school site

[jcombs_31]

I made this site a little while back, but wanted to hear any opinions on improvement or what you like or don't like. No flash, just CSS, XHTML with PHP/MySQL.

http://www.coralgladeshigh.com

[kenshin]

I think it looks great! Nice layout, good color contrast, easy to read. Very nice job on this web site. I give it a 5... out of 5. :D

[Tommy_S]

Well, not bad. It's clean. But still, I don't like it. Boring. The image of the jaguar at the very bottom is horrible. Too much empty space in the header. Lack of colors, to crown it all.

[BoonDock]

Tommy too much empty space? Take a look at your own website before you say that. Otherwise hey J combs, the site isnt too bad. I think you have tons of content to work with, but you might try another color scheme or make something pop out a bit more. I understand that colors might be the school colors and that you are hindered there, but over all it isnt all that bad. It has great structure. Good enough for a school website.

[jcombs_31]

Well, not bad. It's clean. But still, I don't like it. Boring. The image of the jaguar at the very bottom is horrible. Too much empty space in the header. Lack of colors, to crown it all.

I'm not sure I undestand how it's "boring". I don't think many other colors would look good with the school colors. I prefer to limit it to a few colors, but I appreciate feedback nonetheless.

[Tommy_S]

Tommy too much empty space? Take a look at your own website before you say that.
:looking at his own site: It's Ok. You know why? It's miniml style, sonny. ;)

[unclesond]

I think by boring he means its nothing new and i agree its nothing original, but for a normal sites it does its job

[BoonDock]

Miniml? hmmmm if you say so . . . sonny ha I am probably older than you are, but your site is nice Tommy didn't say it wasn't ;) . . . anyways yeah if you could possibly add some flash navigation or just somethin simple to make the site pop J, even though it is a school site...

[Tommy_S]

Miniml? hmmmm if you say so . . .
You have a better explanation, don't you? ;)


sonny ha I am probably older than you are
Oh oh, excusez-moi, dear sir! :)

[bwh2]

it's not the colors that make the site boring, it's the use of them. you can pull off these colors if you use them appropriately. i'm primarily talking about your header graphic (and footer to some extent). the shield appears to be an attempt to be metallic looking, but doesn't actually look metallic. the main font chosen for the header is difficult to read and isn't strong at all. it's not bad for the name/title of the principal, but is out of place for the school name. the school name should be centered in there as well.

a lot could be done with the jaguar image. jaguars have a mean-streak in them. your jaguars look sedated.

in conclusion, my main concern is with the site looking photoshoppy because of the gradients, dropshadows, poor alignment, and difficult to read font.

[simplistik]

Hmm... it's ok for what it is. It is very bland, and boring. There isn't very much styling goin on at all though. As for the white space comment... there is a difference between white space... and good usage of white space. You can do more w/ the site... block it off and what not... use different shades of the color. I think Bureau Agency as a font selection was a poor one. I think you could stand to maybe mix a Serif font w/ a San Serif one. I actually have a lot more issues w/ this site... but I think what I've mentioned could improve it's overall appearance and feel.

[jcombs_31]

Just to comment on a couple things.

The shield was not designed by me, that is the school's logo, or whatever you wish to call it, I simply used it in the header. The comment about the jaguar looking sedated I find somewhat amusing, because why would I want to leave the impression of it attacking or being agressive? That really doesn't make much sense to me.

As for looking "photoshopped", I would say that would apply to about any site, wouldn't it? Aren't most graphics created with tools such as photoshop?

I also fail to see where there are alignment issues, not everything is always designed to be fully justified.

Anyway, thanks again for everyone leaving feedback, I won't argue anything else back as everyone is obviously being critical according to their own opinions. I am also limited to what those in charge really want to see, and don't know enough about flash or see the need for it to apply it here.

[BoonDock]

Like I said, it's for a school so it works! :) Keep it up, with time comes experience and the more experience the better stuff will be later on!

[j_polo9]

it is better than i thought it was going to be. You content doesn't need to be all in one column, http://www.shauninman.com/ is a good site DDD showed me. Note the leading and use of whitespace with the content looks very clean and easy to read.

The header could use some design to it besides just the school and principal name, right now that looks out of place. The gradient behind the tagline is too blunt which is why it looks badly photoshopped.

good start,
-Jesse

[simplistik]

Just to comment on a couple things.

The shield was not designed by me, that is the school's logo, or whatever you wish to call it, I simply used it in the header. The comment about the jaguar looking sedated I find somewhat amusing, because why would I want to leave the impression of it attacking or being agressive? That really doesn't make much sense to me.

As for looking "photoshopped", I would say that would apply to about any site, wouldn't it? Aren't most graphics created with tools such as photoshop?

I also fail to see where there are alignment issues, not everything is always designed to be fully justified.

Anyway, thanks again for everyone leaving feedback, I won't argue anything else back as everyone is obviously being critical according to their own opinions. I am also limited to what those in charge really want to see, and don't know enough about flash or see the need for it to apply it here.
You're not arguing... you're expressing your POV which is what we are doing. As for critiquing according to opinions... that's pretty much what a critique is, it's how it works. However, when I look at a design I critique it from an objective stand point... not a subjective. So when I, say "I" it's not in the sense that I think it's wrong cause I don't personally like it. I because it just doesn't work, and something better can be done. I think this is the case for some other ppl as well.

[bwh2]

The comment about the jaguar looking sedated I find somewhat amusing, because why would I want to leave the impression of it attacking or being agressive? That really doesn't make much sense to me.well, why would a school pick a jaguar as its mascot even though jaguars are not native to north america? that doesn't make much sense to me (unless the school is trying to use the jaguar as a symbol of strength and power - neither of which your jaguar does in my opinion).


As for looking "photoshopped", I would say that would apply to about any site, wouldn't it? Aren't most graphics created with tools such as photoshop?obviously most graphics are created with tools such as photoshop. when i say it looks "photoshoppy", i'm referring to the aspects of photoshop that beginners often use inappropriately (heavy drop shadows, gradients, etc.).


I also fail to see where there are alignment issues, not everything is always designed to be fully justified.i will post an image later showing what i mean.

i'm just trying to clarify my stance because you seem to be confused.

[Oli-G]

I agree with the majority. The site does need a hell of a lot of work.

But having recieved all this feedback, now you have something to work with. I'd suggest taking it on board, as people like Tommy and Simplistik actually know what they're talking about, and you'll get a greater result for it ;).

[jcombs_31]

I guess I see your points, some I may consider, others are rediculous, such as arguing about the school mascot which I obviously have no control over.

I think I'll try to fix up the banner a little, but I'm not much of a graphic designer. I'm much better at writing code than designing graphics.

Other than that, thanks for everyone's input, it is highly critical but I guess that is good.

[bwh2]

I guess I see your points, some I may consider, others are rediculous, such as arguing about the school mascot which I obviously have no control over.
i'm not arguing about choice of school mascot. obviously you can't control that. i'm arguing that your presentation of the school mascot is poor.