Law Firm Template

[Scott McPherson]

(Admin code added by Palmer - S914290V)

This contest is for $400 and is for a template for a law firm. Here is what I would like to see:

1. A nice banner;
2. The Firm’s Name prominently displayed: Scott M. McPherson, P.A.
3. A photo of yours truly (I will post something, you can use a place holder to get started);
4. The address and a map somewhere on the homepage;
5. The following Links (note the sublinks under some of the links):

Home

About Us
-Scott McPherson
-Paul Meeker

Areas of Practice
*Personal Injury/Auto Accidents
*Wrongful Death
*Nursing Home Neglect
*Insurance Disputes
*Workers’ Compensation
*Sinkhole Claims

Mission and Philosophy

FAQ

Contact

This is what the I expect delivered for the $400:

The site needs to be fully coded. After the template is built, updating the site should just involve changing text. No big deal. However, there are two pages that will require more than text, and that is the inside pages for “Scott McPherson” and “Paul Meeker”, which would have a photo of each of us, along with the text that would go along with the photo. Making that page is a part of th contest, along with the other inside pages, which I assume would be little work since the bulk of it would have been built when making the home page. In other words, most of the inside pages, except for the about us stuff, will just have text, and should be built so that it is ready for me to drop the text in (or for me to provide you with the fully completed text for you to drop in).

Pretty basic, but feel free to be creative. I’m not trying to establish the persona of the guys you see on commercials that look like undertakers. :D

I’ll check frequently to give feedback and answer questions. I’d like to have a deadline of Friday, July 11th.

[geofharries]

Scott,

I'll be coming up with a design for your contest today, and should have something to show later this afternoon. Any ideas for colours, or websites you've seen that appeal to you, style-wise?

thanks

geof

[Raja]

hi,

heres an idea (http://63.138.150.196/scott/)

[Scott McPherson]

ondarox-

I'd like to see something pushing the edge a little for this type of site. Something a little more artistic than your typical straight laced law firm site. Don't get me wrong, I don't want a stripper on my homepage, but something a little different would be cool. It needs to look professional, but I can't stand lawyer ads that look fake, which probably is most of them. I realize I am not giving much direction here, and will try to find some sites I like as helpful guidance.

[Scott McPherson]

Originally posted by geofharries@Jun 30 2003, 09:04 AM
Scott,

I'll be coming up with a design for your contest today, and should have something to show later this afternoon. Any ideas for colours, or websites you've seen that appeal to you, style-wise?

thanks

geof
Thanks for your interest. I'll look forward to it.

[marengo]

i'm in also :)

[BrianDove]

Count me in too :)

Brian

[Spearboard]

ooops, my bad. wrong thread. :huh:

[Niel1952]

I am a UK lawyer and I am impressed by what Scott is trying to do which is very hard because most designers who design for lawyers have very fixed ideas of what law firms' websites should look like. Oddly, most lawyers concur so that most legal websites look like they are designed by committees.

Scott may or may not like these but these are two UK law firms' websites which I like (neither of them my firm, unfortunately):

Firm 1 (http://www.briffa.com/)

Firm 2 (http://www.olswang.com)

Maybe Scott can draw inspiration from these.

[Scott McPherson]

Hi Niel. Thanks for the input and the links. Although I don't particularly care for the color schemes, they provide a good example of the point I was trying to make about creativity. In that regard, flash and other type creative stuff can be used in this site. Heck, I might even smile for the photo. :D

By the way, here in the states, most attorney web pages are done by big companies that market directly to the legal profession. For a cheap price, you can select from one of their limited number of templates. I am looking for a site that doesn't look quite so off the shelf, and looks a little more custom.

I'm still looking for other site for examples.

[Scott McPherson]

I've just spent the last hour looking at other attorney sites, and I feel like I need an Excedrin. Some of the cites try to cram so much info, I guess to WOW you with the wealth of knowledge they have. While I want a creative site, I'd also like it clean. For example, the way www.apple.com has designed their site and inside pages has always appealed to me.

