Topic: How can I improve this?

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Got a semi-new format up, but it still looks pretty... amaturish. If ya would, take a look around (code and such) and hand out some suggestions into making it look better?

Thankee in advance!

njuice42 Cell # 551
icq 957255

Hmm, that's a tough one, nj. Maybe do away with the textures and pick a more interesting color scheme (as it is, it's monochrome, no life). Also, and it may just be me, by the font you use (not the text font, but the graphic font), looks a little cartoonish (and the part that says "where boredom and art combine" is a tad difficult to read).

Once we get past the front page, we definitely run into problems with those textures. On your lightwave page, the background is a solid gray, and the textures are cut off rather suddenly. It's rather jarring. Also, you have no unique titles for your pages; they all just say "njuice." Maybe something like "njuice: history" or "njuice: photoshop." That brings up another point, too. The menu lists Photoshop, Lightwave, History, About Njuice, and E-mail Steve--but once you get into those pages it gets confusing. For example, at the top of the History page it says "About njuice," and at the top of the "About Njuice" page it says "About." The Lightwave page has no similar title, and only says "Misc. Artwork Gallery." Why the abbreviation? And, as I mentioned above, the layout is completely different from the other pages. As for the text of the titles, themselves, black is not a good color on this background. And because the font size is the same as the text, the titles are far less noticeable than the text itself. Maybe bigger and a lighter color?

As for the code, it seems like pretty straightforward table-based HTML... not much to comment on there. The only things I would mention are page titles and perhaps changing the link colors. You really shouldn't have black text on this background, even if it is a visited link. Oh yeah, and instead of "E-mail Steve," how about "E-mail Me." I realize that you're Steve, but it gets a tad confusing when you consistently refer to yourself as Njuice and then start talking about some guy named Steve. Yeah, I know all your entries are signed Steve, but maybe you could change those to Njuice as well. Then you could just have a little blurb on your about Njuice page saying, "My name is Steve" if you really want to.

Whoa. That was unexpected. Sorry for that deluge of criticism, man. I just typed stuff as it came to me. I hope it's not too much. I do like the site, I was just trying to find problem areas...




Cell 270

Excellent, thank you much for taking the time to check it out, Suho!

Oh wow... *slaps forehead*... I completely forgot about uploading the changed 'lightwave' pages, so those are really ugly and out of sort. I'm going to take your advise to heart about the monochrome theme, perhaps that was really what has been bugging me about it all this time. I'll try switching it up, give it a new layout perhaps, and yeah, add a bit of color. The more I look at it, yep, it's not that visually stimulating. The text? Anime-Ace, a font used in comics and whatnot, so you're correct on pointing out it's cartoonish properties. Something new, and it probably doesn't fit after all

Sometimes it takes another person's point of view, because the more I read what you thought about it, the page looks pretty bad. Black link colors over dark grey stone, yep, that's gotta go. So does the titles of most of the pages (though I was aware of the 'About' thingie, I was lethargically putting it off more and more...).

I appreciate your comments and suggestions, I think with this little push I'll be going in a more correct path instead of staying at where I am. Friends are biased, everyone said it rocked and blah blah blah, but I wanted other, unbiased, feelings about it. And I'm glad I got em

Did you check the photoshop section? It's how the lightwave section was supposed to look, the thumbnails blend into the textured backgrounds without any problems, but it's still quite lacking.

Anyways, I'll try and whip up a new one, and get something rolling within the next few days (I've got some time off work, what better a way to spend my free time, eh?). Again, thank you very much for taking the time!

*gets to work*

njuice42 Cell # 551
icq 957255

Hey, no problem nj. Anything for my amorphous friend in a mumu.

Actually, I did look at the Photoshop page, and (other than the things I mentioned) it looked fine. That was one of the things that confused me, actually. I had clicked on the lightwave page first and then I went to check out the photoshop page to see if it was the same layout. It all makes sense now, though--you just forgot to update. Well, glad we could catch that one.

Now, when I finally get motivated enough to finish my site (at least to the point where it can be reviewed), I hope you'll return the favor. In the meantime, I'll be looking forward to seeing what changes you come up with.

i think the monochrome colour cool.. maybe a lil' dull for some people.. though..
well nice job steve


( ahh it's been a while .. i miss the asylum and the pills.. :P )

Where have you been CLyNn? Well, welcome home...rest your weary feet...and head...

hehe...I think the shocktreatment room can squeeze you in...but I'll have to bump Master Suho...

And watch out for wakky...he'll con your meds...he's pretty good at it...

NJuice...I like the 'monocrome' look, as well...it's kinda hard to explain, really. i guess it's because it is a bit different from the norm...which makes it stand out a bit.

Hmm... monochrome fans, eh? Well, nj, play around with some colors, and if it turns out you like the original design best, keep it. Personally it's not my thing, but not everyone thinks that way, and it really comes down to what you think looks good. Have fun!

Thanks all, I think I'm going to meet half way on this one... though monocrome themes do appeal to me, my last two formats were pretty much using the same color scheme, and I think moving into a bit more color would be a good step... I'm thinking blue/grey/white at the moment.

Unfortunately, my ISP and I aren't seeing eye to eye at the moment, and I'm forced into using my work to access the net... but I am working on a new format, and I'll likely have one up and running once I get their services back (or move to another ISP, which is looking rather tempting at the time being...).

Again, thanks all for your suggestions, I look forward to seeing what you all think of it

njuice42 Cell # 551
icq 957255