Preserved Topic: Caught in a rut... (Page 1 of 1)

I have been in a PS rut for a while, a lack of inspiration, a lack of modivation. In an attempt to get out of the rut I started working.
http://clan6x.tripod.com/new.jpg

is what I have come up with so far. It is far from what I would normally design (I like to do the usability shin dig). From this I am looking for comments, critisisms. I am also lacking in the 'where do I go now', 'what next' department.

Any help would be appreciated, as well as extreemly caustic critism, as long as it could possible lead towards a better end result, or overall improvement of skill.

thanks,
-mage-

That's the second time today I've seen 'motivation' spelled wrong.

Far be it from me to comment on someone else's work, considering mine is a heap of trash, but I think what your layout is missing is an edge. Not a literal edge, but something provocative. Maybe match the buttons and title to the grid and blend it with a "layout" sort of look, like a schematic lifting off the page? It's been done before, but when I look at your layout, it looks like the grid should be something more than just a fading backdrop. Too much empty space, but I like the quality of what you have.

Looks like you have the concept down pretty well. Maybe smaller buttons/logo with some symetry (sorry shield, i cant spell either ), the grids are ok, although i really havent seen too many people use them nicely, kinda hard to get away from that "my first homepage" look. I like the blue, although you might want to see what they'd look like with the same color scale, like desaturate then do an image

hi mage,
well, i am pretty much going to say what shield said again - far be it from me to critique your site, i dont even have one...
but yes, it looks plainish.
hmmm... maybe its because you just started working, even though you had a "lack of inspiration".
so go get inspired.
now, i used to have lots of designer's inspiration sites... cant think of any now... just cruise thru the asylum webring, then look at a few of gurusnetwork's links, and see what that shows ya.
but back to your page.
i think swedespeed has a point about your size - it seems all too big - the title, the buttons, and maybe even the grid.
and i think if you were to incorporate the grid more, like HS said, this page could really take off...
it seems you have a bit of skill there, and i would love to see this page develop!
good luck!

hmmm I'd say that the buttons need to be tied together....maybe with some chains, wires, or rope

Well, normally I'd probably fill the bill for "caustic criticism" but today is play nice day

All righty....let's hit the "ations" for some motivation.

Inspiration
Presentation
Navigation
Integration
Complication
Perspiration

Address all those, and the site is soaring.

Inspiration is the key. What do you like? What makes you want to stay on a page? What do you want to convey to the viewing public? Your colour scheme. Your idea of great layout, and good flow. Composition. Your fish tank. That ad that's really cool. The bikini on that girl down the street. That old Muscle Car.....Whatever does it..take it..run with it.

Presentation refers firstly to content, and layout. You want to start out with an idea of how you want to display the Mighty Content to the viewers. Nothing is worse than an interface that's built to just be an interface. Making a site that way is just begging to be clicked right past. Do you prefer content displayed in a separate frame...with a dhtml scroller...aligned to the right of the navigation...to the left...above...below... etc. etc. At this point you can decided on the system fonts you want to use as well to parlay the feel of the design into the layout of the content.

Navigation is pretty self explanatory...except for this: Give your viewers something they won't tire of automatically, and they won't resent for the load time and frustration of it. Keep your navigation integral, but with an ease and flow. Your navigation should work IN your design, not be separate from it. It's at this point where you need to start seeing the focus of what you're aiming for. What you want to convey with the graphic structure.

Integration...is just damned simple. Take the idea of how you want to display your content, meld it with the structure of your nice, shiny, user friendly navigation, and voila..you've got the bones of your site with some meat on it.

Complication is probably one of the tougher parts. Do you want a template design that you'll use for every page? If so, it's relatively simple, just have your backend inject your content in place with your layout, and CSS taking control of the design. However, some people like to make subtle changes now and then, to keep the viewers interested. Not a style change, but some different structure or layout with the same feel, colours etc. but just a change up. Still other folks change styles and looks, go for a more general feel, but show off more ~coughpixelflocough~. Also, what's your target audience? Are you designing for the 640 folks, on 33.6 anymore, or stepping it up to 800 and at least a 56K? Decide on your level of complication, and you're good to go.

Perspiration is mandatory. Think it looks smooth? Rework it. It loads not bad? Rework it and compress it. It's almost perfect? Perfect it. It needs just something? Pop it open, and sweat over it....and then...put it away for a while..have another jolt of coffee..a fit of inspiration and get back to it. When it's ready..you'll know.

Tackle those..then come back..throw it up again, and wow the audience....then get it torn to bits, and learn more for the next step...find more inspiration (probably from the critiques) and go at her again.



Hope it helps.

Peter




ICQ:# 10237808

such an orator...
your monologues are always superb, dg.
i just want to know where 'constipation' fits into the picture.

buncha:
I left out a few others too..like procrastination, frustration, defecation, recreation, and ultimately damnation too.

Constipation falls after the the posts for review, when someone tells you you're full of it

Thanks all.

-mage-

But you forgot my two favorites...

Procreation and masturbation

+ inebriation

Actually I prefer to think of none of you breeding...so ditch the procreation...

As for masturbation...I've seen your work krets...there was no need to mention it.


heh

and just for old time's sake.....twitch fucked your dog.



[This message has been edited by DarkGarden (edited 02-08-2001).]

*POW!*

*BIFF!*

*BLAM!!

*WHACK!*

1... 2... 3... 4... 5... 6... 7... 8... 9... 10... You're out!

Down for the count on a low blow!

[This message has been edited by kretsminky (edited 02-08-2001).]

damnit.

now i can't even get involved with this post, really, because i already *am* involved with it. i truly hate you, peter.

:: eats a pear ::

Don't blame me...wasn't my dog.

Of course my dog is a cat....but that's really just semantics...and I'm not a racist. I seem to have misplaced my point....

Oh yeah, I was going to inquire as to the reason that krets mentioned sex, but I was much more disturbed by the fact that when he did, DL wanted to get him drunk...so I figured I wouldn't ever mention it. Just sounds too disturbing for public questioning.

Please refer to my thread in the Philosophy section to help explain DL's behavior. He really couldn't help it you see....


Ummmmm. Yeah. Defecation Peter?

I guess I'll settle for copulation without procreation then to soothe your mind.

pree cisely....though always remember condomnation for fornication or fellation, to avoid condemnation from viral translation.

And now, back to the already passed thread.

*eats a Tastation*

Don't forget observation.

One thing I have noticed since I've gotten into Photoshop and graphics is that I have started to pay a lot more attention to things around me. Textures, curves, shapes, symmetry, lighting. Those things catch my eye much more frequently now than they used to.