Online art gallery redesign

[neilorourke]

My on line art gallery has been up and running for a few years but is looking slightly retro.

I would really appreciate it if someone could give me feedback on both the current site and the new look I'm working on

Current site:
www.galleries-online.co.uk


Rough draft of new design
http://www.galleries-online.co.uk/redesign2005/page-layout8.cfm

(please note that the above page is just an initial draft. Also the grey navigation box will contain a contexual menu which changes according to links selected in the drop down above).

Cheers

Neil

 

[Ash2Ashes]

I like your current design, and I cant wait to see the finished version of the new one. Right now it seems kinda plain and a little to white. Sometimes simplicity is the key though. Nice job.

 

[identity_00]

I think I like the new version better - I would only suggest finding a different spot for the adsense perhaps a banner sized version right below your top menu? Just a suggestion on that. Lastly, I would say do some searches on some good keywords and try to get it optimized into the design with content, metas, and title.

best of luck

 

[dan_Vt]

Personallty I like the structure of the new one better but would alter the color scheme. The colors seem to similar, I would show more contrast. I'm also not too fond of the font.

Also, incorprate the images at the top into the logo.

Just my thoughts.

 

[neilorourke]

Cheers for the feedback. Part of me prefers the old design but I think this suffers from being a bit old fashioned and unprofessional looking.

The main reason for changing the design is that I want the site to follow the principles of exhibiting art which is followed by 'real world' galleries whereby the actual art takes precedent over the design of the gallery. It's unlikely that the Tate Modern would splash it's walls with garish purple!

This has led me to exploring a more simple and less distracting design. The challenge is to do this without making the site look bland. (which is my concern with the latest draft).

dan_Vt's suggestion of introducing more contrasting colours may go a long way in addressing this.

Thanks and keep the valuable comments coming!

Neil

 

[dan_Vt]

Neil,

Here's a good site to help with color. It doesn't work for me in Firefox, so use Explorer.

http://colormatch.dk/

 

[Rowan W]

Throw out the old one and improve on the new one. The new design is better, but it looks very bland and uninteresting. Try using some bolder colours and see how it looks in different color schemes.

 

[jamx551]

Nice tip Dan

That site you gave is worth a fortune for designers like me,

Thanks for sharing

Neil,

Here's a good site to help with color. It doesn't work for me in Firefox, so use Explorer.

http://colormatch.dk/

 

[dan_Vt]

Nice tip Dan

That site you gave is worth a fortune for designers like me,

Thanks for sharing

It is a nice site...I just wish you could select a color by typing its code and have it display the complenting colors.

But still very helpful.