Preserved Topic: Beta Interface for my next project.

Please critique this interface. I haven't 'Sliced and Diced' (TM) it yet, and it's image-only currently. I'll probably be adding some subtle rollovers when it goes live, but not too much else other than content. Thanks guys.
http://www.liquid.focalhost.com/woodlands.jpg




[This message has been edited by mbridge (edited 01-30-2001).]

well, that's certainly precious. few comments...


without contrast, you're dead.
does that need reiterating?

you've got no contrast going on. you've got faded back pastels that are very pretty, but kinda tough on the eyes to see. absolutely wonderful if it would darken up a bit in places that were important for the user to look at. for example, the link text should be darker--that's an important part of navigation. the title can even darken up a bit.

the colors are just wonderful save for that..

except why are there three columns? other than that shit, i likes.

I looked at your pic before I read Twitch's comments and the first thing that pooped into me noggin was: CONTRAST


Get some contrast in there and you'll have something cool! BTW you mentioned subtle rollovers....don't go any more subtle!!!

[This message has been edited by Boudga (edited 01-30-2001).]

Yeah, just make everything that's dark darker (with the possible exception of the picture in the background on the top). Otherwise, I think it's really pretty.

Hey, thanks for the comments. I wanted to keep the site soft, but I can certainly see where you're coming from. I'll give it some more contrast.

twitch - the site isn't going to have too much content, so the the middle column will be used for the content 'a la' gurusnetwork (not that it doesn't have content, but the presentation of content is basically the same).

Edit: I'll be sure to add rollovers with eyecandy lighthing, fire, and kpt shapeshifter. That should liven it up a bit!

[This message has been edited by mbridge (edited 01-31-2001).]

hey, here's a trick i havent seen before - why dont you make the buttons flash some sor of bright, no FLUORESCENT color! that would liven it up no end! im sure there's a quick filter for that too! fit in nicely with that theme you've made for the interface, as well!

I'm thinking neon pink and orange spiraling strobe light, with jaggies! I'll probably add some siren sounds too.

yup.. looks a little washed out... also.. I am not a fan of the font you have chosen.. Troy has woodlands?..

not to be too negative.. but I have seen some of your PS abilities and I think you could do better Mbridge.. not sure whyyou are holding back?.. anyhoo.... semi thumbs up..

~Vp~

yeah i agree wth what everyone has said so far.

just wanted to say that i really like the idea! looks sweet!!

lol.. another pointless post.. mmm

http://mokushi.net/catgirl

I'll be honest with you mbridge, because I have looked at some previous work of yours in the archives here, and I respect what you have done as a graphic artist.

This interface wouldn't bring me back. The content would have to be very spectacular for me to ever return. I may as well nap in front of this one, it's so dull. I agree with Twitch to an extent, but I also agree with you in that contrast is not king all of the time (and Twitch, I did read that article, I suggest you read it again. Need the link? Here. Renew your subscription.)

Finally, mbridge, there is the issue of who cares about the trees? What do they mean? Who are they for? How does this tie into the design that you are working with? I'm not sure if I understand it correctly--and THAT is the actual problem--that is what Twitch is referring to when he calls for contrast--more clarity.

Would an interface alone really ever bring you back to a site p1x? Even the best interfaces.... you see them once.... NICE.... then if there isn't anything it leads to its never to be seen again.

Krets: I have to apologize in advance. I know it seems I'm picking on you this week, but it's unfortunate happenstance.

Here's the deal....if you can't build an interface to draw in a crowd...then sit the fuck down.

Now let's back up my big mouth.

I'm a realist. It's amazing what having a little less optimism does for the ability to market to the lowest common denominator. It's lovely to think that people are interested in content, after all, the net is supposed to be a resource for learning, and information.

It's lovely, but it's false. People DO want content...they're rabid for it....but you'd better wrap it in a big bow and ship it right to them in shining technicolor? with some artistic illustrations on it....or they don't give a rat's ass. "But why?" you ask?

Because people are lazy, ignorant, impatient, and most have a severe level of ADD. The average surfer isn't interested in waiting for a bland interface to download, or one's that's confusing to what passes as a brain.

Site doesn't load fast enough..gone
Site loads with tons of text and nothing to catch the eye..gone
Site text is hard to read..gone
Interface has been seen a million times..gone
Interface shows brushed industrial metal when I was searching for a woodworking site....GONE!

Oh, I know you're thinking I'm a cynic....but want to honestly test the theories above? Surf around geocities for a while, see how long you stay on a page that has jack all, visually, to do with what you're looking for. Tiling Monet borders for a site on Jack Kerouac....