This is an example of an attorney that did NOT clutter up the site, it is very clean, and I like the colors: http://www.smileylaw.com/ I don't like their flash intro, but I am definitely open to the idea of having a flash intro if any of you guys want to put that skill to use (although not essential for this site). Notice how this attorney used drop down choices (forget the correct term) to keep the site free from clutter.

So, the two words I would use most to describe what I am looking for: Clean and creative. :D

[BrianDove]

hi all,
here's my first entry.
http://www.brianstudio2.netfirms.com/contests/profit/template.gif
url: http://www.brianstudio2.netfirms.com/conte...it/template.gif (http://www.brianstudio2.netfirms.com/contests/profit/template.gif)


Take care
Brian

[Palmer]

Brian, I'm not sure why but your images are not showing up. Is your server down?

[BrianDove]

Brian, I'm not sure why but your images are not showing up. Is your server down?
I think yes.
Anyways, i have uploaded it now, hope there's no problemo:

[marengo]

hello,
this is my "work in progress", but you can see my idea here. I'll be happy to know your opinion , so i can continue to develop it.

[Scott McPherson]

Brian,

Thanks for submitting but the colors don't work for me. You had submitted before the sample link I put up, so hopefully that will offer some guidance.

marengo: very nice and clean. i like the idea of different images for the different links. In the sample link I posted the text had more effects, like drop shadow. I don't like the font at the top for the name of the firm. You're on the right track....looks sweet.

Scott

[ant1832]

I tried to keep this simple and clean, per your request. Let me know if I'm on the right track or not.

https://www.quickbase.com/up/8yqz5cte/g/ry/ep/va/lawyer_thumb.jpg

.: Full size :. (https://www.quickbase.com/up/8yqz5cte/g/ry/en/va/lawyer.jpg)

[Raja]

:)

heres an idea, just for an entry page, the page that would give the option to skip the the Flash intro. If it's a little "too advanced" for you let me know so I don't carry on with the animated intro

enter firm (http://www.webfellaz.com/smmpa/)

[Scott McPherson]

ant: That is a very nice site. You're right, it is simple and clean and is much nice than much of what I have seen out there.

ondarox: I like that a lot. I'm not sure about the Orchard, but I'm glad you put it there because I like the idea of something being there. I will look forward to seeing the home page, but yes, as far as an entry page, you don't have far to go. Like the idea for the domain name, too.

Right now the look that marengo and ondarox have achieved work best for what I am aiming for.

[lang]

Howdy Scott!

Please accept my submission, thanks!

http://www.mynics.net/scott/Scott_v1.jpg

[Scott McPherson]

Lang, I like the site. Very clean. The artwork does not work because I am not in Tampa or other large city where the building would be symbolic of my practice. I'm not even sure at this point that th site will need a lot of artwork, other than perhaps a single logo or symbol of some sort. As in that Smiley law firm link I posted, very little artwork, but nice use of text. The idea of different photos appearing as a rollover effect is more appealing than a lot of static artwork on the homepage, because it holds it down to no more than one photo on the page, which results in a clean look.

[marengo]

hello,
i have chosen 5 photos wich i want to use. Please take a look and tell me if it's ok. So,
i can continue to work with navigation. Thank you. :)

http://marengo.neopages.net/lawphotos/1.jpg
http://marengo.neopages.net/lawphotos/2.jpg
http://marengo.neopages.net/lawphotos/3.jpg
http://marengo.neopages.net/lawphotos/4.jpg
http://marengo.neopages.net/lawphotos/5.jpg

[beetle]

Originally posted by ondarox@Jul 2 2003, 07:27 PM
If it's a little "too advanced" for you let me know so I don't carry on with the animated intro
Don't you mean, "too 2advanced (http://www.2advanced.com/)" ??

