Need a couple critiques...

[Beck]

Would you guys mind critiquing a couple of my sites?

www.foodtools.com/index8.html (http://www.foodtools.com/index8.html)
The thing I HATE about this site is the background. The company wants a light background that isn't too distracting. Any suggestions to make it less...boring as hell?
(This one may need to go under the soap box topic. I'm their graphic designer, but they give me NO creative freedom. Just to give you an idea of life before my positionthereexisted, here's their current website: www.foodtools.com (http://www.foodtools.com). Enjoy.)


Here's the next site...
www.motorcitysports.net/indexmag.html (http://www.motorcitysports.net/indexmag.html)
It's missing something. It's just not very interesting, but I'vebeen lookingat it for so darn long, I can't figure out what it needs to give it "umph".

Thanks!!

http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[::: SNAZ :::]

Foodtools.......... get rid of the vertical lines OR make the line extremely light coloured.
You're putting white on white......... make the back ground light grey or light blue....

Motorcity.......... the background lines are too thick


Keep designing... ;)

SNAZ

[Beck]

Thanks.

Motor City's done...my team and I finally came up with a design we could all agree on...whatdya think?

http://www.motorcitysports.net/indexmag3.html