graphics problems with new site....

[G]

Every time when I create a new site the layout looks farily good (I'm not that good at graphics anyway) however when I start to try get images for the main content area my site starts to look crap! I can never find a nice font and every time I try to create to nice effects they just seem to look crud!

Can anyone point out any nice font etc or ideas about the images???

Heres the link (not the finale version)

http://www.idriven.net/test/index.cfm

please someone give me some creative feedback!! or I am gonna loose my mind!

Thank you for your time

[berkoWitZ]

what are u talking about??? the font its nice, the picture u got there its cool and the effect looks very good, in fact tell me how u did it....seriously i wanna know...just be sure to always use high quality pics in every section, about the images just go to www.sxc.hu and apply some effects in PS to make them looks softer :)

[billystar]

well when it loads, it look as if ure wiping across the page when u reveal the nav and music button... animate the buttons and music button separately

the animation is too quick IMO, slow it all down.. i really like the image reveal thing, but take the text off the image, it doesnt look right

the nav buttons are cool...but its all a but plain, the borders etc... do more in photoshop with them i say

the patterned bcgkd just looks blurred to me...

it just needs some refining

[Rossco]

Every time when I create a new site the layout looks farily good (I'm not that good at graphics anyway) however when I start to try get images for the main content area my site starts to look crap! I can never find a nice font and every time I try to create to nice effects they just seem to look crud!

Can anyone point out any nice font etc or ideas about the images???

Heres the link (not the finale version)

http://www.idriven.net/test/index.cfm

please someone give me some creative feedback!! or I am gonna loose my mind!

Thank you for your time

Nothing really work with it mate. If you're talking about the type "deal your business and ace" Why not go for a slab serif like the font on the cards. Give something like 'Clarendon' a go. As for images, think about what you're offering and break it down into chunks. Look for and interesting way of highlighting the benefit to the viewer/potential client.

Hope this helps.

[Jasninder]

dont listen to any of them :P

font is good, too squarish of a design ,needs more life............gray ..come on man...
ok fine gray can do aswell if u add some more life allover, pics, shadow effect
something moving, let ther be sound[music] :)

[G]

there will be music like i said not finished. What about this I have added shadows, I think it looks a lot better now, do you?

[G]

the shadow gets rid of the 'squarness', what should I do about the music buttons, check out the http://www.idriven.net/test/index.cfm click on music.

the buttons look odd in the design. All suggestions welcome.

[billystar]

they dont look odd, maybe knock the black back to a dark grey... i try not to use black in my designs...

[simplistik]

Umm... well... that design is pretty nice. The image mosaic effect is used nicely too. But you're right, I think that the font needs some help... I would go w/ a nice Serif'd font, on the cards one. Of course if you're using the tree's one... well that may be subject to change, but it would still prolly look good as a Serif too. On the cards... you should change the Ace card to have your logo on it :D

[Rossco]

For what it's worth. To take the buttons down in the heirachy you could remore the white square behind them. This'll lessen their impact. I do like the way you are keeping it very clean.

[G]

ok i have changed the menu and main content border http://www.idriven.net/test/index.cfm

what do you all think and are there any suggestions about what I could od with the music buttons i.e. make them a diffrent style from main nav BUT keep them in theme with everything else


thank you for all your suggestions so far :)

[.michael]

alright ::

first of all what is the reasoning behind the image of the trees ? Eye candy ??

Secondly the buttons on the left hand side, as far as layout, don't flow right with me. If the image has meaning or speaks about your site, content, portfolio, etc. maybe play the navigation into the picture, such as making the options of areas were you can go to onthe site into the image ..

Secondly .. try creating a website conceptually from scratch instead of it being visually exciting.

In other words, brainstorm, plot, layout, plan, create a think-map, do whatever it takes to plan out your website with a sweet concept, and than the eye candy visual goodies will fall into place.

It's smarter to create something that looks good, and has deeper meaning than something that is just simply "eye candy". Don't get me wrong there's a time and place for just eye popping effects, however think and plan ahead first.


Thirdly, if your looking for ideas for fonts, images, styles, layouts etc... Look around. They best way to brainstorm and to think of kick *** design is to see what other people have done. Thus ur creative juices will start to fly and your own material will start cooking. Your not copying, your simply looking for inspiration, and other ways to correct your mental block.

EVEN the BEST designers have mental blocks and can not think of the coolest, cutting edge design ALL the time. It's good to look at other design and to see what other people are doing. It gets your brain in gear to come up with something better, faster, stronger, smart, MORE SWEETER MAN!! heheh yeaiknow

Anyway good luck

[G]

No planning? brainstorming? I have done all that! Did you even read the original post that the wood pic etc was not finished and just a temp holder???!

.michael your comments are complete bollocks!

As for every one else thank you for you input :)

[Jasninder]

lol, soz man i totally forgot about this thread..thousand apologize :love:

ok now it looks much better..how about adding some 3d colorful wires....
one thing...page goes dead ones its loading..by life i meant something blinking
maskin..should give an impression that ur on animated site :)

me thinking more..thread bookmarked :)

[Jasninder]

my footer is more alive :P

[G]

cheers Jasninder that pic is just a temp thing for me to gauge where everything is.

Have just changed music panel as well, although I have not created the tracks yet.

Does anyone know of any good rollover beeps etc I could use for the rollOver ani's?

[Jasninder]

try flashkit.com
or if u can get hold of the devil :blush: lol
if u cant find any good ones let me know ;)

[billystar]

i prefer those buttons, but shudnt the text animate with the button?

is this a site for a web consultancy or what?

[.michael]

No planning? brainstorming? I have done all that! Did you even read the original post that the wood pic etc was not finished and just a temp holder???!

.michael your comments are complete bollocks!

As for every one else thank you for you input :)
MrG

Chillout, or find a new profession.

[Jasninder]

hey michael dood...u got anything better to show?
if not then u better chill and post helpful comments and u know what?
even if u do have something to show still chill and post helpful comments..
this forum is to help / support flash learners, lovers and upcoming designers/animators so help if u know something or dont bother posting ;)

[G]

MrG
Chillout, or find a new profession.

I am a very calm person. billystar its a site for web consultency.

Like I said in the original post the site is not finished all the animation etc is just there for me to see what is going on in the scene. The text will be animated when the site is done, along with tonnes of other stuff.

Cheers for everyone's input :)

[billystar]

hey michael dood...u got anything better to show?
if not then u better chill and post helpful comments and u know what?
even if u do have something to show still chill and post helpful comments..
this forum is to help / support flash learners, lovers and upcoming designers/animators so help if u know something or dont bother posting ;)
cmon guys he was only trying to help out... his advice was pretty good for total beginners...

shame he mistook gman for a beginner! :lol: :P

[Macro-design]

It seems to my, that you have tried to create a border around the (temp.) image, but it looks kind of wierd. Thats the only thing I can put my finger on, otherwise it all looks really good, and I'm looking forward to some content.