[Raja]

Originally posted by beetle@Jul 3 2003, 12:27 PM
Originally posted by ondarox@Jul 2 2003, 07:27 PM
If it's a little "too advanced" for you let me know so I don't carry on with the animated intro
Don't you mean, "too 2advanced (http://www.2advanced.com/)" ??
yes

[Scott McPherson]

marengo: those photos work really well and I like that site. I can't really tell you anything I would do different with it because it is laid out so nicely.


ondarox: One of my marketing angles is that most lawyers don't know jack about technology, html, video editing, etc. I am able to use my knowledge in technology to gain in advantage in presenting someone's case, and in keeping them informed. So even a high-tech feel would work, although some tweaking of colors may be necessary.

[lang]

Hi Scott.

Okay, I'll post the links below since putting the images straight into this post may slow this thread down for others.

This is a simplified version of the above template: Here (http://www.mynics.net/scott/Scott_v2.jpg)

This is the same with your picture and map moved to the right: Here (http://www.mynics.net/scott/Scott_v2b.jpg)

Thanks for the feedback. :)

[Scott McPherson]

Lang- Very nice....much better. I like the photo/map on left. The site looks as thought it would be very easy to navigate, and is not cluttered at all.

[marengo]

hello, i was working over little animation today. It'd be very helpful if you can take a look and comment effect for photos i've applied. Thank you. :)

http://marengo.neopages.net/lawphotos/areas.htm

[Scott McPherson]

That is really sharp. I like the animation, and the overall layout and color scheme. Very nice.

[marengo]

thanks for comment. :) it is not finished yet (layout). i'll post final version later.

[Raja]

hi, reworked a new splash page, the inside of the site would follow the same scheme and style. I am working on some Flash at the moment and editing some ambient audio loops

bling (http://63.138.150.196/smmpa2/)

[Scott McPherson]

Very nice. Great choice of style. I'll look forward to seeing the page layout and the flash.

[Raja]

Hi!

Before I get ahead of myself, have a look at the beginings of the inside page header and let me know if it suits your style. If possible, I'd like to get some video of yourself greeting your website visitors so that I can base the Flash work around that. Keep in mind that everything is still just roughed in....


bling (http://63.138.150.196/smmpa2/)

I'm out for the night

[platinum]

This is different, but still professional looking in the same way :)

[marengo]

hello,


this is a screenshot with text.
http://marengo.f2o.org/5b.jpg

Animation and other photos are still available for demo here.
http://marengo.neopages.net/lawphotos/areas.htm
Please, let me know if i can change/improve something. Thank you! :)

[Scott McPherson]

Folks, the submissions look great. I don't have the time to comment on each one at the moment because I have an issue with a server that crashed on me. I am going to extend the time of this contest an additional week, to end on 7-18-03, to give everyone, including myself, a little breathing room. Once I get the server issue worked out, I will then have the time to better comment. With any luck, should be by tomorrow.

[motiveX]

I might have something this, pending time in b/t mid terms.

:unsure:

[motiveX]

I will have something shortly...

:look:

[motiveX]

Here is my entry:

http://www.placidminds.com/lawyers/landing.html

:chef:

I hope you have a sense of humor for the two images I put in...since I didn't have an image of you or your partner I went with the trusty William Shatner and SHAFT!!!

***made some spacing adjustments as of 6:29 ET.

****color adjustment to logo @ 7:34 ET -- Yellow usage to make the logo bolder.
http://www.placidminds.com/lawyers/landing.02.html

:lol:

[marengo]

Originally posted by xteriormotive@Jul 9 2003, 03:31 PM
Here is my entry:

http://www.placidminds.com/lawyers/landing.html

:chef:

I hope you have a sense of humor for the two images I put in...since I didn't have an image of you or your partner I went with the trusty William Shatner and SHAFT!!!

