[Project Complete] - Milton 411 - Website Redesign - $500.00

[andmunn]

(Admin code added by Palmer - 2DC40885XY343502F)

Hello!

I've done multiple contests on Design Outpost (including the previous version of our website), and i've always been happy with the results. It's time for a site redesign (after about 5 years!). We are looking to change the "Feel" and bring in a fresh, new, and clean look. Here are some details:

Company Details

1a) Name of Company


1b)Company Tag Line or slogan:

A

1c) Do you have a company logo?

Yes - Attached.

1d) Do you have a corporate visual identity (a customized (non stock) logo and color scheme carried out throughout your office, stationery, business cards, etc.)?

Not Applicable.

1e) What is the nature of your business?: Briefly describe your products or services:

Website for a small city in Ontario, Canada. Where users can browse local business, post classifieds, etc.

1f) Who is your target market? Who are you hoping to reach with your site?

Users who are living / visiting our town.

Website Details

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

also desigined 5 years ago here!).

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

1. http://yourneighbours.de/
I like the clean design and enjoy how the colours "pop". I also like the use of white space near the top and the "large" header area.

2. http://www.paravelinc.com/
Again - like the colour contrat, the square icons, and the simplicity of the design.

3. http://notcoming.com/
I like the menu bar at the top...and the typography here..very clean and elegant.

4. http://www.super8.co.uk/
Again - like the simplicity and how 4 buttons pop against the background. Also like the great use of whitespace.

5. http://www.vudumedia.com/
Just like everything about this layout.

6. http://designwoop.com/
Like the boldness of the header / logo - and the colour selection.

3b) What colors or color schemes would you like?

Simplisitc. Clean. White Space. See site examples above.

4b) List the Navigation links for your Site:

I want "4 main" links - Directory, Classifieds, Exclusives, Discounts, and then several "smaller" links - About Us, Contact Us, Site Map, Privacy, Legal Notices. The first four links need to be predominant - either in the form of some kind of icons / logo's, etc.

5b) What type of look are you trying to achieve? (e.g. clean, high-tech, conservative, warm, flashy, etc.)

Clean - minimalistic - taking into account typography. A great desription of the type of design im' looking for...
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008...clean-designs/

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

N/A

7b) Do you have any images for use in the design of your site? If not, do you have images, can you offer suggestions of what you type of imagery you feel would be most suitable for your website:

N/A

Deadlines and Deliverables

1c) What is the deadline for your template design?

March 21, 2010.

2c) Will you require HTML coding? (Yes/No)

Yes - we require a front page - and two subpages (both of which will be fairly "simple").

Additional Notes
It's important to note that in addition to the requirnments above, on the "main page" we require:

1. The links to the 4 main sections showing predominantly
2. An outline of the "directory" - including links to all the main categories on i.e.// Automative, Career, Computers, etc).
3. A search box.

Thanks everyone for your participation, and i can't wait to see some great designs.

Andrew!

[Elena]

Hello,
I like your project and will post my version soon.
Thank you,
Elena

[andmunn]

Thanks Elena - can't wait!
Andrew.

[Elena]

Hello Andrew,
Here is my design for you.

Warm regards,
Elena

[andmunn]

Hi Elena,

Thanks for your contribution. It looks nice - but it's not exactly what i'm looking for. Looks a little too busy - and misses the "clean" feeling i'm going after.

Everything just seems a little "too bold" and "too busy"... But thank you for your contribution!

Andrew.

[silviu-ivan]

Hey Andrew,

You can count me in. I love minimalistic websites, but there aren't many clients looking for this kind of websites. Your project is a treat so I'll do my best!

Cheers,
Silviu

[andmunn]

Thanks Silviu - can't wait!

Andrew.

[narapidana]

Hi Andrew,

Pls count me in.Btw,Clean - minimalistic look is a great challenge..

- Adam

[andmunn]

Thanks Adam!

Can't wait to see what you come up with. Thanks!
Andrew.

[narapidana]

Andrew,

As promised, attach here the first shot.



Your feedback is appreciated.

Regards,

Adam

[andmunn]

Hi Adam,

Thanks for your submission. This is definately more along the lines of where i'm looking to go, but it's still not there yet. I've attached my "vision" of a layout, and perhaps i caneebtter describe what i'm looking for.

1) Maybe try the "black and white" version of the logo.
2) All "headings" should be text based
3) The 4 main "category" images should be something that POPS (i.e.// the images in the exclusives, directory, classifieds, discounts header).
4) No fancy gradiant backgroudns - looking for simple white

I've attached a simple layout of something i'm picturing (obviously open to input).

Thanks!
Andrew.

[silviu-ivan]

Here is my concept.

I was originally thinking about putting the search in the main navigation bar next to the main 4 categories, to be visible on all the pages. After seeing your wireframe I moved it in the content section, but I kept a Search link in the main menu. So if a user is on a content page and wants to do a search he may not know that the search form is only the homepage. So when he clicks the search link he will be taken on the homepage.

