[Project Complete] Business Intelligence Consulting Company needs web presence- $450

[mkettering]

(Admin code added by Palmer - 34Y47096N7004053N)

OK, we have used Design Outpost to build our Logo, http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9360, plus, we are currently in the middle of designing our business cards and letterhead ( http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9455)

I am posting those links so you can read about us. The fact is we are new, small and need a great website to position, promote and communicate who we are and what clients can expect from us. And we need a credible, experienced image beyond the size of our firm.

Here is general information about us:

I am launching a new consulting company, Brightlight Consulting. The brand and image of the firm will be very important to us. We will focus as a consulting company that delivers services in the Business Intelligence and Data Warehousing area. This is the area of Information Technology where executives and managers in a company need better access to information in order to make crucial, day to day decisions on company direction and even daily operations. We will have both senior management consultants to help the business people understand their requirements and then architects and data modelers to help them and their IT department implement a process and technology solution to deliver the information they need in a simple to read report or dashboard.


Project/Company Summary:

What type of product or service do you offer?

Consulting services to both business management and IT departments. The services help companies turn information into insight.

What do you hope to accomplish with your new identity?

We want the logo, color,font, layout and images to give us a credibility, professionalism and yet an approachable look that will help us establish the firm. We care deeply about establishing a longterm relationship with our clients. Our website should also communicate trust and a commitment to quality delivery. However we do not want to look like the run of the mill consulting company.

What are your long term goals?

I do not care how big the firm gets, but we want to develop lasting client relationships based on being trusted to take on the big, complex work they need done and delivering with a quality and thoroughness they expect from Big 5 firms, but with a more approachable and flexible style that makes us easy to work with.

Audience Profile:
Please describe your existing audience

We intend to operate in the Western US, especially the Pacific Northwest. We will do business mostly with medium and large clients in the retail, financial services, high tech and transportations industries. Within an organization our contacts will be CFO's, CIO's, CMO's and COO's.

Perception/Tone/Guidelines:


The name Brightlight has many images I like;

The brightlight that comes on when you gain insight
the brightlight that will guide you to what is lost
the brightlight that will show you the way to go
the brightlight to guide you through the dark



Do you have any colors in mind for your logo? (if so, why?)

Hmm, I have always liked a dark olive color (seems sophisticated), along with a carmel/pumpkin/gold tone in the logo (seems warm yet contemorary), but I'm also fine with the use of black and gray tones.

Communication Strategy:
What attributes would you like your website to reflect about your business?

Trust, quality, professional, reliable, approachable.



What is your tagline or slogan?
Right now we have 3 tag lines:

1. Business Intelligence Services
2. Illuminating Insight, inspiring innovation
3. information->insight->innovation

What is the overall message you are trying to convey to your target audience?

Remember us! We are your local, trustworthy, professional, reliable Business Intelligence services provider.


What sets you apart from your competitors?

Focus: BI is all we do. Most everyone else supports dozens of consulting practices. This also gives us depth of experience.

Proximity: We hope to do most of our work in the Northwest, so we live in the backyards of our clients.

Unbiased: We are knowledgeable about all products and architectures in the BI space. Mosteveryone else has a product to push.

Flexible: We will adjust to the client, not make the client adjust to our way of doing things. We listen first.



WEBSITE Guidelines

I like the menu to be on the left and like the style Microsoft uses where they expand the menu and change color when you hover. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/default.mspx

- I like websites that take the whole browser screen like www.iolap.com NOT LIKE www.solutionsiq.com where they center and have borders around the whole site.

- Simple is better. To many web sites get overly busy and you can't tell what they are saying. A busy site to me would be like www.cognizant.com. Too much going on, not enough spacing and white space for my taste.

- I think our pages should be something like:
Home page
About Us
Management Team
Mission Statement
Services (the slides in our corporate overview ppt. is a good starting point for this. We will add linked pages later)
Join Us/Careers
Partners
Events
Contact Us

Images: I am tired of too many images of business people sitting in an office environment thinking hard. I am wishing we can use some images of people, but also use some images in nature to communicate our benefits and values like the sun and rivers flowing and forests. Not sure if these can all work together (www.pointb.com does this well). But I'm hoping for something more original than every other high tech for business website. Also, feel free to use images from the Pacific Northwest as that is our home area.

Color/texture: We like to complement the logo carmel/gold and black with an Olive green and maybe pumpkin. I am also hoping for a clever use of texture within the colors and patterns.

I have attached some logos for your use and also a version of our Corporate overview ppt. The logo and look on the ppt. is old and not what I'm looking for but some of the positioning may be useful.

So, there you have it. We want to appear professional, trustworthy and yet unique and not just another IT consulting company. Please let me know if you have any questions or need other logo files. We are anxious to move ahead so we will go with the best design as soon as we see it. I hope this gives you enough ammunition to be creative...thanks and good luck!!! Mark

[mkettering]

I see 55 views of our contest, but no one is jumping in after 3 days. I know this is probably a tough time to ask people to work. It would be very helpful to get some feedback. Was my project summary too vague? Is the timing wrong?

I can certainly extend the deadline.

Please let me know if anyone has an intention to join or if there is something I can do to help the project be more clear.

Thanks very much

:) Mark

[pracus]

I'll do something for you.
I think that there are no answers because this project needs a few days to work on initial concept :)

[mkettering]

Thanks very much for your note Pracus!! I see from other contests that it takes a few days for concepts. I'm just happy to hear that there may be some participants.

Anyone else out there planning to participate?

I will be watching closely and generous with feedback. Happy New Year!!

Mark

[Maleika]

Hi,

I am almost ready with my concept as well and will post it either today or tomorrow. :)

Kind regards,

Maleika

[mkettering]

Excellent Maleika! Thank you in advance for your efforts. I will look forward to seeing your concept.

Mark

[Maleika]

Hi Mark,

I do have a question. You have not mentioned whether you will need the .psd only or have it coded?

Thanks!

Maleika

[mkettering]

We do want the HTML coded. Thanks for asking for a clarification.

Mark

[Maleika]

Thank you for the clarification Mark. My first concept is coming in a few hours from now. :)

Kind regards,

Maleika

[Maleika]

Hello Mark,

here is my design concept. :)

Kind regards,

Maleika

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight.jpg

[Maleika]

Here is one more variation.

Comments are appreciated.

Kind regards,

Maleika

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlightv2.jpg

[mkettering]

Maleika,

Great to see your first input. There are a number of things on this that are excellent. the color palette your used is just what I was hoping. Very nice...
This gives us a good opportunity to get more thoughts on the table as to what will work for us. First of all some feedback comments:

1. The logo needs to be against a white or near white background and needs to be more true to the files sent. Black on the B logo part is needed. Your second version is closer, but I still think the logo needs to not look as separated by the colored sections around the "B". I like the scale on the second version, but if it can be on a white background that will be better. I just want the sunrise B and the name to look like they are meant to be together.

2. I'd like the entire home page to be viewable in one window without a bunch of scrolling to see the whole page.

3. I really like the color selections. Good palette.


4. I don't think the 3 images and narrative on the lower part of the home page are necessary. I'd like to see a version with less narrative on the home page and more design around open space, color, highlighting the brand, a good image/picture, the two mainsections (welcome to Brightlight and Business Intelligence
services) and some clever layout and highlighting for the navigation
buttons. (See the other websites examples on the attached document...they tend to suggest this more open look for the home page.

5. The side buttons should have Management and Mission Statement
showing only when you move the mouse over About Us. Those 2 subjects are subpoints under About Us. Also, I'm wondering if we can have the side bar topics do something when you move your mouse over them. Like shine, or shimmer or illuminate in a clever way?

6. See the attached document for more input on what a good site looks like to us. I should have done this up front....sorry.

