Need help with a website design

[Ohls]

So my sisters friend wanted me to make a website for her compeny since I did my sisters site( www.hundsteg.se ).She said she wanted the menus the same, The backround color white and that gold gradient.

Now heres what I came up with: http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/6067/fahsb2.jpg

I know, its totally horrible =(.

I have no idea on what to do, I've been working on this site forever but I just cant come up with a good design. I think adding another backround color would actually me improve the site alot. I dont know though.

Anyone got any ideas? anything will do, I'm at a loss here :(

[ø]

A very good thing to do is just look at other sites and get inspiration.
Play around with different effects and stuff and you'll create something cool:)
Don't copy other sites, just steal ideas;)

[CanisMajor]

Your sister's site has curved lines which makes our eyes move around and look and then keep moving around. It also has a softer feel because of the curves and flora.

The other site has straight lines that move us linear and then STOP. Plus it feels cold and harsh.

I think the colors are okay (especially if that is what she wants) but I would add curves and maybe bevel where the gold gradient is.
The logo is hard to read and poorly done. Perhaps you could make that corner one image with the dogs in the background with the writing on top using Photoshop or Fireworks. Or instead of the sillihoute of dogs, maybe you put a real image of a dog to give it a friendlier feel.

To me, it just needs a few tweaks. It appears to be for dog lovers and I am thinking they would prefer a nice simple fuzzy feeling as opposed to a more techie feel.

btw, what is hyr in oss? I am pretty sure it is not what I am thinking. :}

[evildrummer]

if its done in flash use it to your advantage, have soft fuzzy images, use motion, dont create a site that could have been done in (x)Html.

[Pasquale]

:-o
whoa
Ok - look around on the web - cssgarden cssvault, unmatched style :P anything! :P

Look at the current trends and then base something upon it and go go go :D!!!

[thesparky007]

one thing i dont like, most designers dont use, is a greatly varying gradient for a big object, meaning a rectangle with 200x100 size and a linear gradient that goes from gold to white at 50% opac. or something, unless its really a small color change,ora small object, people dont use them for big parts of the sites or just not that noticeable, that doesnt mean it looks ugly all teh time but its just not hte normal type
one thing that always gets u started is the font, choose a font that easy to read, not big, a common type and start from there, sometimes ideas come out of there, or choose a background pattern like from www.squidfingers.com or something, that would be a good way to start.
the important thing is that the site should look soft and have a nice look to it- calm colors,neat layout,nice fonts,nice matching background altogether make a wonderful site.
hope i helped atleast a bit because thats a big post!

[poccer2]

You might find it useful to sit down in your study and plot ideas, grab a pen and fill a paper with various ideas. Also design your site according to the THEME of your site, do not go crazy putting things you've seen in other web sites that have nothing to do with "dog training" or so it looks like it is.

capich?
-LFOC

[Ohls]

Sorry for the late reply, I've been moving out of my parents house so I havent had access to internet in my new appartment till now.

Thanks alot for the good idea's and help!

Heres what the page looks like now: http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/6426/fah2uy8.jpg

It still doesnt look good though. I need to fix the box for the side menu a bit, thats the biggest problem I think. Anyone know any good idea :/?

Also I didnt make her logo, and she wont let me change it since she has it printed on tshirts and etc.

[punkerton]

check out designmeltdown.com (http://designmeltdown.com) and dailyslurp.com (http://dailyslurp.com). These two sites are truly incredible design resources.

[poccer2]

Add a drop shadow to the upper line make it look like it's carved in...