need help on design

12-20-2004, 09:24 AM

Okay, so I have this website I designed for my new business venture, but I just am not happy with it. I've tried numerous things, but for some reason, I just don't like it. Maybe I'm too critical...I don't know. So I'm asking for some feedback. Please review my site http://www.firefly-solutions.us

Be brutally honest...please...I can take it!

Rebecca

dx3k · 12-20-2004, 10:28 AM

hey

its a nice simple design but if i were you i would opt for a more "professional" design, something that will grab your visitors attention becuase of the class of the design atm it looks like one of the websites you see on those template generators, althouigh the intro is nice i ould change the design personeelly

good luck

dx3k

RaluK · 12-20-2004, 01:59 PM

hey

I think the first good thing u should do is change the font + font size size of your navigation buttons. This way u avoid putting these buttons on the same level of importance as your company's name. Generally, your logo and the font elements in it should distinguish themselves from the other visual elements in your layout, allowing the visitor to focus.
then you have that rounded " square background" you use for displaying your work....which i think its not a very good choice because its way to different from the rest of your elements....that is the only spot where you r trying to "suggest" perspective, ...depth...it doesnt go too well with the rest of your 2D graphics...what i suggest is a simple background...some more classy "arrows" .....
and ...u should be more careful with the the resolution...cause there r lots of pixels out there...
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/web-design-reviews/60815-need-help-on-design.html

good luck...hope it helps

12-20-2004, 02:16 PM

I agree about the portfolio thing. I don't like the look of it either, but I'm trying to figure out how to do a scrolling gallery. Hopefully, I'll have that up soon. Any suggestions on how to do that?

Thanks for all the comments!

Tjobbe · 12-20-2004, 04:50 PM

well, a scrolling gallery is fine but you could only realisticly achieve that in flash, iframes or javascript or even dhthml. all of which, except flash have their pro's and cons. for example they look different in different browsers. best thing to do is categorise and have them all on seperate pages relating to the subject.

Rowan W · 12-20-2004, 07:06 PM

Ok, first of all you need to increase the frame rate to something like 25-30 fps, because it looks very chuggy and slow at the moment.

The buttons are too large.

The images on the services page look horrible, they're very pixelated.

The second set of links on the services page are too hard too click on, they need a hotspot behind them.

And lastly, you need a preloader for each page that has images on it.

Rowan

tcarr · 12-20-2004, 11:01 PM

I like the slide in content.

I think what you could try is a different, not-so-bright shade of yellow. Maybe a more subdued gold. Also the yellow drop shadow on some of your images is a bit to bright. I think that subduing your graphics would be a good start.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=60815

Also, I think a different font choice may also help. Something a slight bit smaller, and something that is more inline, not bouncing up and down. I guess bouncing works for the word "Firefly" but it's not exactly what I'd call a "business-type" font. You might want to make your text slightly smaller but that is just my opinion. Some folks actually rather have the larger text. That's up to you.

It's a good start though. I'd definitely keep using flash as it's kinda cool.

12-22-2004, 12:32 PM

Okay, I've revamped the site a little. Could you take another look at it?

Thanks!
Rebecca
Firefly Solutions
http://www.firefly-solutions.us

dx3k · 12-22-2004, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by dx3k

hey

its a nice simple design but if i were you i would opt for a more "professional" design, something that will grab your visitors attention becuase of the class of the design atm it looks like one of the websites you see on those template generators, althouigh the intro is nice i ould change the design personeelly
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=60815

good luck

dx3k

same again 4 me it looks a bit too cartoony

dezighner · 12-22-2004, 01:54 PM

Being in the business of offering web, and graphic design services as your product your site should reflect that.
I do not know what market size you are serving, nor your client demographic target.
My initial thoughts are that it is a very, very simple site and does not reflect 'design' very well. The use of a Flash intro is outdated, BUT in your market, or to your prospective client this may be impressive.

There are many scripts available for implementing galleries in Flash. ot necessarily database driven content (though there are some), but coded pieces. Flashkit.com is an excellent resource for scripts that you can learn from.

I can not really make 'design' suggestions to you because I do not know your identity or any of the info necessary to offer 'design' advice. Im sorry about that.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=60815

If you are just looking to have a really nice contemporary site that says "we are a serious technology,design, and web firm" then look around at some of the top design and technology company sites. Find a 'feel' that fits you, then design something yourself that 'feels' the same. (I am not saying copy!)....

Good luck and keep us posted.

