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[web] Critique my site, please

Started by bschneid Nov 12, 2006 at 9:49 PM 6 replies 1.3k views

Original Post

Nov 12, 2006 at 9:49 PM

As I was turning on my computer tonight I noticed an old folder sitting on my desktop which contained a website project I was working on. The project is a sort of confusing story so I'll put that at the end in case you don't feel like reading, but I was just thinking that I never actually got any feedback on the website from the people I was (possibly) doing it for, so I turn to you, gamedev-ers. I'm just curious about how people feel about the design. There is no real content on the site, just placeholder stuff with me rambling now, but if you wouldn't mind criticizing the design, I'd appreciate it. I made all the graphics (yeah its way too graphics heavy) by myself in Photoshop as well as designed the whole thing. Oh, and don't worry about the source, its a mess of poorly designed tables sure to cause a headache someday, had the site taken off...The site was meant as a practical yet somewhat playful design (its for an elementary school...) that parents could get news from and kids could visit for fun - I was going to get some games on it. The logo was predesigned, and the colors of the school are red and yellow, so I had no say on either. I know the site is relatively undeveloped, content-wise, but you can see the general design...Here is the link: Clicky For those of you who are curious, this site was made as a sort of 'proof of concept'/proof of my willingness and skill for a local elementary school my brother attended. My mom was on the PTA and asked if I wouldn't mind helping to make a PTA website. Of course, eager to try my hand and get the community service hours I needed for school (I'd be doing the site for free...) I agreed. I hacked this up in a day or two and emailed the school who said they were trying to clear it with the district, and never heard back. The district's levy failed and so they probably decided they didn't have money for hosting. [Edited by - bschneid on July 17, 2007 3:53:00 PM]

leiavoia

Nov 12, 2006 at 10:13 PM

I hope you are looking for a critique and not a pat on the back :-)

- Table based layout: really oldschool. Inflexible. The page itself is too simple NOT to be using a CSS layout.

- Fat image buttons: also oldschool. There are not enough buttons to warrant making a sidebar. I would suggest making them text links in a row at the top and salvage the space.

- Color scheme is fine, but it doesn't have to be used everywhere. Use those "key colors" sparingly as accents. Logos: OK. Links: OK. If it's anything else, it should really be less contrasty

- Blue on red is a sin.

- MARQUEE is the second most annoying HTML element ever created, losing only to BLINK.

Sander

Nov 13, 2006 at 1:10 AM

Quote:
- Color scheme is fine, but it doesn't have to be used everywhere. Use those "key colors" sparingly as accents. Logos: OK. Links: OK. If it's anything else, it should really be less contrasty

I disagree. The red-to-yellow gradient on the buttons is plain offensive, even without the blue text added. I agree with the rest of your points though.

Also: It's very bland. Giant white empty spaces on either side (from the 800px table layout) and no styling to speak of except for the header.

Oh, and if you use CSS you don't need a separate printer friendly calendar.

bschneid

Nov 13, 2006 at 5:43 AM

Thanks, guys. As is said, this was a dropped project, so I'm not going to go back and do anything to it, but I will konw what to look for in the future. I knew that the tables were messy already, but I almost felt that it had taken me too long to do to go back and change it, although had any money been approved for hosting I surely would have changed that...

ezacharyk

Nov 13, 2006 at 8:08 AM

I agree with what has been said. I would defenantly go with the text links along the top. Also, I would stylize the headlines. Do not use the same gradient. Find something to compliment the rest of the colors but not be distracting.

I would also make sure that there were links at least back to the homepage from every page in the site. Try to avoid making people click the back button.

Not to diss your choice of advertisers, but I got a really annoying talking ad the first time I went to the site.

bschneid

Nov 13, 2006 at 4:03 PM

The ads are not mine, The hosting is free...

Cygnus_X

Nov 13, 2006 at 5:13 PM

First Impressions:

Too much white. Way way too much white.

Color selections could use some tuning, but I'm going to guess these are school colors? If not, you may want to consider downloading a color schemer. It will let you select a primary color for your site, and then you can find all of its complimenary colors based on your initial selection. I find it very useful.

Don't use scrolling text if you don't have to. No, its not that cool, and its not very useful. Don't use fancy features like this unless you have too.... it screams "hey, i was programmed by an html noob".

The footer at the bottom looks pretty cool. If you made it, then good job.

Good photoshop techniques (gradients, etc), just not great results. I'd suggest you keep playing with the look.

Anyways, I'm not saying any of this to be insulting, just calling it as I see it. Overall, it looks like you have the talent to do web programming, you just need to pratice a little more.

bschneid

Nov 13, 2006 at 6:10 PM

Yes those are the school colors. Thanks for the comment on the footer, I made it myself.

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