7. I'm wondering if there is a better picture that leverage
Brightlight...like a sun peeking through dark clouds or sun rays
reaching deep into a thick forest. the image is the idea of light
penetrating through obsticles to find that idea or insight that a
business executive can see today. Sunbeams reaching through a forest would actually be good imagery, if there is such a photo available. the second photo is on the right track. Also the photo, might take up more of the free space. Maybe down the right side of the page

8. Last, I'd also be open to a more open look, less colums and rows and more in open space. not sure if I'm expressing myself well here.

Thank you for stimulating our thoughts with this great first effort. Let me know what you think. Hopefully these comments and the attached document will help.

I will be around this evening, here is Seattle, and then I will be gone until midday Monday. My partner will be watching though.

Mark :)

[Maleika]

Thank you for the very detailed feedback Mark.
That helps immensely. However, as I live in Germany and it is already 3 am here, I will take your feedback and worksheet to revise the design tomorrow. :)

Thanks and regards,

Maleika

[Fabian]

Hello Mark,great project !

Here's what a had in mind,a clean design with a strong branding message.IMO

Your feedback would be most welcome

Kind Regard
Fabian

[mkettering]

Hi Fabian,

Thanks for joining. Well you certainly were able to accomplish a number of our requested elements; clean look, good placement of the logo, well placed in the window without scrolling.

However, overall the clean layout results in a look that is a bit more plain than I would have hoped. some thoughts:

1. The logo superimposed over the sun makes it hard to see, also the slogan is not very readable in the image. Possibly the image is better on its own with the slogan placed elsewhere.

2. I am hoping we can be more imaginative with color and texture to make the site more rich, without making it too busy.

3.I am also wanting Business Intelliegence Services to stand out somewhere as a tagline. One of our objectives is to make sure viewers know what we do.

4. I guess I need to be careful that the images don't begin to look like a religous message. The point is to suggest light seeking out hidden insight, like a searching spotlight. Just a comment, not sure what to do with that.

5. I am wondering if we can do more with the navigation buttons, its all a bit standard. Also, note that Management Team and Mission Statement should be sub-topics under About us. I would want those to highlight when the cursor moves over About Us.

6. I also wonder if one can make the other slogan of ours appear across the bottom, almost like a flash one word and symbol at a time: information -> insight-> innovation

I hope this gives you more to work with. Take a look at the attached document which has some more thoughts about what we want to accomplish and communicate. It has some examples of sites we like. Note the Rhyzomes site, that has a rich palette and texture without becoming too busy, I think.

thanks, Fabian. good work!!

Mark

[Fabian]

Mark

Thanks for the indepth feedback

I've taken it onboard and i'll try to come up a revision that is closer to your vision :)

Cheers
Fabian

[Maleika]

Hi Mark

just a quick note to my design concepts above. None of them require scrolling. I understood in your first description (with the microsoft example) that you wanted an elastic layout with a background that stretches over the entire screen, which is what I did. The content area itself howewer is less than 800 pixels wide. This just to clarify that a user would not need to scroll, unless they have a screen resolution that is below 800x600 but then almost all websites require scrolling at that res.
:)

PS: Revisions are coming in a few.

Kind regards,

Maleika

[mkettering]

I'm still here for another hour. love to see your ideas. thanks for the clarification.

Mark

[Maleika]

That's great. I will have my second concept ready just in time then. :D

[Maleika]

Hi Mark,

here is my second concept. :)

I have tried to incorporate a simplistic feel to a not all that simplistic design. The tree is supposed to convey growth, intelligence. :)

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-v3.jpg

[Maleika]

And another idea. :)

The previous and this version are both optimized for large and small screen resolutions as the main content area is around 770px wide, so no scrolling. :)

Regards,

Maleika

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-v4.jpg

[Fabian]

Hi Mark

JavaScript could take care of the sub-menu (shown), also added some texture and visual interest to the design.

Maybe an animated GIF could work for the bottom slogan.

Looking forward to your feedback :)

Kind Regards
Fabian

[Fabian]

one more :)

[pracus]

Hi! I just want you to know that I'm back from New Years Eve Holidays and I'll finish my concept till tomorrow. (I hope :) )

[mkettering]

All ---- In order to meet our needs and get the design right, I am extended the project for another week, until January 10th.

[mkettering]

Pracus, I am hoping that by extending the timeframe, you will submit something for us to review.

[Lori]

Mark,

I have amended your project title to reflect your deadline change.

Good luck designers :)

[mkettering]

Maleika, On your design message #20, I like the approach, but the tree does not fit our Pacific NW style. I really like the tree you used in #21.

As for #21 I am not a big fan of the menus links on the bottom right. I like more traditional on the left side or across the top.

Your first design still really catches my eye, can you go back and tack some your latest thoughts and pull them in with your first design?

Thanks for your effort.

[mkettering]

Fabian,

I like the coloar approach in #23 better than #22. We are looking for a softer natural feel. I don't know that the "B" on the right side is doing it for me, maybe trying playing with some other approaches of using our slogan in the main body. Also, give me some thoughts on a different menu on the left, putting some more spacing between the links. One final thought is to make the Brightlight Consulting logo a little bigger.

All in all you are on the right track, it just needs a little something more to pull you in.

[Maleika]

Maleika, On your design message #20, I like the approach, but the tree does not fit our Pacific NW style. I really like the tree you used in #21.

As for #21 I am not a big fan of the menus links on the bottom right. I like more traditional on the left side or across the top.

Your first design still really catches my eye, can you go back and tack some your latest thoughts and pull them in with your first design?

Thanks for your effort.

Hello Mark. Thank you for the feedback. I will work on your suggestions and submit these tomorrow as I got a wisdom tooth pulled out today, so I'll head straight to bed.

Kind regards,

Maleika

[mkettering]

Hello Mark. Thank you for the feedback. I will work on your suggestions and submit these tomorrow as I got a wisdom tooth pulled out today, so I'll head straight to bed.

Kind regards,

Maleika

Ouch, Wisdom teeth!!I hope you will be feeling better soon. Now I'm really glad I extended the deadline!! ;)

Looking forward to more good ideas from you.

Mark

[mkettering]

Hello Mark. Thank you for the feedback. I will work on your suggestions and submit these tomorrow as I got a wisdom tooth pulled out today, so I'll head straight to bed.

Kind regards,

Maleika


Maleika,

We had another idea today. Your message #20 had potential, but the tree was deemed too naked and not very much like the Pacific Northwest (Evergreen/fir trees). It would be interesting to also see this concept played out where on the right side of the page, where now there is a dark colored curving panel, if that was replaced with a long photo of sunbeams streaming across a forest to shine on a spot on the ground. One of our team found the attached pictures as examples. I think evergreen trees are most appropriate. If you lost the current tree, place a photo similar to the style attached (like the 4th one down if it is flipped so the rays come in from right to left and show the spot on the ground) and allowed another paragraph of text in the middle section on "Business Intelligence Services", It would be good to see this along with further development of your first idea. As you can see these were found on iStockPhoto.com.

Believe me, I hope we are not being too directive here. Just food for thought... :D

[Maleika]

Hello Mark,

I have tried to open the document but it did not work as I don't have MS WORD. I did get it to open with another text editor however, it displayed the urls of four images from istockphoto. Are the four urls all that was in the document or is there also text ?

Thanks

PS: Revisions are coming this evening. :)

Kind regards,

Maleika

[mkettering]

It was just 6 photo images....we just went to iStock Photo.com and queried on forest sunlight.

[Maleika]

Here are some ideas for the last design.
More revisions for the first design are coming as well.


Thanks! :)



http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-v5.jpg

And a more daring version:

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-v6.jpg

[mkettering]

I think the more daring approach is closer. A few comments:

1. I think it would be good to look at the revisions section and look at my business card being finished. Our corporate color is more of a mustard color than a pumpkin in the name Brightlight.
We should get that the same for continuity.

2. I'm missing the richer use of colors you had in early versions. These are looking more faded than I would hope for. I like the use of color in your first version. Can you bring that into this?

