New Web Design Proposals.

chequita guevara · December 20, 2002, 20:23

I need you folks to look over the two design proposals and decide if you prefer one or the other or neither.

Design 1 (Design 2 is below)

chequita guevara · December 20, 2002, 20:27

Number 2

jdd2007 · December 20, 2002, 20:38

both look great, but number 2 looks a little better and more proffesional

chequita guevara · December 20, 2002, 20:39

Must resist urge to whine, "What's wrong with number 1?"

Mark_Everson · December 20, 2002, 21:02

Hi to jdd2007, welcome to Clash!

Hi Che:

Quote:

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
Must resist urge to whine, "What's wrong with number 1?"

Thank Goodness you resisted!

I like #1 better, giving you a chance for a counter-whine. . . but I may just vote for the bananas to be unpredictable.

But seriously, I like pretty much everything about #1. My one issue is that a lot of screen real-estate is dedicated to the image at left. It makes a Great first impression, but after the 20th time it might get old.

#2 is good in that it has a bit more screen dedicated to the real stuff. I also like the strip of thumbnails at the top. I think it'd be especially good if the thumbnails could be associated with the menu items in some contextual way, like "downloads" could show a computer, etc. Not sure if this latter is really a good idea, but in the spirit of brainstorming I thought I'd throw it out.

Thanks for doing them, I can tell already you're going to end up with something really great!

LDiCesare · December 21, 2002, 11:01

I prefer Design1 to Design2 because of the follwing in design2:
The buttons to the right are hard to read. The right of them is shaded, making it hard to read. I cannot focus on that part of the page.
I also don't understand at first glance what the little images mean. Are they here to be pretty or will I have to move my mouse and try to hover on top of them in order to uncover their mysterious purpose?
Last I don't like the blue colour much. It's a bit too saturated for my taste.

chequita guevara · December 23, 2002, 00:19

How about topping this Mark?

chequita guevara · January 1, 2003, 18:33

Well, it's been almost two weeks, only six folks have voted. I'd like to start on the redesign ASAP. Should we simply accept the trend, or should I email everyone on the staff list and make them vote first?

Mark_Everson · January 1, 2003, 19:00

Hi che:

If you're comfortable with the flow from the voting, I'd say go with it. We are at a fairly low ebb in terms of participation, and that's just what we're stuck with.

Glad to hear you've a chance to get going on it, I'm looking forward to it! Perhaps you should briefly respond to peoples' comments so we know what you're thinking is on the issues that have been raised.

Cya,

Mark

LDiCesare · January 1, 2003, 19:10

Accept the trend, it was going in my direction

.

chequita guevara · January 1, 2003, 19:26

Quote:

Originally posted by Mark_Everson
Perhaps you should briefly respond to peoples' comments

Okee dokee

Quote:

But seriously, I like pretty much everything about #1. My one issue is that a lot of screen real-estate is dedicated to the image at left. It makes a Great first impression, but after the 20th time it might get old.

I'm thinking that the image and area below it would be part of the text area, so that the whole thing is scrollable. The text will wrap around the bottom edge of the image/"pull-quote". The size of the image and "pull-quote" box can be fiddled with to get closer to the sweet-spot (twelve words or sixty characters).

I wouldn't want to have the entire are filled with text in any event. Text is actually easier to read in smaller columns, and electronic text needs all the help it can get.

Quote:

#2 is good in that it has a bit more screen dedicated to the real stuff. I also like the strip of thumbnails at the top. I think it'd be especially good if the thumbnails could be associated with the menu items in some contextual way, like "downloads" could show a computer, etc.

It's only accidental that the images on top match the number of buttons. They are simply for design purposes. They illustrate various cultures and also move forward in time (there was an image of the Abe Lincoln Memorial but it didn't fit). The design is kind of a flash/Japanese ultra-modern. The idea is to say that we're pushing the edge. After all--you're trying to create a powerful ai, which is something most game companies seem to have ignored.

Mark_Everson · January 1, 2003, 20:49

Hi che, thanks for the responses. I think I agree with your comments on #1, but I don't know what a "pull-quote" is. Guess you're right about blocks-o-text needing to be thinner. Advantages of having a pro who knows this stuff!

Quote:

[SIZE=1] Originally posted by chegitz guevara I'm It's only accidental that the images on top match the number of buttons. They are simply for design purposes. They illustrate various cultures and also move forward in time (there was an image of the Abe Lincoln Memorial but it didn't fit). The design is kind of a flash/Japanese ultra-modern. The idea is to say that we're pushing the edge. After all--you're trying to create a powerful ai, which is something most game companies seem to have ignored.

I knew you were just using them as thematic art. Just was throwing out an idea. I do like your concept though. Do you think it would work reasonably with version #1?

chequita guevara · January 1, 2003, 23:00

Quote:

Originally posted by Mark_Everson
Hi che, thanks for the responses. I think I agree with your comments on #1, but I don't know what a "pull-quote" is. Guess you're right about blocks-o-text needing to be thinner. Advantages of having a pro who knows this stuff!