:lol:
:lol2: good done !!! i just love it! :)

[motiveX]

Originally posted by marengo@Jul 9 2003, 03:54 PM
Originally posted by xteriormotive@Jul 9 2003, 03:31 PM
Here is my entry:

http://www.placidminds.com/lawyers/landing.html

:chef:

I hope you have a sense of humor for the two images I put in...since I didn't have an image of you or your partner I went with the trusty William Shatner and SHAFT!!!

:lol:
:lol2: good done !!! i just love it! :)
You mean 'done good'?

:unsure: :blink:

:P

In any event, danke!

:tup:

[Scott McPherson]

Ondarox:

I like the look, and will be very interested in seeing the rest of the layout, especially now that you have mentioned video and some flash. Two issues: I’m not sure weather I like the gray middle initial, and go back and forth on that a little. It looked real good on that first example, but there is insufficient contrast on the last example, and it blends too much. Secondly, I’m not sure about the color scheme in general. If I want different colors, does this create a situation where you have to “recreate the wheel”, or is it a simple fix? Liking the colors will be important because I think I should have consistency with all marketing materials, so I am actually waiting on my brochures, business card reorders, etc. to see the final colors of the web site I choose. I’ll get to work on video now that my server issue is finally resolved.

Marengo Your site is awesome. By the way, you were the runner up on the Spearboard site. I like your work a lot, and you make about the nicest and most creative nav bars I’ve seen anywhere. Other than some content changes, I really can’t recommend anything.

xteriormotive: Nice work, but I’d like to see a color scheme more in line with Marengo. It would give me a better feel for it, but I like the site, and it’s a very interesting and custom looking layout.

platinum: Also looks great, although again the colors I am not sure about.

That’s it for now.

[Palmer]

Originally posted by Scott McPherson@Jul 10 2003, 11:30 AM
xteriormotive: Nice work, but I’d like to see a color scheme more in line with Marengo. It would give me a better feel for it, but I like the site, and it’s a very interesting and custom looking layout.
It's against the designers rules to have them borrow parts of other designers entries. Sorry :(

[motiveX]

Originally posted by Scott McPherson@Jul 10 2003, 09:30 AM
xteriormotive:  Nice work, but I’d like to see a color scheme more in line with Marengo.  It would give me a better feel for it, but I like the site, and it’s a very interesting and custom looking layout.

I will adjust colors if you really want me to, just not along the lines of what Marengo has done, it is against my moral judgement as a designer to do so.

In saying this if you have other, more original suggestions I am all ears.

Also, I think as designers we need a more clear feeling as to what it is you actually want. I chose to go more artsy (as on the rox chose to do as well) because this was what I assumed you wanted after reading your various posts....if you want something more clean and corporate lookin along the lines of the solid design Marengo has done, please let us know...because I think it enables us as designers to really focus on what it is you actually want for your company.

Thanks for your time,
Sean


:)

[Scott McPherson]

I was just pointing out a color that I liked. If in my original post I said, "I want the banner red", would the first red banner exclude everyone else? If my comment sounded like I wanted you to copy any of the layout, format, or creative work of marengo, that was not the intent. :blink: Then again, I guess an exact color could be considered "creative", so maybe I can see where you guys are coming from.

I think marengo's work is kinda artsy. :D

You're doing a pretty good job reading into what I want. Your work is creative and nice, I just don't like the colors, that is all. I think if I saw different colors it would work better for me.

Scott

[motiveX]

Originally posted by Scott McPherson@Jul 10 2003, 06:16 PM
I was just pointing out a color that I liked. If in my original post I said, "I want the banner red", would the first red banner exclude everyone else? If my comment sounded like I wanted you to copy any of the layout, format, or creative work of marengo, that was not the intent. :blink: Then again, I guess an exact color could be considered "creative", so maybe I can see where you guys are coming from.

I think marengo's work is kinda artsy. :D

You're doing a pretty good job reading into what I want. Your work is creative and nice, I just don't like the colors, that is all. I think if I saw different colors it would work better for me.