3. Our intention was for the slogan to be one thought on 2 lines;

Illuminating insight
Inspiring innovation

Perhaps both should be at the top.

4. the 4th photo in that group had the light going all the way to the ground showing a fern and a rock. Is it possible to flip the perspective on that photo so the light is coming from the right and the rock and fern show on the bottom? I'd like to see that, if it will work.

[Maleika]

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-v7.jpg

[Maleika]

Hello,

I will take a look and adjust the color (mustard tones) and submit revisions as requested below.

Kind regards,

Maleika

I think the more daring approach is closer. A few comments:

1. I think it would be good to look at the revisions section and look at my business card being finished. Our corporate color is more of a mustard color than a pumpkin in the name Brightlight.
We should get that the same for continuity.

2. I'm missing the richer use of colors you had in early versions. These are looking more faded than I would hope for. I like the use of color in your first version. Can you bring that into this?

3. Our intention was for the slogan to be one thought on 2 lines;

Illuminating insight
Inspiring innovation

Perhaps both should be at the top.

4. the 4th photo in that group had the light going all the way to the ground showing a fern and a rock. Is it possible to flip the perspective on that photo so the light is coming from the right and the rock and fern show on the bottom? I'd like to see that, if it will work.

[Maleika]

Hello,

here is the revision:

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-v8.jpg

Regards,

Maleika

[mkettering]

Hello,

here is the revision:

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-v8.jpg

Regards,

Maleika


Looks nice...I've attached the other shot as a psd...maybe it won't fit the space yo have.

[Maleika]

Hello,

revision with the new image:

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-v9.jpg

[mkettering]

Well I guess that doesn't work. I was imagining the sunlight streaming across and then the rock and fern showing up out of the darkness in the lower corner.... Thanks for putting up with my ideas... 8^)

Can we shift it around to try to make it fit the space and show the rock and fern, sort of like they are the illuminated insights??

[Fabian]

Hi,i've got something new coming shortly:)

[Maleika]

Well I guess that doesn't work. I was imagining the sunlight streaming across and then the rock and fern showing up out of the darkness in the lower corner.... Thanks for putting up with my ideas... 8^)

Can we shift it around to try to make it fit the space and show the rock and fern, sort of like they are the illuminated insights??


Hi Mark,

that is not a problem at all. I will experiment more and show you the results tomorrow as it's 3am here already. Then I will have some photo collages and image manipulation to simulate the effects you suggested. :)

Kind regards,

Maleika

[mkettering]

We were hoping that with the extension we would have a healthy participation from multiple designers. The current offerings are good, but we want to encourage others to participates as well, to stimulate lots of ideas.

There is still plenty of time. Please let us know if you plan to join in!! Thanks to all,

Mark

[mkettering]

Great Fabian, looking forward to it...

[Fabian]

:)

[Fabian]

v5 :)

[Fabian]

V6

This one was an experment in the use of colour and light :)

Kind
Regards
Fabian

[mkettering]

Fabian,

Thanks much for the input. you have offered up a new idea that obviously took some effort. I'm sorry to say that this look is not connecting with what we want. Maybe I have led you astray with some of the pictures I suggested, but overall this approach is too dark.

The design looks great, but probably for a different company. It just doesn't look like a Professional Services company. I like how you played with the photo to highlight the stone, but it left everything else too dark. Your third suggestion is much closer, but we don't see the blinds image as one that re-enforces our value. I wonder how a sun breaking through the clouds might work? Also, the text area needs to fits in better. The white box and the font you use here is just a bit stark for us.

It is clear that the photo imagery is very important here, perhaps if we go back to the cleaner look you had before and try a little different layout, similar to your last idea, and look for a photo and text layout that matches the elements in our project description.

Thanks Fabian,

Mark :D

[Maleika]

Hello Mark,

here is my last idea. :)

Kind regards,

Maleika

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-v10.jpg

[Maleika]

Well I guess that doesn't work. I was imagining the sunlight streaming across and then the rock and fern showing up out of the darkness in the lower corner.... Thanks for putting up with my ideas... 8^)

Can we shift it around to try to make it fit the space and show the rock and fern, sort of like they are the illuminated insights??

Hello Mark,

I have tried to incoporate the effects you described.
Please see revision below:


http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-v11.jpg

Criticism welcomed. :)

Kind regards,

Maleika

[Maleika]

Last idea I can think of this night. :)

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-v12.jpg

[Maleika]

And a few variations. :)


#1
http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-v12-2.jpg

#2

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-v12-3.jpg

#3

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-v12-4.jpg

#4

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-v12-5.jpg

[Maleika]

And another color idea:

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-v12-6.jpg


#2

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-v12-7.jpg

[Maleika]

And yet one more idea:

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-v13.jpg

[Maleika]

Same design, different color combinations:

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-v13-2.jpg
http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-v13-3.jpg

And a color variation of the previous one:

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-v12-8.jpg

[mkettering]

Malieka,

I'm sorry to say that I think we are moving in the wrong direction, for most of these latest offerings.

This last series of work in the more traditional format has drifted to a color palette that looks too "pastelish" for us. We liked the colors you used in the first version work, message 10.

This latest style also seems to have moved away from an open feeling that we had requested in the original description. Only Message 56 comes close. This still has a somewhat open feel. Maybe if we played with the colors on this it may look better. Again, use the colors more like message 10 and not too much fadedness on the photo.

Also, I'm afraid through all my feedback, somehow I have mistakenly communicated too strong a focus on the forest picture. I meant that idea as it seemed a good potential when you had a very open panel on the right side of your curved line concept. You came closest to capturing that idea in message 39. Since then we have been croping the images and narrowing the space and the ideas have become darker or heavily tinted and less open looking.

I am still very open to the type of feel you have in message 39. But I don't think we are there yet. The faded mustard tinted image might be too much, when I still want a rich color feeling. This may just not be the right photo, even though it feels open and light, but I don't like seeing all the forest debris on the ground. Not sure what to suggest here. Maybe a whole different direction on picture?

I also think the logo needs to be moved down so there is some white space above it. I feel like it is crowded up to the top of its space too much. Also, the tinted background you put the logo on may not fit with the standard way we are showing it on our business cards and letterhead. The logo on a clean white background might be best. This looked more like it on message 56. Again, though on 56, I'd like the top of the B part of the logo to not bump up to the top of the space, but to hang more on a white space.

OK, enough input for now. Thanks for all this work..

:D Mark

[Maleika]

Not a problem Mark. I see what you mean.

Back to the drawing board. :D

Kind regards,

Maleika

[Anne]

Hi

Here's a suggestion from me. I wanted to keep it simple but colorful.
Looking forward to your feedback.

In browser (http://www.alandresen.no/do/)

Anne

[Maleika]

Ahem .... a scientific approach ...

[Aliska]

Hello
First try from me. Waiting for your comments.

[Aliska]

Hello
Another idea from me.

[SKR]

Hi Mark,

Here's my idea :)

The lighthouse represents the searching light, seeking out hidden insight.

The lighthouse and screen in the background forms the shape of your logo :)

Kind regards,

Sarah

http://www.pulppixel.com/projects/brightlight/brightlight.jpg

[Aliska]

Hello
2 more modifications from me.

[Aliska]

And one more idea. Waiting for your comments.

[mkettering]

Thanks to all of you for your new ideas. Please give me a few hours to go over the new concepts introduced over the weekend and I will get back with feedback for all of you.

Mark

[Maleika]

Hello Mark,

here is the revision for #39 :)

Kind regards,

Maleika

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-v8-rv1.jpg

[Aliska]

Hello
And one more :).

[Aliska]

Hello :)
Are you planning to extend deadline for the project? I have one more idea but I need about 12 more hours to finish it.