Then answer one more question...honestly....Will you wait for 250K of an incredible wallpaper to download without clicking away?

Will you wait for 250K of compressed text to download, with no visuals, and the possibility that it isn't exactly what you want?

Answered it? Good....Now, imagine a site with a layout that stuns you...it draws your eye properly to the content, it feeds the flow of the MESSAGE, not the medium...it collates everything into a unique and friendly layout with the information Complimented by the graphic structure.
Will you come back?
Was it ONLY the content?
Was it ONLY the design?

Synergy....form AND function...message and medium. Start putting those things together man, because with the market the way it is right now, if you can't, I know 60 or 70 other people who CAN, and are waiting in line for the work. If you're going to make it...better make it the best you can....or you're just roadkill on the information highway.....and wanna bet what your clients will think about that?

Mike: I like the design..I agree with twitch and the little pixel person on this one....flow, contrast, function. Sharpen those up, and it's a great piece.


And there's the text that half of you won't wait to download....

Peter





ICQ:# 10237808

No offense DG. Pick away my friend, its all in good fun and I totally agree with your points. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to fully explain what I was talking about.

What I was talking about are sites like Phong's. My first impression of the graphics alone was "Wow, nice." However, its the same old content and I haven't been back since.

I definitely agree that you have to catch someone's eye. Especially someone with a slow connection for whom the page doesn't just snap up there like the flip of a channel. I was exactly that way B.D. (before DSL) and still am to some point.

I think that your site would keep me coming back. Its clean which I like, I abhor clutter. I would imagine that you have some audience-specific content in mind and if I were a member of that audience you'd get a bookmark.

Damn DG, your posts are always so deep. I love 'em! Great points in there.

I'll be adding more contrast and doing the coding on the weekend. I'll post the link in this thread if anyone would like to see the live version.

Vogonpoet: I would love to let loose and cover the page with graphics. The client has requested a fast-loading and simple site. I'm forced to design according to the client's needs...not my desires.

##p1xl: I don't understand what you mean by "this interface wouldn't bring me back." 95% of corporate sites' interfaces have almost no graphical content. I can understand your point about how the page needs more clarity--I'll certainly add that. I just don't see how this interface is any more dull than other sites that are built to serve the same purpose.

Finally, thanks for all the comments--I never expected this many people to respond.

Mike.

too soft my eyes...



www.netmosis.com - we're on the leading edge of a false reality...

Well unlike everyone here, I like it I'm sure it will be much easier to look at with some content to bring that brighness down. Only suggestion would be to try it on a different color background (instead of white). That white with the light pastels is murder on my eyes.

-D

My eyes kept getting pulled to the outer edge of the art (the black border with white background). Soften the power deepen the title and the buttons.

Make the site smaller width wise, when you do a final think of going a liquid site, that will no mater what their screen size is will totally fill it. If you can pul that off you will not need to worry about the background or black border. And then the visitor will be drawn into your content no matter what (reason being, we have trained ourselves not to notice our browser).

I thought I made it clear that there would be no white background or black border...the interface will expand and contract to fill the entire browser window. This was simply a photoshop rough draft.

Some people have commented about how hard it is on their eyes. Were you assuming that it would stay on the white background?

Site is ready to go live, just waiting for some stupid secretary to type the content. I used (Twitch's or someone) classic line, "I'll be happy to type it, but I'll have to charge you normal price." I tried to give it some more contrast, nothing too drastic though...let me know what you think.
http://www.liquid.focalhost.com/woodlands/

I've heard good things about dreamhost, so the page will be hosted there.

oooohhh, classic.

i guess the only thing i would change (if it were me) would be to bump the text color up to a darker color...say 80% black or something. not full black, but just a little darker to fill it up a touch.

I personally would center the buttons so that if a person minimizes their browser (to half the screen size) they recenter instead of causing the horizontal scrollbar to pop up...

gotta disagree.

if they were centered, you'd still get a hsod if your browser went that small because of the woodlands on the top.

i say keep it as it, layout-wise.

Thanks for the comments, I'll experiment with the text color. As you said Twitch, something darker but not quite black will probably be suitable.

Boudga: I made the decision, with the client of course, to design for 800x600+, so I'm going to keep it the way it is. I know that gives approximately 8% of the online population a horizontal scrollbar, but I guess that's a sacrifice I have to make in order for it to look best in the most common resolutions.

I like the whole thing except the mouseovers. I think the buttons should change color rather than look indented when I mouseover them. Otherwise, it looks great. Hope you fixed the netscape table problems.