Site Crit
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- Concrete
http://www.parenta.com/home.aspx…
This is the comapany i work for. I recently convinced them to re-brand. This is the result. I didn't build this site just designed the UI.
Would like your thoughts.
Thanks folks
- Dancer0
Hey Concrete, It looks better than the last one, I think.. (did it used to be all red?)
The first initial things that jump out of me is the refections on the elements (header logo & left sidebar) they all seem far too haevy I think the reflections need knocking back loads.
Also, if you have a reflec. on the header logo, perhaps have them on the buttons as well?
And. I want to see a horizontal line along the bottom to close the main content box off (above the T&C's), it looks like the page never finished loading.
Otherwise it's not bad. Very now.. ain't gonna set the world on fire though but I suppose it doesn't have to.
- Concrete0
Thanks Dancer. I can always count on you for some decent feedback. I agree with your comments, I didn't have complete creative freedom but I will go back and tweak it.
And you're right, it doesn't have to set the world on fire but it looks a tad better than the old one.
- Fariska0
I'd low down the shiny glow on the buttons (the rollover status is ok) that are too strong.
I find them too squared: maybe if you adopt a golden rectangle, cause it is more balanced to the uman eye. (but maybe it's just me)I'd work also on the header, is quite weak actually. What didn't convince me it's the reflection vs the background texture. You need to balance this two elements and integrate more the other buttons.
And it definitely needs a footer.
(i'd also drop the zooming boxes on the right)
But it's a good start, keep working on.
- Concrete0
Thanks Fariska, good call.
- Nairn0
Is it a Christian organisation?
'New Customers' tease - headlines spilling over.
Rubbishy Dreamweaver Code? (Delay in rollovers)
Personally, I'd match the left hand rollovers with the main ones - ie. Dim the main text to hilight the secondary, descriptive text)
Baseline'd 'Introduction' text jars me.
Navigation Structure indication is messy - how about employing a 'breadcrumb' or something to let visitors know 'where they are'?
What's the logic behind the 'inset' left-hand nav buttons and drop shadows? Sometimes they are, sometimes they aren't? - In fact, Left hand nav is generally inconsistent (Home vs. Profile)
Register/Login, Privacy Policy, Terms & Click here for Registration just dumped on as text links?
Client Zone Padlock rollover moves.
Testimonial section could do with a picture of a a happy family, smiling manically (in fact., is there one on there? I can see a single pixel image-end on right hand side... just no picture)Quite ..er.. glossy.
Good colour distinction.
If it were more consistent throughout it would feel professional.
Feels like a family site.Good Luck!
x
- Concrete0
Thanks Nairn.
Parenta provide 'management solutions' for the childcare industry- software, websites, print, payroll etc.
Unfortunately I have no real techy knowledge on the building of this site. I just did the visuals.
What do you think of the new logo?
- airey0
the rollover images need to be pre-loaded to save the pause the first time. can be done with js or css.
- TheBlueOne0
header needs work...too too glossy. Is purple the company color? Not my favorite..it's such a dark color for the top of the page when the rest of the site space is white and all rainbow-y on the links there on the left..
- Nairn0
'just did the visuals' - then you did the site layout? Even you, as 'just' a designer should be thinking of the topology of the site first - the structure, information spread, paths and hierachies.
You need to consider your end-user a bit more (put in strong navigational aids and structure, ensure consistency). You also need to be more fascist with your coding team - either they're being sloppy, or you are.
I'm sure you know - designing a site should never start and end with photoshop!
As for the branding, as I tried to infer, I think it looks Christian (the seemingly meaningful split in the crucifix form, the silky purple background...). What do I think of it? Not too much - I neither like nor dislike - it certainly works, fits the bill and will make the client happy, I'm sure...
...but here on NT, everyone'll just see a generic Web2.0 form!