[mkettering]

It was great over the weekend to see so many fresh new ideas. We have had a chance to look over all the concepts and there are many that have attributes we like. No clear winner yet. A couple overall comments:

1. Since we are here in the Pacific Northwest of the USA (also called the Puget Sound Region), we would like any images that suggest trees or foliage to reflect this region. Some of the forest themes have trees that look more like the mid-west. So please, no leafy trees, only evergreen forests. Evergreen trees like firs and cedars trees. We want to attract northwest consultants to tour team and want to look like a northest company.

2. Its a good idea to see the stationary and business cards we are designing on the revisions forum http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9455&page=2
You can see the three colors we are using. I will probably want to darken the green a little to get to more of an olive green, but if we can keep this in mind, I want to connect all the collateral elements to whatever degree makes sense.

3. By the end of April we will have completed our first contract and I expect to get a glowing quote from the client. I want to make sure there is a spot for a client quote on the home page.

4. Keep in mind that this will be a 15-20 page website ultimately. Keep in mind that the format needs to carry through to a format for follow-on pages. My expectation is that at the end of this project we will have both a home page and a format for follow-on pages.l

With those comments, here is some direct feedback for each of you who entered new ideas over the weekend:

Malieka: You have offered up many great concepts. At this time the two concepts that I'd encourage you to improve are message 20/39 and 61. For 20/39, when I look at it on my screen, it still overflows and I need to scroll to see it all. I think this is because I have a few tool bars open (as do most business users). It seems the site needs to be wider. Perhaps tilting the oval shape. Your original concept on #20 is still very professional looking and clean. It seems the answer here is to get the simplicity of 20 (with a different image than the bare tree) and your look in 39 (now 68). Again, the logo needs to be against a white background, like the business card.

With 61, I don't know what the oval shapes represent (search lights?), but there is something clean about the layout. I'd like to see more on this approach but the color needs to be richer and less pastel like. Can the photo be in color? This still needs some work to be our choice, but I encourage more on this.


AnnaWelcome! Your entry was a nice first try. I like the style you brought to the image and the very easy to read layout. It needs to be a little bit more daring though, the teal color is not what we want, see the business card for colors. I'd like to have only 2 boxes of text; Welcome to Brightlight Consulting and Business Intelligence Services. Overall this is still a bit too traditional. I would definitely like to see more. II'm very interested to see more of your ideas.

Sarah: Very glad you joined! Your idea made it clear you had studied our information. The layout is clean and I like what you have offered here. I do like how you made the lighthouse and the logo merge together. I almost want to see an image of a Puget sound beach as well, but don't want to make your layout too busy. Maybe down below. Are there other images of 2 business people talking? Just not sure that is the right image. Also, can you put arrows between information-> insight-> innovation. (I'm almost wanting those words to be moving across the lines behind the lighthouse ray). Any other ideas to add some of our colors would be welcomed.

Aliska: Your depth of ideas are very much appreciated. I like the treatments of your last 2 ideas. 66 is a very nice layout, very attractive. However, it is just a little too heavy on the green. Also, we would need a different image (beautiful as it is) since it looks more like a midwest shot that up here in Washington. I like the trees and the water in combination with a light. Your early submission did a super job with some the forest shots (I like how you added definition to the rays in 62). What I didn't like as much though is the swirling lines to separate the text in most of those concepts. We need something cleaner and more solid. Remember we are efficient, quality driven and smart. Those lines seem to communicate a softer/artsey feeling. We want to be careful to renember this is a consulting company and not to let the imagery get so strong that we look more like a healthcare company or something. I like 68 and the central position of the logo, but don't get all the spheres. If you can combine the best features of 66 and 68, you might have something special.

Overall, we are seeing 2 distinct styles we like: the more traditional colums and rows style and then the more open unique layouts. We honestly can't decide which we like better. We like the unique approach of the non-standard approach, but we want a credible/professional look that is what the traditional approach offers. Hopefully we can get both benefits in one site (wishful thinking!!)...

So those are my comments for now. Thanks for all your hard work. I will keep feedback coming through tomorrow. Remember I am on Pacific Standards Time in the US, so I will go til end of day tomorrow. If need be I will extend.

Mark :)

[SKR]

Hi Mark,

Thank you for your feedback :) I'll work on the changes for you.

Kind regards,

Sarah

[Aliska]

Hello Mark
Thanks for the feedback. While I'm working on your comments, here's 1 more idea for you to check.

[Maleika]

Hello Mark,

thank you for the detailed feedback. :) I will revise both concepts for you and hopefully have them ready in time.

Kind regards,

Maleika

[mkettering]

Hi Mark,

Thank you for your feedback :) I'll work on the changes for you.

Kind regards,

Sarah


Thanks Sarah, I look forward to seeing it!

[mkettering]

Great Maleika! Can't wait to see it.

[mkettering]

Hello Mark
Thanks for the feedback. While I'm working on your comments, here's 1 more idea for you to check.

Aliska,

Very nice concept. Very open clean and you incorporated some of the strongpoints from the other sites. I need to think about if I like a blue picture with our other colors. I might also want to flip the image and have the man facing to the left and try to have the navigation buttons on the other side. Can't wait to see your revision based on my last set of comments. thanks,

Any other images you think might work with this format?

Mark

[Maleika]

Hello Mark,

I have tried to incorporate the elements of the other designs into the original #20 with the aim to maintain the feel of simplicity and allow for the design to breathe without cluttering it up.

As for imagery, this time I thought of a sunrise and people, sunrise and a boat paving its way towards a sunrise or a bird or birds flying into the free on a clear and sunny day with clouds and finally the city itself with street lights such as in Seattle or somewhere in the region you operate. However, for this one I decided to go with people and sunrise on the beach because it has all three things in one metaphor; the light, the beach, the sea (all nature elements that convey positivity and new and fresh ideas) and people who translate or want to have these ideas translated into personal success. The sunrise being the new doors that your company offers for people who are in need for new and fresh ideas. These were the ideas behind using such a photo. :)

The first version shows you what the site would look like if you had 800x600 space.
The link below displays the full size site for users with a screen res at 1024x768 or higher.

Kind regards,

Maleika

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-frv1-small.jpg


http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-frv1.jpg

[mkettering]

Maleika,

Beautiful...Very nice feel...but no matter what I do, it is tall and narrow on our screens, when we look at the image within the forum. When I look at many of the other offerings from the other designers they fill the width of the screen better and it all fits within the height of a screen. Even your scientific concept fits close to the size of the screen. Can you adapt this to a screen height that I can see in one view? In both the images you sent me they cut off about 2/3 of the way down the photo image. One is wider than the other, but both require me to scroll down to see the bottom. sorry to harp on this, but this is an important concept to us.... I really want to see this site filling viewable in the rectangle of one screen.

[Maleika]

Hello Mark,

darn. I have misunderstood left/right with top/bottom scrolling. :(
Very vey sorry about that. I will fix this and show you the revisions shortly. :)

Kind regards and my apologies.

Maleika

[mkettering]

Hello Mark,

darn. I have misunderstood left/right with top/bottom scrolling. :(
Very vey sorry about that. I will fix this and show you the revisions shortly. :)

Kind regards and my apologies.

Maleika


No Problem, I'm sorry for not being more clear :)

Mark

[Maleika]

Hello Mark. The revision is below. I was unable to perfect it as it is 6 am here and time for bed. But please see the revision below.
Criticism much appreciated. :)

Kind regards,

Maleika

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-frv3.jpg

[Maleika]

I also cleaned up the typographic elements. :)

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-frv31.jpg

[mkettering]

I will extend the deadline while the final set of revisions come in. I'm not sure where most of you live, but please sleep and lets pick this up tomorrow if its not already tomorrow for you.

Mark

[pracus]

:)

[pracus]

:d

[mkettering]

:d

Pracus, thank you for your entry. I'm afraid your approach here is not what we are looking for. Wrong colors, the navigation buttons are not where we like them to be (on the side) and the images do not connect with what Business Intelligence is all about. If you read through all the previous feedback, you will see how this misses.

