New Layout Critique

[Megalopolis]

Hey everyone, for those of you who have reviewed my site last time I'm asking for another round of critiques :) I ditched my old layout and created a new one as well as edited my portfolio and writing. Please let me know what you think, to me my site still feels busy and I'm really debating about the right column, I want to keep it but I don't know what to put in there that would look good.

http://meaganalix.com

Thanks!

[mattbing]

You want the good news or the bad news first?

The bad news:
The site sucks. Can you say dull.

The good news:
Your design/illustration style is great I really like it. Why not stick with that style throughout the site? I love what you did when you left highschool (signs all over the place), and the colours and style is awesome. Stick with that and honestly "stay real" to your style and don't compromise that style/individuality for anyone, and you'll do well.

Seriously just illustrate your whole site, one page at a time, and keep it all hand done, and it will really stand out. Right now it looks like it's been done by a number of different people.

[Megalopolis]

hah wow, ouch. well I can't say I'm happy to hear that, but thanks for your honest opinion. I like my illustration design too, however I really don't think it's the most proffesional way to go about what I'm trying to do. I am going to make a portfolio for my drawings some day, and when I do I'll definitly stick with that style, but as for a graphic design website my demographic doesn't exactly match with that style. but thanks for the compliment :)

anyone else?

[katgal]

To say it "sucks" is a bit harsh. But it certainly could be improved.

The header graphic, for example, is flat. No pop. And the "logo" leaves much to be desired. Even just something as simple as selecting a new font with more character would add so much to the feel of the page.

If you're in love with the hot air baloon theme, how about one of these images? They're from iStockphoto.com (http://www.istockphoto.com/index.php?&refnum=katgal). (If you're not already a member, let me know and I'll send you a referral email, which will get you some free credits.)

With some selective cropping, I think you could come up with a compelling header image.

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/2159036/2/istockphoto_2159036_hot_air_balloons.jpg (http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/life/recreation/ballooning/2159036_hot_air_balloons.php?id=2159036&refnum=katgal)

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/2763714/2/istockphoto_2763714_preparing_to_launch.jpg (http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/gender/male/men/2763714_preparing_to_launch.php?id=2763714&refnum=katgal)

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/2225990/2/istockphoto_2225990_happy_bear.jpg (http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/life/recreation/ballooning/2225990_happy_bear.php?id=2225990&refnum=katgal)

[tZ]

your tracking is way off in your header and your tote bag piece is out of focus.

yeah… I think its bland but, it works to a certain degree.

My only other criticism is that many of your projects look more like experimental design work then finished pieces with a real world application.

[urstwile]

I suspect that much like we expect so much more of our colleagues on here in terms of thinking outside the box, for lack of a better term, there are certainly deeper ways to express one's discontent with a site design than "it sucks".

I'm just sayin'. Don't drop the ball in critiquing stuff with simple, hurtful expletives. Critique it with some thought in mind, that's what this area is for, that's why people post their stuff, so that they can learn and grow in what they're doing. "It sucks" is hardly a learning experience, it's a put down. Others come to these showcase posts, read the critiques, etc. Valuable criticism doesn't need to apply to just your work, you can learn from the critique of other people's work and apply it to yourself as well, taking what you need and discarding the rest.

That's why this forum exists, so everyone can learn.

Saying "it sucks" serves no one's purpose, unless the goal is emphasizing some far-flung superior attitude you have about your own opinion.

Trust me, someone thinks as little of your opinion as you do of theirs. I'd like to think that it doesn't have to happen here.

So take the high road. As an added bonus, you'll probably live longer.

[mattbing]

Yeah that was pretty brutal, sorry magalopolis.

What is your demographic though? Why, when you have the ability to illustrate in a unique way, wouldn't you use those skills to enhance your site? Currently looks like stock photo and clip art (balloon). As a potential client your site does nothing to differentiate itself from other sites.

And yeah it doesn't really suck, but it is rather bland. I was in a way not trying to be mean. More I was kind of pissed that you're not using your style to create a site.

