Website Idea, re-design

[Russlock]

Hi all,

Wouldn't mind a few of you taking a look a my site I am trying to re-design as my old one is getting a bit too heavy.

please ignore the "check domain" section as I am still trying to get this to work, but I'm more interested in the portfolio section, as this is the easiest for me to add new sites to when I do them.

New site

[Toon]

It's going well, I like the portfolio layout.

Bad points.....

don't like the times font and the grey backgound's not doing it for me, it makes it look a little flat. nice start though.

[Russlock]

ok, lets start with the background.

i normally use a colour wheel, but the 2 complimenting colours to the main blue look cr*p, so what do you think of black?

please also remember, I have never confessed to being good at graphic design.

cheers

[Toon]

I'm not a fan of black but I couldn't say what it looked like until I saw it, maybe a darker grey bordering on black.

I've used a dark grey and light grey stipe before you're welcome to see what that looks like.

http://www.taylorsprint.com/css

background file here..

http://www.taylorsprint.com/css/Images/Back/bkgrd.gif

I spose you'd have to compare a few to see what ones work best.

[Russlock]

toon,

I have used your gif, I think it looks good, what do you think?

[Toon]

I'm not sure if it now takes away from the content. Sorry to waste your time. You can see what other's say.

Unless you really want to waste your time.......

You could set up 5 css style sheets with different background colors/effects and have a changer for people to view. Run a poll and see what people prefer.

<toon> I'll answer my own question as I answer other peoples <toon/>

How much time do you think I have????

[Russlock]

no worries, only takes seconds in css; and that's the beauty of it.

leave it with me, I'm on the case

[Toon]

love the enthusiasm russ

[flashwiz]

Hi Russ.... for me the background is too heavy for the site.... and the other things that stands out is the menu... i think as toon says you should drop the times font... its not clear enough really for a website... you dont have to use Arial or Verdana if you want something different, try Georgia for example... anyway back to the site, i think from a personal point of view you need to re assess the space that you have given to elements on the design... one of the things i notice most is that things are not aligned consistently, for example the homepage "welcome to" and "About me" are not aligned... this is something that is so simple yet makes such a difference. Also what are the blue circles for on the images to the left.... if there not actually doing anything then i would remove them... im all for white space, but there is a little too much... but again just my opinion... but i do think even aligning things up a little better and a different font will make the world of difference.

[Russlock]

right, time to stop playing around.

Version 3 is here

again, totally different, using my old logo, but in white with a selection of menu items. (these will change).

just some feedback on the general layout would be good to start with.

image on top left changes on refresh

cheers all