Mark

[mkettering]

Maleika,

Beautiful...Very nice feel...but no matter what I do, it is tall and narrow on our screens, when we look at the image within the forum. When I look at many of the other offerings from the other designers they fill the width of the screen better and it all fits within the height of a screen. Even your scientific concept fits close to the size of the screen. Can you adapt this to a screen height that I can see in one view? In both the images you sent me they cut off about 2/3 of the way down the photo image. One is wider than the other, but both require me to scroll down to see the bottom. sorry to harp on this, but this is an important concept to us.... I really want to see this site filling viewable in the rectangle of one screen.

Maleika,

Good Day (Wednesday Morning in Seattle), I must say that as I look again at this image, it really is not what we need.

Business intelligence is about the ability to integrate and navigate through the vast amounts of data that large companies have in their computers, so that it can be presented very quickly in just the right report or dashboard. This will allow managers to see where they can make decisions (gain insight) to help their company either save costs or increase revenues. This is why we say we can integrate information, which will illuminate insight, which will inspire innovation.

We call the company Brightlight because it represents the light that comes on when you gain insight and/or the searching light that seeks out the information you need, when you need it and shows you the way to go.

People standing around a beach does not really connect with this value. I really like your layout, but the image is the key to making it work. I'm wondering about a sun coming out from clouds, representing that breakthrough that comes with insight. That might work with this format.

I hope this helps you and the others who are still trying to find the right images to symbolize the value of what we do. You have a format that can work, but we need the right image.

Mark :)

[Maleika]

Hello Mark,

thank you for the tipp. I will do some research to find more appropiate images. :)

Kind regards,

Maleika

[pracus]

A light and simple design built on full color palette and "photo-boxes" with smooth (light) rounded corners. There are also some light-effects on menu items...
Photos used on the whole site represent bringing to life, rising, innovating, full of light. The most effective ideas are simple. That's the character of this design :)

[Maleika]

Hello Mark,

here are some more ideas on imagery metaphors:

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-frv3-2.jpg

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-frv3-3.jpg

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-frv3-5.jpg

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-frv3-6.jpg

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-frv3-7.jpg

[mkettering]

Hello Mark
Thanks for the feedback. While I'm working on your comments, here's 1 more idea for you to check.

Aliska,

Are you still working on a revision based on my previous comments?

I really like the concept with the man on the rock with arms open to the Brightlight source. It would be perfect if he was in business attire instead of a Yoga type outfit. Just wanted to let you know I'm waiting to see if you come back with more.
I'd like to make a decision ASAP. It would also be good to se what the follow-on pages would look like in this format. thank you,

Mark

[mkettering]

Hi Mark,

Here's my idea :)

The lighthouse represents the searching light, seeking out hidden insight.

The lighthouse and screen in the background forms the shape of your logo :)

Kind regards,

Sarah

http://www.pulppixel.com/projects/brightlight/brightlight.jpg

Sarah,

I am also hoping to see the revision of your entry. Are you still planning to respond? I extended the deadline to give you an opportunity to offer more input. I need to see more from you to know if your design and approaches are best for us. Let me know if/when you plan to show us more. Thank you,

Mark

[will]

Hi, this is my idea. I know that you prefered a side menu but wanted to finish this concept in order to have the full idea presented to you. I wanted to keep it clean, simple and bright.

*** removed :D ***

[SKR]

Sarah,

I am also hoping to see the revision of your entry. Are you still planning to respond? I extended the deadline to give you an opportunity to offer more input. I need to see more from you to know if your design and approaches are best for us. Let me know if/when you plan to show us more. Thank you,

Mark


Hi Mark,

I'm working on the changes now :) It took me a while to find the right image for the bottom of the page. I'll post within the next couple of hours - I'm very sorry for the delay :)

Kind regards,

Sarah

[Maleika]

Two more ideas. First a satellite and second a radar control center. :)


http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-frv3-8.jpg






http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-frv3-9.jpg

[mkettering]

Hi Mark,

I'm working on the changes now :) It took me a while to find the right image for the bottom of the page. I'll post within the next couple of hours - I'm very sorry for the delay :)

Kind regards,

Sarah

Not a problem, I just wanted to make sure I hadn't scared any of you off....I appreciate you looking hard for the right image. We are a business services company, but I wanted to avoid all the images of just business people...Thanks for your efforts.
;)

[mkettering]

Maleika,

Hmm, I will review all these ideas by my team to see if any of them hit a chord. But I hesitate to include anything that looks like another industry, like Airplanes/Railroads, because I don't want to confuse prospects. What about the dramatice sun through the clouds and a bird flying free across the foreground...something like that. The dark clouds are your clouded view of your business and the sun breaking through is the power of insight and the birds or a flock of birds is the freedom gained form such illumination. Your sunset on the water is close.... Maybe one of our old forest shots with the beams accentuated would work in this format. Thank you VERY much for your diligence.

Mark :D

[Maleika]

Hello Mark,

that is also a great idea. I will research for some more imagery.

Kind regards, :)

Maleika

Maleika,

Hmm, I will review all these ideas by my team to see if any of them hit a chord. But I hesitate to include anything that looks like another industry, like Airplanes/Railroads, because I don't want to confuse prospects. What about the dramatice sun through the clouds and a bird flying free across the foreground...something like that. The dark clouds are your clouded view of your business and the sun breaking through is the power of insight and the birds or a flock of birds is the freedom gained form such illumination. Your sunset on the water is close.... Maybe one of our old forest shots with the beams accentuated would work in this format. Thank you VERY much for your diligence.

Mark :D

[SKR]

Hi Mark,

Here's a couple of versions of the changes :)

The image is of the Puget Sound at Sunset with the sun coming through the clouds.

I'm looking for a different business consulting image still but wanted to get these to you now.

I chose a more traditional layout to add a professional business feel. The design also allows easy creation of sub pages and the ability to hold more content. Hopefully the light house and the puget sound image has added the unique feel you are looking for :)

Kind regards,

Sarah

http://www.pulppixel.com/projects/brightlight/brightlight2.jpg


http://www.pulppixel.com/projects/brightlight/brightlight3.jpg

[Maleika]

Here are two ideas with a bird. :)

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-frv3-10.jpg

http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-frv3-11.jpg

[Maleika]

And one more combining clouds, bird, sun, forest and sea with the trees in front being the doorway so to speak. :)


http://www.attawel.com/designoutpost/brightlight-frv3-12.jpg

[SKR]

Hi Mark,

Variations/Image Options :) If you could let me know what you'd like to see in terms of Business/Consulting imagery then I'd be happy to offer more suggestions.

Thanks!

Sarah

http://www.pulppixel.com/projects/brightlight/brightlight4.jpg



http://www.pulppixel.com/projects/brightlight/brightlight5.jpg

[pracus]

Hi Mark. I'm not sure you've seen my last. Is it in the right direction? I hope it is :)

[mkettering]

Hi Mark. I'm not sure you've seen my last. Is it in the right direction? I hope it is :)
No, I'm afraid its going further from what we want. Our business card is already designed and your rainbow color approach is a very diffferent direction. Again, if you read through all the input I have offered, you should be able to see what I am looking for. It is a business consulting website. Thanks for your contribution Pracus.

Mark

[mkettering]

Hi Mark,

Variations/Image Options :) If you could let me know what you'd like to see in terms of Business/Consulting imagery then I'd be happy to offer more suggestions.

Thanks!

Sarah
.jpg[/img]

Hi Sarah,

OK, so the Puget sound look is very nice, I like it. Your point about staying more traditional may be a good one. The business photo I want here is one where there is more of an senior manager or executive, so a little gray hair may be in order. Usually Business Intelligence is used by senior managers or executives. It should be something that shows how information either on a report or a computer screen seems to be causing insight or a revaltion or action to be taken. It would be best if it is at least 2 people. OR since your using this in the Welcome to Brightlight section, it would be ideal to have an executivre and a younger consultant who is instructing the executive on something on the computer screen and the execxutive is happy. Like what you had before, but clearly with an executive. Either one seems the best approach.