[JPnyc]

I agree that the method of delivery was too harsh, but the point is a valid one, I think. Your style should permeate the site as well as your work. After all a website is a visual medium, primarily, just like the graphics you design

[kevincdg]

It's simple. I enjoy the layout, I just think the elements could blend alittle better.

As suggested, look into some stock photos. They might have some free, useful ones at www.sxc.hu (i think, or type stock xchng into google). I know sometimes it's hard to afford stock photography if you're just starting.

Also, another thing is the navbar. It's way too generic, and not really...for lack of a better term, pretty. It looks like you're just using size 16 Verdana on a box background. Try playing with the type -- you're using images, which means you can use whichever fonts you want. They don't have to be that big, either.

Try experimenting with different things, such as caps, no caps at all, fonts, roll-overs perhaps? Perhaps the would look better in only a light grey, with no background -- but keep the lines going across? Maybe thin vertical lines breaking them apart, but not touching the horizontal bars? The rollover could be a simple transition to dark grey?

In my mind, if you want to keep the same, clean layout you have now, work with the stock photo (with possibly more contrast in your header, such as a serif font for the tagline) and the navigation.

I like the rest, and you have some good work. :)

Nice job.

[Megalopolis]

Thanks for the comments everyone. I have been really struggling with trying to find a layout that is me, and to some degree this layout is me, but for the most part it is not. I don't really know how to go about keeping my illustration style in my design work, and yet make it look proffesional and appealing at the same time. My demographic are people who own small businesses, bands, and artists. I don't really know how my illustration style would appeal to them, on one hand it would make my site stand out from the rest, but on the other hand, it would look unproffesional. I'm going to work with it, maybe take your advice and sketch some stuff out.

As for fonts, can people suggest some good fonts to download? I'm tired of using verdana/tahoma/arial.

As for the stock photos, that photo was taken from stock.xchng. I don't have the money to buy a stock photo right now, so does anyone know of any other good free sites? Katgal, I love the last photo you posted. I might try drawing something like that of my own and using that.

Thank you all for your comments, please keep them coming.

[steve2112]

Please do not say you can't afford images from istock. they cost between 1-5 bucks a piece. This is your portfolio. This is what clients will see and this is only place you have to persuade them to use you. I would also elimanate any reference to school work in your text. never save something was an assignemnt, just call it a project. Like all the others say your illustrations rock and that is your strength. You projects that are not as illustrated are not as fun looking. You are not a design firm as of yet and ytou might not want to think of it as such. A portfolio on the web can be a bit more free than say a ad agency site because you are selling yourself to get a job. Especially if potential employers are going to go there before they even interview you in person. We do a send in your resume with website links and if we like what we see we set up an interview to see your printed portfolio and ask some questions. I do not think it sucks your site it just doesn't show your strengths.

steve

[Megalopolis]

right now i hav $4.00 to my name, haha, I can't really afford much right now.

[Testerdahl]

Ok,
I guess I will comment where the others haven't gone. While I agree with the graphics discussion, I feel that the writing could be sharper.

On the opening page, I just plain get lost in the first paragraph. "Having a website is a great way to get your name out there and to sell your products. ... No matter who you are or what you do, having a website makes you a proffesional."

Let me explain, it doesn't sound like a sales pitch to me. Think about it, walk up to someone on the street and read them that paragraph. When you see their eyes glaze over you know you have too much text. To me, you talk to much on the front page and when you can really talk, i.e. About, you leave something to be desired. You have to hook that client on the first page then bombard them with more text. I would spend sometime working on a simple sales pitch and then get crazy with typography.

On your resume, kill all the jobs that don't reference graphic design, essentially all of them. In the descriptions of your designs you mention an ad you created for a client and an internship. Where did these jobs go?

I would also reconsider the order of your tabs. Fast food joints put price first because they know that is what sells. You are an artist, your creativity comes first and price is farther done the scale, like last. If they really like you price will not be the determining factor.

Lastly, it is always annoying on a site when you can't find the "home" button. I would suggest creating a tab for one and also make your graphic on top link back to home.

I hope it helps.

T

[steve2112]

i would save up money and downlod the low res images for placement. Then when everythinng is about to be finalized perhaps then you can purchase them. With 4 bucks you can get 2 photos. Also you can work part time. :)

Steve