSS. While graphics might look a bit cleaner, they can become a maintenance nightmare.

Thanks again,

- Eran

[decalofashion]

Design Team,

We will be picking a winner in 24 hours. As it stand now, Sarah's design is our favorite. Please let us know if you plan on submitting a design.

Thanks for your participation,

Eran @ DeCalo Fashion

[SKR]

Hi Eran,

Here's the revision.

1. I have worked on the icons/headers a bit more, if they still arn't working for you then I can switch back to the DeCalo icon.

2. I have no problems making some more banners for the "Summer Sale" area. I can make them in the next day.

3. The "Free US Shipping" banner. I don't see a problem leaving it as is and still having clean code. Although - I haven't coded an Ebay template before so am unsure of any "catches" or "things" that may need to be taken into consideration.

I code XHTML, Tableless CSS, and even with the banner touching the border, the border can still expand downwards to accomodate extra content.

I've thrown together a quick mockup to illustrate the coding and positioning. More content can be added, and the body of the content area providing the borders left & right will expand to fit.

View Here (http://www.mydezines.com/projects/decalo/)

If you could be more specific as to why it might create unclean code then I may be of more assistance :)

4. I do not foresee any issues if you decide to use text-based css-controlled navigation in my design. The fonts I've used are Arial and Georgia. If your coding person is unable to assist, I can code the rollover buttons for you :)

Regards,

Sarah


http://www.mydezines.com/projects/decalo/Decalo4.jpg

[SKR]

Hi Eran,

Here are a few banner options.

Thanks,

Sarah

http://www.mydezines.com/projects/decalo/banners.jpg

[Aliska]

Hello Eran.
Sorry for the lateness :yes: .
My idea. Hope you like it. As you know, any detail which you probably don't like could be changed easily. Just let us know if something is wrong

[decalofashion]

Thanks to all that have participated in our template design project!

The winner for this design project is Sarah (SKR). Her design exceeded all our expectations and was simply everything we wished for.

Sarah, please move this project to the revision forum. We are under a tight deadline and would like to wrap things up very shortly. We do have a few additional revisions and requests. What is the best way to communicate moving forward? Are you available on AOL IM (Instant Messenger)? Please let us where to go from here...

Thank you,

- Eran

[SKR]

Thanks Eran :) I will send you a Private Message with my contact details.

Regards,

Sarah

[1on1]

Congrats Sarah :)

[SKR]

Thank You Martin :)

[Lori]

Project Complete