Pull-quotes are blocks of text pulled from the main body which call attention to the story. I'm specifically refering to the "downloads" box, which, technically, isn't a pull quote.

Quote:

I knew you were just using them as thematic art. Just was throwing out an idea. I do like your concept though. Do you think it would work reasonably with version #1?

It might be possible if they were squared off, but it would take more real estate on the page. Let me look into it.

Mark_Everson · January 2, 2003, 21:17

Quote:

Originally posted by chegitz guevara

Quote:

I knew you were just using them as thematic art. Just was throwing out an idea. I do like your concept though. Do you think it would work reasonably with version #1?

It might be possible if they were squared off, but it would take more real estate on the page. Let me look into it.

Thanks! I just thought it would look cool, like it did in #2. Be good to see if it can be made to work.

Gary Thomas · January 4, 2003, 15:59

Record me as preferring #1.

Cheers

Gary Thomas

chequita guevara · January 4, 2003, 16:36

Quote:

Originally posted by Gary Thomas
Record me as preferring #1.

Cheers

Gary Thomas

Didya vote in the poll?

LDiCesare · January 4, 2003, 18:43

Quote:

Originally posted by Gary Thomas
Record me as preferring #1.

Cheers

Gary Thomas

Nice to hear from you again Gary!

Mark_Everson · January 4, 2003, 22:24

Hi Gary! Glad to see you here and kickin'

I can't believe nobody's voted for the Bananas yet! Sheesh, what a bunch of stiffs.

chequita guevara · January 5, 2003, 17:59

There's 14 members of the Clash Team according to the website. Theoretically #2 could still win, but after two weeks, and emailing everyone who hasn't posted here in this thread, I think that this is pretty much it.

I guess #1 wins (especially since I'm weighting Mark's vote since he's the one putting the most effort into this project). Well then, s'pose I better get crackin'.

Richard Bruns · January 6, 2003, 06:07

Not that it matters at this point, but I too like number 1. Bright web pages hurt my eyes, and, in my opinon, look less professional. The only problem I see with that design is that the picture on the left is pretty big and dominant, taking up a lot of space.

chequita guevara · January 6, 2003, 13:44

Quote:

Originally posted by Richard Bruns
Not that it matters at this point, but I too like number 1.

Well, it lets me know I made the right decision.

Quote:

The only problem I see with that design is that the picture on the left is pretty big and dominant, taking up a lot of space.

I can fiddle with that a little bit, but I'm trying to keep the text area in the middle easy to read. When lines reach beyond sixty characters, the eye has a harder time keeping track of where it is supposed to be and reading slows down as the eye has to re-orient itself to the begining of a new line.

But making the image smaller and adding more white space will also help "lighten" the design load, again, making it easier on the eyes.

I think I'll try a few variations on the first theme and see how people like those.

For now, I think this thread can be un-topped.

Gary Thomas · January 6, 2003, 15:46

Quote:

Didya vote in the poll?

I did now

Cheers

orange · January 6, 2003, 16:03

i think #1, but the graphics could use a boost to really seal it...interface just a little outdated, but i'm sure site design isn't a major concern...just need something that works and shows the product. Just my $.02

yellowdaddy · April 5, 2003, 13:01

yes,

number 1 looks more like a game,

number two looks more like a travel agency, :big grin:
or maybe a computer assistance forum.

but still think the name is crap.

besides, civilisation should be spelt with an "s"

how about this for a potential name modification?:

"Culture Clash"

any more ideas anyone?

Urban Ranger · August 25, 2003, 23:32

Quote:

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
Must resist urge to whine, "What's wrong with number 1?"

The huge graphic of the stone statue at the left that doesn't do anything

Urban Ranger · August 25, 2003, 23:36

BTW, why is there a "Get MSIE" logo on the home page of the main Clash site when IE lags behind in CSS support?

Urban Ranger · August 25, 2003, 23:46

I am not sure if it matters anymore, che, but here are some of my suggestions wrt design #1:

1. Too much space is taken up by dead (inactive) bits that are just decorations (e.g. the image of the stone statue), therefore:

2. Replace the stone statue thing with the "Key Milestones" section, you don't want 1/4 of the screen to be dead space.

3. Make the "Clash of Civilizations" block of letters smaller and shift the menu up.

4. I can't tell if you are using frames, but you better not

5. Add a secondary menu at the bottom, some pages will be longer than one screen.

6. You don't need a "main" or "home" botton (or menu selection). It is now customary that clicking on the logo or the letter block sends you home.

7. The difference between Heading 2 and body text is too small.

8. Are those menu buttons cascading? You can use CSS to do that.

9. How come it is taking so long?

10. I like white background. I really do.

Urban Ranger · August 29, 2003, 01:08

che, are you dead?

Mark_Everson · August 29, 2003, 16:46

Hi UR! Thanks for the comments. Che has been inactive for some months. Hasn't responded to the one or two emails I've sent. I HOPE he's just snowed with RL and that nothing seriously bad has happened. I'm sure he'll turn up at some point.

Cya,

Mark

Urban Ranger · September 2, 2003, 07:51

Hi Mark,

che is fine, he was posting on the OTF a few days ago.