Scott
Are there any other particular color schemes you are looking for or like? Outside of the realm of Marengo's design?

Thanks,
Sean


:)

[Scott McPherson]

My wife points out that the last three vehicle I have bought have all been hunter green, demonstrating a subconcious affinity I must have for the color. So to rox I would ask that the green he is using be darkened a bit, and I think I'll like that shade of blue with it, and to you I would ask to include some darker green.

Thanks.

Scott

[lang]

So Scott, are there any other major changes you'd like done with my template? Is the overall design sitting with you well, or should I throw it back in the works?

[Scott McPherson]

Hey Lang, I forgot to comment on your's and Ants because I didn't go back that far. Your site is very nice, but I tend to like some white. The big city image would not work real well for me, but I like the way you've got a map there, and it's a very functional layout. Same goes for Ants, which is a very sharp site.

Man, there are such good templates here, I think the one's I don't pick should be easily taken by other lawyers or professionals. There are no unappealing ones that I have seen yet.

[lang]

I'll make some quick modifications and we'll see if we can't get this thing jumpin'. :)

[lang]

Hi Scott,

A variation with more white and less clutter. Feedback would be awesome, thanks!

http://www.mynics.net/scott/Scott_v3.jpg

[Raja]

hey!

here's another roughed out concept based on the last, I'm not going to change the green to a forest green, it won't look good :)

At least from here, if your still interested? you can see where I'd like to place a little video clip of you greeting your visitors and explaining your law firm's mission, and of course the edge you have with your use of technology. It can also be set up so that you just replace that video clip with another of your own (embed a quick time clip, Flash preferred tho) to keep the greeting fresh and seasonal, anyway, ideas are infinite, I don't want to jump the gun


so what do you think?

:: BEAM ME UP :: (http://webfellaz.com/clients/scott/)

[Raja]

add a little vitamin C (http://63.138.150.196/clients/scott/)

[Scott McPherson]

ondarox: That looks great. It accomplishes the clean look and is very artistic. The splash of traditional look at the top provides a nice contrast to the more contemporary use of the colors. Outstanding.

[Michael]

Outstanding ROX :notworthy:

[marengo]

ondarox: Bravo! :tup:

[Scott McPherson]

Lang.

Just saw your last submission, and that is a big improvement. That is much cleaner, I like the white, and I like where the photo and map would be. The artwork is an excellent choice, as well. Thanks for the update.

[BrianDove]

addressed to Scott McPherson
I'll post my entry later today, sorry for my "late" submission :)
and more importantly, wait for my entry before "choosing" a winner :lol2:
Brian

[Scott McPherson]

Standing by, Brian. I had extended the deadline to Friday, so no rush.

[BrianDove]

Another entry:
Tell me what you think please !

[BrianDove]

Click Here (http://www.brianstudio2.netfirms.com/contests/law_template/template.htm)to view another entry of mine.
Im sorry for the "top banner" of netfirms, but acutally, my host for brianstudio.com is down, so I dont have any other solutions to show you the actual HTML version of the template with it's popups menu, mouse over effects, etc...
ATTENTION:
You will notice that the popumenu doesnt really appear at it's best place. It's because of the topbanner ( which is actually making me very :angry: ), but normally, the popup menu appears just to the right hand side of the button)
The website is very easily updatable: It just involves text, and one image per page ( the page title ).
I personally think this html template is "clean", "professional" and "innovative". Something that applies perfectly for a Lawer's Website.
Give me your feedback please scott !'
Thanks for your time :lol2:

:blink:

[Scott McPherson]

koolbrian,

Thanks for your template. It's got a real nice banner at the top, and is clean and easy to navigate.

I'm going to go back through everything but right now I am leaning towards one of the other templates.

[BrianDove]

but right now I am leaning towards one of the other templates.

