New Layout with After Effects and Flash!!

[Dave321]

Ok here is a new project I have been working on. I cannot put this in my portfolio because the studio I am working for wants full credit when it launches, but I dont think it would hurt by just getting some advice from fellow designers.

I am currently having some trouble with the Flash Embed problem, so for now you will have to either deal with it in IE or use a different browser. This is just a layout to show the graphics and animations, the coding will be completely redone by some awesome guys at the studio I'm working for.

HERE IT IS: http://ullmanm.com/tattoo1.html

Let me know what you think,
Mike

[kenisfam]

The graphics are ok,

But i dont really like it.

Its also hard to read the menu buttons, and well ,
the menu hasnt got any effect , in fact i only see the steam as an effect and also
the first time it loads , it does it funny so i think a preloader should be there.

all in all its not too bad ,

you should also consider , include the flash in a js file with document.write() and so when the page loads the flashes, the user doesnt need to activate it first ,
thing that also molests on your page .

just my 2 cents

Luck

[Dave321]

The graphics are ok,

But i dont really like it.

Its also hard to read the menu buttons, and well ,
the menu hasnt got any effect , in fact i only see the steam as an effect and also
the first time it loads , it does it funny so i think a preloader should be there.

all in all its not too bad ,

you should also consider , include the flash in a js file with document.write() and so when the page loads the flashes, the user doesnt need to activate it first ,
thing that also molests on your page .

just my 2 cents

Luck

When it first loads it should have the more complex animation. It doesn't have a preloader yet, but they do the coding, it will probably be added. I'm guessing you have dialup? Click the logo after you have already had the site load once, then you will see the more complex animation.

As for the flash embed issue, i already mentioned that, it will be dealt with when the coding begins, now the layout is strictly to show the graphics and animation.

Mike

[Dave321]

2 replies?! Come on, I know some of you got something to say...

[SlowRoasted]

Nice site. I dunno if I like the hinge movement on the main page, it doesn't look very realistic. The smoke animation is sweet, but a bit redundant being on every page. Maybe make the entire site flash so you can have the smoke animation occur once.

Nice interface work.

[ø]

You should do something else to the menu. I think the rest looks decent. Good graphics, but it looks a bit awkward. I think you should center the "main window" and consider making a navigation underneath the header or something instead. It looks weird/skewed.

And it's choppy!?

Have a nice one:)

[nj_jcarter]

I like it... though for a tattoo parlor I would have liked to see more um tattoos maybe? Also the way its layered is wierd. When you click on a link everytning shouldn't reload... just the appropriate area that would need to change. I love most of it. But the menu and crest don't seem to fit the rest of it. It's very dirty and grundgy while the menu and logo are clean and sharp.

Don't get me wrong, I think it's really nice. Just needs to be refined. Also a preloader would be AWESOME :)

[REEF·]

Hey I love the barbed wire effect. The header's my favorite part and I cant wait to see the rest in action. Oh yeah, that tattoo area image in the content box looks really smooth.

+1 :azn:

[BoonDock]

With that type of header graphic you have - I would expect to find the navigation at the top of the page and not down the side of it as you have.

I also didn't really see a need for the After Effects that you used - just because it seemed to slow down the initial animation - and the animation/effects weren't really anything to wait for. So as much as its great that you are using After Effects and making yourself more efficient by trying to implement the two applications - i don't see a need for it here ... unless you used more effects with the site.

Over all not too bad as far as the look - I don't like the nav because it bumps the content off centered when it looks like it should be centered directly below the header graphic.

Anyways - stay at it! Kudos!

Cheers,
Boon.

[Pasquale]

The header was looking tiight, then the nav was a bit of a letdown. There are no transitions between pages either (though its html) its OK :P

Fix the body and nav and u'll have a winner.

[ronnie]

Nice PS work. The animation could move faster and maybe have a bit of inertia (overshoot) to give it some weight. Also, the dust/steam should dissipate more slowly)
Everybody's already pointed out the other issues that I think should be addressed.

[Dave321]

Thanks for all the feedback!

Just so you guys know, things like the preloader and the coding glitches will be fixed up for the final version. I get to let the 'coders' do that :D I would image the final product will use some sort of div or frame thing so the header only has to load once. I kinda like having the smoking puff every time you click something, but I could see how some people find it annoying.

Also, I didn't really want to overdue it with the button effects. But if you guys can think of a cool effect that would fit for that kind of nav, just let me know, I'm all ears.

Also the nav was supposed to be under the header originally, but then the client kinda through a monkey wrench into the situation and said he wanted it along the side.

As for the AfterEffects, I dont think it adds all too much load time, at least it doesn't on the systems i have tested it on. How long did it take for you guys to load the header?

Thanks
Mike

[REEF·]

0-1 seconds here. Didnt recognize any loading.

[Dave321]

The header was looking tiight, then the nav was a bit of a letdown. There are no transitions between pages either (though its html) its OK :P

Fix the body and nav and u'll have a winner.

btw, those illustrations you have been coming out with are sick, i could really see a kinda niche audience for something like that.

@Reef: thanks for the quick test, btw, what have you been up to? still doing the music thing or any ps stuff? (i know you love when i ask if you have done anything lately)

[REEF·]

music thing? besides listening to it, nah. ps stuff? tons. i even entered a national tournament with my school to build a "educational website" but I plan to capture the judges' hearts with some elite photoshoping they wont expect from people who are supposedly "new to the web design scene" :evil: but I'll make sure I show you this one once it's complete.

oops, back to your thread :azn:

[Dave321]

music thing? besides listening to it, nah. ps stuff? tons. i even entered a national tournament with my school to build a "educational website" but I plan to capture the judges' hearts with some elite photoshoping they wont expect from people who are supposedly "new to the web design scene" :evil: but I'll make sure I show you this one once it's complete.

oops, back to your thread :azn:

I thought you were getting into that FruitLoops producing stuff, or was that your brother? Anyways, good luck on the tournament, and yes, you got to post it. I feel bad for the kids getting sand bagged.

[=guinness=]

one of the nicest tattoo sites i've seen. most look like crap that a person who got a hold of word97 made.

detail of header animation is a little lost because i focused on it scaling and moving and didnt notice all the detail of the smoke, and extras on the sides at first. maybe scale, then details so people notice them.

typography on the buttons is a little too condensed, either increase the tracking or choose a lighter weight.

other than that it looks great, nice job.

[pablosci]

i think the idea of mix after effects and flash is very nice, but the desing is not working for me, and you should try to put a preloader, to make better animation and video streamming, chekc teh flash video import option to put the video as a movie clip embebed on the timeline.

[Jolly_Fat_Man]

I like it!
Reminds me of an arian rock band unfortunatelly; but don't go by me.
I'm a freak! :P

It's heavy in terms of design, and the header is heavy on the computer I was at.
I was on a P3 500 w/ 512MB PC100 w/ 32MB AGP on Windows XP Pro.

It's slow only on the beginning. When it's just smoking it looks fine...

The buttons feel weird. I think it's the letters, the rest looks good.
Now I got it! The buttons are clean! The rest of the site is dirty... :lol:

I'd either go with making the buttons look more like an old piece of jewelry or...
Making it look like a board presentation. An old one. Like 1930 or something...

You'd open up the curtains and it would be underneath.

The letters still need to be sharper. They look strange...

Great work! :thumb2:

[nj_jcarter]

I think people have a stigma when it comes to tattoos nowadays. They want to be reminded of how safe and clean the place is. The flipside of that is that people who are tattoo afficianados are not gonna care about the cleanliness but about the skill of the artist.

[SPAD3S]

plus its really slow and choppy . but nice