One of my partners wanted to see an alternative to the lighthouse on the top. It may still be a winner, but he wanted to see what an alternative might be. We also like the mustard side bar,vs the clearer sidebar.

BTW, do you know how to make the brown text you have behind the lighthouse scroll from right to left across the screen? When we finish, that might be a nice effect....

Keep up the good work, we like what we see.

Mark

[SKR]

Hi Mark,

Thank you for your feedback. I'll work on the revisions and post some more options for your consideration :)

Kind regards,

Sarah

[SKR]

BTW, do you know how to make the brown text you have behind the lighthouse scroll from right to left across the screen? When we finish, that might be a nice effect....


Hi Mark,

Yes, I have a couple of ways in which I could make the text scroll. So it wouldn't be a problem :)

Kind regards,

Sarah

[SKR]

Hi Mark,

Here are a couple more options :)

1. Sunlight peering through the clouds and sails of a sail boat in the Puget Sound Region.

2. A businessman searching for the hidden insight, rays of sunlight in the background.

Let me know if you would like me to mix and match elements from any of the variations :)

Thanks!

Sarah


http://www.pulppixel.com/projects/brightlight/brightlight6.jpg


http://www.pulppixel.com/projects/brightlight/brightlight7.jpg

[Aliska]

Hello Mark
I'm working on changes, will upload them later today.

[mkettering]

Hi, this is my idea. I know that you prefered a side menu but wanted to finish this concept in order to have the full idea presented to you. I wanted to keep it clean, simple and bright.

*** removed :D ***

Will, I'm sorry not to have given you feedback. I am pretty far down the road with three designers who have been working on this for awhile. But thank you for your submission.

Mark
:)

[mkettering]

Hello Mark
I'm working on changes, will upload them later today.
Aliska, Glad your still on board! I will be in meetings for the next 8 hours, but back on line after that.

The man on the rock is absolutely beautiful, but I'm struggling a little bit with it feeling a little too strong. It is such a dramatic statement that it almost looks too much like some other type of company than a Business consulting firm. If I wasn't just starting out, I'd go for it. Like I have said, if it was a business man, it would work, but the dress gives it a little too much of an alternative spirituality look. I hope I'm explaining myself.

This format works well, it just needs a killer image to communicate our business benefit. Please keep suggesting something like this. The positive on this approach is it has an outdoor look that is VERY open. It has a person in it, and it has the rays of insight well placed. Hmm, maybe I'm talking myself back into it......

Mark :D

[Aliska]

Hello
What do you think about that header idea?

[Aliska]

And once more.

[SKR]

Hi Mark,

Another idea - An Eagle flying through the sunset/rays. The Eagle is a representation of intelligence :)

Thanks!

Sarah

http://www.pulppixel.com/projects/brightlight/brightlight8.jpg

[mkettering]

Hi Mark,

Another idea - An Eagle flying through the sunset/rays. The Eagle is a representation of intelligence :)

Thanks!

Sarah

http://www.pulppixel.com/projects/brightlight/brightlight8.jpg

Sarah,

Very nice, I am feeling like our corporate logo is crowded a little with the lines above and below. Can you make it stand out a little more in space than it is right now? It just looks a little claustraphobic.... I'd rather not shrink it, but maybe move the lines a little...

Is sunlight at the end of a path an option? Like leading out of a dark evergreen forest?

this is all looking very nice. I am sharing some business photos with my partner that may look good, but the guy with the white tie looks good too. Don't like the three prople or the shaved head guy (too posed).

Where in the world are you BTW?

Mark

[mkettering]

And once more.

Beautiful as usual, but a child is probably not a good fit for us. With the business guy, let me look at this for a little bit and see if I can get used to it. Amazing you could put a business guy in the scene!!
:notworthy Mark

[SKR]

Where in the world are you BTW?

Hi Mark,

Thanks! I'll work on the changes :)

I'm currently at the Kapiti Coast, Wellington, New Zealand.

Kind regards,

Sarah

[mkettering]

Thanks, that tells me what time zone you are in...Also, is it possible to look at how this site page fits on one screen from a height dimension. I hate to have to scroll down to see the bottom of the page.

Mark

[SKR]

Also, is it possible to look at how this site page fits on one screen from a height dimension. I hate to have to scroll down to see the bottom of the page.

Hi Mark,

Not a problem at all :) I'll finish off these changes now and should be able to submit the revisions within the next few hours.

Thanks!

Sarah

[mkettering]

Well this has been a fascinating and educational process for me. I would like to thank all the designers who submitted entries over the past 2-3 weeks. I would especially like to thank Maleika and Aliska who were very professional and creative throughout the project. Thank you for your time, effort and patience. You folks are great!! It was a very hard decision to make....but....

We have decided to complete our web design with Sarah. Sarah, you did a great job of both quickly understanding what we wanted and also leading us in some directions we needed to go. We are excited to work with you to complete this. This will be just the site we were looking for!

Send me the revisions that we have already discussed and then I have a couple ideas to clean up what we have. We still need to figure out a business picture that makes sense. Thanks and congratulations!! :clap:


Mark Kettering
Brightlight Consulting

[SKR]

Hi Mark,

Thank you for choosing my design :)

I was just in the process of completing this for you.

In Browser (http://www.pulppixel.com/projects/brightlight/)

I'm still looking for a suitable image with sunlight and a path.

I'll send you a private message with my contact details :)

Thanks again!

Sarah

http://www.pulppixel.com/projects/brightlight/brightlight9.jpg

[mkettering]

sorry, what should I be noticing in this version?

[SKR]

Hi Mark,

I am feeling like our corporate logo is crowded a little with the lines above and below. Can you make it stand out a little more in space than it is right now? It just looks a little claustraphobic.... I'd rather not shrink it, but maybe move the lines a little...

I have removed the ray that was overlapping the green bar closest to the logo. I have also screened the rays near the logo more to give it extra space :) Let me know if it's still to claustraphobic.


Also, is it possible to look at how this site page fits on one screen from a height dimension. I hate to have to scroll down to see the bottom of the page.

I have shrunk the height of the page by about 100px so it's now 700px high and shown you roughly how it looks in a browser :)


Did you want me to continue looking for business images or did you have some images you'd like me to try?

Thanks Mark!

Kind regards,

Sarah

[mkettering]

Thanks for that explanation. More thoughts:

1.So regarding the logo, I really love this logo and it seems to look best when it has space around it, so I'm wondering if we can do anything to put more white space between the top of the logo and the green line and the bottom and the redish/brown line. I'm cautious about this request, because I like the layout overall, but I think the logo always looks best when sitting in more open space.

2. Some text comments:
*Welcome to Brightlight...Brightlight is one word. The text on both these sections will change. But we can do that once we have it. I like the horizontal light beam effect on the Business Intelligence Services line, but can't see it. Would it work to bring that out a little?
* I would like the home page to have just Illuminating Insight in the lightbeam triangle banner. Then across the brown back banner, I'd like the following scroll slow enough to be readable: integrating information-->illuminating insight-->inspiring innovation. I'm hoping it will go behind the lightbeam banner.
3. A change to the navigation section. I'd like to lose Events and change it to Join us. I'm assuming we will use the space below those bars to place a customer comment once we have it. Like a sentence in quotes with a name and company name below it.
4. regarding the images in the lightbeam triangle. I love all of them except the explorer guy. My thought is to use those for the follow-on pages as follows: The Eagle would be for the sections in About Us and the words About Us would be in the banner where illuminating insight sits on the home page. The sailboat would be on the Join Us pages. The path to light if it works could be on the Services page. The rest of the format would come across on all pages. This way we get just what we wanted: a consistent format with some variety across different sections. Any other ideas you have for brightlight symbology on the triangle would be deluxe for other sections. Searchlight? torch? team on a trail heading into the sun?(partners).....