It would be a nice thing for us "designers" to know on which template you are leaning towards, just to have a better idea...
It would also be interesting to make a "vague"/"approx" ranking of the templates you like/dislike.
thanks for your time
Brian

[netprofy]

<Admin Edit> Sorry, all designers must apply via http://www.designoutpost.com/apply.htm before entering contests. Thanks.

[marengo]

Originally posted by Scott McPherson@Jul 10 2003, 04:16 PM
I think marengo's work is kinda artsy. :D


Scott
:lol2: I'm very unusual girl too :rolleyes: Huh, my idols are Dave McKean (http://www.dreamline.nu/) and Alessandro Bavari (http://www.alessandrobavari.com/). That's why i like when web-sites are very personalized :) ... Kinda artsy... :D

[Scott McPherson]

I am going to end this early, so please get any new submissions in by today. I'll announce the winner tomorrow morning. While there have been several excellent entries, I am leaning towards ondarox's work right now if that helps anyone. A couple of other sites I like and I may make an offer to purchase, just to have as a strategy for multiple sites/search engine optimization.

[BrianDove]

Ok,
i'll post a last entry later today :)
Brian
Ps: please wait for my last entry...
thanks scott

[Scott McPherson]

marengo - I was just looking at your site again. I was wondering, the sublinks on the right of the screen (e.g., Scott McPherson, Paul Meeker...or area of practice), what happens when you click on a choice. Does a new page load up, or just the blank white area to the left where the content would be? Also, the test at the top "Scott M. McPherson, P.A." ... is that editable? I would have preferred some effects, maybe a different font or a beveled look.

[marengo]

i'll publish updated (and final) version today later, and so you'll see how it works :)
Thanks.

[marengo]

I'm really sorry, hadn't time for background (I thought deadline will be later :o :D )
Or may be make it full-screen? It's possible too.
But I've fixed "logo " and you can see how it works on this sample:
http://marengo.neopages.net/lawphotos/about_1.htm
As for me I don't like use frames; but I can :) It loads faster, but not too good solution for SEO. As I've told before I can iclude animation (something like this one : http://marengo.neopages.net/lawphotos/header4.html ; speed can be modified )

Regards,

Nat

[BrianDove]

My last entry:
this one is a little bit more "artistic"...
( easily updatable , only text modifications )
There are mouse overs to the buttons ( About us, etc... )
On each different page, the left image changes...
The header has a small animation.

[marengo]

Originally posted by Scott McPherson@Jul 14 2003, 05:48 AM
I am going to end this early, so please get any new submissions in by today. I'll announce the winner tomorrow morning.
no feed-back, no Scott, no result... :bash: oh...

[Scott McPherson]

marengo:

je suis desole.

I've got zero time right now. Plus, getting some opinions, tomorrow for sure.

Scott

[marengo]

Originally posted by Scott McPherson@Jul 16 2003, 06:51 PM
marengo:

je suis desole.

I've got zero time right now. Plus, getting some opinions, tomorrow for sure.

Scott
Scott, my apologies. I hope you have not offended. Unfortunately, such young designers as me, sometimes have no patience. But I'll be "better" and more patient in future. :)

[Scott McPherson]

Thank you to all who submitted templates, and I apologize to anyone who felt the feedback was poor. I had only a general idea going into this as to what I wanted, and I think that the design of ondarox best fits, so I am chosing his design as the winner. It was a tough call.

[Palmer]

Congratulations Raja :tup:

We appreciate the business Scott. Thanks :)

[marengo]

Cangratulations Ondarox! :tup: Really good work!

[Raja]

thanks everyone for the great encouragement! There were so many excellent entries in this contest, it could have been anyone :) I really thought marengo had it :tup:

Thanks Scott, we can continue offline, it's been pleasure

Designers, those entries can easily be snagged up by the next lawyer that comes here for a template, right after Scott tells all his freinds about this place (wink wink)

Bye!