Printer website crit
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- 40 Responses
- akrokdesign0
so...free printing for us now. :-)
- tesmith0
Thanks everyone, I didn't create it but will point out your input. Please explain further your concerns with justification and selectable text. I presume the justification is aesthetic and selectable is usability? Does it properly portray what we do? Typo's have been yet to be dealt with. Thanks again.
- acescence0
it's also about 30 pixels too wide for a 1024 monitor without horizontal scrollbars
- Scotch_Roman0
—Justification: Justified text is the paragraph setting used in your third from right column. It forces text into an uneven flow of internal spacing, which hampers legibility unless thoroughly worked over and tweaked. In other words, left aligned/ragged right text will yield optimum legibility in this setting.
—Selectability: In Flash, it's possible to make text selectable so people can easily select, copy, and paste it. Your developer can turn this feature on while still maintaining appearance of type.
—You can also embed meta tags to optimize searchability. The lack of this function was the bane of Flash for many years, but is now pretty much moot depending on how the page is set up. For example, you can have different site sections set up as different HTML pages, and with selectable text it now becomes searchable via Google, etc.
- tesmith0
I guess it comes down to the fact that most printer sites are horrible. At the same time we are dealing with and recognizing the issues that everyone has brought up and appreciate the input.
- Juaneken0
like i mentioned before...that swatch card idea in particular..
is just an Idea that will hopefully..get executed better in the end...what would u all suggest instead of the disappearing
white box?as for the spelling mistakes..I'm working on that.
and the text (justification) is a work in progress too,
need to figure out how to treat those right justified
paragraphs .. under the lists.and sorry Fod,
I wasn't a big fan of the PrintHuge site...
but thanks either way.
- acrossthesea0
First impression is that it feels like an old-school flash site. If you're going to go flash... introduce elegant transitions so it's not so "gotoAndStop"
- dropdown0
I don't mind the concept of a printed piece being used to convey your material. I just think the execution could have been done better. As it is now, your new site isn't much different than the one you have in the root of your domain.
I would say that if you want designers to take you seriously as a quality print company, you should hire a designer to do what they do best.
No offense to you Juan, you've done a decent job with the tools that you had, but as you say, you aren't designers yourselves.
- ukit0
If you keep the site mostly as is, one tweak that could make a big difference IMO would be to add some kind of background (could just be a subtle background color). It looks kind of strange on my big monitor just floating on an empty white background.
- goldielox0
i've seen a lot of printers' websites, and this is def one of the nicer looking and more creative ones...so i give SML kudos!
- ukit0
True, by the standard of printer's websites, this is already a gold medal LOL
- Scotch_Roman0
Ukit, there is a background, it's off-white/grayish. What kind of etch-a-sketch computer are you on?
- ukit0
Sorry, but it shows up white for me. And I am not using an etch-a-sketch:)
- twokids0
there are valid complaints about the text, i guess, but overall it is really nice. easy to see and navigate....the design contributes to the content....
my only complaint is that when you start, there is nothing to see. you need to click to see one of the printers or categories. this is a common problem with this type of navigation that is really compact...but i think you should start with one of the links open, or put a collage of the printers (which do look good) or something....it just needs an opening.....
- Juaneken0
Hello QNB'ers
I'm Juan Guillen, I made the SML Website, you've all kindly
responded to.Thank you very much for all the input, I will take most of them into consideration for the final product.
I'm not a flash/web developer, this is actually somewhere around the 4th flash site I've ever made. (as many of you may have guest)
I mainly like (flash's) ability to use the typeface of my choice, and the ease that flash provides in terms of layout.my background is in Print Media Management,
I am currently the PrePress Manager at SML
but I really love the design.If I can ask for some advice
...how do you make the some of the text selectable?....
it sounds like an easy enough thing to do (without it
compromising the typeface)in respond to some comments....
the white menu selection (fade) is very basic flash I agree..
I was trying to keep it simple enough that I can make any
change without too much hazel..and transparent buttons
seemed the easiest...as for transitions...maybe in the future...
I hate things that happen for no reason...as for the graphic elements,
they are still a work in progress..
most are done, but there are a few
that are still in concept stage.thanks again for all the comments..
Juan.
- Juaneken0
I've uploaded some of the minor changes..
and will tackle the bigger issues tomorrow...thanks for the help.. I appreciate it very much
- ian000
fouty?
- dropdown0
needs more link.
- Anders0
PDF FTW
- tesmith0
Damn it!
http://smlsolutions.ca/test/