5.I am attaching a few other pictures that look like they have potential to me. I'd like to see the three person picture and also the same 2 guys you originally had, but the shot with one on the phone. I found all these on istockphoto.com when I search for business consultant.

Those are my thoughts for now. We are drwoning in rain up here in Seattle. 27 straight days of rain. I'm going to need an Ark!!

Mark

[SKR]

Hi Mark,

Thanks! - I'll work on these this today :)

I understand Seattle is both a beautiful and wet place not too much unlike Wellington, New Zealand (except for the considerably larger population) :)

Kind regards,

Sarah

[mkettering]

I just surfed (internet) on the Kapiti coast and it looks beautiful. I even saw tropical trees. I guess it is a little warmer climate than Seattle. We have tremendous beauty with snow capped mountains on both sides and both salt water and an abundance of lakes. But, yes, this time of year we have lots of rain, which for me is fine over the snow or hurricanes the rest of my country gets.

Mark

[SKR]

Hi Mark,

Changes & options for the triangle. Let me know which consulting image works best for you :) I am assuming that the lighthouse will be the Home Page?

1. Beach pathway to the sunlight/water

2. Man walking through a tunnel into the light.

3. Sun rays on a forest path

4. The lighthouse with a different business consulting image

I'll keep searching for other ideas :)

Kind regards,

Sarah




http://www.pulppixel.com/projects/brightlight/brightlight10.jpg



http://www.pulppixel.com/projects/brightlight/brightlight11.jpg



http://www.pulppixel.com/projects/brightlight/brightlight12.jpg



http://www.pulppixel.com/projects/brightlight/brightlight13.jpg

[SKR]

I just surfed (internet) on the Kapiti coast and it looks beautiful. I even saw tropical trees. I guess it is a little warmer climate than Seattle. We have tremendous beauty with snow capped mountains on both sides and both salt water and an abundance of lakes. But, yes, this time of year we have lots of rain, which for me is fine over the snow or hurricanes the rest of my country gets.

Mark

Yes, it is beautiful here :) Unlike Wellington and most of the country we get better weather, less wind, no snow/sleet and more walm sunny days. I live on the beach so get great views of the South Island on a good day.

Would like to travel to Seattle one day - I've heard it's a great place visit!

[mkettering]

Looks good:

Don't really like the lighthouse with the black line at the bottom. The initial lighthouse treatment seems more open and I line the transparency.

None of the other lightbeam triangle treatments really work for me. I've attached images I found meandering on istockphoto. Only the first one of the path comes from Corbis. I sort of wanted a couple other treatments where the sun is not the only source of light.

I like the lantern. the statue of liberty stuff may be a bit too corny, but I was thinking ofd zooming in on the torch. Anyway, I found most of these either searching on illuminate or light or bright light.

I like a number of the business photos but the 2 guys you had in their different pose looks good as well as the three people (can we change their pinkish hue so it blends with our [pallette better?) The two people in the room with the row of pictures might look good on the Join us page.

I want to run this by my partner on Monday to get his comments as well, but if you think any of the attached images would work well in the triangle, have at it.

Can I see a file with the scrolling text?

We're getting close!!

Mar

[SKR]

Hi Mark,

Here is a mock up of the scrolling text - let me know if you like this look and I'll work on it further :)

Scrolling Text (http://www.pulppixel.com/projects/brightlight/)

I'll try some of your suggested images in the triangle :)

Kind regards,

Sarah

[mkettering]

Hi Mark,

Here is a mock up of the scrolling text - let me know if you like this look and I'll work on it further :)

Scrolling Text (http://www.pulppixel.com/projects/brightlight/)

I'll try some of your suggested images in the triangle :)

Kind regards,

Sarah

Awesome!!! A couple ideas..1. can you make it move the other direction? Seems more natural to read as it moves from right to left (must be a US thing...
:D ) Don't know if you drive on the other side of the street from us or not

Also, can we try all that text in lower case and add either a longer arrow -> between phrases or multiple arrow marks >>>
Whichever looks better. This will spread out the phrases more.

Thanks,

Mark ;)

[SKR]

Awesome!!! A couple ideas..1. can you make it move the other direction? Seems more natural to read as it moves from right to left (must be a US thing...
:D ) Don't know if you drive on the other side of the street from us or not

Also, can we try all that text in lower case and add either a longer arrow -> between phrases or multiple arrow marks >>>
Whichever looks better. This will spread out the phrases more.

Thanks,

Mark ;)

Hi Mark,

Sure - I can make those changes :) I had made the text scroll in the direction of the arrows - would you still like to keep the arrows in the direction they are now?

Yes, we drive on the opposite side of the road to you :D

Kind regards,

Sarah

[mkettering]

Hi Mark,

Sure - I can make those changes :) I had made the text scroll in the direction of the arrows - would you still like to keep the arrows in the direction they are now?

Yes, we drive on the opposite side of the road to you :D

Kind regards,

Sarah

Lets try it with the arrows as they are now. I guess I'm thinking the direction right to left would be more natural to how we read....

Mark

[SKR]

Hi Mark,

Here are more options using some of your suggested images :) The avenue with the street light is one I found at istock similar to the corbis one.

Let me know if you feel any of them will work for you and I'll put in the high res version.

I'll try some of the others in the morning :)

Kind regards,

Sarah


http://www.pulppixel.com/projects/brightlight/brightlight14.jpg


http://www.pulppixel.com/projects/brightlight/brightlight15.jpg


http://www.pulppixel.com/projects/brightlight/brightlight16.jpg

[mkettering]

Wow, I like them all! Now I just have to think about which works best in which section.

Question, I notice the image at the bottom fades out on the right side. Did you not like what happens when the image goes all the way over to the right? I defer to your design instincts here, but was curious about this.

Mark

[SKR]

Hi Mark,

Here's the change to the scrolling text :)

Scrolling Text (http://www.pulppixel.com/projects/brightlight/)

I faded the image to the right as the image ends not long after the fade. It could expand further to the right by enlarging the image. I could then mirror it to create a repeat. I'll show you a sceen shot of how it would look :)

Kind regards,

Sarah

[SKR]

Hi Mark,

Here's how the Home Page looks with the other consulting image and the Puget Sound image extended to the right :)

Kind regards,

Sarah

http://www.pulppixel.com/projects/brightlight/brightlight17.jpg

[mkettering]

OK, so I reviewed the site with my partner today and we wanted to see the navigation bar enabled so we see how it will behave when the cursor moves over it. for instance, on About us the sub topics will be Mission Statement and Leadership Team. On Services the subtopics will be Enterprise Performance Management, Business Intelligence Solution, Data Warehousing Solutions, Deployment and Support. I am also hoping to see a color darkening when the cursor moves over each subject. Can a noise also be enabled on the navigation buttons?

Also, after inspiring innovation there should be a period, some space and then integrating information. This better reflects the connections between the concepts but makes it clearer that inspiring innovation does not lead to integrating information.

Under Business Intelligence Services, can we make the text line up under the title, so the B in the title is aligned with the first letter in each sentence.

Question: Will we be able to support this site after we get it with Frontpage?

Last we like so many of the images for the header. we feel the Lighthouse , the eagle and sun and the Sailboat are the strongest. we would like one more of equal strength for the Services page. I'm looking for one more strong image that will best represent the services we offer. How about the trees with the beam of light. thise trees are strong looking. Or a line of torches would be good. I'll keep looking also.

Mark

[SKR]

Hi Mark,

OK, so I reviewed the site with my partner today and we wanted to see the navigation bar enabled so we see how it will behave when the cursor moves over it. for instance, on About us the sub topics will be Mission Statement and Leadership Team. On Services the subtopics will be Enterprise Performance Management, Business Intelligence Solution, Data Warehousing Solutions, Deployment and Support. I am also hoping to see a color darkening when the cursor moves over each subject. Can a noise also be enabled on the navigation buttons?

