New website design concept

[KH-Labz]

Hi there,

Just been doing some designs for a new layout for my website, KH-Labz.net.

Just would like your opinions so far, it isn't quite finished but you can get the general idea:



Thanks in advance,

Kieren

P.S Woo, my 100th post!

[Alex*]

i like it i like the simplicity but you could try it out with different colours to which work the best

[WebGrafix]

I think maybe a new font on the navigation. Also make the navigation larger and bolder

[Bassoonjedi]

I think that the main message of the site is lost actually. What is this site for? What kind of people should nose around there? It's a beautiful site for someone selling waterfront Mediterranian property. Perhaps a bi-line on the header will clear up that issue.

I like the choice of fonts and the framing of the site. It keeps the eye on the text on the page. A very clean site.

[Kelly Creative]

Got to agree it's a lovely site if you're boat selling or like Bassoonjedi said waterfront buildings.

[MickyO]

What is the site selling if it's not property or boats?

[4gotten]

nicely done. clean site

[D856C]

If there isn't a "reason why" for using the waterfront - boat photos, there isn't any design concept.

You have to relate the composition of the photography to the message you're trying to get across for there to be any kind of concept. Then you can advance to the next stage: Does the design concept work?

"Whatever Floats Your Boat"
The default concept -- I call it a theme -- is whatever floats your boat. One web design firm uses a lone tree on a grassy plain ....why? Because they can.

....Whatever floats your boat.

Another site, for a business consultancy used a beautiful flash header on the theme of "balance." The header actually used the word balance in the animation. However the text never made one mention of balance in the body copy. This turned what could have been a design concept into a superficial gimmick.

....Whatever floats your boat.

A design concept is where you pick up the concept of balance and weave it into the business philosophy. So, for example, you talk about what in the business world is out of balance, how the business consultancy detects imbalances, and what their recommendations do to restore balance.

Otherwise we're devolving into "whatever floats your boat." And that is a depreciating asset. And that's why people think they can pay $50 and lower for web layouts.

FYI: Another term for what I just outlined is called Branding. And not one out of fifty designers know or understand whatever floats your boats designs aren't branded just because they're aesthetically pleasing.

[docsharp]

It looks nice and simple. I agree with D856C as well.

[dannynosleeves]

Originally Posted by Bassoonjedi

I think that the main message of the site is lost actually. What is this site for? What kind of people should nose around there? It's a beautiful site for someone selling waterfront Mediterranian property. Perhaps a bi-line on the header will clear up that issue.

I like the choice of fonts and the framing of the site. It keeps the eye on the text on the page. A very clean site.

Im not sure what kind of lab you are. Why the boats? It looks like a portal page to me.