Minimalist design doesn't use a lot of graphics,but I couldn't resist from adding is waterfall illustration in the welcome box. Since your town is close to the Niagara Falls I thought it would be a nice touch.

Regarding the 4 boxes in the lower part of the websites: Are they ok like this? Would you like a different style for each box? Do you want to include more text, a short intro of some sort?

I look forward to your feedback.

Regards,
Silviu

[andmunn]

Hi Silviu!

Well - it looks like we are finally progressing on the right track! Thanks for your input. Here are some suggestions:

1) Can we make the logo a little bit bigger? I would just like it to stand out a bit more.

2) The four buttons - we are definately closer to what i'm looking for. Ideally though, i don't want the "pictures" themselves to say what we are linking to. I would rather, for example, for classifieds have some kind of graphic of a newspaper, for discounts, some kind of graphic of a "sales sign" or something like that..and then above the images, have the text "Classifieds", "Discounts", etc. I do like that you were table to make them stand out.

3) I'd also like the above boxes bigger - perhaps instead of all on one row, we make them bigger, and put 2 buttons on 2 rows (similiar to my mark-up).

4) Although i do like the waterfall graphic - i think i would prefer without - as i'm REALLY trying to take all non-essential elements out of hte design.

5) The directory also, instead of 3 columns, can we try a design with 2 columns? Perhaps some kind of layout simliar to a standard directory: (http://www.google.com/dirhp).

6) The main menu bar at the top - it's not bad - but, doesn't do it 100% for me. I DEFINATELY like the addition of "SEARCH" (thanks for the suggestion). Can we try some simple links here for this, and move the otehr links (about us , etc) down to the footer?

Thanks so much for your help.

Andrew.

[narapidana]

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for your initial feedback.
Attach here a few more layout that hopefully suits your imagination.

Feel free to comments.

Regards,
Adam

1.Clean Design

2.Add light grey box to emphasize the directory listing

3.Enhanced "the box" a little bit

4.Add color a little bit

[andmunn]

Hi Adam,

Thanks for your recent designs. I like the buttons / graphics you chose for the 4 buttons. I also think we are getting closer to where we want to be. i'm not, however, too found of the way the font / directory area looks. Seems a little "too bold" , and not clean enough ...

Not sure whats wrong - but perhaps trying some variotions of how to display this data?

Thanks,
Andrew.

[narapidana]

Andrew,

Thanks for your feedback.Attached here the revised version :



And this one with underline directory links:

[silviu-ivan]

Here are the changes.

I've tried using only 2 columns for the directory listing, but it turned out really long. My suggestion would be to go with 3 columns so the user can have a better overview of the options here, instead of having to scroll. Is there any particular reason why you want only 2 columns?

The 4 images at the bottom are a little stretched to fit the width of the boxes, but once I buy them they will look much better. I can also always look for some other images if you want.

I look forward to your feedback.

[andmunn]

Hi Adam,

Thanks for the couple updates. It looks good, but i'm still not "crazy" about the design. Something abotu the header area doesn't do it for me now. Also, still looks a little "cluttered".

Silviu - wow! im' impressed. This is very much the direction i'm looking to go. Looks very clean and sharp. I'm just not to crazy about the images you have used for "exclusives" and "directory". Other than that- this has to be m y favourite design i've seen as of yet...

Thanks so much both of you.
Andrew

[Kogar]

Hello.

I'll have something for you later today.

Regards

[andmunn]

Hi Kogar!

Can't wait.

Thanks!
Andrew.

[cosmic]

here is my concept:

[cosmic]

The above design in browser

[Kogar]

Removed for Revision.

[andmunn]

Cosmic :

Looks good - this is definaetly the minimalist style i was looking for. However, i feel like it's missing just a little bit of flair. I'm also not to crazy about the huge "Milton, Ontario" text. It's a neat idea, but i think it takes away too much from the page, and makes important content areas neccessitate scrolling to even notice they are there. It is a neat idea though.... Overall, i do like the concept. Can you try playing around with it a little and adding the subcategories to the menu as well (i.e// autmotive parts, services, etc).

Kogar:

Thanks for your entry. I'm not to fond of the black header - i much prefer the use of white / whitespace. I'm also not to fond of the footer where you used a simliar approach. Just doesn't really "do it " for me at this point in time overall.... Thank you though!

[Kogar]

Here's a revision.

Regards

[cosmic]

Revisions

[cosmic]

Changes:

• added Milton Ontario above the search box
• changed the search box a bit
• moved the nav links up next to the logo

[cosmic]

milton ontario coloured

[cosmic]

Post 26 in browser

Post 27 in browser

Post 28 in browser

[silviu-ivan]

Here are my updates on the 2 photos and a selection of other images we could use. If these don't hit the bull's-eye I'll keep looking. If you have any suggestions about what kind of images might work best, they are highly appreciated.

Let me know what you think.