Layout Review

[iulianh]

Ok, i just bought a domain for my new ideea, an webdesign "company" ( it`s for me , but i want it more formal ) called 89Designs . com . I just did an layout and before i start cut it and code it i want to know your opinion about it, if i have something to change and things like this . I know i have to change the logo , i am out of ideeas right now .

The goal of this website is a portfolio and other stuff for my design company and a design community ( forum ) and i want it to be something attractive , so people would register on the forum .

Anyway here is the layout : www.89designs.com/layout.jpg . Please leave some constructive reviews so i can change the things that don`t fit in the layout .

Best regards,
Iulian

 

[Mike]

Can't really say much about it yet as it's mainly shades of gray in a non web 2.0 compliant fashion. Granted, some people don't like rounded corners, drop shadows, embossing and mirror effects, but for a mainstream design company, they are a must as these effects demonstrate that you're on top of the latest visual developments.
While i believe to understand the reason why you're going with "gray", it would really have to be seen how it works out once you have more colorful elements on your site. This may be your portfolio or logos or anything other than your base frame. However, until this happens, the gray alone is not enough visual entertainment to create interest in your possible target group.

When your a few steps further and you start to develop more distinct elements that make your project/site unique, please post another sample.

IB

 

[Porte]

I would have loved to review the complete functional site, but I do not really have much to say. But I feel you used too many shades of gray. Would be pleased to review a more complete version with functionality.

 

[iulianh]

Sorry for not responding . Here is what i did until now, i am using joomla .

Link: http://www.89designs.com/index.php

Thanks in advance,
Iulian

 

[Porte]

Now that is pretty cool
your logo is fantastic. overall, have no comment about design, but the navigation at top. The "mouseover" images should be lighter. It is almost visible to me. Saying that, I think it would be better If the navigation starts in line with left side (not giving any space)..

I think the MouseOver images contain a 5px color at the bottom which goes in line with main content (View services View Portfolio) background color.. but this is not the case for these buttons: Home,Joomla License, News. This could make a nice effect if you added a 5px to the top of Polls section with matching colour and as noted earlier remove the spacing between navigation and page start from left.