:: Site Crit ::
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- freshmode
Hola ladies and gents.
Just launched our company mini site. This is supposed to hold the place of a "coming soon" page while we work on our full version. I have been to busy to work on this because of client stuff.So we decided to do this in order to hold main company info, portfolio and contact.
If you have some time, let me know what you think and if you catch any bugs, please send them.
Thanks, now here is the link.
word up!
- bug10
not feelin the pop-ups...
layout seems kinda empty, like something is missing.
the work is f'in great but
sorry, the site doesn't do it for me...
- freshmode0
Is it that you are tired of seeing pop ups? You don't like it cause it feels intrusive?
I think the pop ups serve a purpose. I didn't want the site to have the whole browser avail. because it is empty. There isn't much to put into a "temp" site. But I see where you are coming from.
Thanks for the comment on the work.
Anyone else?
Thanks in advance.
- atomica0
Nice, I think it works. I just have one aesthetic type issue. Your types all over the place yet in the same style. You're logo type and some menu stuff is pretty standard or extended even, meanwhile the headers are a condensed version, its bothering me with inconsistency..... I'm picky :P Oh well, I think it serves its purpose well, and the work is indeed good stuff.....
- angelus350
I think other people will cover any design elements they have issues with. Just wanted to report that I'm getting left and right scroll bar on the client list in IE6, WinXP. Looks like just a few pixels too wide on your table or something. Peace.
- ********0
I feel this site is not very successful.
• The layout is bland. Symmetry is not helping here, it is hurting. Needs to aknowledge the space its using in some way. Consider the white space, contrast busy moments and quiet moments, etc.
• Typography is disparate overall and doesn't aid the layout in any way, why not bitmap if it is going to be text purely for function?
• Heirarchy is not flushed out well. there is no decision made, it seems, about what is 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc... in the heirarchy.
• The structure overall makes little use of what the web has to offer: hyperlinks. the site is built into multiple windows rather than having a menu structure from which to work, allowing the user easy access to multiple selections.
The colors are a decent choice, used relatively well in the background window (opening/closing window).
I would suggest getting the pencil and paper and perhaps trying to consider how to present the user an experience (in its simplest term), one that capitalizes on what the web can offer.
- instantok0
what they said...the site doesnt do your work justice...
forget the popups and think about having a reference for works in the portfolio...the unmarked folder/icon thing is just a pet peeve of mine...the user should have visual information that tells them which link goes to which project
- freshmode0
I hear what you guys are saying. I appreciate the crit, but the site only has 4 total pages. 3 of which are no longer in content then 1 paragraph. At this point, their is no real "Hierarchy" or structure for menu. There isn't a bunch of subsections with in the main sections so what is there to do for a "menu system"?
I used 1 font and verdana. I guess I can change the port title, but I don't understand the issues with the font. Maybe I just can't see it but I only have used 1 font. I can change the text to a bitmap so it all is the same. But now how would that make things more practical. I would have to change a graphic, then change the size within the file. Then upload a graphic and that page. I figure, make the change in text. Upload the file.
I don't see going into to much detail here. It is only meant for what you see. Company, Work, Contact. No need to give options from 1 menu system for that. It is as easy as can be. See what you want. Click it, go there.
I think the layout is good. Everything stays the same and the focus is on the new info only. Not an entirely new page.
And again, it is a place holder for a "coming soon" page. This way, it is quick and simple.
And I popped up the windows because I didn't want to do a large layout. And I don't understand how I can "capitalize" on what the web has to offer with such a small site.
Our main site is in dev. We will go all out for that site... But for what it's worth, you guys don't think this site serves it's purpose? Consider yourself as a client of ours and not a designer/developer like yourselves. Don't your clients always ask for "cool pop ups" and all that shit. Plus, don't your clients only care about your work and not the rest of what you have to say. I think we are to wrapped up in seeing things through our eyes and not through the gen. publics eyes.
AOL is the largest ISP provider. Everything within their app pops up. Not that it's a good thing or that I love aol. But I think pop ups are not as bad as we, within this community make them seem.
I will consider a new design if I get a really good response as to why this doesn't work. Sorry but the Hierarchy and menu structure didn't do it for me. The site is to simple to go into to much detail.
I see all of your points. I will consider them today. Thanks again.
word up
- instantok0
for what its worth...
i think putting things into one page serves the "coming soon" aspect much better...as you said there is very little information in the site...the "company","work",and "contact" information could easily be one page allowing the potential client to have all this pertinent info at their fingertips throughout the entire experience...a "coming soon" feel, to me, means a brief, guided user experience which is not the case with your current design...
and there is always a necessary hierarchy no matter how little/much information is being dealt with...
im only critical because your work is very impressive and i think it deserves a fitting showcase
:)
- davetufts0
i don't have an issue with using pop ups...but you should stay away from automaticallly popping open the first window as soon as i get to the site.
i thought it was an add at first (went to the home page, small pop up window auto opened, and moved to the center of the screen... sounds exactly like a pop-under ad).
after 'relaunching' the site, i agree with most other people's comments (not really taking advantage of the web)
if it's a temp site make it look like a temp site... this looks like a 'real' site that never really got going.
also, usability in the portfolio section is pretty poor. If i'm in the 'print' sub-section and click 'web', the main image doesn't change. at first i though it was broken. then realized the too-subtle change of the little page icons...
- freshmode0
Thanks everyone for the comments on the work. I guess everyone's argument can be said in this case. I thought it was a pretty good layout.
Let me justify the port. 1 day of work and it's intent was for us to show clients. Then I figured, just add it to the site. So, actually, it is a site that never really went anywhere and I decided to use it as a coming soon site.
Thanks for the comments.
I wish we had the time for a redesign, but don't. So this is going to have to be. So far, our clients think it's pretty good and have commented on the fact that it is quick and easy. We are conceptualizing our future site. It is going to be pretty fresh. I will post when finished.
I ROCK...
- ********0
check with Studio A they have better taglines...
- ********0
all your responses to NT comments give me the impression that you never really cared what NTer's were gonna say about your "interim site" to begin with.
you just wanted everybody to look at it because you were so proud of your site.
furthermore you seemed damned sure everybody would applaud your effort. how wrong you were...
- Dr_Jay0
the work is good, but the portfolio site is a bit sloppy.
your comment:
"And I popped up the windows because I didn't want to do a large layout."
hmmmm... so now instead of one window that I can resize and move around as I please, I have 3 friggin' windows cluttering my desktop. 1 pop-up solves your problem... 2 pop-ups (in this case) = bad design.
- Dr_Jay0
also... check the "company" page.
typo: commuinicate
- freshmode0
lilbabyleg,
I wasn't wrong at all. I actually have made changes requested.
I changed the section titles from a condensed font to the regular style, and I just made a change in the style sheet to add helvetica and arial. I just can't change the design and as anyone else would naturaly do. I just defended my reasons as to why I did what I did. As any other designer would do in my case. Sorry if I am proud of the work I do. What can I say. I love my job.
I agree with the 3 windows comment. I am trying to figure out a way of closing the first window after it launches. I am sure it is easy, but have little time.
Don't hop into the middle of a conversation and start commenting on my comments without knowing what I did. That was even more lame then the 3 pops I made you go through.
Thanks to everyone who shared a good crit. And I did consider and make changes accordingly. Sorry I didn't email you and let you know of everything I did in the past 48 hours.
I still rock freshmode... yiatch!
- freshmode0
Thanks, made the change.
Dr_Jay
- unknown0
It's bad
Do it over.