Topic: Site for a band

Ok I've been silently watching this crap about buttholesunday, so don't be influenced by the grid-like pattern in the background. This site is not yet complete, and I know there are people here that entirely hate Flash, so the main page is all I'd like critqued. Can y'all give me a browser spanking on this...
www.lunaslovechild.com

-Thanks

Hey, I like it alot (And i'm the one that had something against that grid background). Only one suggestion is perhaps not blur the ridges on that (pipe-light-thingy?). I think it would look cool, I mean it looks cool now, umm, nevermind i'm tired....Looks good :P

was bit of a slow DL on a modem here, got to the splash page, and waited, not too bad, but then I got inside and had to wait again for alot longer (285kb worth). For most ppl this likely wont be an issue. The design is ok , but I think the quality of the graphics could be better. A lot of movement going on with the wireframe globes that I dont think works too well, again waiting for content to load while watching the wireframe moving is not my scene.

Local band huh? Not heard of them but I dont get down to Hamtramack much these days Overall, its ok.\. Nothing to write home about.

That's something I think I am having so much trouble with is file size. The size of everything on that page is around 75 K. Is that too much!? I'm really not sure what the recommendations are for page size (splash even). If I made that image smaller, then larger resolution settings look like hell. They insist on the image. I mostly do print work and I deal with huge file sizes, so I guess this influences my layouts too much. What is recommended dl size for a splash page? And why are there so many cool ones that load so quickly? Am I missing a step? The Flash, I realize, is probably too large. But they also insist. I am not big into actionscript yet, and I'm sure I'll find more efficient ways to handle things...Working off of a cable line probably doesn't help either.

the secret to small flash files is :::::::: drum roll::::::::

dont import any graphics into flash....nada.. but i can tell most of those images were created outside of flash...... it hurts i know....

*' ba dum ching*'

Thumper: I like the space theme - very appropriate. I think the thing that really stands out has been mentioned and that is the graphics (I hope mel's solution works as smoother graphics would really help. Anyway some thoughts:

1. You should really consider offering a HTML version - the information is pretty basic at the moment but it would give search engines something to get their teeth into. It would also justify the splash screen somewhat.

2. The contact page doesn't do anything.

3. Launch external pages in new windows - it causes problems with your Flash restarting when people go back (which is tricky anyway as there seems to be a redirect in place on the site you link to).

4. I'm concerned that at 1024x768 (the resolution I'm viewing things at) your copyright isn't really legible - I suspect that could cause some legal problems if you ever had to rely on it.

5. I want more information - you could fit what is currently there on a napkin. How about band members pictures, some idea of the kind of music they play, etc. I'd be disappointed if I'd looked the band up after seeing there name on a poster.

6. I wonder how flexible the design is - what if you wanted to add concert photos, a discography, reviews, links to other good band resources.

7. Kill the IE6 image bar on the main page.

Overall it is OK for what it is (although there really isn't enough information there to justify the effort you have gone to) but personally I like the look you have going on the splash page and would be happy if that was translated into a web page using some of the ideas you have there. There are some good ideas there and I'd like to see them cleaned up (wireframe graphics) or expanded upon (the splash page into a HTML page). Lots of potential for something very interesting - keep us informed of your progress.

Emps

I would have to agree with Emperor about offering an HTML version.

There's really only one thing that bothered me about the main page: The "HERE" (for the Flash download) and "SIGN OUR GUESTBOOK" light up when you mouseover them, giving you a clear sign that they're clickable, but the "ENTER" does not respond at all, nor is it clickable. Instead, the little ball above it lights up, and that's where you have to click to enter the site. It only took me a split second to figure this out, of course, but it seems kind of counter-intuitive. The "Enter" link is the last of the three that you come to (moving from top to bottom), and you've already established the mouseover light up, so it's a bit jarring when it doesn't work as expected. Like I said, not a major usability problem of course, but it just seems slightly off. Maybe you could have "ENTER" and the ball respond together?

Or maybe I'm just stupid, and my brain doesn't work as fast as everyone else's .

[Edit by Anal Retentive Grammar Boy ]



[This message has been edited by Suho1004 (edited 04-26-2002).]

Thanks y'all...This page is still in progress, so as far as missing content(contact), that's comin'. I will draw up an html version too, that would be common sense I guess. As a matter of fact, I am totally unhappy with the Flash concept anyway. It spawned from a vision, but it turned out being a half-assed version of THAT. I will fix mouseover crap. And yes I know it's missing content. NEW BAND! At this point photos will have to be "pushed" which sucks. I was thinking about incorporating some of Doc's CSS stuff for the splash page, and maybe use a lower size version of that image, table-less, just to get it up faster for modemers. Thanks for the critique though guys. Peace.