12-20-2004, 09:24 AM	THREAD STARTER #1 (permalink)
firefly Guest Posts: n/a	need help on design Okay, so I have this website I designed for my new business venture, but I just am not happy with it. I've tried numerous things, but for some reason, I just don't like it. Maybe I'm too critical...I don't know. So I'm asking for some feedback. Please review my site http://www.firefly-solutions.us Be brutally honest...please...I can take it! Rebecca

12-20-2004, 10:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
dx3k NamePros Regular Join Date: May 2004 Location: www.dx3k.com Posts: 581	hey its a nice simple design but if i were you i would opt for a more "professional" design, something that will grab your visitors attention becuase of the class of the design atm it looks like one of the websites you see on those template generators, althouigh the intro is nice i ould change the design personeelly good luck dx3k __________________ I B Back

12-20-2004, 02:16 PM	THREAD STARTER #4 (permalink)
firefly Guest Posts: n/a	scrolling portfolio I agree about the portfolio thing. I don't like the look of it either, but I'm trying to figure out how to do a scrolling gallery. Hopefully, I'll have that up soon. Any suggestions on how to do that? Thanks for all the comments!

12-20-2004, 04:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tjobbe NamePros Regular Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: UK Posts: 568	well, a scrolling gallery is fine but you could only realisticly achieve that in flash, iframes or javascript or even dhthml. all of which, except flash have their pro's and cons. for example they look different in different browsers. best thing to do is categorise and have them all on seperate pages relating to the subject. __________________ Web Site Design \| Web Designers Blog

12-22-2004, 12:32 PM	THREAD STARTER #8 (permalink)
firefly Guest Posts: n/a	revamped Okay, I've revamped the site a little. Could you take another look at it? Thanks! Rebecca Firefly Solutions http://www.firefly-solutions.us

12-20-2004, 01:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
RaluK New Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 8	hey I think the first good thing u should do is change the font + font size size of your navigation buttons. This way u avoid putting these buttons on the same level of importance as your company's name. Generally, your logo and the font elements in it should distinguish themselves from the other visual elements in your layout, allowing the visitor to focus. then you have that rounded " square background" you use for displaying your work....which i think its not a very good choice because its way to different from the rest of your elements....that is the only spot where you r trying to "suggest" perspective, ...depth...it doesnt go too well with the rest of your 2D graphics...what i suggest is a simple background...some more classy "arrows" ..... and ...u should be more careful with the the resolution...cause there r lots of pixels out there... ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/web-design-reviews/60815-need-help-on-design.html good luck...hope it helps

12-20-2004, 07:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
Rowan W NamePros Regular Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: QLD, Australia Posts: 713	Ok, first of all you need to increase the frame rate to something like 25-30 fps, because it looks very chuggy and slow at the moment. The buttons are too large. The images on the services page look horrible, they're very pixelated. The second set of links on the services page are too hard too click on, they need a hotspot behind them. And lastly, you need a preloader for each page that has images on it. Rowan

12-20-2004, 11:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
tcarr NamePros Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 35	I like the slide in content. I think what you could try is a different, not-so-bright shade of yellow. Maybe a more subdued gold. Also the yellow drop shadow on some of your images is a bit to bright. I think that subduing your graphics would be a good start. ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=60815 Also, I think a different font choice may also help. Something a slight bit smaller, and something that is more inline, not bouncing up and down. I guess bouncing works for the word "Firefly" but it's not exactly what I'd call a "business-type" font. You might want to make your text slightly smaller but that is just my opinion. Some folks actually rather have the larger text. That's up to you. It's a good start though. I'd definitely keep using flash as it's kinda cool.

12-22-2004, 01:54 PM	#10 (permalink)
dezighner New Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 4	I agree Being in the business of offering web, and graphic design services as your product your site should reflect that. I do not know what market size you are serving, nor your client demographic target. My initial thoughts are that it is a very, very simple site and does not reflect 'design' very well. The use of a Flash intro is outdated, BUT in your market, or to your prospective client this may be impressive. There are many scripts available for implementing galleries in Flash. ot necessarily database driven content (though there are some), but coded pieces. Flashkit.com is an excellent resource for scripts that you can learn from. I can not really make 'design' suggestions to you because I do not know your identity or any of the info necessary to offer 'design' advice. Im sorry about that. ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=60815 If you are just looking to have a really nice contemporary site that says "we are a serious technology,design, and web firm" then look around at some of the top design and technology company sites. Find a 'feel' that fits you, then design something yourself that 'feels' the same. (I am not saying copy!).... Good luck and keep us posted. Last edited by dezighner; 12-22-2004 at 02:00 PM.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

need help on design

scrolling portfolio

revamped

I agree