If we could get the Home Page design signed off then I can code the page and the navigation rollovers/drop down menu at the same time. Once the page is coded we can tweak the navigation to your liking :)

Question: Will we be able to support this site after we get it with Frontpage?

When I have coded your home page and interior page - how you author and publish the rest of the pages, is greatly a matter of personal preference.

If you are wanting to use Frontpage to edit the style sheet and/or markup, or create markup and style sheets, I personally haven't used Frontpage, but I understand it is used for that purpose.

Insofar as "supporting the site with Frontpage" I really can't answer this part of the question, because that would depend on an individuals knowledge of Frontpage, markup and style sheets :)


Have you decided which business consulting image you'd like to use for the Home Page?

Do you prefer the Puget Sound image expanding to the right or fading out?


Kind regards,

Sarah

[SKR]

Hi Mark,

Washington Monument at Sunset? :)

Kind regards,

Sarah

http://www.pulppixel.com/projects/brightlight/brightlight19.jpg

[mkettering]

Hi Mark,



If we could get the Home Page design signed off then I can code the page and the navigation rollovers/drop down menu at the same time. Once the page is coded we can tweak the navigation to your liking :)



When I have coded your home page and interior page - how you author and publish the rest of the pages, is greatly a matter of personal preference.

If you are wanting to use Frontpage to edit the style sheet and/or markup, or create markup and style sheets, I personally haven't used Frontpage, but I understand it is used for that purpose.

Insofar as "supporting the site with Frontpage" I really can't answer this part of the question, because that would depend on an individuals knowledge of Frontpage, markup and style sheets :)


Have you decided which business consulting image you'd like to use for the Home Page?

Do you prefer the Puget Sound image expanding to the right or fading out?


Kind regards,

Sarah


We like the picture of the two guys and the laptop. I assume this will look a little higher res. when programmed in. I would like to use the three people on another page.

we also like the image flowing all the way over to the right!!!

I am also attaching the new text I'd like to see if we can fit into the Welcome to Brightlight Section...see attached.

I think I may have figured out the images for all the pages:

Home Page: Lighthouse with Illuminating InsightAbout Us: The cave shot with About Us
Services: The Eagle and Sun with Business Intelligence Services
Partners: the forest and lightbeam with Partners
Join Us: the Sailboat with Join Us
Contact Us: the sunset and the fence leading to the beach with Contact Us


I'd like to send you the files for our business card as I would like you to look at the colors and make sure those colors and the website match, at least to a certain extent. Send me your contact on the private mail service and i will send yo the link.


You are doing an awesome job for us...we are all very excited over here :) :)

[SKR]

Hi Mark,


I am also attaching the new text I'd like to see if we can fit into the Welcome to Brightlight Section...see attached.

There is too much text to fit in this space. We could:

1. Shorten the text to a paragraph

2. Lengthen the page - I'm reluctant to do this as you will get some vertical scrolling to see the Business Intelligence Services text & Puget Sound image.

3. Have the first paragraph of text and a read more link.

Let me know your thoughts :)

Kind regards,

Sarah

[SKR]

Hi Mark,

1. Shows the changes, high resolution consulting image and gives you an indication of how much text will fit in the "Welcome" section.

2. An idea of how the navigation could look once coded. The green over "Leadership Team" would be the highlight.

Kind regards,

Sarah



1.
http://www.pulppixel.com/projects/brightlight/brightlight20.jpg


2.
http://www.pulppixel.com/projects/brightlight/brightlight21.jpg

[mkettering]

Hi Mark,



There is too much text to fit in this space. We could:

1. Shorten the text to a paragraph

2. Lengthen the page - I'm reluctant to do this as you will get some vertical scrolling to see the Business Intelligence Services text & Puget Sound image.

3. Have the first paragraph of text and a read more link.

Let me know your thoughts :)

Kind regards,

Sarah

I'll work on shiortening the text...this is what I wanted to find out...thanks

[mkettering]

another request.... I notice the lighthouse "light" is not on. would it make sense to color in a white spot where the light normally emits to suggest the light is on. I've alway assumed the triangle shape surrounding the lighthouse is supposed to be a light beam emitting form the lighthouse. May want to suggest the light is on in a small way. Or is it casting outward?? Thoughts?

Also, can you fill in a great quote in the space below the navigation bar. somtheing like..."The team from Brightlight exceeded all out expectations. These guys delivered it right, the first time" Charlie Schmidlap, CEO CitiCorp.

I want to see if it fits.

Then to finish up,

I'm hoping you can give us a series of follow-on pages, each with the correct heading and image? With all that we should be about ready to do final programming.

Did the colors sync up OK?

Mark

[SKR]

another request.... I notice the lighthouse "light" is not on. would it make sense to color in a white spot where the light normally emits to suggest the light is on. I've alway assumed the triangle shape surrounding the lighthouse is supposed to be a light beam emitting form the lighthouse. May want to suggest the light is on in a small way. Or is it casting outward?? Thoughts?

Also, can you fill in a great quote in the space below the navigation bar. somtheing like..."The team from Brightlight exceeded all out expectations. These guys delivered it right, the first time" Charlie Schmidlap, CEO CitiCorp.

Hi Mark,

No problems on the changes :D

The colours appear to be fine but let me know if you feel any of them are off.

Kind regards,

Sarah

[SKR]

One more thing :)

The mock up of how the drop down menu could look (#144, 2.) - Was that what you had in mind?

Thanks!

Sarah

[SKR]

Hi Mark,

Here are the changes :)

Kind regards,

Sarah


http://www.pulppixel.com/projects/brightlight/brightlight22.jpg

[mkettering]

[QUOTE=SKR]One more thing :)

The mock up of how the drop down menu could look (#144, 2.) - Was that what you had in mind?

Thanks!

Sarah[/QUOTE

Sorry I realize I never answered this question. Yes this is what I had in mind. Please feel free to be creative with the "behavior" of these drop downs when you code them. I alway like it when these buttons have some subtle effects and sounds when you move through them.

Also, I think that it will suffice for you to provide a second page layout for Services with the Eagle and the sun. then if you could provide the images for the other images you have put together, along with some simple suggestions on how we might insert these images as you have, we should be OK. if that doesn't work, I will come back to you and engage you to finish for us. Does that work?

On the second page it would be nice to have you embed the image of the 3 people where you altered the background to match our palette. Also, I do not think we should have the scrolling word effects on the second and thus follow-on pages. Just the home page.

Mark

[SKR]

Hi Mark,

Sounds good to me :)

I'll work on the interior page design for you. Did you have any text/content that you'd like me to place on the services page?

Kind regards,

Sarah

[Maleika]

Well done Sarah!

[SKR]

Hi Mark,

Here is the interior page design. I have made a few alterations to allow the page to expand when you add more content :)

I've used your Welcome text as a filler - please let me know if you have any text you'd like me to use.

Kind regards,

Sarah

http://www.pulppixel.com/projects/brightlight/brightlightsub.jpg

[SKR]

Thanks Maleika!

[mkettering]

Well done indeed! OK, so thanks for moving ahead with the text you used. the second page looks great. I would go ahead and program away and lets finish this up. if you can take all the imagers for the header and tell us how to place them that will be great.

[SKR]

Hi Mark,

Will do! I'll send you a Private Message once the coding is done :)

Kind regards,

Sarah

[mkettering]

Sarah,

I thought I would check in to see what the timeframe is for completing your work. I am not getting impatient, but it would be good to know how long this is expected to take so my team can be ready.

Thanks,

Mark

[SKR]

A link to download the files has been sent by email :)

Thanks Mark! Let me know if you need anything else.

Kind regards,

Sarah