Website design discussion

[stinow]

As discussed with Hot Trout, here is the topic where we can discuss the website layout and let creativity speak it's ways.

Stinow, I never got a chance to get back to you about this. By all means produce some graphics or possible CSS that you think might work. I like the old black and green theme but sometimes it looks dated. Maybe a fresh look would be a good idea. Please start a new thread in the 'comments' section and we will start to discuss it there. I will also post some links to sites that I like the layout of.

Lets get cracking.

I'll start on a design template propably end of this week (when I've lost my cold ).

Indeed, let's get cracking

[Hot Trout]

OK, here a few websites that I quite like the look of (no other reason to linke them).

http://www.eurogamer.net/

I like the login/user bar at the top and the simple menu on the laft side. It is a bit cluttered though. In general I like the idea of a permenant user bar and menu at the top of the screen. This is a simple layout for the main page that I quite liked.

I will need to draw up my ideas properly but something clean and fresh with a full menu list in a grey box at the bottom of the page (like a blog). It needs to be more simple that is currently.

Please be prepared for some grief as I am a picky bollocks and know what I like.

[stinow]

Hi lad,

I just checked out the site you sent and I dig your idea.

It's awesome that you have a really specific opinion. That's what I see way too little in people :'(.
Sending you a design soon.

[Kherr]

Personally HT, if it had more of a design to it, and not being as simple as it is... I'd like that eurogamer site more... but I think your design is much nicer than theirs... To be honest, you could just change the current design's colours and layout, add that login bar instead of the little green login word that's easily missed, and the nav panel could use some updates, kinda similar to your eurogamer site there would actually be nice, but other than that... you have a great design... so in conclusion I'd say combine yours with eurogamer's and you would have a kick ass layout, change the colours and you'd be done. ;3

[Hot Trout]

Hmmm all good points. I do like our retro green and black theme but I think it needs updated in terms of graphics and button/menu design. It also needs to be made more simple to speed up users navigation of the site.

Unfortunatly the adverts have to stay which also makes things a pain to design. Lets start looking at what we can do. I will try and photoshop some of my ideas together later today.

[stinow]

I also lean towards just a refreshing layout, with focus on usability (looks, findability & speed).

In my honest opinion:
Less=More

.. text colors
.. block positioning
.. contrast

All quite easy realisable adjustments that will make the eyes of the visitor go where you want them to go.

And indeed it can be a pain to include the ads, but ah, it'll work out.

Some designs I really like, just for their simplicity (though not being download websites):

http://www.facebook.com/

https://secure.logmein.com/

http://www.lineofactionfilms.in/

I believe that when a website is easy to use, more people will make donations.

Regards,

Stijn

[Hot Trout]

I do like the logmein website for its simplicity and colour theme. I also like a deep and informative nav bar at the bottom of the pages like this one. I think it is a fast and easy way to get across a lot of links and info.

http://demo.templateworld.com/full-webs ... index.html

Scroll to the bottom grey area. Maybe a combination of this and logmein in a green colour scheme would be where to start.

I agree that I think if the main page was easier to see and simply more people might be tempted to donate and get involved.

[stinow]

Quick reply before the lunchbreak

Good looking site. It has been well split into containers.

I agree with the usability of a menu at the bottom. What kind of information would you like to put there?

Must that 'block' always be visible, or do users have to scroll downwards to be able to see it (and thus maybe miss it)?

[Hot Trout]

I dont want any windows or panes. All on one page and everything scrolls. The menu at the bottom would have the total links. I can make up the actual content of that.

The top menu will have the login, forgot password bar then the main menu bar and also a facebook like and google+ buttons as well.

[stinow]

I dont want any windows or panes. All on one page and everything scrolls. The menu at the bottom would have the total links. I can make up the actual content of that.

The top menu will have the login, forgot password bar then the main menu bar and also a facebook like and google+ buttons as well.

In Dutch/English: So far we are on one line.

We have the same idea about this. It's better to put it on one page and make the whole thing scroll instead of anoying 'sticky' panes.

How about the logo. Is this something you would like to keep in it's shape and colors, or can I try to adjust that also to match the design image?